April 23, 2002 - May 3, 2002

Ghriba Synagogue

Day 1-Tuesday, April 23
Arrive in Tunis from European gateway, where you transfer to your 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 dinner at a restaurant specializing in Tunisian Jewish style cuisine. Overnight in Tunis. (D)

Day 2-Wednesday, April 24
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, but one which historians find traces of Jewish presence. 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. Lunch will be near the seaside. Following lunch, you drive into the heart of old Tunis for a walking tour of the medina, Tunisia's historic heart. Following the walking tour, you will have some time to explore and shop within the souk on your own, returning to your hotel with the bus, or on your own. Overnight in Tunis. (B,L,D)

Day 3- Thursday, April 25
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 early 1980’s. The drive west takes you through wheat growing regions, eventually brining you to El Kef, where you can visit a recently restored synagogue. From El Kef, you drive north to Bulla Regia. This well-preserved site has numerous examples of underground architecture, as well as well-preserved mosaics, in situ. From Bullar Regia, you drive north into the cork forests of the Khoumerie Mountains, the most eastern sector of the Atlas Mountain range. Overnight in Ain Draham. (B,L,D)

Day 4- Friday, April 26
This morning you drive through scenic rural roads, eventually arriving to Dougga, known in Roman times as Thugga. Covering some sixty acres, Dougga remains the largest of the Roman sites in Tunisia. From Dougga, you drive back towards the coast, arriving in Tunis by mid-afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is free to return to the souk if you wish, or to explore more of Carthage or the Bardo on your own. Dinner will be with some members of the Tunis Jewish community. Overnight in Tunis. (B,L,D)

Day 5- Saturday, April 27
You depart Tunis late in the morning for travel that will take you to Kairouan, Tunisia's holy city and during the medieval times, home to a scholarly Jewish community, and an important site in African Islamic history, due to it being the site of the first mosque in Africa. You will visit the Great Mosque, as well as other sites in Kairouan. Following a late lunch in Kairouan, you head east to the coast to Sousse, where you will visit the Sousse Museum, which has a wonderful collection of mosaics. You will then go for a walking tour of old Sousse, the area within the city walls. You will have some time to explore on your own, before you going to your hotel on the seacoast outside of Sousse. Dinner will be at a restaurant near the marina of Kantoui. Overnight in Sousse. (B,L)

Day 6-Sunday, April 28
This morning, you head southwest, with your first stop being El Jem to see the Roman coliseum, the largest of its kind in North Africa. El Jem also has a wonderful museum of mosaics. From El Jem, you drive south to Sfax, Tunisia's second largest city. Visit the synagogue and a brief visit of the Sfax medina, one of the best preserved in Tunisia. Continue on to Jerba via Gabes, where you will have an opportunity to see the oasis of the town. From Gabes, you continue your drive along the coast, eventually taking the ferry crossing to the island of Jerba. You arrive at your hotel by early evening. Dinner and overnight in Jerba. (B,L,D)

Day 7-Monday, April 29
You start the day with an island tour of Jerba. The island has a special character. You will have an opportunity to see some of the variety of architecture on the island, as well as visiting the Museum of Popular Ars and Culture, which provides an introduction to the islands’s inhabitants and some of their customs. Your island tour eventually brings you to to Houmt Souk, Jerba's main market town and the location of many of Jerba's Jewish merchants. After having a walking orientation of Houmt Souk and its souk, you may choose to spend some time exploring Houmt Souk independently, along with the option of enjoying lunch at one of the many seafood restaurants or you may return to our hotel to relax by the pool or ocean.