Compare Tunisian Adventure with Hammamet by Cosmos vs World Heritage Sites of Tunisia by Bestway Tours & Safaris
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| Trip |
4 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 11 days | 8 days |
| Price From | Check price | $ 1,790 |
| Price Per Day | Check price | $ 224 |
| Highlights |
Inside visits and special features: Shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description including admission charges where applicable. Sightseeing: Visits Tunis, Dougga, Sidi-Bou-Said, Carthage, Monastir, El Djem, Sfax, Matmata, Tamezret, Douz, Chott el Jerid, Gafsa, Kairouan Scenic Highlights: Sahara Desert
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
Breakfasts, 4 Lunches and 8 Dinners |
N/A |
| Description |
From Berber villages and awe-inspiring historical architecture to spectacular rocky gorges, Tunisia’s enchanting blend of European sophistication and Arabian exoticism awaits you. Visit the best-preserved Roman remains at Dougga, see the Andalusian-looking port village of Sidi-Dou-Said, and ancient Carthage. From Tunis, continue on to the old town of Monastir, impressive El Djem with its Roman Colosseum, and Sfax on the Gulf of Gabes. At Matmata, see the incredible underground troglodyte village used in the original Star Wars movie, then via Tamezret, and the salt lake of Chott el Jerid to Tozeur. Be enthralled as you travel on the Red Lizard train through the spectacular gorges of Selja, affording plenty of photo opportunities. After the Grand Mosque at Kairouan, return to Tunis for the night before transferring to the “garden resort” of Hammamet for the next three overnights. |
Tunisia is a small country with a grand history that goes back to the days of Carthage and a journey here is a discovery of Africa, the land of the Berbers and the Islamic world all at once. Our program uncovers the people, history, archaeology and culture of this distinct land in addition to 7 UNESCO sites. |
Day 1: Arrive in Tunis, Tunisia
Welcome to the capital city of Tunisia! Check into your hotel, then the rest of the day is free to acquaint yourself with Tunis. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.
Day 2: Tunis. Excursion to Dougga, Sidi-Bou-Said & Carthage
A delightful blend of ancient and modern, Tunis has a colorful medina (Old Town) and a contemporary city center. Enjoy the included excursion to DOUGGA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE, hailed as the best-preserved ruins of a small Roman town in North Africa. Also visit the Andalusian-looking port village of Sidi-Bou-Said and the ancient CARTHAGE CITY RUINS.
Day 3: Tunis–Monastir–El Djem–Sfax
This morning, head to Monastir, a city nestled in the shade of its walls. Visit the opulent BOURGUIBA MAUSOLEUM, final resting place of the founder and first president of Tunisia. Then, on to EL DJEM, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to some of the continent’s most impressive Roman ruins. Capable of seating 35,000 spectators, the imposing 3rd-century Roman amphitheater was supported by a complex system of arches and rivals the Colosseum in Rome. Continue to the ancient city of Sfax on the Gulf of Gabes, a former Barbary pirate stronghold and now Tunisia’s secondlargest city.
Day 4: Sfax–Matmata–Chot El Jerid–Tozeur
After a visit to the medina of Sfax, journey to Matmata, renowned for its underground troglodyte village that was inhabited until the 1960s and served as the setting for the original Star Wars film. Follow the twisting road to Tamezret with its stone houses and streets lined with high walls—a complete contrast to Matmata! Travel westward via Kebili and Chot El Jerid salt flats, Tunisia’s largest salt lake where it is possible to see mirages and buy mineral samples. Arrive in Tozeur for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Tozeur
Tozeur is an important oasis on the ancient caravan route between Algeria and Tunisia. Today we start the day with a visit to the Eden Palm Museum, situated in an oasis. Your guide will explain the history and traditions of life on the oasis, and there is a chance to taste some local products, like chocolate, jam, or syrup made with dates. The afternoon is free for you to relax and to enjoy life in the oasis. In the evening, enjoy an included dinner and folklore show in Tozeur or dinner in hotel.
Day 6: Tozeur–Red Lizard Train–Gafsa–Kairouan
After breakfast, drive to Metlaoui to board the historic RED LIZARD TRAIN for a spectacular 2-hour journey. Built by the French at the end of the 19th century to transport mined phosphates, in 1940 the train was given as a gift to the Bey of Tunis. Today, it runs along the old mining tracks through the breathtaking Selja Gorges, affording plenty of opportunities to take stunning photographs. Stop for lunch in Gafsa, then travel on to the sacred city of Kairouan for an overnight stay.
Day 7: Kairouan–Tunis
This morning, visit the GREAT MOSQUE with its 414 marble, granite, and porphyry columns, one of the oldest places of worship in the Islamic world. Next, head north and return to Tunis for a final overnight. Visit the MEDINA and the famous BARDO MUSEUM, housing the finest Roman mosaics in the world.
Day 8 Tunis–Hammamet
Transfer to Hammamet for a 3-night stay at the first-class Sindbad, Hammamet hotel.
