Travel asia- Algeria - Roman Mauretania
Travel asia- Algeria - Roman Mauretania
This has long been the missing piece in the picture of Roman North Africa. Those who have been to Leptis, Carthage and Volubilis have looked longingly at textbook photos of Timgad and Djemila, and wondered when they might get to visit these amazingly well preserved sites in the province of Mauretania with us.
The time has come! Algeria is still one of the least-visited countries in the world, but that is because there is no infrastructure (or presumably desire) for mass tourism. Our Guide Lecturer is experienced in leading Andante tours, is half-Tunisian and speaks fluent Arabic, and we have now together devised an itinerary which allows lots of time at the major sites, includes some beautiful sites which are less well-known, and enables you to enjoy something of contemporary Algeria too - an energetic and vibrant country which is changing very fast.
Security is still quite intense for groups of visitors, and you will have to be prepared to abide by the rules, but the friendliness of the people and the excitement of real travel through terrain untouched by mass tourism brings a sense of adventure and discovery. This is a journey which should only be taken by those who relish such experience. We have chosen new and newish hotels, and have a smart new bus for transporting us over the rapidly developing road network, and the sites and museums are full of amazing artefacts and structures - there will be plenty of great surprises for those who love Roman and Byzantine remains, and for anyone with an interest in the archaeology of the Maghreb.
Our revised itinerary flies into Algiers, drives east to Setif, and then on through the sites of Djemila ('the beautiful'), Timgad (a whole day here), the legionary bases of Lambaesis and Tebessa, north through the hills to Annaba and the territory of St Augustine, thence to the dramatically situated city of Constantine and a flight back to Algiers. We now finish by driving west to Cherchell and the lovely Tipasa, a fine end to the archaeological sites. There is a final morning in Algiers itself before flying home.The actor Phil Davis recalls bucket-and-spade holidays in Suffolk and a rather wet time in Lanzarote.
This has long been the missing piece in the picture of Roman North Africa. Those who have been to Leptis, Carthage and Volubilis have looked longingly at textbook photos of Timgad and Djemila, and wondered when they might get to visit these amazingly well preserved sites in the province of Mauretania with us.
The time has come! Algeria is still one of the least-visited countries in the world, but that is because there is no infrastructure (or presumably desire) for mass tourism. Our Guide Lecturer is experienced in leading Andante tours, is half-Tunisian and speaks fluent Arabic, and we have now together devised an itinerary which allows lots of time at the major sites, includes some beautiful sites which are less well-known, and enables you to enjoy something of contemporary Algeria too - an energetic and vibrant country which is changing very fast.
Security is still quite intense for groups of visitors, and you will have to be prepared to abide by the rules, but the friendliness of the people and the excitement of real travel through terrain untouched by mass tourism brings a sense of adventure and discovery. This is a journey which should only be taken by those who relish such experience. We have chosen new and newish hotels, and have a smart new bus for transporting us over the rapidly developing road network, and the sites and museums are full of amazing artefacts and structures - there will be plenty of great surprises for those who love Roman and Byzantine remains, and for anyone with an interest in the archaeology of the Maghreb.
