This two-week study tour has an emphasis on the Roman and medieval Islamic monuments of Tunisia and the wonderful desert landscapes of the Sahara. We fly to Tunis where we take a walk through the Ville Nouvelle (the French quarter) and spend a day walking in the ancient walled medina of the city. Here we explore the bustling markets, see the courtyard of the Great Mosque and visit the medieval royal tombs.

The following day we visit the extensive ruins of Carthage where are located in the northern suburbs of Tunis. We see the old Punic harbour, the tophet cemetery (burial place of sacrificed children) and the excellent on-site museum. We also see the colourful in-situ Roman house mosaics and explore the Rome amphitheatre. In the afternoon we go for a walk through the beautiful village of Sidi Bou Said, famous for its blue and white houses and view over the Gulf of Tunis.

Our program then takes us on a day trip to visit Cape Bon, the nearby peninsula. Here we explore the fascinating ruins of the ancient Punic city of Kerkouane, famous for their houses with early mosaics and baths, and see the artefacts from the site. In the afternoon we explore the impressive Punic quarries at Haouira where stone was quarried for the walls of Carthage.

The following day we head inland to explore the stunning Roman ruins of Dougga. An ancient Punic settlement it was greatly developed during the Roman era. We explore its awe inspiring and well preserved Temple of Jupiter, the Roman forum, the bath complex and magnificent Roman theatre. In the afternoon there is a short drive to the Ottoman fortress city of El Kef which will be our base for a few days. From here we take a day trip to explore the ancient settlement of Bulla Regia. This preserves stunning Roman house mosaics.

We then continue onwards to the town of Sbeitla, which will be our base for two nights. The following morning we explore the fabulous temples of ancient Sufetula including the remarkably well-preserved Temple of Minerva in the Roman Forum. Other buildings at the site include the baths and a Roman bridge over the local river. There is free time in the afternoon for a swim in the hotel pool.

The following day we head south into the desert regions of Tunisia where we explore a number of oasis towns. In Tozeur we explore the old quarter, famous for its decorative brick work, and explore the vast palm gardens of the oasis. We take 4-wheel drives south into the dunes of the Great Sand Sea and visit the sets used for the Star Wars movies. The following morning we head across the vast dry salt pans of the Chott el Jerid until we arrive at Douz. Here we head out into the open desert of the Sahara and have the opportunity for a camel ride.

Our program then takes us along the Mediterranean coast to the medieval city of Sfax. The old medina is surrounded by impressive walls from the 9th century Aghlabid Period and hides a labyrinth of covered suqs which we explore. The following day we visit El Jem, the ancient Roman town of Thysdrus. Here we visit the stunning Roman amphitheatre, one of the best preserved in the Roman world, and visit the local museum which houses some of the best Roman mosaics to be seen anywhere. We continue to Sousse which will be our base for two nights.

In Sousse we explore the ancient medina, which is famous for its remarkably well preserved 9th century Aghlabid fortifications. Inside the town we explore the Great Mosque, the rabat (small fortress) and Kasbah. We also visit a local merchant's house and see the Roman mosaics in the Sousse archaeological museum.

We then head inland, stopping at Kairouan, an important medieval Arab town. We explore the enormous Great Mosque which dates back to the 8th Century and walk through the old quarter of the city. We then head north to visit the beautiful Roman ruins of Thuburbo Maius. These include a well preserved forum, Roman temples and baths. At the ancient site of Uthina we see the Roman amphitheatre and houses.

Our last day of the program is spent at the Bardo Museum in Tunis which contains one of the most stunning collections of Roman mosaics anywhere in the world. These have been removed from many sites around Tunisia and include a wide range of mythological subjects. There is time for last minute shopping in the medina of Tunis before we fly home to Australia.

Roman mosaic from El Jem

Day 1: Arrive Tunis
You should arrive in Tunis, modern capital of Tunisia. Overnight Tunis.

Day 2: Tunis - Ville Nouvelle - medina (old City)
In the morning we go for a leisurely walk along the boulevards of the new city of Tunis (the so-called Ville Nouvelle). The area is dominated by the impressive Cathedral of St Vincent de Paul. In the afternoon we walk in the Medina (the old medieval walled city) of Tunis with its busy shopping suqs. We see the 9th Century Zitouna Mosque (also known as the Great Mosque), and 18th Century Tombs of the Beys. Overnight Tunis.

Day 3: Carthage - Sidi Bou Said
The morning is spent exploring the ruins of the Punic and Roman city of Carthage. We visit the Bursa Hill acropolis and houses, explore the Carthage Museum, see the impressive Roman amphitheatre, the old Punic port area and the Tophet Cemetery. In the afternoon we visit Sidi Bou Said with its spectacular views of the Bay of Tunis. Overnight Tunis.


