Tunisia Revealed

April 9 - 18
Jump to: Itinerary | Hotels | Pricing | Make Reservation

This special value tour of Tunisia explores many regions of the country, from the archaeologically rich northwest, to the semi-arid and oasis regions of southern Tunisia and the island of Jerba. "Tunisia Revealed" provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy and appreciate Tunisia at a modest price!

Day 1, Friday - Tunis arrival
Upon your arrival in Tunis from your European gateway, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in the seaside suburbs of Tunis. The remainder of the afternoon is free for rest and relaxation from your flight. Evening dinner orientation with your guide and fellow tour participants. Overnight in Tunis. (D)

Day 2, Saturday - Tunis environs
This morning, you start your day with a visit to the Bardo Museum, a former Ottoman palace housing one of the finest collections of Roman and Carthaginian mosaics in the world. This will help set the stage in learning about Tunisia's history during Roman times. From the Bardo, you drive to the suburbs of Tunis where you will visit Carthage, the most famous (though by no means the largest) of the ancient sites in Tunisia. You will also have an opportunity to visit the US War Cemetery in Carthage, the only US war cemetery in North Africa and an opportunity to learn about World War II history in Tunisia, where many battles were fought. Following your visit to the ruins of this ancient Phoenician city, you continue to the nearby picturesque village of Sidi Bou Said, whose architecture was inspired by its Andalusian settlers. There are numerous places within Sidi Bou Said for lunch, independently. Following Sidi Bou Said, you drive into the heart of old Tunis for a walking tour of the medina, Tunisia's historic heart. TunisUSA will provide suggestions for your dining options. Overnight in Tunis. (B)

Day 3, Sunday - Northwest Tunisia
This morning you depart Tunis for the northwest part of the country, taking scenic, rural roads, with your first main destination being Bulla Regia. This well-preserved site has numerous examples of underground architecture, as well as well-preserved mosaics, in situ. From Bulla Regia, you drive north southeast to Dougga. Dougga is Tunisia's largest Roman site. Covering some sixty acres, Dougga was known as the city of temples and its existence is thought to date back to the 4th century B.C. You will have ample time to walk among the ruins, which are expansive and amidst beautiful rural scenery. Following your visit to Dougga, you head west to the small, rural town in the northwest as your base for the night. Dinner will be served in your hotel. Overnight in northwest Tunisia. (B, D)

Day 4, Monday - Sbeitla/oasis region
You depart the northwest and head south along the western portion of Tunisia, a region which until today, still remains rather undeveloped and void of tourism development. You will have the opportunity to visit the ruins of Sbeitla. Known by its early Punic name, Sufetula, this impressive site seems to be in the middle of nowhere. During Roman times, olive trees were cultivated in this region and provided a flourishing olive oil export trade to Italy. You will have plenty of time to explore the site. From Sbeitla, you continue southwest, with a late day arrival in Tozeur. Either before or after dinner, you should take the time to visit the Dar Cherait Museum, a privately owned museum just steps from your hotel, an ethnographic museum whose emphasis is on urban life in Tunisia prior to independence. Overnight in Tozeur. (B, D)

Day 5, Tuesday - Oasis region
Today is a rather leisure day in the oasis. Your guide will take you on a morning tour of the oasis of Tozeur, helping you learn about life in an oasis. A short distance away, a walk through Tozeur's old town will provide an opportunity to learn about this regions unique architectural style. The remainder of your day is at your leisure to visit the market in Tozeur and explore more of the old town, as well as enjoying the amenities of your hotel and this oasis desert town. Dinner is on your own in town, with plenty of options within a short walk. For those who would enjoy an evening of dinner and folkoric dancing, this option can also be arranged. Overnight in Tozeur. (B)

Day 6, Wednesday - Tozeur/Chott el Jerid/Douz/Matmata Jerba
This morning depart Tozeur going east via the Chott-el-Jerid, Tunisia's salt lake and then a 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 going further south. In Douz, for those who wish, they can take an optional camel drive into the dunes. There will also be an opportunity for lunch. From Douz, you drive a couple of hours into this region of semi-arid desert, 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. From Matmata, you drive to the coast and take a ferry boat to the island of Jerba. Overnight in Jerba. (B)

Day 7, Thursday - Island of Jerba
You start the day with an island tour of Jerba. The island has a special character. Your island tour eventually brings you to Houmt Souk, Jerba's main market town which is Mediterranean in feel, small in scale and a great place for those who had been waiting to go shopping. The remainder of the afternoon is unstructured. Overnight in Jerba. (B)

Day 8, Friday - Sfax/El Jem/Sousse
This morning you take a ferry boat from Jerba to the mainland and begin driving up the coast. You eventually arrive in Sfax, an industrial city and Tunisia's second largest town. The medina of Sfax has retained its authentic atmosphere. As Sfax is not a city catering to tourists, the original character of the medina is retained, so much so that it was used as the film set for the "Egyptian market scenes" in the film, The English Patient. You will have time for a walking tour of the medina before continuing northwest to El Jem. After having an opportunity to explore Sfax and have some lunch, you drive less than an hour and a half to El Jem, known in Roman times as Thysdrus and noted for its amphitheater, which is similar to the coliseum of Rome. Following your exploration of El Jem and the nearby El Jem Museum, you drive northeast to the seaside town of Sousse. Your base will be a seaside hotel near the Port of Kantoui. Overnight in Sousse. (B)

Day 9, Saturday - Kairouan/Nabeul/Hammamet
This morning you depart Sousse for an hour drive to the west, where your first destination is Kairouan. Today, Kairouan is a rather provincial town. However, the city was founded and subsequently developed during early Islamic times, with Kairouan's Great Mosque, dating from -the 7th century, reputed to be the oldest mosque in Africa. During medieval times, it also had a Jewish community whose scholars nearly rivaled those of Babylonia. Kairouan's location along the caravan routes also provided a base for a flourishing crafts industry. From Kairouan, you head back towards the coast with a stop in Nabeul, a town noted for its pottery production. From Nabeul, you drive to Hammamet, a seaside resort town. Your farewell dinner will be in a nice venue. Overnight in Hammamet. (B, D)

Day 10, Sunday - Tunis departure
This morning your bus will depart for the airport in Tunis for your return flight to the US, via Europe. (B)