REBELLIOUS SPIRITS
ITALIAN VESTIGES
RED SEA CHARM
An enchantingly nostalgic trip to the true hidden gem of East Africa: a splendidly isolated country of architectural wonders, diverse people, troubled history, spectacular landscapes, pristine beaches, and timeless atmopshere.
JANUARY 6 ⇾ JANUARY 14
In addition to our regular group departures to Eritrea, we also offer tailored services for private travel parties and lone wolves alike. Get in touch for more info on our customised Eritrea Tours!
“Remember – my father had told me as I was leaving Eritrea – this is your land.
I have never forgotten those words. They were not the words of a coloniser, but of a son of that land—born there, and there he died. Italy, to him, was little more than a distant name, a country almost unknown. He was born in Asmara in 1910.”
THE ROUTE
✮
DAY 1 • WELCOME TO ASMARA
Meet-and-greet at Asmara International Airport and transfer to our hotel of choice in central Asmara.
Evening snack and overnight in Asmara.
DAY 2 • Asmara
Asmara Architectural Tour: Asmara Cathedral, Liberation Avenue, Mariam Orthodox Church, Al Khulafa Al Rashidun Mosque, Enda Marian Copt Cathedral, Madebar Market, Central Bazaar, Cinema Impero, Bowling Alley, Post Office, FIAT Tagliero, and a seemingly endless plethora of rationalist, modernist and art-deco gems from the Italian colonial period.
Late afternoon aperitif along the elegant Harnet Avenue (formerly known as Viale Mussolini) and traditional Italian-Eritrean dinner.
Overnight in Asmara.
DAY 3 • Keren
In the morning we'll leave the capital and drive north across the Eritrean highlands, past steep terraces of coffee and orange groves, towards Keren, a traditional Eritrean town set on a plateau surrounded by dusty ochre mountains.
Once in Keren, we'll devote the whole day to the bustling markets the town is famous for, including one for livestock and camels, which attracts nomadic traders from the northern regions.
We'll also have the chance to visit the Italian and British war cemeteries as well as the sacred baobab temple: a truly mesmerising experience.
Overnight in Keren.
Bespoke Experiences • Traditional dinner with a local Eritrean family and exclusive architectural tour of Asmara’s lesser visited quarters.
DAY 4 • Dekemhare
Transfer back to Asmara to explore the lesser known colonial quarters of the capital (Tiravolo, Paradiso, the Diplomatic Quarter, the Italian Monumental Cemetery) and the stunning Tank Graveyard in the city’s outskirts.
Later in the day, we will then travel to Dekemhare, a sleepy satellite town renowned for its superb urban cornucopia of rationalist architectures.
Overnight in Asmara.
DAY 5 • Massawa
We'll leave Asmara and head to the port city of Massawa driving along the winding road connecting the central highlands to the Red Sea shores.
Besides the usual stops for food, toilette and photography, we'll break the journey in Nefasit, Ginda and Dogali, which will welcome us with a compellingly diverse array of natural and historical sights, such as the somber Italian War Memorial and the secluded Debre Bizen monastery.
After lunch we'll eventually reach Massawa, where we'll enjoy a pleasant lazy stroll through the collapsing grandeur of its colonial old town.
Overnight in Massawa.
DAY 6 TO DAY 7 • Dahlak Islands
We'll travel by boat to the Dahlak Archipelago and spend the next two days surrounded by the pristine nature, deep blue waters, and traditional fishing hamlets of the Dahlak Marine National Park: scuba diving is generally (although not always) allowed and is led by a group of trained divers who were once pearl fishers; snorkelling is also a good option for those without a diver certification.
In the late afternoon of our second day on the islands (day 7), we’ll then sail back to Massawa and enjoy a well-deserved Italian seafood dinner in town.
Overnights on the Dahlak Islands (tent, day 6) and in Massawa (hotel, day 7).
DAY 8/9 • AFRICA ADDIO
Today, we will take our leave of the warm Red Sea waters and head back westwards for Asmara, where we will spend our last delightful afternoon engaging in further exploration of the city’s architectural treasure trove.
Late-night (day 8) or early morning (day 9) transfer to Asmara International Airport (depending on the exact departing time of your homeward connection; most international flights out of the country leave before dawn) and farewell to Eritrea!
Possible tour extensions to this itinerary include: Somalia and/or Yemen.
End of the tour.
2490 €
INCLUSIONS
Double/twin-room accommodation (breakfast included), private transport in Eritrea (car/minivan), all entrance fees, English-speaking guiding service, 24/7 on-site and remote assistance.
EXCLUSIONS
Single supplement, international flights, main meals (lunches and dinners), extra drinks, visa fees (if required), tips, travel insurance.
“Forever firm in her principles,
her name became a synonym of tenacity,
Eritrea, the pride of the oppressed,
is a testament that truth prevails.”