Day 4: Kerkouane - Haouaria quarries
In the morning we visit the sea-side ruins of Kerkouane located on Cape Bon, a peninsula east of Tunis. Kerkouane is the best preserved ancient Punic city in the world and is famous for the 6th-4th Century BC Punic houses. We also tour the local archaeological museum at Kerkouane. After lunch we head north to see the ancient Punic quarries near Haouaria. Overnight Tunis.

Day 5: Dougga
In the morning we travel west through the green Medjerja River Valley to the Roman site of Dougga (ancient Thugga). Highlights include the stunning 2nd Century AD Capitol (Temple of Jupiter), the Roman theatre dating to the time of Marcus Aurelius, the bath complex and numerous houses with mosaic floors. In the afternoon we travel the short distance to El Kef where we check into our hotel. Overnight El Kef.


Day 6: Bulla Regia
In the morning we visit the ruins of the Carthaginian and Roman site of Bulla Regia. The site boasts an impressive forum with Capitolium (Temple of Jupiter), a theatre, an extensive bath complex, and stunning house mosaics. In the afternoon we travel to Sbeitla. Overnight Sbeitla.

Day 7: Sufetula
Today we explore the ancient Roman city of Sufetula, a Roman colony in central Tunisia. The best-preserved building is the Temple of Minerva in the Roman forum. Other highlights include the Roman baths, the impressive Arch of Diocletian, an intact Roman bridge and numerous house mosaics. Overnight Sbeitla.

Day 8: Tozeur
In the morning we head south through desert county to the oasis city of Tozeur, stopping to see the Star Wars sets. We then explore the old quarter of Tozeur - this is famous for its traditional brickwork. In the late afternoon we go for a walk in the enormous palm gardens (inhabited since Neolithic times) which are spread over 10 sq km and said to be watered by 200 springs. Overnight Tozeur.


Day 9: Douz
In the morning we leave the oasis of Tozeur and cross the Chott el-Jerid, an immense salt pan covering more than 5000 sq km. We head to the desert town of Douz and check into our hotel. In the afternoon we explore the open dunes of the Sahara. Overnight Douz.

Day 10: Sfax
In the morning we head north to Sfax, the second largest city in Tunisia. Inhabited since Phoenician times it is best known for its impressive 9th Century medina walls which were built by the Aghlabid Dynasty. In the afternoon we take a walk through the medieval medina with its covered souqs and explore part of the impressive ramparts and gates. Overnight Sfax.

Day 11: Kairouan - travel to Sousse
We head NW of Sfax to the mediaeval city of Kairouan, an ancient walled city which was founded shortly after the Arab invasion in the 7th Century AD. The most impressive building is the Aghlabid Great Mosque which incorporates numerous columns from dismantled classical buildings. In the afternoon we have lunch and take a walk in the Kairouan Medina before heading to Sousse on the coast. Overnight Sousse.

Day 12: El Jem - Museum and Roman Amphitheatre
Today we travel south by bus for an excursion to El Jem, location of the ancient city of Thysdrus. In the morning we see the superb Museum of El Jem which houses one of the world's best collections of Roman mosaics. A highlight is the reconstructed 'House of Africa' which enables us to walk through an ancient Roman Villa. In the afternoon we tour the awe inspiring El Jem amphitheatre which still retains its underground cells for animals and gladiators. Overnight Sousse.


Day 13: Sousse medina and Archaeological Museum
We explore the fortified city medina of Sousse including the Grand Mosque and the fortified ribat with its impressive watch tower. We also visit a Late Ottoman house once belonging to a merchant family. In the afternoon we see the Sousse Museum located in the medieval fortified Kasbah. It houses wonderful mosaics from the Roman period. Overnight Sousse.

Day 14: Thuburbo Maius - Uthina
We head north through vast olive groves to the ancient Roman city of Thuburbo Maius. This Roman city developed in the 2nd Century AD, acquiring an impressive Capitol (Temple of Jupiter), two bath complexes, temples to Mercury and Baal and many houses with mosaics. In the afternoon we visit the ruins of Uthina, an impressive Roman site with a restored amphitheatre originally capable of sitting 10,000 spectators. Overnight Tunis.

Day 15: The Bardo Museum
The day is devoted to the magnificent Bardo Museum in Tunis, world-famous for its collection of Roman mosaics. These remarkable masterpieces, derived from a number of Tunisian sites, show many aspects of ancient life and religion. The collection is housed in a beautiful Ottoman Palace together with sculpture and art objects that are representative of Tunisian history. There is free time for last minute shopping in the medina of Tunis. Overnight Tunis.


Day 16: Fly to Australia
We depart Tunis to Australia.

* Please note that the Company reserves the right to make alterations to the itinerary in the period up to 60 days prior to a tour departure. The itinerary may also be subject to minor re-arrangement due to the scheduling of the operators and availability of access. If this occurs, the Company will endeavour to provide a comparable alternative.

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