Highlights of Tunisia

10 days - from $1695

Many people associate Tunisia with package beach holidays, but it offers the adventurous traveller an extraordinary array of treasures to uncover. We begin by exploring the cosmopolitan capital, Tunis, with its extraordinary World Heritage-listed medina (old city), labyrinthine alleys and winding streets. We also visit the excellent Bardo Museum, which houses a brilliant collection of mosaics and Roman statues, and the famous ancient city of Carthage. Our next stop is the well preserved and beautifully located ancient Roman city of Dougga, before arriving in Kairouan, a holy Islamic city with a stunning mosque and fascinating medina. Continuing south, we explore the mud brick oasis town of Tozeur, before crossing the Chott el Jerid salt lake to Douz, home to many Berber people and other desert tribes. A camel ride in the rolling dunes of the Sahara Desert at Ksar Ghilane showcases the majesty of the landscape, before we continue on and visit the troglodyte town of Matmata. Mahdia, a charming seaside village, is a wonderful place to relax and explore, and El Jem, home to Africa's most impressive ancient amphitheatre, offers insights into the might of the Roman Empire.

Highlights

• Tunis
• Bardo Museum
• Carthage
• Dougga
• Kairouan
• El Jem
• Sousse
• Sbeitla
• Tozeur
• Chebika
• Douz
• Ksar Ghilane
• Matmata

Itinerary:

Day 1 (Sun) Arrive in Tunis and transfer to hotel.2 Visit Bardo Museum and explore Tunis medina.3 Visit Carthage and Sidi Bou Said Andalous village.4 Drive to Dougga, explore the ancient city and continue to Kairouan.5 Explore Kairouan Mosque and medina, then continue to Tozeur.6 Drive across the Chott el Jerid to Douz, enjoy a camel ride and continue to Ksar Ghilane.7 Visit troglodyte dwellings at Matmata. Continue to Mahdia.8 Full day in Mahdia.9 Visit Roman amphitheatre at El Jem before returning to Tunis.10 Tour ends in Tunis this morning (Tue).
Included: Local tour leader, local guides, arrival transfer, transport, sightseeing and entrance fees.
Not Included: International flights, departure taxes, visas, insurance, other meals not listed, any optional tours or activities during free time, camera fees, excess baggage charges, tips and items of a personal nature.
Meals: 9 breakfasts
Notes: Tipping In Tunisia, tipping is part of the fabric of life. Everyone constantly tips everyone else and foreign travellers are expected to comply with this system. It is part of everyday life and is a form of remuneration for doing something, regardless of the standard of service. This is quite confusing for those used to the western concept of tipping as a way of showing appreciation. Over the years we have found that most of our customers find this constant need for tipping to be both tiresome and embarrassing, especially if you don't have the correct small change. To overcome this, we have established a very successful tipping kitty system. At the beginning of the tour, your tour leader will suggest collecting a set amount from each tour member. He/she will then distribute all tips along the way, on behalf of the group, to the local guides, drivers, porters and anyone else who provides services along the way. We have surveyed thousands of our previous clients and the vast majority clearly prefer this procedure. We hope that this system will also work for you. The amount will vary from trip to trip, but it usually works out to be about the equivalent of US$3 per person per day. If you are out on your own, for example at a restaurant, you should also leave a tip for the waiter. Please note that the tipping kitty will NOT include a gratuity for your tour leader. They work hard for you and if you are happy with their service it is appropriate to tip them as well. The normal amount expected is US$3 (or equivalent) per day from each member of the group. Ramadan Ramadan occurs in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is an exciting (and at times, frustrating) time to travel in the Middle East. In the evening there is a celebratory atmosphere as people break their fast, and to witness all this is a real highlight. However, during the day, people must refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual activity, so if you encounter someone who is a bit grumpy, be sympathetic! Tourist sites are generally unaffected although some places may close early, but your leader will plan around this. Most hotels bars and tourist restaurants will remain open. Overall, Ramadan is a really interesting time to the Middle East, although you do need to be flexible, sympathetic and sensitive. In 2010, Ramadan starts on 11th August and finishes on 9th September, with the Eid el Fitr feast commencing on 10th September. In 2011, Ramadan will start on 1st August and finish on 30th August.
Starts/Ends: Tunis to Tunis
Trip Reference: PGHT