Tunisia
"Runner's Classical History Tour"
March 12 - 21,2011

Saturday, March 12 - Tunis
Arrive in Tunis and transfer to your hotel in central Tunis. Early evening rendezvous with the other tour participants and then off to dinner in the historic heart of Tunis, providing you with a sense of the history and architecture, which dates back to the 7th century. Overnight in Tunis. (D)

Sunday, March 13 – Tunis
For those who wish to go on a morning run, a bus will be ready to meet you at the hotel at 7:30AM, taking you to a location for a morning run, followed by your return to the hotel for to change and to have breakfast.

Following breakfast, you depart your hotel for a morning orientation of the capital, with your first stop being The Bardo Museum. Housed in a former palace of the Ottoman Bey, the Bardo is home to a world class collection of mosaics, providing you with a sense of what awaits you during your stay in Tunisia. From the Bardo, you depart with your first stop being Carthage, the most famous (though by no means the largest) of Tunisia's ruins.

Seeing Carthage will help one understand the strategic importance of Tunisia within the Mediterranean region to the Phoenicians, the Romans and the numerous subsequent settlers who wanted to rule this ancient land. From Carthage, you drive to the US War Cemetery for a brief visit to learn about the role of the US in North Africa during World War II. Lunch will be out in the seaside area. We will also review the course of the Half Marathon, “Marathon de Megara” as the half-marathon will be in this scenic region of Tunis and an opportunity to meet with a member of the half marathon coordinating committee. We then drive the short distance to Sidi Bou Said, a picturesque town that is today, a nearby suburb of Tunis.

The architecture of Sidi Bou Said is inspired by the many Andalusian settlers who came to North Africa following their expulsion from Spain at the end of the 15th century. You will have time to walk around the village and take in the wonderful scenery. Return to the city and take a walking tour of the history medina, ending your walk at your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Tunis. (B,L,D)

Monday, March 14 –Northwest Tunisia/Bulla Regia/Ain Draham/Tabarka
Arrangements will be made before breakfast for those wishing to take a morning run. Following breakfast, you check out of your hotel to travel to the northwest region of Tunisia. A region of fertile farmland that became the “bread basket” for the Roman Empire, the legacy of Rome is left in many archaeological sites in the region. Your visit to the northwest will concentrate on the two most expansive and impressive sites. After a scenic drive, you eventually arrive to Bulla Regia, one of the major Roman sites in Tunisia, where the architecture included homes built underground, with their mosaics still remaining.

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, surrounding the small town of Ain Draham. Your base for the night will be a hotel that is set amidst beautiful scenery and resembles that of a hunting lodge. Overnight in Hammam Bourguiba. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, March 15 - Dougga/Sousse
Today you continue touring the Roman heartland of Tunisia. Your first stop is 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 east to the coast, with a lunch visit in a beautiful venue within the Mejerda river valley. Continue on to the seaside resort town of Sousse. Dinner tonight will be independent, with many dining options within a short distance of your hotel. Overnight in Sousse. (B, L)

Wednesday, March 16 – Kairouan/El Jem/Sousse
This morning you depart Sousse and drive west approximately one hour to 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. Your morning visit will include Kairouan’s Great Mosque, said to be the oldest mosque in Africa. From Kairouan, you drive southeast to El Jem, known in Roman times as Thysdrus and noted for its amphitheater, which is similar to the coliseum of Rome and the largest, single structure in Roman Africa. You will also visit the museum of El Jem, with its expansive collection of mosaics. From El Jem, you drive back towards the coast and have lunch en route, returning to Sousse late in the day. This evening, we will have a guest speaker from the University of Sousse to discuss foreign policy issues, after which, you will be independent for dinner. There are numerous restaurant options within a short walk of your hotel, as well as dining options within your hotel. Overnight in Sousse. (B, L)

Thursday, March 17 – Thuburbo Majus, Zaghouan/Tunis
This morning you drive north along the coast and then inland, with a visit to Thuburbo Majus, one of the best-preserved sites in Tunisia. Debate continues as to the original settlement of the town, whether Berber or Roman. However, the setting is quite scenic and at the end of the second century, it is said that the town's population may have reached over ten thousand inhabitants. Agriculture was a primary source of income in the region. After having plenty of time to visit Thuburbo Majus, you make a short drive to Zaghouan, site of a Roman aqueduct that carried water from the hills of Zaghouan all the way to Carthage, a distance of over 130 kilometers. Lunch will be in the region of Zagouan. From Zaghouan, you continue on to Tunis. Your base in Tunis will be in the area of the seaside suburbs, at a hotel with a well equipped fitness center and good access to run in the areas of the upcoming half-marathon. An opportunity will be arranged to have dinner with local Tunisians, some of whom share the running passion. Overnight in Tunis. (B, L, D)

Friday, March 18 – Tunis
Your morning is free to work out and run, or explore some of the area…as you choose! Late morning departure for northern Tunisia, another area that remains rather undeveloped and provide wonderful scenery and a sense of rural Tunisia. En route, you will stop at Utica, a small, but recently renovated archaeology site that pre-dates the Roman period. From Utica, you will have an opportunity to visit a typical weekly market, as your drive takes you to the nearby farming village of Ras Jebel, where Friday is “market day”. Take time to enjoy the setting and array of local fruits and vegetables and atmosphere of this market, which caters to the locals. Lunch will be in an interesting setting in the region, followed by a visit to Bizerte, the northern most town in Tunisia, where you will hear about its strategic role in Tunisia’s independence and the development that has come to Bizerte region during the recent years. Late afternoon return to Tunis. Tunis is a city with wonderful dining options. Tonight’s dining will be independent, with TunisUSA providing descriptions of the many options from which to consider, including the very nice restaurants at your hotel. Overnight in Tunis-Gammarth. (B, L)

Saturday, March 19 - Tunis
This morning, you have time to work out, run or relax at your hotel. A mid-day departure will take you into the heart of Tunis, where Saturday’s provide a wonderful day to see the activity of the city.

While you had a brief walking tour of the historic section of Tunis, today will provide another perspective, as the hustle and bustle of the medina creates an entirely different perspective of the city. Lunch will be in town. Late afternoon return from your hotel. A pre-marathon dinner will take place tonight in a very nice setting, with a relatively early evening return to your hotel. Overnight in Tunis-Gammarth. (B, L, D)

Sunday, March 20 – Tunis "Half-Marathon"
The half-marathon is this morning and you will be transferred to the starting grounds, which are a short drive from your hotel. A scenic run awaits you! Following the half-marathon, a return to your hotel where the remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure. Suggestions will be made for those who would like to "wander". Your farewell dinner will be in a nice setting. Overnight in Tunis-Gammarth. (B,D)

Monday, March 21 – Tunis departure
Morning departure to the US via European gateway, arriving late the same day. (B)