TUNISIA UNVEILED
December 8-18, 2008
January 26 - February 5, 2009
April 13-23, 2009

This tour of Tunisia explores the many regions of the country, from the agriculturally and archaeologically rich north of Tunisia, to the regions of central Tunisia where the transition from urban centers to semi-arid reveal themselves. The southern ksour, the island of Jerba and the southwest oasis bring a contrast analogous to a visitor to the United States visiting New England and the southwestern United States...two very different topographies and different historical influences.

Tunisia Unveiled provides a more leisurely, yet, wonderful opportunity to enjoy and appreciate Tunisia!

Day 1 - Tunis arrival Upon your arrival, mid-day arrival in Tunis from your European gateway, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in the seaside suburbs of Tunis. The remainder of the afternoon is free for rest and relaxation from your flight. A pre-dinner rendezvous at your hotel with the other tour participants, followed by a wonderful dinner introducing you to Tunisia's culinary attractions Overnight in Tunis. (D)

Phoenician homes in Carthage

Day 2 - Tunis environs
This morning, you start your day with a visit to the BardoMuseum, 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. 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. Overnight in Tunis. (B,L,D)

Day 3
Morning departure south of Tunis along the coast to the Cape Bon, a region rich in agriculture and also a wine growing region. You will have an opportunity to stop in Nabeul, a town noted for its pottery production. There is also a synagogue in Nabeul, which you will have the opportunity to visit. From Nabeul, you continue south taking a turn inland to Thuburbo Majus, an old Roman city, which also has pre-Roman remains. After exploring Thuburbo Majus, you drive south with a late afternoon arrival to Kairaoun. Dinner and overnight in Kairouan. (B,L, D)

The 7th c. Great Mosque of Kairouan

Day 4
Following breakfast, you start your touring of Kairouan. Today, Kairouan is a rather provincial town. However, the city was founded and subsequently developed during early Islamic times, with Kairouan's Great Mosque, dating from -the 7th century, reputed to be the oldest mosque in Africa. During medieval times, it also had a Jewish community whose scholars nearly rivaled those of Babylonia. Kairouan's location along the caravan routes also provided a base for a flourishing crafts industry. The region still provides the base for much of Tunisia's craft industry, particularly rugs and textiles. From Kairouan, you drive approximately one and a half hours southeast to El Jem, known in Roman times as Thysdrus and noted for its amphitheater, which is similar to the coliseum of Rome. Following your exploration of El Jem and the nearby El Jem Museum, you continue south into the Sahel region, known for its olive growing. You arrive in Sfax by early afternoon. An industrial city and Tunisia's second largest town, the medina of Sfax has retained its authentic atmosphere. As Sfax is not a city catering to tourists, the original character of the medina is retained, so much so that it was used as the film set for the "Egyptian market scenes" in the film, The English Patient. After having an opportunity to explore Sfax and have some lunch, you continue south along the coast, with a late afternoon arrival to the ferry crossing which will take you to the island of Jerba. Overnight in Jerba. (B,L,D)

Day 5
You start the day with an island tour of Jerba. The island has a special character. You will have a walking tour of the village of Hara Kabira, the largestof the island's two Jewish villages. Your visit to the "hara" will include seeing some of the village's synagogues. Hara Kabirahas nearly a dozen synagogues, most of which are still in use today. You 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. Your island tour eventually brings you 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. The remainder of the afternoon is unstructured. Dinner and overnight at your hotel. Overnight in Jerba. (B, D)

Market scene in Houmt Souk, Jerba

Day 6
Today, no touring is scheduled. The day is unstructured for you to enjoy the amenities of your hotel, or for those who wish to explore some of the island on their own. Lunch and dinner will be independent, with recommendations provided. Overnight in Jerba. (B, L, D)

Day 7 - ksour region/Matmata/Douz/Tozeur
This morning you depart the island of Jerba and drive south into the ksour region, a region named for the distinct type of indigenous dwellings, that served the multi-purpose of housing, grain storage and defensive. You will have the opportunity to visit the rather remote Berber village of 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 visit a troglodyte home as well as have lunch in a troglodyte restaurant. From Matmata, stopping in Douz, a small oasis town that is often a jumping off point for desert treks. Douz will provide an opportunity for those who wish, to take a short camel excursion into the dunes, very much the imagery of the desert of Lawrence of Arabia. From Douz, you continue westward, crossing the Chott-el-Jerid, Tunisia "salt lake". Late day arrival to Tozeur. Overnight in Tozeur. (B, L, D)

Day 8 - Tozeur/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. Return to Tozeur, visiting Tozeur's oasis, with the remaining afternoon at leisure to enjoy lunch and relax by the pool or explore Tozeur's old town. Evening tour of the Dar Cheraiat Museum. Dinner and overnight in Tozeur. (B,L,D)

Day 9 - Sbeitla and the Tell Region/Kairouan
Morning departure from Tozeur to Matloui, for a ride through the canyons aboard a 19th century train and the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful landscapes of the gorges. Continue eastward via Gafsa, with an afternoon arrival in 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 north, eventually arriving in a more fertile region that was not only the breadbasket for the Roman Empire, but also home to small Jewish populations until the early 1980's. Upon arrival in El Kef (known under the French as "Le Kef"), you will get to see some of the historic aspects of El Kef, including a visit to a restored synagogue where you will hear about the former Jewish community of the town. Your hotel tonight in Le Kef, like the few hotels in the town, is simple, clean and very much the example of the off-the-beaten path of this region. Dinner and overnight in Le Kef. (B,L,D)

Day 10 - northwest Tunisia
This morning you depart El Kef with your first main destination being Bulla Regia. This well-preserved site has numerous examples of underground architecture, as well as well-preserved mosaics, in situ. From Bulla Regia, you drive north southeast to Dougga. Dougga is Tunisia's largest Roman site. Covering some sixty acres, Dougga was known as the city of temples and its existence is thought to date back to the 4th century B.C. From Dougga you return to Tunis, arriving by early evening. Your farewell dinner will be in a nice venue in the heart of the city. Overnight in Tunis. (B, L, D)

Day 11 - Tunis departure
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight to the U.S. (B)