From Carthage to Leptis Magna
Discovering the ancient sites along Africa’s Mediterranean coast
Day 1 Fly from London Gatwick to Tunis and transfer to the Tunisian 5-star Hotel El Mouradi Gammarth for one night.
Day 2 Visit ancient Carthage and the Bardo Museum with its collection of near perfect mosaics. Travel to Port El Kantaoui for two nights at the Tunisian 5-star Hotel Mouradi Palace.
Day 3 Visit El Djem the world’s third-largest surviving Roman amphitheatre, then the Ribat and medina of the ancient walled city of Sousse.
Day 4 Drive to Kairouan, Islam’s fourth holiest city, to view its Arabic monuments and Great Mosque, Continue to Tozeur, on the fringes of the Sahara and renowned for its mineral springs, ancient irrigation system and Mesopotamian architecture. Two nights at the Tunisian 4-star Mouradi Tozeur Hotel.
Day 5 Optional desert safari by jeep to the oasis towns of Chebika and Tamerza (bookable locally). A tour of Tozeur includes the Dar Cherait Museum.
Day 6 Travel to Douz, gateway to the Tunisian Sahara. Optional camel ride to explore the sand dunes. Continue to Matmata to view the Berber troglodyte houses. Visit the Ksar of Medenine en route to Zarzis. Overnight at the Tunisian 4-star Hotel Odyssée.
Day 7 Visit the island of Djerba. Cross the Libyan border and stay four nights at the Libyan 4-star Hotel Al-Shagara in Tripoli.
Day 8 Visit Sabratha, formerly a wealthy trading port, and its museum with fine mosaics. Return to Tripoli via Janzour and the Punic catacombs.
Day 9 Visit the Libyan National Museum which compares favourably, in terms of exhibits, with the British Museum, and Tripoli old town and medina. Dinner at a local fish restaurant.
Day 10 A day visiting the major sites of Leptis Magna, once the largest Roman city in Africa.
Day 11 Transfer to the airport for the return flight to London Heathrow.
Extension – Cairo
This extension includes four nights at the 5-star InterContinental Hotel in Cairo (see page 54 for hotel description), including breakfast, transfers and two halfday excursions: the Pyramids and Great Sphinx and a guided visit to the Egyptian Museum. Optional excursions include the Citadel, Mohammed Ali Mosque & Khan el- Khalili (inc. lunch) – £26; Memphis & Saqqara (inc. lunch) – £26; Pyramids Sound & Light – £21.
Extension – Apollonia & Cyrene
This three-night extension visits Qasr Libya, with its marvellously preserved mosaic panels, Cyrene, founded in the 7th century BC and its port of Apollonia. Cyrene was influenced by many different cultures including those of the Carthaginians, Greeks, Egyptians and Romans. Includes internal flights, sightseeing, two nights’ accommodation at the Hotel Manara or Hotel Qasr Al Beyda, with the last night spent in Tripoli at your chosen hotel.
