SHINING A SPOTLIGHT./
KARIM SAYAH IS A TRAINED PHYSICAL THERAPIST (+ GENERAL FITNESS GURU!) BASED IN BEIRUT, LEBANON./
WE ORIGINALLY CAUGHT UP WITH HIM AFTER THE DEVASTATING EXPLOSION IN THE CITY'S PORT IN AUGUST 2020, WHICH DESTROYED LARGE PARTS OF THE CAPITAL./ BUT THE RESILIENCE SHOWN BY THE CITY'S INHABITANTS HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE AND, WHILE STILL RECOVERING FROM THE ORDEAL, THE CITY CONTINUES TO REBUILD./
KARIM WAS KEEN TO SHINE THE SPOTLIGHT ON HIS HOME CITY./ IN RECENT DECADES, BEIRUT HAS NOT BEEN AN OBVIOUS CHOICE FOR THE AVERAGE TRAVELLER BUT, AS KARIM POINTS OUT, IT IS AN AMAZINGLY VIBRANT PLACE WITH LOTS TO EXPLORE - ESPECIALLY IF YOU KNOW WHERE TO LOOK!/
HE LOVES THE CITY, NOT ONLY FOR ITS AMAZING PLACES + UNIQUE VIBE, BUT ALSO FOR THE MANY CREATIVES WHO CALL IT HOME - SUCH AS ARTIST + DESIGNER MARIO ZAHER./ WE ASKED KARIM TO SHARE SOME OF HIS FAVOURITE PLACES IN THE CITY...
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RAOUCHÉ CLIFF
"It is known for its upscale apartment buildings, numerous restaurants, + cliffside cafés that line the corniche or the wide, seaside sidewalk of Avenue de Paris, which is popular on weekends + evenings, where strollers + joggers crowd the pavements. Don't forget to watch the sunset fade behind that giant nature made rock in the middle of the sea."
T MARBOUTA RESTAURANT
"It's the best Lebanese hidden gem in Hamra Street. Enjoy that yummy food in its backyard with friendly staff + amazing atmosphere."
@tmarbouta
MAR MKHAYEL
"Mar mkhayel is the most famous street, known for its bars + nightlife experience. Mar mkhayel is the place to go to catch pre-party drinks. Although it's an old area, it's full of young people with vibrant energy."
All photos are copyright F1FTY except: Karim Sayah profile photo (Courtesy of Karim Sayah); Raouché Cliff (Credit: Piotr Chrobot on Unsplash); T Marbouta (Credit: Instagram @tmarbouta); Mar Mkhayel (Credit: tongeron91 CC BY-SA 2.0)