Libya

After years in isolation, Libya is gradually re-opening its doors to the outside world. It is a spectacularly beautiful country, steeped in the legacy of its colourful past. From the ancient rock paintings of the Acacus Mountains to the stunning Greek and Roman remains along the country’s north coast, and the Italianate architecture of the capital, Tripoli, there is much to discover here.

Essentially, Libya can be divided into three distinct regions - the old administrative districts of Tripolitania, Cyrenaica and Fezzan.

Covering the north-western part of the country, Tripolitania is the heart of modern Libya and the site of its thriving capital, Tripoli, with its ancient Medina and Italianate architecture. It is also the setting for two of the most impressive and best-preserved Roman archaeological sites in the world, Sabratha and Leptis Magna, and, to the south, the unique Ghurfas (grain stores) at Nalut and Qasr al Haj, and the beautifully preserved oasis town of Ghadames.

‘Historical’ Cyrenaica covers the Mediterranean coastal strip of north-eastern Libya. Stretching from Benghazi to Tobruk, it is the site of remarkable Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman remains, most notably the ancient cities of Cyrene and Apollonia. The region also played an important role in the North Africa Campaign of World War II.

In the far south, Fezzan has some of the most beautiful landscape imaginable, largely desert broken by rocky outcrops and dry wadis, and sparsely populated by nomadic Tuareg. The undulating dunes and salt water lakes of the Ubari Sands, and the basalt rock formations sculpted by the winds in the Acacus Mountains are quite simply stunning. As are the natural galleries of exquisite rock engravings and art that date back some 10,000 years, and are found across the Fezzan.

A word of warning! It is only in the last few years that it has become possible to visit Libya again, and you may find the hotels and service not yet up to the standard of many other Middle Eastern destinations. Equally, domestic flights do not always operate to schedule and some of the distances you may have to travel are long. Having said this, the ancient sites and desert scenery are spectacular and, provided you are prepared for all eventualities, you will have an unforgettable time.