The country of Libya has in recent years become a fantastic holiday destination for those travellers seeking a different and energizing holiday experience unlike no other. This North African gem is relatively un-spoilt, but is becoming increasingly popular for numerous reasons. Libya has a diverse kaleidoscope of natural spectacles from the Sahara Desert to the Mediterranean Sea, making it a magnificent beach and safari location.
Mitiga International Airport (Google Map)
2 Hours Before Flight Time
what makes it so fascinating and mysterious is its unique blend of Arabic, European, and African influences along with its old-world ambience. This is none more evident than in the Roman ruins and landmarks that are of pivotal and historical significance to Libya’s heritage. Most of the Roman cities in the country have been preserved at an exceptionally high quality with the likes of Sabratha and Leptis Magna being amongst the most sought-after sites to visit. Leptis Magna is Libya’s greatest Roman constituency and is arguably the best preserved of all the Roman cities in the Mediterranean, and still has many of its monuments intact today.
Garian, town, in the Tripolitania region of northwestern Libya. It lies at the foot of the plateau Jabal Nafūsah, 50 miles (80 km) south of Tripoli, and was a major centre of Italian colonization in the early 1910s. After the Turko-Italian war (1911–12) and the defeat of Turkey, the Gebel, Berber, and Fezzanese peoples in Libya continued to fight but could not stem the Italian advance. Gharyān fell to the Italians in December 1912 but was recaptured in a counterattack by local peoples in July 1913. Olive-oil processing, flour milling, carpet weaving, and pottery making are the main occupations. It is linked by road with Tripoli and Mizdah.
Apollonia was founded towards the end of the seventh century BCE as the port of Cyrene, the great Greek metropolis in the northeast of the country that is now called Libya. Because Apollonia was dependent on the older city, it was not a very important town, and shared in Cyrene’s fate. So, it was part of the Persian or Achaemenid Empire after 513 BCE.
Ahlan wasahlaan “Welcome” to Libya – we are warmly welcomed and after clearing Custom and Immigration, we are met at the exit gate and transferred to our hotel. The drive gives us our first glimpse into the life of the people who live in the capital city. Overnight Hotel
A visit to the Saraya museum, then a drive to Sabrata 69 km west of Tripoli, after having lunch at a local restaurant; a visit to the archeological site which is inscribed in the world heritage list, famous for monumental constructions such as temples, mausoleums, and its landmark the theatre. Return back to Tripoli overnight stay at a hotel.
Gharyan, a favorite local retreat. In Gharyan, we look at the fascinating troglodyte dwellings, underground habitations that for centuries, Berber families called home, but which are now uninhabited, save for a few stray animals that have made their homes there. Picnic lunch. Drive back to Tripoli Overnight in Hotel.
A full day in Leptis Magna 120 km, a famous archeological site inscribed in the world heritage list, its remains give us a perfect picture about the urban organization in Roman times; its public monuments, man-made harbor, storehouses, markets, its theatre, amphitheatre and circus all of these show how this city prospered and flourished during that era .
Lunch at local restaurants, then completion of the tour, a visit to the museum and later on the return to Tripoli overnight stay at a hotel.
Our Libyan experience starts with a tour of Tripoli, founded by the Phoenicians in 1000 B.C. and later conquered by the Romans. Our tour of this beautiful metropolis covers the huge fortress, the National Museum, the old souq and the Islamic quarters. Later in the day we are transferred to the airport for our short flight to the second largest and most beautiful city of Libya, Benghazi. Upon arrival in Benghazi we are met and transferred to our hotel. Evening we enjoy a typical dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight Hotel, Benghazi
Our day starts with a tour of this beautiful resort city of Libya. The second largest city of the Jamariya houses a spectacularly maintained War cemetery (Libya played a major role in the North African Korps). We see the old town with its artistically designed buildings, and colourful souq. Benghazi also offers us the opportunity to meet the Libyan folks and enjoy tea with very friendly people who have lived history in the making for several thousand years. An interesting drive along the eastern coast gets us Soussa.
Overnight Hotel, El Beyda (2 nights)
Our journey today starts with a visit to the World Heritage Site of Cyrene. The city was part of the 1st century five city state of Pentapolis and was second in size only to Athens. Cyrene was founded by the Greeks in 631 B.C. and was later occupied by the Romans and then the Arabs. We also visit the famous temples of Zeus and Apollo and after lunch we visit incredible Apollonia (Sousa), which was the port of Cyrene and is located 20 kms/12 miles to the north. Here our visit includes a detailed visit of the majestic Theatre, the Roman baths as well as the Byzantine palace.
A morning drive through Jabel Akhdar gets us to Qasr Libya where we visit an interesting museum that houses more than 50 pieces of mosaic artifact fragments dating back to the 6th century AD. Our next stop is Ptolemais, the former capital of Pentapolis, offering today remains of palaces, theatres, Bouleterion and a 3rd Century Bridge. Lunch at a local restaurant and then we have some free time in Benghazi before we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Tripoli. At Tripoli we are met and transferred to our hotel.
Today we take a small tour to ancient city of Tripoli, or free tour shopping, depending on the schedule, later in the we transfer to Tripoli airport, departure to home destination.
