May 14-25, 2000

This tour centers around the historic pilgrimage made by many North African Jews to the island of Jerba, during the spring festival of Lag BOmer. While not a religious festival, the pilgrimage is a time when the island takes on somewhat of a Mardi Gras atmosphere, which is not found any other time during the year. Tour participants will be based for a good portion of the tour on the island of Jerba, though there will be travel to other parts of Tunisia, as well as subject matter that is not related to either Jewish aspects or to the pilgrimage. The weather during the pilgrimage is always beautiful!

Day 1-Sunday, May 14th
Departure from New York tonight for non-stop flight to European gateway. Transfer to connecting flight to Tunis.

Day 2-Monday, May 15th
Arrive in Tunis from European gateway, where we transfer to our hotel for a light lunch. The remainder of the afternoon is free for rest and relaxation from your flight. Late afternoon visit to the Grand Synagogue of Tunis, followed by a traditional Tunisian dinner. Overnight in Tunis. (L,D)

Day 3-Tuesday, May 16th
This morning, we start our 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, we drive to the suburbs of Tunis where we will visit Carthage, the most famous (though by no means the largest) of the ancient sites in Tunisia. Following our visit to the ruins of this ancient Phoenician city, we continue to the nearby picturesque village of Sidi Bou Said, whose architecture was inspired by its Andalusian settlers. Lunch will be near the seaside. We return to your hotel in the heart of Tunis by late afternoon. For the evening, you are on your own to sample one of the capital's many dining options. Overnight in Tunis. (B,L)

Day 4-Wednesday, May 17th
Today you will have the opportunity to explore the western portion of Tunisia, which was not only a stonghold of the Roman Empire, but also home to small Jewish populations until the 1960's. Our first stop is at Dougga, known in Roman times as Thugga. Covering some sixty acres, Dougga remains the largest of the Roman sites in Tunisia. From Dougga, we drive to El Kef, which has a synagogue that was restored during the last decade. We return to Tunis via an alternative route, with brief stops en route. Overnight in Tunis. (B,L,D)

Day 5-Thursday, May 18th
After breakfast, we depart for a day of travel which will include seeing part of Tunisia's heartland. We drive south via Thuburbo Majus, where we see the ruins of this Roman town. We then continue on to Kairouan, Tunisia's holy city and during the medieval times, home to a scholarly Jewish community. Following lunch in Kairouan, we head southeast with a stop in El Jem to see the Roman coliseum, the largest of its kind in North Africa. We arrive late in the day in Sfax, Tunisia's second largest city. Dinner and overnight in Sfax. (B,L,D)

Day 6-Friday, May 19th
After breakfast, we depart south along the coast to Gabes, stopping in the small town of Gabes, one of the oasis towns of Tunisia. After visiting the oasis, we continue on to the region of Matmata, known for its unusual troglodyte homes (underground dwellings). Following lunch in a troglodyte restaurant in Matmata, we head east towards the coast, taking the ferry crossing to the island of Jerba. We arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon, providing time to relax and freshen up before for dinner. Dinner and overnight in Jerba. (B,L,D)

Day 7-Saturday, May 20th
Today is at your leisure. You may relax by the pool or beach, or choose to explore some of the island on your own. For dinner tonight, you will be free to sample some of the many restaurant options on Jerba. Overnight in Jerba. (B,L)

Day 8-Sunday, May 21st
Today is a long travel day!!! We depart early for our ride into the south of Tunisia to the ksour region, named for the distinctive style of architecture that is found in the villages of the ksour region. Today's tour offers another perspective of this ancient and exotic land. Lunch will be served in one of the villages en route. We return to our hotel late in the day with an enjoyable dinner on the night's menu! Overnight in Jerba. (B,L,D)

Day 9-Monday, May 22nd
This morning we visit the village of Hara Kabira, the largest of the island's two Jewish villages. We will have a walking tour of the "hara", visiting many of the village's synagogues. Hara Kabira has nearly a dozen synagogues, most of which are still in use today. We will have the opportunity to visit the communal oven of the Jewish community and hear about the role it plays in the holiday and Shabbat meals, as well as hearing about the active role of Jewish education in Jerba, today. Following our visit to Hara Kabira, the remainder of your afternoon is at leisure. You may want to visit Houmt Souk, Jerba's main market town and the location of many of Jerba's Jewish merchants. You may choose to spend your afternoon at leisure in Houmt Souk, enjoying lunch at one of the many seafood restaurants or you may return to our hotel to relax by the pool or ocean. For dinner, you are on your own to sample from an array of recommended restaurants. Overnight in Jerba. (B,L,D)

Day 10-Tuesday, May 23rd
In the Jewish calendar, today is the 18th of Iyar, the beginning of the Jewish festival of Lag B'Omer. While the festival is not so celebrated in the West, among the Jews of North Africa, particularly Tunisia, this is a festive day celebrating the spring and a time to pay homage to prominent Jewish scholars in North African Jewish history. Jerban Jews participate in the day by joining in the procession of the community's menara to the Ghriba synagogue. This is a day unlike other days throughout the year in Jerba, with pilgrims and indigenous Jerbans, both Jew and non-Jew participating. Unlike other activities throughout the year in Jerba, Jewish men and women both, participate in the frenzy of the pilgrimage. You are on your own to participate in the many activities taking place throughout the day. Overnight in Jerba. (B,L, D)

Day 11-Wednesday, May 24th
Late morning flight from Jerba back to Tunis. After checking in at your hotel, we will drive to the heart of old Tunis for a walking tour of the medina, Tunisia's historic heart. Lunch will be in one of Tunisia's finest restaurants, housed in a restored mansion within the kasbah. You will also have the remainder of the afternoon to explore and shop within the souk on your own, returning to your hotel at your choosing. Our farewell dinner will be in a festive setting with members of the Tunis Jewish community. Overnight in Tunis. (B,L,D)

Day 12-Thursday, May 25th
Morning departure to the US via Europe, arriving later the same day. (B)

NOTE: For those who choose to participate in the Shabbat, special arrangements can be made for attending synagogues and/or for dinner in a private home. Our hotel in Jerba is not within walking distance of synagogues, though Shabbat services are arranged at the hotel. Thus, for those who require being within walking distance of a synagogue, alternative lodging can be arranged for the night of April 30th. These arrangements are at an additional cost and must be made through a TunisUSA representative.

Cost

Scheduled Tours

Price Includes

• Round-trip air from NY area to Tunis
• Price is based on double occupancy in deluxe/first class hotels. ($195. single supplement applies).
• All touring, entrance fees, baggage handling and most meals, as indicated on the itinerary.

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