A holiday in North Africa, the colourful home of the oases and pyramids, is sure to be an experience like no other. Sample in the delights of the spicy rich food or pause for refreshments at one of the many traditional tea houses. Rich in culture and with guarantees of almost year-round sunshine, this birthplace of ancient civilisations will leave you spoilt for choice. Take a holiday in North Africa with an AITO specialist and discover there is much more to this region than camels and desert landscapes.

• Don’t miss the Egyptian museum in Cairo where the legendary solid-gold death mask of Tutankhamun is on display, and marvel at the pyramids in Giza, the sole survivors of the seven wonders of the world
• Fly out to south-west Libya and take in the dune landscapes and oases on a specialised tour, visiting the ancient desert rock art
• Wander the streets of Marrakesh with its snake charmers and magicians, and try your hand at haggling at one of the many souks before enjoying the breathtaking views from the Atlas mountains
• Assail your senses with a visit to Mali, taking in the wonders of the Sahara and immersing yourself in culture at the January ‘Festival au Desert’.
• Discover the Roman-era hot springs at Hamman Mellegue and the space-age sets of Star Wars with far more than just a beach holiday in Tunisia

Tourism remains very low-key throughout much of North Africa, with the exception of Egypt and Morocco, though if you’re after a lively beach resort, many of the coastal Mediterranean areas can provide this too.

The best time to visit much of North Africa is from October to March, as temperatures can reach well above 100F in the summer months and become stiflingly hot.