WHERE THE HEART IS

AS A CHILD, I ALWAYS YEARNED TO TRAVEL.

And as soon as I became an adult, that yearning became an obsession. Whenever my family grew fatigued by my constant need for new adventures, I was told, ‘You are just like your great-grandfather! You have wanderlust!’ – as if it were something to be ashamed of. To me, it was ‘wonderlust’ – an irresistible excitement for unexplored places and experiences, and a need to feel and see the wonders of the world. That fire continues to burn.

As my husband, Paddy, and I explored more and more of Lebanon after my first visit in 2018, I became increasingly enchanted by this beguiling country. It truly had cast a spell on us and we counted the days between our visits. I am constantly amazed that, despite its small size, there is so much unspoiled and majestic natural beauty – mountains and forests, oceans and beaches, waterfalls and rivers, caves and ski slopes.

“ There is an energy here that is electrifying, and the food scene is inspiring