Excursion Face-to-face with history tour at Algiers

You board your coach for a drive to view the Martyrs Memorial, the most dominant landmark which is probably the first thing you see as you are sailing into the port of Algiers. This is dedicated to the heroes of Algeria's War for Independence, taking the shape of three giant, stylized palm leaves sheltering an eternal flame at the base, and offering commanding views of the Casbah and the bay of Algiers.

Then visit the famous El Djazaïr Hotel, formerly the St. George which is the jewel of national cultural heritage. Edith Piaf and Simone de Beauvoir were some of the renowned guests. During WW2, General Eisenhower, Commander in Chief of the Allied Forces, made the Hotel his general headquarters in North Africa, where he resided for 16 months. After some light refreshments, you will view to the Museum of Antiquities. The richness of Algeria's heritage is brought home in the understated collection on display. There are some particularly fine statues and wonderful mosaics. This and the adjacent Museum of Islamic Arts are the oldest museums in Algiers, having opened in 1897.

Then you drive to Bastion 23 which is a real treasure, typifying the architecture of the Ottomans in Algiers and currently houses the palace of a Turkish noble and the military barracks used by the Turks. A seemingly simple and plain building from the outside hides beautiful, arcaded courtyards with fountains and luxurious palatial buildings inside. From the terrace, you can view the district of Bab El Oued and the lighthouse.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Martyrs Memorial, El Djaza