ERITREA AND THE DAHLAK ISLANDS

DAY 1: departure from Italy on a flight with a stopover to Asmara

DAY 2: arrival in Asmara, completion of entry formalities, and hotel check-in. Situated at over 2,000 meters above sea level, the city is an exceptionally well-preserved example of colonial urban planning. During the 1930s, alongside waves of Italian settlers, some of the era’s most visionary architects arrived in the Eritrean capital, where, unlike in Italy, they were able to bring their boldest and most unconventional ideas to life. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017, Asmara is today an extraordinary blend of Futurist, Modernist, and Rationalist architecture, where many Italian-influenced traditions and lifestyles still endure. First explorations of the city and introduction to the local cuisine. Overnight stay in Asmara.

Morning and afternoon: a day dedicated to discovering Asmara’s remarkable Modernist and Art Déco architecture. Visit the capital’s most iconic buildings, enduring symbols of the ambitious urban planning project developed during the 1930s, when Asmara became known as “Little Rome.” Along its tree-lined avenues, cinemas, cafés, and service stations designed in elegant Rationalist style, the city reveals a fascinating chapter of architectural and cultural history. The itinerary continues to the Church of Mariam Dearit, an important Coptic place of worship of profound spiritual significance, and to Asmara Cathedral, considered one of the finest examples of neo-Romanesque architecture in Africa.

Evening: dinner and overnight stay in Asmara

Morning: departure northward through landscapes shaped by the influence of neighboring Sudan. Along the way, the route passes coffee plantations and orange groves before reaching Keren.

Afternoon: arrival in Keren in the early afternoon, hotel check-in, and exploration of one of Eritrea’s most fascinating cities, distinguished by its rich blend of architectural influences, including churches, mosques, and colonial-era buildings dating back to the Italian period. Stroll through Keren’s lively markets, among the most colorful and authentic in Eritrea and discover the story of the Baobab Madonna. Optional visit to the Keren War Cemetery.

Evening: dinner and evening in Keren.

Morning: the morning is dedicated to exploring Keren’s livestock and camel markets, important gathering places for nomadic and rural communities from the surrounding villages. Amid the vibrant colors of traditional clothing and the lively bustle of merchants, visitors will have the opportunity to observe the customs and exchanges that shape everyday life in inland Eritrea. In this authentic setting, four of the country’s nine ethnic groups, Afar, Bilen, Tigrinya, and Tigre, gather for weekly trade, offering a unique insight into Eritrea’s rich cultural diversity.

Afternoon: stroll through the stalls of the riverside market, the vibrant heart of city life, where scents, sounds, and everyday scenes vividly reflect the authenticity of local culture. Afterwards, return to Asmara.

Evening: dinner and overnight stay in the Eritrean capital

Morning: breakfast at the hotel and departure from Asmara towards Massawa along the spectacular “Road of the Italians”, an extraordinary engineering achievement connecting the country’s two main cities. The route offers breathtaking scenery of bridges, tunnels, and dramatic valleys before reaching the town of Nefasit, where the remains of the historic railway line built during the Italian colonial period can still be seen.

Afternoon: lunch stop and continuation of the journey with a visit to Dogali, a symbolic place in Eritrean history, before arriving in Massawa overlooking the Red Sea. Guided visit of the city and the Massawa Museum to better understand the events that shaped its past. The influence of the foreign powers that ruled here in succession, Ottoman, Egyptian, and Italian, is still visible in the city’s architecture, which also bears the scars of the war of independence. The journey then continues with an encounter with the Rashaida nomadic communities, who migrated from the Hejaz region of Saudi Arabia to Eritrea during the 19th century. The Rashaida have preserved many of their traditions and continue to live in goat-hair tent camps, maintaining a distinct cultural identity. Rashaida women, often recognised by their veiled faces, are renowned for their traditional garments decorated with striking red and black geometric patterns.

We then meet the Rashaida nomadic tribes, who fled from the Hejaz region in Saudi Arabia and arrived in Eritrea in the first half of the 19th century. The Rashaida have proudly preserved their traditions, tied to the Sunni faith, and live in camps made of goat-hair tents, isolated from the rest of the population. Rashaida women, with veiled faces, are famous for their traditional clothing featuring red and black geometric patterns

Evening: arrival at the hotel, check-in, dinner and overnight stay in Massawa.

DAY 7: Transfer to the port and departure towards the Dahlak Archipelago. Set in the Red Sea, this remote archipelago remains one of the last truly untouched corners of the world and one of Africa’s most beautiful yet least-known tropical paradises. Among its low, arid, and barren islands, we will discover spectacular beaches of fine white sand washed by the crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea. The area is an ideal destination for snorkeling and diving, offering the chance to admire the extraordinary marine biodiversity of these waters. Arrival on the island of Dissie, where we will spend the night camping in tents beneath the stars.

DAY 8: Relax on the beach in this dreamlike setting. Boat excursion among the islands, including Madote Island, with unforgettable swims in its stunning turquoise waters. Return by boat to Massawa and transfer back to Asmara along the scenic road crossing the Fil-Fil forest, often referred to as “Eritrea’s Garden of Eden.” Within its lush vegetation, it may be possible to encounter monkeys, baboons, gazelles, antelopes, and numerous species of birds. Arrival in Asmara and overnight stay in the capital.

Morning: over the next two days, we will explore the lush southern region of Asmara, an area rich in history and cultural heritage. Our first stop is the town of Dekemhare, home to fascinating examples of Italian colonial architecture. Along the way, the journey is framed by the lush vegetation of this part of the country and a stop in the Sycamore Valley, where stands the iconic “symbol tree” of Eritrea.

Afternoon: continuation of the journey through the rolling green hills of southern Eritrea, arriving in the afternoon in Adi Keyh, an important commercial center during the Italian colonial period. One of the town’s highlights is its vibrant and colorful market, where visitors can browse local products, handicrafts, and traditional Eritrean items, while also tasting authentic street food specialties.

Evening: dinner and overnight stay in a hotel in Adi Keyh