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| Off limits to most Americans and Europeans since the mid-1980's, Libya's rich history and culture have been little experienced by western tourists. This country boasts five UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Cyrene, Leptis Magna, Sabratha, the old town of Ghadames, and the rock art sites of Tadrart Akakus in the southern desert - and is a virtual treasure trove of archaeological remains.
Its advantageous harbours and rich soil drew colonists from Phoenicia and Greece, and later attracted Roman, Byzantine and Arab conquerors. The legacy left behind by Libya's past occupants - impressive temples, magnificent theaters, exquisite churches and formidable castles, all preserved to an astonishing degree - serve
as a magnet to draw visitors today.
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| Leg 12 - Libya |
The blue water of the Mediterranean Sea will be our permanent companion during the long drive through endless desert landscapes from Sallum via Tobruk to Derna. However, it is said that Ras Al-Hilal, 30 km east of Cyrene, is the most beautiful place along this coast. |
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| A visit to Cyrene, founded in 600 BC by Greek settlers, is a absolute must, not only for its temples but also because Cyrene is essentially a replica of Delphi. From Cyrene the road continues along the coast towards Benghazi, the second largest city of Libya, and on to Leptis Magna, one of the most important cities of the ancient Roman Empire. |
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Temple of Zeus - Cyrene |
Ruins of Leptis Magna |
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| Next is Tripoli, a city with a distinctly Italian face, infectious Arabic spirit and decidedly North African disposition. Tripoli combines an ancient medina (old town) and flashy boutiques with a colourful marketplace and fascinating architecture and is the kind of place that needs to be soaked in and enjoyed. |
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Entrance to Medina in Tripoli |
Medina in Tripoli |
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| The medina is the best place in town to get lost in a labyrinth of narrow streets and souqs (markets) and is the home of 38 mosques, the Al Saray al-Hamra (Red Castle) and the last remaining Roman monument in Tripoli, the Arch of Marcus Aurelius at the northern end of the medina. |
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Arch of Marcus Aurelius |
Mosque in Tripoli |
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| From Tripoli our journey continues west to Sabratha, the sister town of Leptis Magna before heading towards the Tunisian border. The ruins of Sabratha are not nearly as spectacular as these from Leptis Magna, although the theatre is near-perfectly preserved and very impressive. |
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Ruins of Sabratha |
Ruins of Sabratha |
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We will cross the border from Libya into Tunisia at Ras Jedir.
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Leg 12 - Estimated distances and duration |
| Sallum - Cyrene |
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| Cyrene - Benghazi |
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| Benghazi - Tripoli |
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| Tripoli - Ras Jedir |
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| Accumulated estimates from start at Cape Agulhas |
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| Above travel distances are between major travel beacons and do not include any deviations such as excursions to tourist attractions, scenic routes, game drives etc. |
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| Other Information |
Unfortunately, we can not cover all great travel destinations and tourist attractions in Libya but will mention some of them here for you to explore:
Derna, Cyrene, Appollonia, Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountains), Benghazi, Leptis Magna, Tripoli, Sabratha, Ghadhames, Tripoli, Jebel Acaus
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