ASMARA

Asmara proud capital of a proud nation filled with blooms of jacaranda and Bougainvillea It is at 2400 meters in altitude. Asmara has an almost Mediterranean atmosphere that delights the visitors. The relaxed and welcoming atmosphere of Asmara is underlined by its climate. Its attractive blend of architecture styles and palm tree-lined streets make Asmara one of the most attractive capitals on the African continent.

There are many interesting places to see in Asmara, and in particular the grand Catholic Cathedral located in the very heart of Asmara; The Jamie al Khulafa'e el Rashedin Mosque, and St Mary's Orthodox Church. Other places of interest to see are the Tank Graveyard; the British Cemetery; Medeber where all types of materials are recycled and hand-made into a variety of household goods; Shuk where you will find a variety of hand-made gifts and artefacts made of metal, wood and clay; and the National Museum which houses archaeological and ethnographic items such as national dresses and housing of the nine ethnic groups of Eritrea.

The people of Eritrea will always make you feel welcome and the country will always provide a diversity of activities and experiences that will have you wanting to come back for more."

"Asmara is, by any standards, a very safe, picturesque and relaxed capital. "

STEAM TRAIN

Steam Train excursions do not run on a regular basis; specific journeys must be pre-arranged for the train to run. One-week tours,
comprising mainly of train journeys can be arranged for steam train enthusiasts. The steam train from Asmara to Massawa was established in the late 19th Century. It became defunct in 1975 but it has now been repaired to its original glory and runs on tourist excursions. The steam train is a major attraction amongst steam train enthusiasts and tourists in general. The train ride travels through spectacular scenery of vast mountains and valleys, starting from 2,400 meters above sea level in Asmara down to the sea-coast at Massawa. The journey takes about 7 hours one-way and is a once in a life-time experience.