Tailor Made Holidays in Libya: Highlights

Wander the ancient streets of Leptis Magna

Leptis is one of the most extensive Roman sites anywhere in the world, a fact that becomes apparent as you walk under towering Arch of Septimus Severus at the entrance to the city and see the paved Roman street stretching past ancient temples, forums and markets down to the sea. Sitting in the vast and wonderfully preserved amphitheatre overlooking the Mediterranean at the end of your tour is a great place to reflect how this once insignificant town was briefly at the heart of the Roman Empire.

Read more about: Leptis Magna
 
Browse the Medina in Tripoli

The medina remains a bustling place and is a great place to while away a few hours in Tripoli. There are several Arab houses which are worth visiting, such as Dar Al Karamanli, now a museum, and the Old British Consulate, now a library. The copper-makers' souq is noisy but is a good place to see artisans making the crescent moons which top the capital’s minarets. If you are after souvenirs, there are plenty of handcrafted baskets, carpets and fine textiles on sale. The Medina is also the location of a number of interesting mosques with brightly coloured doors and tiles, such as the Gurgi Mosque and Nagah Mosque.

 
Take in the strange scenery of the Akakus Mountains

The Akakus Mountains are located in the very south of Libya, near the border with Algeria. Famous for their centuries-old rock art, they are the perfect destination for those seeking extreme peace and quiet. The weird and wonderful rock structures are a geographer's delight - enormous rock arches, caves and weathered columns are dotted all around the area. The rock art, some of it over 10,000 years old, shows animals more usually associated with southern Africa and there are also scenes of the daily life of the ancient inhabitants, including depictions of hunting and weddings.

Read more about: The Fezzan
 
Visit the ruins at Cyrene

It is not just the extent of the ruins of Cyrene, but their location which takes one's breath away. The site is situated on a hill above a fertile plain which stretches to the Mediterranean Sea, adding to the beauty of this site. If you are lucky, the former director of antiquities for the region, Dr Fadhil Ali Mohamed, will be showing you around the ruins. He has been overseeing excavations, restorations and the creation of a museum here for many years and is both informative and entertaining during tours.

Read more about: Cyrenaica
 
Explore the desert outpost at Ghadames

Known as the Jewel of the Sahara, Ghadames is a fascinating desert outpost, where whitewashed alleyways hide vividly decorated interiors. The ancient medina was designed to keep out the hot summer sunlight, so many of the alleyways are extremely dark, with the odd skylight helping to guide the inhabitants. The houses themselves were also designed to exclude heat and sunlight, so the main rooms have no windows, with mirrors and white paint helping to increase the amount of light available. Local guides know the routes around the city very well, ensuring that you never get lost, although you may get a little disorientated!

Read more about: Ghadames
 
Get a glimpse into the past at Villa Silleen

Villa Silleen is situated between Leptis Magna and Tripoli and is the place to visit for an insight into the daily life of a well-to-do Byzantine family. The building is perched on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and has a fascinating range of mosaics and frescoes in its rooms and in the small garden. The eastern wing of the building comprises a small bath complex, complete with plunge pools and hot tubs and decorated with marble, mosaics and frescoes showing bath and sports scenes. A visit to this site really helps bring ancient ruins to life.

 
See the mosaics at Qasr Libya

Qasr Libya is the location for the most beautiful mosaics in the country, taken from a Byzantine church on the same site. The mosaics, laid between AD 529 and AD 540, have been removed from the church and mounted on the walls of a small museum. Fifty panels, in perfect condition, show various gods, others show flora and fauna, whilst others portray important buildings. The most interesting panel is number 48, which is an image of the Pharos lighthouse in Alexandria.

 
Stay overnight in the Ubari Sand Sea

The Ubari Sand Sea is usually the last stop on a desert expedition. Following a few hours of dune driving, which is exhilarating and sometimes slightly terrifying, you set up camp for the night. This is a perfect opportunity to enjoy the solitude of the desert and watch the stars, or if there is a full moon, read by moonlight! The following morning is spent exploring the desert, and the salty lakes which are dotted around are a great place for a swim after a couple of days in the wild.

Read more about: Idehan Ubari
 
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