Description

DAY 1 ARRIVE TUNIS, TUNISIA
Arrive Tunis airport and transfer to our hotel conveniently situated in the heart of modern Tunis and on the edge of the medina, the historic old town.

There will be a brief stroll around the ville nouvelle that was built under the French protectorate.

DAY 2 TUNIS / CARTHAGE / SIDI BOU SAID / LE BARDO (B/L)
This morning tour the extensive archaeological digs around legendary Carthage. The National Museum of Carthage on the summit of the hill contains a remarkable collection and the terrace outside affords a wonderful view over the harbour and out to sea. We will walk around the Carthaginian commercial and military harbours and visit the Tophet where the Carthaginians sacrificed babies to Moloch for the good of the state and the prosperity of its people. The Roman sites that we shall see include the theatre, the amphitheatre where Christian martyrs met their death and the remains of the massive Antonine baths.

Next, visit the lovely whitewashed village of Sidi Bou Said, overlooking the Gulf of Tunis and a source of inspiration to generations of artists. Also stop at the former palace of Baron d’Erlanger, a showcase of Moorish architecture with an acclaimed collection of North African musical instruments.

DAY 3 TUNIS (B/L)
This morning walk through the old town of the capital. After a lunch of local specialties, the remainder of the afternoon is free.

DAY 4 TUNIS / DOUGGA / BULLA REGIA (B/L)
Archaeology dominates the day as we head west to the hillside town of Dougga, Tunisia’s prime Roman site, complete with temples, theaters, baths, residential quarters, warehouses, cisterns and even restrooms.

After lunch, continue to the ruins of Bulla Regia, renowned for its unique underground Roman villas, whose recently uncovered mosaics are the finest in situ mosaics to be found anywhere.

DAY 5 TUNIS / DJERBA / HOUMT SOUK (B/L)
Transfer early this morning to the Tunis airport for our flight to the idyllic isle of Djerba.

Visit the synagogue of Hara Sghira, one of the oldest, holiest Jewish monuments in North Africa, and today a site of a major annual pilgrimage.

Continue to the island’s main town of Houmt Souk in time for its weekly outdoor market. Also visit the superbly designed, informative museum with its displays of arts and traditions found throughout the country.

DAY 6 FOUM TATAOUINE (B/L)
Today’s excursion takes us to the region of Foum Tataouine to see the unique ghorfa Berber settlements, fortified granaries built atop outcrops of rock.

Highlights include Chenini, the south’s most picturesque, and the nearby Mosque of the Seven Sleepers; Ksar Ouled Soltane, the restored ruins of a 15th-century ksar (or fortress) that was featured in a Star Wars film; and the 11th-century Ksar Kedim with its mysterious, geometrical bas-relief.

DAY 7 HOUMT SOUK / MATMATA / TOZEUR (B/L)
Return to the mainland by ferry and head to the hilly region of Matmata, with its dozens of giant wells used as dwellings by local Berbers who dug them ages ago to escape the desert’s heat.

From here we cross the great salt lake, Chott el Djerid, an immense flat stretch of white that gives rise to desert mirages.

In the early afternoon, arrive at the south’s capital of Tozeur, where a horse buggy ride takes us to its oasis, Tunisia’s largest.

Enjoy lunch accompanied by a performance of typical southern folklore, then visit the desert zoo featuring all the fauna found in Saharan regions.

DAY 8 MOUNTAIN OASES (B/L)
This morning explore the unique “mountain oases” of Chebika, Tamerza and Mides in the En Negueb hills along the Algerian border.

Return to Tozeur midday, where we take a stroll through the old town, with its unique adobe-brick style of construction.

DAY 9 TOZEUR / SBEITLA / KAIROUAN (B/L)
Head north to the ruins of Sbeitla, with its impressive forum, temples and Byzantine churches. The Byzantines turned this former Roman town into one of their main strongholds. Its fall to the Arabs signaled the end of the Byzantine Empire’s hold on North Africa.

From here, continue north to Kairouan, former Arab capital of all Northern Africa and still one of Islam’s most sacred sites. Next visit the great mosque, the oldest religious monument still in use in North Africa, and the Barber’s Mausoleum with its superb Andalusian decor.

DAY 10 EL DJEM / SOUSSE (B/L)
Venture to the well-preserved 3rd-century Roman Amphitheatre of El Djem, the largest amphitheatre in Northern Africa and comparable to the Roman Colosseum.

Then head to the archaeological museum in Sousse, renowned for its superb collection of mosaics, some from Roman tombs, followed by a tour of the town’s lively medina.

DAY 11 KAIROUAN / NABEUL / KERKOUANE / TUNIS (B/L)
This morning drive northeast to Nabeul, the country’s main pottery center. Next stop is Domaine Atlas, one of the country’s major wine producers, for a tour of the facility, a tasting of its prime crûs and lunch.

From there, drive up Cap Bon, the African continent’s northernmost point, to the World Heritage site of Kerkouane, Africa’s only ruins of a Phoenician city. Continue our picturesque drive back to Tunis, passing by the spa town of Korbous, famous for its hot springs since Roman times.

Day 12 TUNIS (B)
Transfer to the Tunis airport for flights back home.

---

Above prices are based on minimum of 2 guests travelling together. We offer a wide selection of hotels and customized itinerary. Click the button to request a specific quote based on number of guests, their interests and budget.

---