we have plans for 4 days in beirut in early may. we have flight reservations and a room with a local family (b&b). our daughter sent us all kinds of warnings and alerts from us, nz and canadian govern. mostly talking about southern region but all of lebanon has warning. should we cancel our plans? we are americans. thanks

travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_948.html

Travel warnings out the wazoo Syria nearby a powderkeg now

I probably would skip it get refunds

insuremytrip.com have a backup plan if you elect to try it.

Enroll in the STEP program for sure and stay very aware.

Good luck you will need it if you go.

thanks so much. plan to cancel flight and spend the 4 days in trabzon along the black sea in turkey.

I'm due to leave for Lebanon later this month for a two week trip, we'll be in Beirut and to the North of there, not to the South.

The trip is being lead by a friend who lives here in UK, grew up in the USA but is Lebanese by descent and spends much time in Lebanon with family.

At the moment, since the British Foreign Office has not put out a No Go travel warning, and neither has my friend, I'm still planning to go.

If they or she change their advice, (the first of which would invalidate my trip insurance in any case) I will consider cancelling.

Otherwise, I'm going!!!

Dont skip Lebanon!
That state department warning has been there since the mid 1980s and is widely ragarded by many travelers as being way too extreme.
Lebanon is a fantastic country with warm peoplem, amazing food, nightlife and scenery. I never felt so welcome in a country, plus its very safe to walk around, even at night. The risks are no more then heading to Los Angeles and getting mugged! The media is awfully biased, and if I were you I would read the numerous travel blogs on people's trips to Lebanon, you will be pleaseantly surprised.

I strongly recommend a visit, you wont regret it.