Expert: Ernest Tufft - 12/6/2007

Question
I have been looking in to the possibility of travelling around the entire Mediterrainean coastline and I am trying to identify the areas that may be difficult or impossible to achieve.  Can you provide any advice, particularly about travelling over land from Egypt to Morocco.
Thank you.

Answer
Hi Richard,

Certainly you won't have any difficulty along the European side, from Spain through to Croatia.   But, the rugged Dalmatian coast has a patchy network of ferries, with a gap to Albania and through to Greece.  I'm certain there must be a way through along that coast, but a recent discussion on this recommended only buses through Albania and Macedonia.  The Greek and Turkish coastlines are very rugged, but also beautiful and probably the best part of the Mediterranean overal.  The Mediterranean coast along the eastern shore from Turkey through to Egypt will be surprisingly easy, especially from southern Turkey through Syria and Northern Lebanon.  Southern Lebanon could be difficult as the border with Israel may be closed due to conflict with Hezbollah.  Similarly, travel along the Gaza coast is safer than one might think, assuming you adapt to local socio-political sentiments, but the border crossings from Israel into Hamas controlled Gaza will at the very least be time consuming and frustrating.  These eastern shorelines are among the most too because there are a significant number of archeological sites worth visiting, particularly in southern Lebanon and Gaza.  Egypt will be easy, but you'll need to inquire in advance about getting a visa for Libya.  There are a number of restrictions there, but I believe the security situation is still safe.  Tunisia will be easy.  I can't provide advice about Algeria at this time, but western travelers will likely be safe assuming that they travel relatively unnoticed.  Wear the clothing of the Algerians and avoid flashing wealth, and you are likely to be welcomed and gone before trouble comes to you.  Morocco and Spain will be easy.  Hopes this helps...