Conference Venue:
The conference venue is Abou Khater Auditorium, Notre Dame University-Louaize. The campus is located in Zouk Mosbeh, a coastal area, 15 kilometres north of Beirut and 20 kilometres from the Airport. At an altitude of 100 meters, the campus overlooks the beautiful bay of Jounieh, one of the most attractive touristic locations in Lebanon. The region affords easy access to the economic and social life of a growing urban area. Banks, restaurants, theatres, elegant shops, and coastal resorts lie within short driving distances from the University. Also accessible are Mount Lebanon and Jeita Grotto, a tourist area within walking distance from the Campus.

The Bay of Jounieh		Jeita Grotto

Climate:
The climate of Zouk Mosbeh in April is usually pleasant and sunny. On the average, there are 300 days of sunshine each year, a fact which allows for a variety of outdoor activities. However, you will need a light blazer or jacket, especially when we visit mountain regions. Humidity is relatively high in coastal areas and low in the mountains.

Transportation:
The conference organisers will arrange airport transportation to the hotels for international participants. (Please send us a detailed flight schedule as soon as possible). However, if unexpected schedule changes happen, please hire an officially registered Airport taxi and tell the driver the address of your hotel. (The trip from the airport should take about 40 minutes and should not cost more than US$35.00).All transportation for scheduled activities will be provided by the conference organisers in modern air-conditioned buses. However, if you would like to visit some places on your own, you can rent a car or hire a taxi. (Please call reception desk at your hotel for best service). Places of great touristic attraction within the same region of the conference venue include the City of Jounieh, Kaslik (a shopping center), the Grotto of Jeita (one of the world’s most fabulous caverns), and the Lady of Harissa (overlooking the Bay of Jounieh and reached by cable or by car).

Conference Tours:

Friday, April 28, 17:00-20:00:
A visit to Al-Freike, birthplace of Ameen Al-Rihani, and of Al-Rihani Museum will be followed by a reception by Prof. and Mrs. Ameen A. Rihani. One of the plenary sessions will be held in the garden of the Rihani Residence.

Saturday, April 30, 8:00-20:00:

This one-day tour will include several touristic and cultural sites. A visit to Byblos, a 7,000 year old coastal city, in which the first alphabet was invented and later transported to the ancient world by the Phoenicians, will be followed by a visit to Besharre, a mountain village and birthplace of Gibran; in Besharre a visit of Gibran’s Museum, where we hope to arrange another plenary session, will be followed by a tour of the Cedars of Lebanon, which rise in their enchanting beauty on a hill about 2,000 meters above sea-level. 

Optional Tours:

Participants willing to have personal or group tour can get in touch with their hotel receptionists. Places of interest include:  The Temples of Baalbek (The best preserved Roman temples in the world—85 kilometres from Beirut); the Phoenician cities of Sidon and Tyre (30 and 45 kilometres from Beirut); and downtown Beirut (Spotted with the most exotic sites, restaurants, and clubs). Possible tour from Lebanon to Damascus, Syria and Amman, Jordan can be arranged as well; you can book online with:
- Nakhal Travel
- Anastasia Travel
- Wild Discovery
- Kurban Travel

Conference Dinner:

The Conference Dinner will take place on Thursday,April 28, 2011, at 08:30 p.m., in the restaurant of the new campus of NDU.

Useful Phone Numbers:

You can call the following persons at any time
during the day or night if need be:
Dr. Naji Oueijan         
Cellular:  03-666163
Home  :  09-221240