From
Nabatiye, drive north to the district of Iqlim al Tuffah or
Apple District, so called because of apple and other
fruit-tree plantations. Leave the Nabatiye crossing in the
direction of Kfar Rumman, 2 kilometers north of Nabatiye.
Continue to Arabsalim (10 km) and Jarjuh (12 km) where remains
of old water canalizations from the Roman period and ancient
historic caves are found. These hydraulic installations
carried the water to Sidon and vicinity and are called by the
locals "the Zenobia channels".
On the hill slopes east of the village are
abundant water springs, the most famous being Nabeh al Tase
which is surrounded by outdoor restaurants and coffee shops.
Seventeen kilometers from Nabatiye is Ayn Abu swar, where the
tourist can visit mineral water springs and enjoy lovely
promenades and outdoor restaurants. The next village is Jbaa
(17 km), where one can admire the ruins of an old monastery
and Roman tombs. Around the abundant water sources of the
village are fruit-tree plantations and a large number of nice
outdoor restaurants. Note that you can also go to Jbaa
following the Sidon-Kfarhatta-Kfarmelki- Kfarfila road.
Northwest of Nabatiye lies the village of
Habbush (4 km) meaning "jail" in Syriac. East of the
village, rock-cut tombs with reliefs have been found. Continue
to Dayr al Zahrani (8 km). The old watchtower that once stood
here is reduced to few stones, but one can still see the
ancient stone grape presses. From Dayr al Zahrani, one can
return to Sidon. |