Algeria's Roman Heritage

Algeria is the second country in the world after Italy, home to the largest number of Roman sites and remains among the most alive and well preserved.

Rome, after getting rid of its powerful rival Carthage in the year 146 BC, decided a century later to include Numidia to become the new master of North Africa. They built more than 500 cities. If at the beginning of the Roman invasion, cities were military camps, over time, these barracks were transformed into prestigious cities.

The wealth of the country in monuments of this era is impressive. They denote not only the spirit of grandeur of the Roman civilization that was exported through its colonies. But also the interest of Algeria in the eyes of Rome and which represented much more than the granary of Rome.

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Itinerary:

Day 1. Arrive Algiers
Arrival in Algiers. Reception at Algiers international airport and transfer to the hotel. - Panoramic tour of Algiers (depending on the time of arrival). Dinner at the restaurant. Night in Algiers.

Day 2. Algiers - Tipaza - Algiers
Departure towards Tipaza. Visit the site of Mauritania "Tomb of the Christian". Continue to Cherchell or Caesarea during the reign of Juba II. Visit the Archaeological Museum and the Mosaic Park. Lunch. Visit of Tipaza, Roman site, which in the first century BC became a city of art and the centre of Greco-Roman civilization in North Africa. Visit the archaeological museum. Dinner and overnight in Algiers.

Day 3. Algiers - Setif (Setifis)
Departure to Setif to reach the Roman site of Djemila, meaning "the beautiful one" in Arabic. Visit the archaeological site that was founded during the reign of Emperor Nerva (96-98). Its sublime Roman ruins are in an excellent state of conservation and were declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1981. Djémila or "Cuicul" which was built on uneven ground is one of the most important Roman cities of the late 2nd century. Lunch. Panoramic tour of Setif. Check - in at the hotel and free time. Dinner and overnight in Setif.

Day 4. Setif - Batna
Departure for the city of Batna. After lunch visit Timgad or "Thamugadi" - one of the most famous Roman cities in North Africa. Visit of the Pompeii of North Africa and its museum. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The history of the Roman colony of Timgad dates back to the year 100 A.D. It was founded by Emperor Trajan. Dinner and overnight in Batna.

Day 5. SOUK AHRAS (Thagaste) - GUELMA (Galama)
Visit of Souk Ahras, the birthplace of Saint Augustine (Aurelius Augustinus) born on November 13, 354. Visit of the olive tree of Saint Augustine and Madaure, Numidian city which was under Roman occupation from the 1st century AD. Madaure was famous and known for its schools. Saint-Augustin studied there. The ancient remains extend over an area of 30 hectares with a Roman forum, basilicas, oil mills, theater to be seen on site. Visit of Khamissa - Thubarsicu Numidarum - a Roman colony under the reign of Emperor Trajan in the 2nd century AD. Important Bishops are mentioned to have been there between 354 and 411 such as Fortinius, Maurentius and Jamarius. Departure to Guelma. Dinner and overnight at GUELMA.

Day 6. Guelma (Galama) - Constantine
Guelma became a Roman city at the end of the 3rd century AD. Visit its archaeological museum and the Roman theater with its 4,500 seats. This Numidian city shelters the statue of Saint Augustine in its museum. The citiy had several bishops including Donatius, Megalius and Possidus. Dinner and overnight in Constantine.

Day 7. Constantine - Annaba (Hippo Regius) - Algiers
Visit the old city of Constantine and its suspension bridges. Visit the Cirta Museum and the Great Mosque. We continue to Annaba where we visit the museum and the "Basilica of Hippo" dedicated to St. Augustine. Saint Augustin,bishop of Hippo (354-430 after J-C), is one of the four Fathers of the Latin Church. From the forecourt, the view extends over the Annaba golf course. Visit the Roman archaeological site of Hippo at the foot of the basilica. Walk on the main Boulevard du Front de mer. Lunch. In the early evening, transfer to Annaba airport and flight to Algiers (approx. 1 hour flight). Dinner and overnight in Algiers.

Day 8. Departure
Visit of the Kasbah of Algiers. The Casbah is the heart of the city and remains an architectural reference with its narrow streets and its Moorish art treasures. The Kasbah of Algiers is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit of the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa, established on a promontory overlooking the district of Bab El Oued and the Bay of Algiers, the basilica was built from 1858 to 1872. Lunch. Visit of the Palais des Raïs (Bastion 23) is one of the most important historical monuments of the city of Algiers and represents one of the last witnesses who physically attest to the extension of the Medina of El Djazaïr (Kasbah) to the sea in the Ottoman era (16th / 19th century). Transfer to the airport and departure.

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Price Includes:
7 nights 3*** hotels - rooms with ensuite facilities
English speaking guide
entrance fees
all transfers and transport in AC bus
all meals (from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8)
domestic flight Annaba-Algiers on day 7

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Not Included:
Flight tickets
drinks and meals not mentioned
visa
insurance
tips
personal expenses

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Gallery

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