Africa
Roman ruins, a white capital and the red rock of the Sahara.
Algeria is Africa's largest country, with a Mediterranean coast and a huge swathe of the Sahara. Algiers climbs a hillside above the bay, crowned by the historic Casbah, while Roman cities such as Timgad and Djémila are among the best-preserved in North Africa. In the south, the Tassili n'Ajjer plateau near Djanet holds prehistoric rock art among sandstone forests, and the M'zab Valley's towns are architectural landmarks.
Tourism is still small-scale, so sites are often quiet and the welcome is genuine. Expect couscous, chorba and grilled meats, and long distances between highlights. Desert trips in the south are generally organised through local agencies. Spring and autumn are best for the north; the Sahara is ideal from October to March, when days are warm and nights cool.
March, April, October, November.