About Libya

Libya. Warm sun, warm hearts. A great country with a great history, a country of breathtaking beauty. High mountain chains are just one of the beauties of its fabulous landscape with green fields and sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches. The desert, watered by magnificent oasis, extends far into Africa.
Fabulous villages and cities scattered amongst meadows, with oasis everywhere. Historical monuments forests, towering mountains... and a warm Libyan Arab welcome.
Libya's strategic, geographical position and profound history make it a vital link between the eastern and western parts of the Arab world, and between Europe and Africa.
The country has known its ups and downs, but the historical monuments are a testimony of the great Libyan civilization of old. Look at the engravings of the AKAKUS mountains, the drawings in the MATCHANDOUSH caves. The cities of JARMA, ZAKAKRA, and SABHA' in the south, and the historical city of GHIRZA in the centre.
Libya has played host to many civilizations, and has enriched civilization in its turn, with writings, drawings and engravings in the caves of TADRART mountains, and archaeological treasures from ATAFT. The Phoenician, Roman, and Byzantine ports of TRIPOLI, SABRATAH, LIBDAH, SHAH'HAT, SUSAH, TUKRAH, and TALMITHA. The old Islamic cities such as SIRT, DARNAH, and AJDABIYA, and other cities in the heart of the desert, including GHADAMES, ZUWAYLAH, JALU, OJLA, GHAT, and FEZZAN. Not forgetting the places and fortresses of GHARYAN, MIZDAH, AL-QARYAT, YIFRAN, JADU, NALUT, MISALLATAH, and AWINAT.
The first site most tourists visit is TRIPOLI, Libya's biggest city, the queen of the seas. It is an historical site. the city of Islamic civilization, Arab art and handicraft, where every monument tells a story. TRIPOLI has changed little since its foundation in the first millennium BC: it is still a lush garden filled with olive trees, palms, grapevines, and orange groves. The city has a wealth of old and new monuments.
Travel east or west, to nearby LIBDAH or SABRATAH, and soak up all the history. Shopping is a great pleasure, especially in the popular markets where you can buy a great variety of Libyan handicrafts such as traditional clothes, carpets, handmade gold and silver jewellery, copper and silver dishes, leather goods, and pottery.
Every kind of aquatic sport is practised in the resorts along the coast, where you will also find the port of BENGHAZI, which combines magnificent buildings with large, open spaces. In nearby SULUQ stands the mausoleum of OMAR MOKHTAR, hero of the Libyan Resistance during the Italian occupation.
Take the highway east to the magnificent cities of the Green Mountain: DARNAH with its falls and splendid coast; AL BAYDA', a quiet city high up in the mountains; ancient SHAH'HAT (Cyrene) and beautiful SUSAH (Apollonia), TULMAYTHAH, TUKRAH, RA'S AL HILAL....
Libya offers you two thousand kilometers of splendid beaches, and some beautiful small cities each with its typical architecture and special characteristics, like AUWARAH, TUBRUQ, MISRATAH, AZ ZAWIYAH, AL-KHUMS, and ZLITAN.
Explore Libya's desert in WADI ASH SHATI, the plain of AWAYNAT, BRAK, MURZUQ, and the oasis of AL KUFRAH, ZALLAH and BAZIMAH. Then cool off in AL BAYDA' or near AL MARJ, or on the plain of DARNAH.
As you go further and further into the desert, all you meet are waves and waves, "the great sand sea", but then there are the refreshing oasis. The history, the monuments and tales told by the locals make this place unique. It is a feast for the senses..
The jewel of the desert is GHADAMES, a mélange of natural beauty, important monuments and a distinctive architectural style for which it is famous.
Libya may be the land of ancient civilizations, but it also looks to the future. It is a country of peace. Libya, a land touched by history.
