RMS Caronia Timeline

Tour #22: Friday, 14 October 1955

Beirut, Dog River and Byblos

Half-day, by automobile

Price: $8.50 per Person

Friday, 14 October Itinerary

9.30am

A drive by automobile visiting this cosmopolitan capital of the new Republic of Lebanon. Pass the famed American University with its beautiful campus, see the weird Pigeon Rock at the sea's edge, and view the United Nations buildings.

Return through the busy streets of Beirut, and drive up along the Mediterranean shore through fruit orchards and interesting villages to Dog River, which flows through the mountains to the sea a few miles north of Beirut.

The gorge through which the river rushes was a notable pass of antiquity known to the conquering armies of Egypt, Persia, and Babylonia. Sculptures cut in the rock by these hosts tell of their passage.

Proceed to ancient Byblos, a once famous Phoenician seaport, with ruins dating from Greek, Roman, and Crusaders’ times. Return to the CARONIA after a most interesting morning drive.

(Members of this tour cannot participate in Tour 25)

Tour #23: Friday, 14 October 1955

Baalbeck

Full-Day, by automobile, (luncheon included)

Price: $17.50 per Person

Friday, 14 October Itinerary

Baalbeck, named for the pagan sun god, Baal, has always been famous for its delightful climate. The Greeks once renamed the city “Heliopolis”, their name for Sun City, but it reverted to its original name and has retained it ever since.

After a brief tour through Beirut the drive continues through the Valley of Bekaa to Baalbeck. It is one of the oldest cities in Syria and stands 3,700 feet above sea level, commanding a fine view of the plain below studded with villages.

The city is known for its sun and for its Greek and Roman ruins. Caesar was impressed with the magnificence of Baalbeck when he visited here.

You see the ruins of the Temples of Jupiter, Bacchus, and Venus, the Acropolis, and The Great Court of the Altar. The party returns to the ship in the late afternoon.

(Members of this tour cannot participate in Tours 21, 24, 25 or 26)

NOTE
Passengers wishing to visit both Damascus and Baalbeck are advised to take the 2-day Tour #25 rather than the individual tours to the two cities. In this way some duplication will be avoided.

(Members of this tour cannot participate in Tours 21, 25 or 26)

[Produced for the 1955 Autumn Mediterranean Cruise by American Express]