March 23-April 5, 2000

Throughout this very special tour, you will be accompanied by TunisUSA founder, Jerry Sorkin. Sorkin, a specialist in Middle East and North African studies, has spent considerable time in Tunisia over nearly two decades, during which he has developed close relationships with a myriad of Tunisians in various parts of the country and of various walks of life. He is a frequent lecturer with recent lecture invitations including a UNESCO sponsored conference in Tunisia, as well as at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. Accompanying Mr. Sorkin will be his friend, Professor Nejib Ben Lazreg, one of Tunisia's leading archaeologists and historians. Professor Ben Lazreg is affiliated with the National Institute of Heritage in Tunis and is the director of Roman Sites of the central part of Tunisia. He has been involved in excavations of antiquity sites in many parts of Tunisia. During this in-depth tour, participants will not only see Tunisia, but will experience the country and its people in a manner that few tours can offer. Due to the nature of this tour and some of the venues visited, space is limited!

Day 1-Thursday, March 23rd
Depart USA, Newark, for non-stop flight to European gateway. Transfer to connecting flight to Tunis.

Day 2-Friday, March 24th-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)

Day 3-Saturday, March 25th-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, we drive to the suburbs of Tunis, with our first stop being Carthage, the most famous (though by no means the largest) of Tunisia's ruins. We then continue for a short drive to the charming village of Sidi bou Said. Lunch will be at a seaside restaurant. From the suburbs, we 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)

Day 4-Sunday, March 26th-Northern Tunisia/Bulla Regia/Ain Draham
This morning we depart Tunis for the northwest part of the country. Taking scenic country roads, we head north and then west, with stops in Utica to see the remains of this historic site. We 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, we 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 we 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)

Day 5-Monday, March 27th-Chemtou/Dougga
Today you continue touring the Roman heartland within Tunisia. Our first stop is Chemtou, with its more recently uncovered remains. From Chemtou, we 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, drive east to the coast, arriving in Hammamet by the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Hammamet. (B,L,D)

Day 6-Tuesday, March 28th-Thuburbo Majus/Kairouan/Sousse
This morning we briefly explore Hammamet, before driving west to Zaghouan, a major aqueduct built during Roman times. From Zaghouan, we take a short ride to the Roman town of Thuburbo Majus, which remains rather untouched by Tunisia's tourism development. After exploring this site, we head south on an inland route, with a mid-day arrival in Kairouan, Tunisia's holy city and said to be the site of the first mosque in Africa. 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, we head east to the coast and our seaside base for the night in Sousse. Overnight in Sousse. (B,L,D)

Day 7-Wednesday, March 29th-El Jem/Sousse-Monastir
Following a morning tour of Sousse, you depart south to El Jem, known in Roman times as Thysdrus and noted for its amphitheater, which is similar to the coliseum of Rome. Following El Jem, we travel eastward to the coast, where we stop in the historic town of Mahdia. Mahdia is small, but has some impressive historical remains, having become the capital of the Fatamid dynasty in the 10th century. You will have time to visit Mahdia, including lunch, before returning via the coastal route to Sousse. Upon arrival in Sousse, the remainder of the afternoon will be at your leisure to enjoy the city or relax at your seaside hotel. Dinner tonight is independent, providing you the opportunity to explore Sousse's many dining options. Dinner and overnight in Sbeilta. (B,L,D)

Day 8-Thursday, March 30th-Sbeitla/SeljaGorge/Tozeur
This morning we visit the site of Sbeitla. Sbeitla is an impressive antiquity site, known in Roman times as Sufetula. From Sbeitla, we 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 in Gafsa, which we will visit briefly. We continue south, arriving to Tozeur by mid-afternoon. After checking into your hotel, we will tour the oasis of Tozeur. Dinner and overnight in Tozeur. (B,L,D)

Day 9-Friday, March 31st-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, with the remaining afternoon at leisure to relax by the pool or explore more of Tozeur's old town. Evening tour of the Dar Cheraiat Museum. Dinner and overnight in Tozeur. (B,L,D)

Day 10-Saturday, April 1st-Chott el Jerid/Douz/Matmata
This morning, we depart early for further exploration of the south via 4x4 vehicles. You travel eastward via the Chott-el-Jerid, Tunisia's salt lake, via Kibili and Douz, a small town that appears to be plopped down amidst the dunes. From Douz, we drive several hours into the Sahara, via desert tracks. Continue on through the desert with late afternoon arrival in the remote desert encampment of Ksar Ghilane. Overnight in Ksar Ghilane. (B,L,D)

Day 11-Sunday, April 2nd-The Ksour
This morning, we explore the ksour region, including the rather remote villages of Doiret and Chenini. From here, we embark on a drive north, taking scenic desert trakcs, 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. We will have an opportunity to explore some of these dwellings and the region, as well as have lunch in a troglodyte restaurant. We depart in the late afternoon, heading east to the coast, for the ferry crossing to the island of Jerba. We arrive at your seaside hotel around dinner time. Overnight in Jerba.

Day 12-Monday, April 3rd-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. We 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. Dinner and overnight in Jerba. (B,D)

Day 13-Tuesday, April 4th-Jerba
We take a late morning flight back to Tunis, where upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is free to enjoy lunch and do any last minute exploring of the capital, shopping in the souk or simply relaxing. Your farewell dinner will be in a very special restaurant. Overnight in Tunis. (B,D)

Day 14-Wednesday, April 5th-Tunis/USA
Morning departure to the US, JFK, via European gateway, arriving late the same day. (B)

Cost

Scheduled Tours

Price Includes

• Round-trip air from NY area (Newark out, JFK inbound) to Tunis
• Price is based on double occupancy in deluxe/first class hotels. ($225. single supplement applies).
• All touring, entrance fees, baggage handling and most meals, as indicated on the itinerary.

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