"Beirut's Ex-Abandoned Mansion" is now a vibrant community for artists and a workspace in one of the city's oldest areas. I love its vintage feeling...

"Catrinas" is one of my favorite restaurants in Beirut. It makes extremely delicious Mexican food and has spot-on atmosphere. Just try not to go at night.

"Holiday Inn Beirut" was a victim of the war. It has remained abandoned since the '70s, continuing to remind the Lebanese about the horrors of conflict...

"Pola Berry" in Beirut is a cute little cafe with flowers and a swing! The owner is Syrian and took the idea from a cafe in Amsterdam. Oh the strawberries!

"Villa Badaro" has been one of my favorite spots in Beirut for many years. This restaurant is in an old villa home -- I just love sitting in the garden...

"Mataam Al Sudan- Sahretna" in Beirut is a Sudanese restaurant that gathers together the city's Sudanese/Ethiopian community. It's as local as it gets!

"The High Llama Coffee Shop" is slowly becoming one of Beirut's favorite spots to chill, chat and work! I really like their whole llama theme...

"Memory Tree" is a beautiful piece of art in Beirut that's hardly known to tourists. It is a symbolic cemetery that honors the famine victims of 1915-18...