Djemila

Algeria, Africa's largest country (since Sudan divided). It had been shrouded in mystery for me - and I was a little nervous.

A superb experience. We had docked in Bejaia, the home city of Zinadine Zidane, and drove, with our own personal armed gendarmes, for four hours up high into the mountains. Stunning scenery. Fascinating to watch the little villages and farms and towns - and the people.

But the highlight was the Roman site of Djemila.

Huge. Set in amazing mountain scenery. A lot of walking around under blue skies. The atmosphere, especially when the call to prayer echoed across as we stood near the theatre.

I chose the photo to give some idea of the vastness and the wonderful setting.

And our gendarmes were so helpful, more or less carrying an elderly gentleman for part of the way.