The Mosaic of Tunisia
March 19-29, 2010

This tour, our first time offering, is a diverse look at the many civilizations that have come to Tunisia and left their imprint. The tour will cover all regions of the country and will include a diversity of topography from the mountains of the northwest, to the desert terrain of the south. The spring weather in Tunisia means wildflowers bloom, the sun shines and shirt-sleeve weather awaits you!

Throughout this tour, you will have the opportunity to stay in deluxe hotels, enjoy wonderful Tunisian cuisine and be led by a Tunisia archaeologist, whose intellect is complemented by his impeccable English.

Friday, March 19th-Tunis
Arrive in Tunis and transfer to hotel in central Tunis. Rest and relaxation from flight. Afternoon orientation. Welcoming dinner in local restaurant. Overnight in Tunis. (D)

Saturday, March 20th-Tunis
Morning orientation of the capital, including a visit to the Bardo Museum. Housed in a former palace of the Ottoman Bey, the Bardo is home to a world class collection of mosaics. From the Bardo, you drive to the suburbs of Tunis, with your first stop being Carthage, the most famous (though by no means the largest) of Tunisia's ruins.

Some of the remains of the vast site of Carthage

You then continue for a short drive to the charming village of Sidi bou Said. Lunch will be at a seaside restaurant. From the suburbs, you drive into the heart of old Tunis, for a walking tour of the historic part, the medina. Late afternoon return to your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Tunis. (B,L,D)

Sunday, March 21st-northern Tunisia/Bulla Regia/Ain Draham
This morning, you depart Tunis for the northwest part of the country. Taking scenic country roads, you head north and then west, with stops in Utica to see the remains of this historic site. You continue on via scenic country roads of this northern and rather undeveloped part of Tunisia, eventually arriving to Bulla Regia, one of the major Roman sites in Tunisia. Following your tour of Bulla Regia, you proceed into the cork forests, where the topography and architecture of the region is unlike anywhere else in Tunisia. Your base for the night will be the small town of Ain Draham, where you will stay in a simple hotel that often serves as a base for hunters who come to the region for wild boar. Dinner and overnight in Ain Draham. (B,L,D)

Monday, March 22nd-Chemtou/Dougga
Today you continue touring the Roman heartland of Tunisia. Your first stop is Chemtou, with its more recently uncovered remains. From Chemtou, you head south and east, arriving to Dougga, Tunisia's largest Roman site. Dougga, covering some sixty acres, was known as the city of temples and its existence is thought to date back to the 4th century B.C. From Dougga, you drive southeast to Kairouan, arriving late in the day. Dinner and overnight in Kairouan. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, March 23rd- Kairouan/Sousse
This morning you explore Kairouan, Tunisia's holy city and said to be the site of the first mosque in Africa.

The interior of The Great Mosque in Kairouan

During medieval times, Kairouan rose to become an important center for trade and crafts, due to its presence on the route of pilgrims going from Andalusia and other North African points, en route to Mecca. From Kairouan, you head east to the coastal city of Sousse. You will have an opportunity to browse through historic Sousse, within the walls of the ribat. You then drive to your seaside base for the night in the Sousse area of Kantoui. Overnight in Sousse. (B,L)

Wednesday, March 24th-El Jem/Sousse
This morning you drive south to El Jem, known in Roman times as Thysdrus and noted for its amphitheater, which is similar to the coliseum of Rome.

The coliseum of El Jem

You will also visit the museum of El Jem, with its expansive collection of mosaics. Following El Jem, you travel eastward to the coast, you return to Sousse area, where the rest of the afternoon is free for you to enjoy as you choose. Lunch will be somewhere in the region. Dinner tonight is independent, providing you the opportunity to explore Sousse's many dining options. Overnight in Sousse. (B,L)

Thursday, March 25th-Sbeitla/SeljaGorge/Tozeur
This morning you drive to Sbeitla. Sbeitla is an impressive antiquity site, known in Roman times as Sufetula. Among the ruins are Tunisia's most expansive collection of early Christian remains. From Sbeitla, you head southwest, through a rather undeveloped area of the country, where the topography leaves the green of the northern half of Tunisia and enters the more barren tones of the south, eventually arriving to Tozeur by late afternoon. Evening tour of the Dar Cheraiat Museum. Dinner and overnight in Tozeur. (B,L,D)

Friday, March 26th-Tozeur and oasis region
Morning visit via 4-wheel drive vehicles to the mountain oases of Tamerza and Chebika, with the exotic contrasts of barren hills juxtaposed with waterfalls and palm groves. Afternoon return to Tozeur, where you will tour the oasis of Tozeur and the historic part of Tozeur. The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure to relax by the pool or explore more of Tozeur's old town. Dinner and overnight in Tozeur. (B,L,D)

Saturday, March 27th-Chott el Jerid/Douz/Matmata
This morning, you depart early for further exploration of the south. You travel eastward via the Chott-el-Jerid, Tunisia's salt lake and then stop in Douz, a small town that appears to be plopped down amidst the dunes. Douz is often a jumping off point for desert treks, as it is the beginning of the Erg, the dunes of the Sahara. If you wish, you are welcome to take a camel ride out into the dune...

Visiting the dunes by camel

From Douz, you drive eastwards crossing the semi-arid desert region , eventually arriving to the region of Matmata. This region's crater like topography is dotted with troglodyte dwellings. Its exotic settings provided one of the film locations for the movie, Star Wars. You will have an opportunity to explore some of these dwellings and the region, as well as have lunch in a troglodyte restaurant. You depart in the late afternoon, heading east to the coast, for the ferry crossing to the island of Jerba. You arrive at your seaside hotel around dinner time. Overnight in Jerba. (B,L,D)

Sunday, March 28th- Jerba
Morning tour of the island (sometimes spelled: Djerba), which was a port of call to the Phoenicians and a port where Ulysses and his men were detained on their return from Troy. Jerba's island location has always provided its people a simple and peaceful lifestyle, which continues today. Jerba is also the home of one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world. You will visit the Ghriba synagogue and get a glimpse of this ancient community, as well as the picturesque village of Guellela, known for its pottery production. The afternoon is at your leisure to enjoy the easy going pace of the island. You may choose to spend time exploring the souks (markets) and having a leisurely lunch on your own, at one of the towns many seafood restaurants. You have an afternoon flight back to Tunis. Your farewell dinner will be in a very special venue. Dinner and overnight in Tunis. (B,D)

Monday, March 29th- Tunis/USA
Morning departure to the US via European gateway, arriving late the same day. (B)

Photos are courtesy of Julie Lafair Miller

Cost: $2,995
Includes:

• All touring, entrance fees, baggage handling and most meals, as indicated on the itinerary.
  

Pool under the lights at The Golden Tulip, Tunis.

• Price is based on double occupancy in deluxe/first class hotels. $370. single supplement applies.
  

NOTE: Round-trip air from US to Tunis is not included. TunisUSA will be happy to assist in obtaining air fare.
For travelers willing to fly from and back to New York, TunisUSA has negotiated a limited number of seats on the specific dates for this tour at an amazing rate of $800, round-trip New York to Tunis.