Dr Philip Kenrick is an Oxford archaeologist who has been a frequent visitor to Algeria with Expert Algeria. Philip has recently published a new book Classical Antiquities of Algeria: A Selective Guide, in which he rightly points out: "Algeria is not yet in the grip of the mass tourism which is engulfing better known destinations; now is therefore the time to explore its beautiful landscapes and rich cultural heritage. The Roman sites rank among the most impressive anywhere in the Mediterranean and represent an important aspect of the nation's past".

Algeria now proudly boasts seven UNESCO World Heritage sites, all of which can be visited on guided tours devised by Expert Algeria: Djemila, the M'Zab Valley, the Tassili, Timgad, Tipasa, the casbah of Algiers and Beni Hammad.

One of the Mediterranean's most mesmerising cities, Algiers - the Algerian capital - is a captivating blend of faded French grandeur and neo-Moorish folly crowned by a legendary casbah.

Set within the deepest reaches of the Algerian Sahara, Tadrart is dotted with gueltas, pre-historic rock paintings, the most unlikely rock formations and lofty dunes of virgin sand.

"Put simply", declares the Lonely Planet, "Djemila is one of the world's great historical sights". Djemila's forum, temples, basilicas, triumphal arches and houses delight even the most seasoned traveller.

Surrounded by desert, Ghardaia has retained the primitive flavor of a land unpolluted and even spurned by tourism. But it is here that the Algerian Sahara begins its march southwards.

Whitewashed Djanet, encircled by desert mountains, is the gateway to a Saharan landscape of towering sand dunes, sheer-sided canyons and beguiling "forests of rock" - the Tassili.

Relaxed, dynamic and welcoming, the sites of Mediterranean Oran include the Bey's Palace, the 14th century fort of Merinid Sultan Abou Hassan and some fine French colonial architecture.