First occupied between 8800 and 7000 BC, Byblos is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world and home to the scroll that led to the modern day alphabet!

I visited the city ruins on a sweltering summer’s day with a tour guide who walked me through the fascinating remnants of the 18 different occupiers of the ancient city. We walked past a Roman temple, theater, along deep pits that are said to be tombs of the Gebilitic royalty.

After the ruins tour, I explored the souks to find fish fossils, fez hats and ate a refreshing plate of Ashta and fruit!