Libya Holidays 2012

When you come visit Libya the Mediterranean coast is sure to catch your attention, it is about 1,243 miles long. While visiting the coast be sure to visit at least one or two beaches, such as Neqezzah.

In Tripoli, you will want to do some shopping ion the old souks; certain streets only sell certain items. For example, one street will be dedicated to spices, while a neighboring street will be dedicated to gold. A visit to the Akakus Mountains and the Ubari lakes are also in order.

Things to Do

Being that you are going to be so close to the Sahara Desert you need to head on down to the Akakus mountains so that you can go for a camel ride. Several companies in the desert provide guided camel tours, and it is one of the best ways to discover just how beautiful the desert really is.

Surfing down the dunes at Ubari Lake is something that snowboarders should try. The only warning is that the dunes can get really high, so surfing down them can be a bit dangerous. Snorkeling near Apollonia will allow you to look at numerous sunken remains, as well as plenty of fish, but don’t get to close to the remains because they are protected by the authorities.

Eating Out

Most of the local dishes found in Libya are a mixture of Arabic and Mediterranean cuisines, but they all have a strong Italian influence due to Libya being an old Italian colony. Pasta in a popular menu item at many local restaurants, but the pasta is nowhere near what is served in Italy.

Sharba is a very popular soup, but beware it contains a high amount of spices. The most popular meal in Libya is Batata mubatana, which is a filled potato. The filled potato is made up of fried potato pieces that are filled with minced meat and is then covered with egg and breadcrumbs. Keep in mind that by the laws of Islam, no alcoholic drinks can be served and the local brews, which are illegal, often are not very good.

Wildlife

The amazing wildlife that can be seen throughout Libya is one of the biggest attractions for people travelling to the area. Libya itself is home to 87 different species of mammals and about 338 different types of birds.

Out of the mammals that currently reside in Libya the Scimitar Oryx can no longer be found in the wild, the Addax, Dama Gazelle, and Mediterranean Monk Seal are critically endangered, and the Rhim Gazelle is considered endangered.

Best Time to Visit

One of the most interesting features of Libya is that it has two main types of climates. The coastal area has a Mediterranean climate, while inland has a desertic climate. Both of these climates play a role in determining the best time to visit Libya.

Your best time to visit Libya is from October through March because the temperatures are much more bearable during the day and even cooler at night. Travel from June through August should be avoided if possible because of how hot the area can be. The Sahara Desert doesn’t just get hot, but it is also very dry during these times so enjoying adventures outdoors is not possible.