Libya is a country of stark contrasts, offering visitors an opportunity to view not only some of the greatest Roman and Greek cities in the world, but also the stunning vistas of the Sahara desert. On the Mediterranean coastal strip, near to the capital Tripoli, stand the breathtaking Roman cities of Sabratha and Leptis Magna, while further east, in the beautifully area of the Jabal Akhdar (Green Mountains) are the wonderfully preserved Greek remains of Cyrene and Apollonia.
For lovers of the desert, the Acacus region of the Libyan Sahara differs an unassailable attraction with its wild, spectacular scenery and prehistoric cave paintings. If you enjoy 4-wheel drive desert travel, this is a region you should not miss.
For those interested in World War II history, Tobruk offers visits to Rommel`s headquarters and the Allied and German war cemeteries.
Caravanserai Tours invites you to experience this intriguing country in a tailor – made tour, offering a wonderful opportunity to see the extraordinary sites, both natural and man – made, that Libya has to offer.
Libya:
Official Name: The Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.
Head of Government: Colonel Mu’ammar al-Gaddafi.
Religion: Islam.
Currency: Diner.

Language Spoken 
Arabic is the official language in Libya, English and Italian languages are widely spoken in hotels, shops and traditional markets. French is also spoken, but mainly in southern regions.
Money 
Unit of currency is the Libyan Diner (L.D.). the official exchange rates for main international hard currencies can be consultant with Libyan Banks. Each visitor must be in the position of at least the equivalent of 500 US$ in or other foreign banknote or traveler’s cheques, on departure only 20 L.D. or any other foreign currency not exceeding the amount declared on entry.
Airlines 
Most Arabic and European airlines companies have direct fights to Tripoli, Benghazi and Sabha, Main European serving airline are Alitalia, Swissair, Lufthansa, British Airways, Austrian and AirMalta.
Climate   
In Libya you will enjoy weather to suit all tastes all the year around. In Summer – the hot season – you can relax on pure crystal sea sands running along tourist shores and get suntan in a few days, while in evening you can spend warm fresh nights enhanced with a light sea breeze. During winter heavier clothes are required to enable you7 to enjoy rainy days and cold nights, but never cold as Europe.
Visa 
Visitors other than Arabian nationalities must apply for a tourism visa through a Libyan Diplomatic Mission in their home country or abroad. Collective visas may be issued to groups of tourists organized by a registered travel agency. All visitors should be in possession of a valid passport.
Health Regulation 
International vaccination certificate Cholera, Yellow fever and Smallpox is required for all arrivals from infected areas.
Customs  
Clothing and articles of personal save use are allowed on departure local manufactures and souvenirs may be exported on condition that are not of commercial quantities, Jewels and imported goods may require an export license.
Accommodation 
3, 4 and 5 stars Hotels are available in Tripoli, Benghazi, Sabha, and other main cities. 3-star hotels, camping areas and guest-houses are also available in desert towns and villages.
Transportation 
Taxies and micro-buses are inner-city means of transportation. Air-conditioned buses are used between cities and for long distance trips. 4-Whel Drive cars are fully equipped for desert tours. Private Jet-Airplanes are also available to transport special tourist groups upon request.
There are also a wide asphalt road network that connects Libyan cities, towns and even small villages to each other. On the other hand most Libyan main cities and towns are accessibly by direct flights of Libyan Arab Airlines.
What to Eat & Drink 
“ Couscousi “ is the main local dish in Libya, it consists of steamed wheat semolina serves with mutton or lamb, vegetables and spicy sauce. There is another traditional, which are pasta and huge dumpling called “ Bazen “ serviced with a hot sauce, for eating with your fingers as local style lunch.
Whilst, red and green tea with mint is the national beverage. In addition a wide choice of foreign dishes from Chinese kitchen to European kitchens, including sea food. Tourist also can find their favorite dishes in the American style fast-food restaurants
What to buy  
Handicrafts, leather goods, rugs and hand-made carpets, oriental jewels, traditional silk, gold silver.