Taleen El Gharib

We discover so many magical escapes in Lebanon, and each more breathtaking than the last. This heritage villa in Batroun is no exception, a stone structure feels lifted from the pages of Lebanese history. What makes AMANI special is the story behind it. The villa was built by Dr. Adib Basbous (1873–1950), a philosopher, diplomat, educator, and polyglot who studied in Paris. He appreciated art, architecture, and craftsmanship—a love reflected throughout the property.

When people think of Aley, Chinese food probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But tucked away on Piscine Street is WASAI, an eatery that’s quietly become a destination of its own for anyone craving authentic Chinese flavors. WASAI is a modern spot serving a mix of Asian favorites and traditional Chinese dishes. It’s a refreshing change of pace in Aley, where traditional Lebanese tables have long dominated the dining scene.

The art world is finally catching up to Nabil Kanso (1940–2019). Recent acquisitions by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, and the Sursock Museum in Beirut, alongside renewed critical attention from The New York Times and Artforum, are bringing long-overdue recognition to one of the most important painters of the modern Arab world. Nabil Kanso with Lebanon (1983) in his studio, Atlanta, USA. Photo courtesy of the Nabil Kanso Estate.