March 12, 2002 - March 24, 2002

Seeing the impressive collection of Roman mosaics at the El Jem Museum in central Tunisia.

Your host for part of this very special tour will be 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. Also joining the tour will be 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-Tuesday, March 12-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 2-Wednesday, March 13-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, you drive to the suburbs of Tunis, with your first stop being Carthage, the most famous (though by no means the largest) of Tunisia's ruins. You then continue for a short drive to the charming village of Sidi bou Said. Lunch will be at a seaside restaurant. From the suburbs, you 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 3-Thursday, March 14-Northern Tunisia/Bulla Regia/Ain Draham
This morning, you depart Tunis for the northwest part of the country. Taking scenic country roads, you head north and then west, with stops in Utica to see the remains of this historic site. You 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, you 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 you 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 4-Friday, March 15-Chemtou/Dougga
Enjoying a spirited presentation by Tunisian poet and writer, Ali Smaoui.
Today you continue touring the Roman heartland of Tunisia. Your first stop is Chemtou, with its more recently uncovered remains. From Chemtou, you 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, you drive southeast to Kairouan, arriving late in the day. Dinner and overnight in Kairouan. (B,L,D)

Day 5-Saturday, March 16- Kairouan/Sousse
This morning you explore 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, you head east to the coastal city of Sousse. You will have an opportunity to visit the small, but impressive mosaic collection at the Sousse Museum, as well as time to browse through historic Sousse, within the walls of the ribat. You then drive to your seaside base for the night in the Sousse area of Kantoui. Overnight in Sousse. (B,L,D)

Day 6-Sunday, March 17-El Jem/Sousse
This morning you drive south to El Jem, known in Roman times as Thysdrus and noted for its amphitheater, which is similar to the coliseum of Rome. You will also visit the museum of El Jem, with its expansive collection of mosaics. Following El Jem, you travel eastward to the coast, where you will have the opportunity to visit the historic site of Thapsus. The site is still undergoing excavation, with interesting finds being uncovered. Thapsus was the site of the famous Battle of Thapsus which marked a turning point in the history of both Rome and North Africa. From Thapsus, you return to Sousse area, where the rest of the afternoon is free for you to enjoy as you choose. Lunch will be somewhere in the region. Dinner tonight is independent, providing you the opportunity to explore Sousse’s many dining options. Overnight in Sousse. (B,L)

Day 7-Monday, March 18-Sbeitla/SeljaGorge/Tozeur
A pre-dinner camel trek in the Sahara.
This morning you drive to Sbeitla. Sbeitla is an impressive antiquity site, known in Roman times as Sufetula. Among the ruins are Tunisia’s most expansive collection of early Christian remains. From Sbeitla, you 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 to Tozeur by late afternoon. Evening tour of the Dar Cheraiat Museum. Dinner and overnight in Tozeur. (B,L,D)

Day 8-Tuesday, March 19-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, where you will tour the oasis of Tozeur and the historic part of Tozeur. The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure to relax by the pool or explore more of Tozeur's old town. Dinner and overnight in Tozeur. (B,L,D)

Day 9-Wednesday, March 20-Chott el Jerid/Douz/Matmata
This morning, you depart early for further exploration of the south via 4x4 vehicles. You travel eastward via the Chott-el-Jerid, Tunisia’s salt lake and then stop in Douz, a small town that appears to be plopped down amidst the dunes. From Douz, you 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 10-Thursday, March 21-The Ksour
Dinners are often a highlight! This one was under the stars in the Sahara.
This morning, you explore the ksour region, including the rather remote villages of Doiret and Chenini. From here, you embark on a drive north, taking scenic roads, 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. You depart in the late afternoon, heading east to the coast, for the ferry crossing to the island of Jerba. You arrive at your seaside hotel around dinner time. Overnight in Jerba. (B,L,D)

Day 11-Friday, March 22-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. You 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 12-Saturday, March 23-Jerba
You 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 13-Sunday, March 24-Tunis/USA
Morning departure to the US via European gateway, arriving late the same day. (B)

Cost: $3,195
Includes:

• Price is based on double occupancy in deluxe/first class hotels. $325. single supplement applies.
• All touring, entrance fees, baggage handling and most meals, as indicated on the itinerary.

NOTE: Round-trip air from US to Tunis is not included. However, TunisUSA will be happy to assist in arranging your air travel.

Malta option: Call or write about TunisUSA's post-tour to Malta!

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