HIDDEN TREASURES OF LIBYA
IN 11 EXCITING DAYS

Forbidden to Americans after being proclaimed a terrorist state in 1986, Libya is now open to travel. The country is trying to amend perceptions of its social and political role in the world. Libyans especially want Americans to see their strategic and historical role in North Africa through fresh eyes.

The first groups of U.S. visitors who travel to this oil-rich Mediterranean nation are sure to encounter many surprises. Most of Libya’s citizens share in the country’s high standard of living, and Libya's tourism infrastructure is reasonably strong.

With ties to Europe and Africa dating back to ancient times, the Libyan people are curious about the U.S., and open to gestures of friendship.

Adding to fascination with Libya’s complex present is the country’s stunning connection to the past. Ancient artifacts of unbelievable splendor, world-class museums, and breathtaking underwater ruins are among the most spectacular in the entire Mediterranean region.

Libya is an essential cross-roads of cultures, past and present, which no world traveler would dare to miss.

ITINERARY
January 12-25, 2005

Day

1. Fly to London (from each traveler's departure city), assemble Vision Tour group at Heathrow Airport.

2. Fly to Tripoli, Libya; meet Issayan Travel guides, sightsee in Tripoli, acclimate to jet lag, overnight in class 4 hotel.

3. Sightseeing in Tripoli - National Museum, Arch of Marcus Aurelius, mosques and souk. PM departure to Sabratha to explore Phoenician and Roman ruins. Return to Tripoli for restaurant dinner, overnight in same hotel.

4. Mini-bus to Ghadames, via Nalut.  Drive through beautiful mountains to isolated Berber villages, unchanged since 11th century.  Ghadames, our destination oasis, is a UNESCO world heritage site, with covered streets, sunken gardens and traces of Saharan caravans alongside modern irrigation systems.

5. Explore Ghadames and desert culture.  In cool morning, visit Grand Erg sand-dunes, return to Ghadames for visit to museum, lunch (couscous) with local host families.  After dark, participate in Tuareg community songs, stories, and dances.

6. Mini-bus from Ghadames to Kabaw to Gharayan.  Explore Berber granary storage houses (trogdolytes), incredible caves and a thriving pottery market. Picnic lunch and dinner at local restaurant.

7. Mini-bus from Gharayan to Leptis Magna and Tripoli Airport. Fly to Benghazi. Spend a day at Leptis Magna, magnificent Roman ruin. An entire city from 2nd Century AD uncovered from sand in the early 20th Century, Leptis Magna features Roman temples, amphitheaters, mosaics, baths, and excellent museums full of ancient art. All explanations offered by local English-speaking guides. Evening flight to Benghazi followed by dinner and overnight in 4-star hotel.

8. Explore Benghazi, Ptolmais, Al Bayda.  Cyrenaica (the coastal region east of Benghazi) was colonized by Greek explorers in 7th Century BC, and remained the capital until Roman conquest in 1st Century AD.

9. Al Bayda will be our base for exploring excavated sites such as Ptolmais, Cyrene (Greece's second-largest city after Athens), Qasr Libya, site of mosaics and underwater ruins near Sousa.

10. More travels through Cyrene and Apollonia - the ancient capital of Pentapolis. Swimming and boating in the Mediterranean.

11. Visit Byzantine basilica, ruins of early Christian churches, additional Greek ruins at Apollonia. Return  to Benghazi through lush Jebl Al Kadhr highlands, stroll through souk and dine at local restaurant.

12. Benghazi to Tripoli by air. Spend remainder of the day exploring Tripoli's fortress, mosques, medina and other attractions. Evening at a restaurant - festive farewell dinner with Libyan hosts.

13. Fly to London, Return to U.S. (on your own schedule).