While excavating baba’s vast book and magazine collection today, I came across this MEA travel brochure on #Lebanon dated May 15, 1961. (I believe the sun/snow trope may have originated here.) THREAD on 1960s Leb as told in this brochure:

On Lebanon’s Mediterranean climate: “The visitor, in fact, may bathe in the beautiful Mediterranean near its coastal plains on an early spring morning and an hour later ski on its snow-topped mountains”

I enjoyed this snippet: “The official exchange rate is approximately 3.2 Lebanese pounds to the USD”

And this: “Vestiges of the story of man from its early days to modern times are found in Lebanon and this combination of historic landmarks and ideal geographical situation and climate have made the country a land of predilection for tourists and vacationers“

There’s a pullout feature on Jeita Grotto:

“To the flickering light of candles and oil lamps, they moved around for ten hours in a background worthy of a tale of the Thousand and One Nights”

And a list of nightclubs including Kit Kat, Casanova, Moulin Rouge and La Casbah:

“In Beirut one finds a large number of international clubs in addition to numerous local sporting and musical clubs” (sadly not much else is written on night/musical clubs)

Also a Beirut by Night option, the AlHamra Bowling Center, “first public bowling in the Middle East, air-conditioned”

As for air travel, there were flights to Jerusalem:

Beirut was really the place to be:

“Beirut compares well with any of the famous resorts of France, Italy or Spain, not only from the sunshine it enjoys all the year round, but from its modern hotels, gay nightclubs, beautiful beaches, and unrivalled opportunities for sports”

Among places to visit in Beirut, my alma mater AUB, “the largest American University outside of the US”; The National Library, whose “collection of Arabic manuscripts is one of the best in the world”; & The Race Course, featuring “v interesting races between Arab Thoroughbreds”

Lebanon was apparently great for amateur photographers: “Amateur photographers may find excellent opportunities in and around Beirut”

And for shoppers: “The shops of Beirut overflow with a tempting selection of Western made articles and Oriental goods”

And of course, the cuisine:

“Lebanese food is delicious:
You find food to suit all tastes in Lebanon.. European dishes cooked to perfection, as well as Lebanese national foods so delicious they just melt in your mouth”

“Oriental” foods incl kafta, shawarma and hummus

And, obviously, the beaches..

“Few countries enjoy the ideal conditions Lebanon affords and visitors can make the most of their stay, whether short or extended, for the initial outlay and the amount of preparation needed are almost negligible”

For trips outside Beirut, maybe Beit Ed-dine: “It is a fine example of old Oriental architecture and is rich in beautiful multicoloured mosaic floors of fascinating design”

That year, the Baalbeck International Festival featured La Comdeie Francaise; Folklore Libanais; Royal Ballet de Londres; Opera di Camera di Milano; and Son et Lumiere

A handy tourist map of Beirut:

Last but not least, a pic of The Lebanese Folklore Troop “Al Anwar” before a trip to Paris

This Lebanon sounds incredible and I would very much like to visit it some day