Day 9: At Leisure in Hammamet
Relax and enjoy Tunisia’s “garden resort,” spend time on the beach, or maybe go to the Old Town to discover the medina.
Day 10: At Leisure in Hammamet
Relax and enjoy Tunisia’s “garden resort,” spend time on the beach, or maybe go to the Old Town to discover the medina.
Day 11: Hammamet–Tunis
Transfer to the Tunis airport, where your vacation ends.
Day 01: Arrive Tunis
Bonjour and Merhaba! We are warmly greeted to Tunisia and are driven to the hotel. Check-in time starts at 1400 hrs.
Overnight: Tunisia Palace Hotel, Tunis (2 nights)
Day 02: Tunis
Our first exploration of this unique land starts with a visit to the Medina of Tunis*, which is one of the first Arab-Muslim towns of the Maghreb (698 A.D.). The capital of several universally influential dynasties, it represents a human settlement that bears witness to the interaction between architecture, urbanism and the effects of socio-cultural and economic changes of earlier cultures. With its souqs, its urban fabric, its residential quarters, monuments and gates, this ensemble constitutes a prototype among the best conserved in the Islamic world. Our next stop is the Bardo Museum, famous for its fine collection of mosaics. The Punic vestiges, the array of Roman mosaics and unique sculptures in this museum are truly astounding! In the afternoon we have a tour of Carthage*. Founded by the Phoenicians, Carthage is an extensive archaeological site, located on a hill dominating the Gulf of Tunis and the surrounding plain. Metropolis of Punic civilization in Africa and capital of the province of Africa in Roman times, Carthage has played a central role in Antiquity as a great commercial empire. During the lengthy Punic wars, Carthage occupied the territories that belonged to Rome, which then destroyed its rival in 146 AD. The town was rebuilt by the Romans on the ruins of the ancient city. We continue to Sidi Bou Said, a splendid Moorish village perched atop a headland. (B, D)
Day 03: Tunis/Dougga/Kairouan (Drive)
Morning depart to visit the archaeological site of Dougga/Thugga* covers an area of approximately 75 ha. These ruins of a complete city with all its components are a testimony to more than 17 centuries of history. They are an outstanding example illustrating the synthesis between different cultures: Numidian, Punic, Hellenistic, and Roman. Continue onto Kairouan.
Overnight: La Kasbah Hotel, Kairouan (1 night) (B, D)
Day 04: Kairouan/El Jem/Port El Kantaoui (Drive)
This morning we tour the holy city of Kairouan*. Founded in 670, the city flourished under the Aghlabid dynasty in the 9th century. Despite the transfer of the political capital to Tunis in the 12th century, Kairouan remained the Maghreb's principal holy city. Its rich architectural heritage includes the Great Mosque, with its marble and porphyry columns, and the 9th-century Mosque of the Three Gates. In the afternoon we depart for El Jem*, with impressive ruins of the largest colosseum in North Africa, a huge amphitheatre which could hold up to 35,000 spectators, are found in the small village of El Jem. This 3rd-century monument illustrates the grandeur and extent of Imperial Rome. Continue to Port El Kantaoui.
Overnight: El Mouradi Hotel, Port El Kantaoui (1 night) (B, D)
Day 05: Port El Kantaoui/Sousse/Hammamet (Drive)
Our first stop will be Sousse*, which was an important commercial and military port during the Aghlabid period (800–909) and is a typical example of a town dating from the first centuries of Islam. With its kasbah, ramparts, medina (with the Great Mosque), Bu State Mosque and typical ribat (both a fort and a religious building), Sousse was part of a coastal defense system. Next, we get to Hammamet, to visit the Spanish fortress and the Medina.
Overnight: Le Sultan Hotel, Hammamet (1 night) (B, D)
Day 06: Hammamet/Kerkuane/Tunis (Drive)
We drive to the coastal town of Nabeul, the main centre of the Tunisian pottery industry. Then we head to Kelibia, to visit the recently restored fortress overlooking the harbor. In the afternoon we visit the Punic Town of Kerkuane and its Necropolis*. This Phoenician city was probably abandoned during the First Punic War (c. 250 B.C.) and as a result was not rebuilt by the Romans. The remains constitute the only example of a Phoenician-Punic city to have survived. The houses were built to a standard plan in accordance with a sophisticated notion of town planning.
Overnight: Tunisia Palace Hotel, Tunis (2 nights) (B, D)
Day 07: Tunis
Today we explore the ruins of Utica, set on a low hill, composed of several Roman villas. Their walls still preserve decorative floor mosaics. To the northwest of these villas is a Punic necropolis, with Punic sarcophagi. In the afternoon we visit Thuburmo Majus or Colonia Julia Aurelia Commoda, its Roman name. Originally a Punic town, it became a Roman veteran colony by Augustus, which allowed them to start their post-army lives with the land of their own. Its strategic location and access to trade routes made it an important establishment.(B, D)
Day 08: Depart Tunis
In the morning we are transferred to the airport for our flight home or our next exciting destination. (B)
