This three-week journey across North Africa takes us through three similar yet surprisingly different countries: Tunisia, Libya and Egypt. We wander through the narrow lanes of some of the oldest and most fascinating medinas in the world (medina is simply the word used for the old part of a city or town). Some are walled, or partly walled, entered through a giant gate or Bab, and some are covered. All contain old mosques, many of which are still in use, and most have souks, where local handcrafts and old wares can be found. In fact, life often goes on much as it did decades ago. We also visit some of the world's premiere Greek and Roman archaeological sites and museums. In Tunisia we see the unusual underground villas at Bulla Regia and the massive colosseum at El Djem. And in Libya we see the splendid theatre at Sabratha, and the cities of Leptis Magna (arguably the world's finest Roman site), Cryene (modelled on Delphi) and Apollonia. Our journey also takes us through rural areas where the traditional ways still dominate and into the Sahara Desert where we see remarkable troglodyte dwellings and ancient towns and ksour constructed from mud. Discover the warmth and hospitality of the local villagers and desert dwellers. Our final days are spent in Egypt where we sample the wonders of this ancient land.

Day 1, Tunis: Meet at Tunis airport and transfer to hotel.

Day 2, Tunis: Morning visit to the impressive Bardo Museum, past palace of the Beys of Tunis. The museum houses the world's finest collection of Roman Mosaics and has a lovely Islamic section complete with tiled courtyard and fountain. Afternoon tour of the lively souk (great for exotic finds) and historic medina where many fine mosques and colourful doors can be seen.

Day 3, Cathage and Sidi Bou: Morning excursion to ancient Cathage. See the ancient Punic ports, Tophet and the Antonine Baths. Lunch at the lovely sea side village of Sidi Bou Said. With its cobbled streets and whitewashed houses it seems as if it belongs somewhere in the Greek Islands. Drive to Tabarka.

Day 4, Bulla Regia, Le Kef, Kairouan: Spectacular mountain drive though a forest of cork oaks to the unusual Roman site of Bulla Regia, which has a number of well-preserved underground villas. Afternoon drive to Kairouan, Islam's forth holiest city. Stop en route at the village of Le Kef, crowned by a kasbah.

Day 5, Kairouan, El Djem, Sfax, Matmata: Early morning visit to the Great Mosque and the beautifully tiled Mosque of the Barber. Drive to El Djem to see the magnificent Roman colosseum. Continue onto Sfax where there is time to explore the medina before leaving for the troglodyte village of Matmata set in a stunning lunar landscape. Overnight in a troglodyte hotel.

Day 6, Ksour Area: Full day tour of the Ksour area. A ksar (plural ksour) is a mud-brick structure several stories high consisting of many arched chambers (ghorfas). Originally built to store grain, ksour were used by the Berbers during the Arab invasion as strongholds. See many fine ksour and visit the Mosque of the Seven Sleepers at Chenni. Overnight in a traditional ksar hotel.

Day 7, Sabratha and Tripoli: Enter Libya. Visit to the Roman city of Sabratha. Half day guided tour of this splendid site, including the museum. Continue on to Tripoli.

Day 8, Tripoli: Guided tour of Libya's historic capital. Visit the medina, Castle, Jamahiriya Museum (which houses impressive collections of statues, mosaics and artefacts form Libya's classical sites), Gurgi Mosque, Roman Arch of Marcus Aurelius, and Gazelle Fountain.

Day 9, Nalut and Ghadames: Journey through the foothills of the Jebel Nafusa mountain range to Nalut. See the 300 year-old mud-brick ksar and the even older Alala mosque. Continue on to Ghadames.

Day 10, Ghadames: Spend the day exploring the old town. Visit tiny vacated houses, the historic House Museum, ancient market places, mosques, and gardens.

Day 11, Ras al Ghoul, Camel Trek to Lake Mujazim: Morning excursion to the Roman ruins at Rag al Ghoul (Haunted Hill). Afternoon journey by camel across the dunes to the beautiful oasis lake of Mujazim, whose waters are saltier than the sea. There is an opportunity for swimming in this lake, which is picturesquely surrounded by golden sand and rocky hills. Return to Ghadames.

Day 12, To Misrata via Gharyan, Yefren, Al-Ghala: Journey back across the desert through Gharyan to the perched villages of Yefren and Al-Ghala. The latter is a fine example of the traditional arrangement of upper and lower villages. Continue on to Misrata on the coast, where we relax for the evening.

Day 13, Leptis Magna: A full day to explore these splendid Roman ruins. Includes a visit to the museum and an informative guided tour. Return to Misrata.

Day 14, Drive to Benghazi: A long drive across the coast to beautiful Benghazi, Libya's second largest city. Stop en route to se the reservoirs of the Great Man Made River Project.

Day 15, Benghazi: A full day to explore this modern, yet historic city, founded by the Greeks. Guided tour includes the tomb of freedom fighter, Omar al-Mukhtar, and the Traditional House Museum.

Day 16, Tocra, Tolmeita, Qsar Libya, Slonta: Morning visit to the ancient Greek sister-cities of the Tocra and Tolmieta, both charmingly situated overlooking the Mediterranean. See the Turkish fort at Tocra, and the Monumental Street and Hellenistic Palace at Tolmeita. Afternoon drive through the picturesque Green Mountains to Ras el-Hilal. Stop en route to see the fine collection of mosaics recovered from a Byzantine Church at Qsar Libya (which include the only known depiction of the Pharos Lighthouse at Alexandria), and the exquisitely carved pre-Islamic temple at Slonta.

Day 17, Cyrene: A full day to explore this ancient city, which is the largest and the most impressive of Libya's Greek sites. Informative guided tour and visit to the museum.

Day 18, Apollonia, Derna, Tobruk: Morning tour of Apollonia. Visit the rock-hewn amphitheatre, baths, and four Byzantine Churches. Relax and enjoy a traditional Libyan lunch served in an open tent in the Green Mountains. Afternoon drive via Derna to the historic WW2 town of Tubrok. See the famous harbour and war cemeteries.

Day 19, Tobruk, Bardia, Mersa Matruh: Morning excursion to the underground headquaters and shelter used by Rommel and Montgomery during WW2. See the operations room where military movements were planned. Optional visit to the WW2 museum. Visit the Fig Tree Hospital, a cave where the Australians tended to their wounded. Drive along the coast to Bardia to see that splendid mural painted by a British soldier during the war. Cross the border into Egypt and continue on to the port of Mersa Matruh.

Day 20, Mersa Matruh, Al Alamein, Alexandria, Cairo: Morning drive, via El Alamein, to Alexandria, the 'pearl of the Mediterranean' in times past. See Pompey's Pillar, the Graeco-Roman Museum and the Catacombs. Continue on to Cairo.

Day 21, Cairo: Morning visit to Egyptian museum. See splendid relics from Egypt's past, including the treasures from Tutankamun's tomb. Afternoon excursion to the enigmatic Sphinx and Great Pyramids at Giza. There is an opportunity for a camel ride into the desert to see the pyramids from the desert side. See the sun set behind these ancient wonders, and the spectacular sound and light show before returning to the hotel.

Day 22, Cairo: Morning visit to Old Cairo. Afternoon excursion to the Citadel of Saladin, Mohammad Ali Mosque and Khalili bazaars in Islamic Cairo, where you can find just about anything.

Day 23, Cairo: Transfer to airport.

Accommodation: 22 nights hotels

Transportation: Minibus Group Size: 10-20 persons

Meals: Western-style and traditional Libyan - where possible a choice is offered.

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