An Interview with Henrik from Agent Henrik Travel Design, Platinum Jets Concierge Partner
Where ancient civilizations meet modern hedonism – through the eyes of someone who actually knows where the back entrance is.
Introduction
For travelers who’ve exhausted Mykonos, Saint-Tropez, and the Amalfi Coast, Lebanon remains the Mediterranean’s most intoxicating secret.
To understand why, we sat down with Henrik Tidefjärd, founder of the award-winning travel company Agent Henrik and concierge partner to Platinum Jets. Henrik has spent over two decades opening impossible doors across Europe and the Middle East, but Lebanon? That’s where even he admits the country wins.
What follows isn’t your typical destination guide – this is a proper conversation about culture, contradiction, and why leaving Beirut feels like breaking up with someone you just met.
Henrik, you’ve worked with destinations all over the world. Why Lebanon – and why now?
“Look, Lebanon is for people who are tired of predictable perfection. This is where 7,000 years of civilization crash into one of the planet’s most vibrant nightlife scenes. People arrive curious and leave fundamentally changed – and yes, slightly heartbroken, but I’ll get to that later.”
Hospitality as a Cultural Instinct
What immediately stands out when clients arrive?
“The service, but not in that rehearsed corporate way – Lebanese hospitality is genuinely genetic. You’ll meet people who casually switch between Arabic, French, and English, obsess over whether the olive oil is from the right village, and genuinely lose sleep if they think you didn’t have an exceptional experience. I’ve watched Lebanese friends apologize for traffic jams they didn’t cause, then spend three hours showing you their favorite hidden restaurant to make up for it. Oh, and speaking of traffic – it’s absolute chaos with its own unwritten codex, so don’t even think about renting a car. Let the local drivers do their job!”
Design, Cuisine & the Art of Living
Lebanon has a strong reputation for style and food. Does it live up to it?
“It exceeds it dramatically. Boutique hotels occupy restored Ottoman mansions with original terrazzo floors and Art Deco lighting, while concept stores mix centuries-old Middle Eastern techniques with European design. The food isn’t dining, it’s theater – a “simple” mezze becomes 40 dishes, and four hours later you’re still at the table having become best friends with the entire staff.”
Nightlife That Refuses to Sleep
Beirut nightlife has a legendary reputation. Why is it so different?
“Because the Lebanese have lived with uncertainty and learned that life needs to be celebrated right now, tonight. The diversity is insane – from live Arabic music at Centrale to rooftop sophistication at posh Iris and Clap, then the waterfront superclub AHM, where Beirut really shows off with architectural theater and crowds that actually know music. Grand Factory leads the electronic scene, and there are Armenian jazz bars, underground venues without signs – whatever your mood, Beirut delivers with intensity you won’t find anywhere else.”
Ancient History, Modern Energy
How do history and modern life coexist so seamlessly?
“By not overthinking it – that’s very Lebanese. You can visit Baalbek’s Roman temples that dwarf the Parthenon in the morning, swim in the sea by lunch, ski in the afternoon, then dance in a superclub until sunrise. Phoenician ports now have boutique hotels, Crusader castles overlook beach clubs, and nothing feels like a museum – it’s all lived-in and integrated into daily life.“
Pluralism, Resilience & Identity
Lebanon is often described as complex. How should travelers understand it?
“It takes some journeys to Lebanon to understand its complexity, but eighteen officially recognized religious communities share one small country, with mosques and churches literally meters apart. Walk through downtown Beirut, and you’ll see the Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque and Saint George Maronite Cathedral side by side – it has an immense symbolic impact. Lebanon is actually the best example of how the Middle East used to function before borders were drawn after World War II – different religions living side by side, doing business together, intermarrying. What survives despite everything is creativity, tolerance, and a completely unbreakable appetite for life that’s genuinely inspiring.”
Beach Clubs, Mountains & Natural Drama
What surprises clients the most?
“The sheer density of experiences – you can drive the entire country in a few hours but the diversity is absurd. World-class beach clubs like Orchid Lifestyle and Butlers in Batroun, and Rocca Island are sophisticated entertainment complexes with international DJs, while the Cedars of God, Jeita Grotto, and actual skiing at Mzaar Kfardebian with Mediterranean views prove you don’t choose between nature and nightlife. You just do both, often in the same day. In winter, I’ll have breakfast by the sea in Zaitunay Bay wearing just a t-shirt, and an hour later I’m standing at 2,400 meters in my full ski gear, overlooking the Mediterranean sea below.”
The Platinum Jets Experience in Lebanon
How do you curate Lebanon differently for Platinum Jets clients?
“We don’t do tours – we open doors that don’t open for anyone else. Private dinners with local chefs, underground clubs without signs, archaeological sites with actual archaeologists, family wineries where you taste wines that never make it to export. We plug our guests directly into the creative scene – art galleries, music producers, fashion ateliers, and the startup ecosystem where you’ll be genuinely surprised by the entrepreneurial skills among Lebanese. This is Lebanon beyond headlines, experienced through people who actually live and create here – you’re not observing, you’re participating.”
What About Language and Getting Around?
Do visitors need Arabic to navigate Lebanon?
“Not even slightly – Lebanese people are possibly the most multilingual society on Earth, with English and French everywhere. You’ll meet taxi drivers who discuss Proust in French, then explain the best hummus spot in English. Learning “Shukran” and “Yalla” earns ridiculous goodwill, but honestly, the moment someone detects the slightest struggle, they’ll switch to whatever language makes you comfortable.”
Final Word
Any warning for first-time visitors?
“Yes, leaving is genuinely difficult. I’ve watched successful, rational VIP guests get emotional at the airport because Lebanon gets under your skin in ways that are hard to articulate. You’ll discover that “habibi” becomes one of your most important words – you become everybody’s habibi simply through your presence and curiosity about visiting Lebanon. People don’t just visit Lebanon, they fall in love with it, and like any great love affair, leaving feels like heartbreak.”
Begin Your Journey
Private jet access. Fully curated itineraries. Unfiltered Lebanon.
Contact Platinum Jets to design your bespoke Lebanese experience – where 7,000 years of history collide with tomorrow’s celebration.
Fair warning: we’re not responsible for the inevitable desire to cancel your return flight.