Mediterranean & Gaddames Town

Mediterranean & Gaddames Town

Eight Days

Day one: - Arrival at Tripoli Airport, meet assistance, transfer to hotel, dinner at Restaurant.

Day two: - Full day at Sabratha city (Roman city) back to hotel, dinner at Restaurant.

Day three: - Tripoli old town, National museum, Arch of Marcus. Dinner at Restaurant.

Tripoli, the site of Phoenician Oea founded circa 500 BC, is the capital of Libya. Although no vestiges of the Phoenecian settlement remain, there are traces of Roman times including the Arch of Marcus Aurelius (163 AD) constructed entirely of marble. Other sites of interest include the wonderful National Museum, located within Tripoli Castle, and the old medina, within which is a crossway notable for Roman pillars embedded in each corner building. The medina contains interesting souks and mosques, of which the interior of Karamanli Mosque is particularly beautiful.

Day Four: - Full day at mountain of Nafosa-drive to Gaddames, Dinner at Restaurant.

Day Five: - Visit Gaddames old city, National museum, sunset in sand dunes.

Described as the Pearl of the Desert, Ghadames is an attractive oasis town on the edge of the Sahara near the border with Algeria. It was once the southern outpost of the Roman Empire although there is now little evidence other than tombs. The old town of Ghadames is very picturesque, notable for its "cake and icing" architecture and its labyrinthine streets. Interesting sites include the cultural Museum, the Traditional House richly decorated in local style, the Great Mosque, and the Main Square once used as a slave market. Outside of town is to be found Ain al-Dibana Lake (which, although inviting on a hot day, is not recommended for a swim as it is a salt lake and there are no showers available!). There is also a grand sand dune area for those who will not be venturing into the desert proper and who would like a taste of the Sahara.

Day six: - Drive to Barber villages, back to Tripoli.

Day seven: - Full day at Marble city of Leptis Magna. Back to hotel.

Day eight: - Transfer to Airport for your departure.