Roman, Phoenician, and Berber Tunisia

Tour highlights

This tour shows you the most interesting sights of this historic land, including one of the oldest mosques in the Islamic World. Experience a desert safari, sand dunes, and a true desert oasis. Visit a troglodyte dwelling and a Berber village, see the site where "Star Wars" was filmed, explore Djerba a former Phoenician port of call, and El Djem, one of the largest Roman Amphitheatres of ancient times.
Tour itinerary

Day 1 - Day of departure

Depart from Toronto or Montreal on your overnight flight to Tunis via a European gateway
Day 2 - Tunis / Yasmine Hammamet

Arrival in Tunis and transfer to your hotel located in Yasmine Hammamet.
Day 3 - Yasmine Hammamet / Kairouan / Sbeitla / Tozeur

Depart for Kairouan, founded during early Islamic times. Your tour will include a visit Kairouan's Great Mosque dating from the 7th century, reputed to be the oldest mosque in the Islamic world. You will also see the Berber Mausoleum and the Aghlabides pools. Continue to Sbeitla, known by its early Punic name, Sufetula. This impressive site seems to be in the middle of nowhere. During Roman times, olive trees were cultivated in this region and provided a flouring olive oil export trade to Italy. In the afternoon, continue to Tozeur via Gafsa. Dinner and overnight will be at your hotel located in Tozeur.
Day 4 - Tozeur/ Chebika / Tamerza

Morning visit to the mountain oasis of Tamerza and Chebika by 4-wheel drive vehicles. You will be impressed by the exotic contrasts of barren hills juxtaposed with waterfalls and palm groves. In the afternoon, visit Nefta, one of the two oasis towns of the southwest, and the historic part of Tozeur. You will also visit Dar Cherait Museum. Dinner is at your hotel in Tozeur.
Day 5 - Tozeur / Douz

Depart for Douz, a small town that appears to be plopped down amidst the dunes. On arrival, you will enjoy a camel ride. Visit the oasis Town of Douz, famous for its colourful market. Dinner is at your hotel in Douz.
Day 6 - Douz / Matmata / Djerba

Depart for Matmata, a region of troglodyte (underground dwellings) homes. Visit a troglodyte house and Berber village. Depart for Gabes. Visit the souk. Continue to Djerba via Mednine. Dinner and overnight will be at your hotel in Djerba.
Day 7 - Djerba / Sfax / Mahdia

This morning you will enjoy an island tour. Djerba was a port of call to the Phoenicians and a port where Ulysses and his men were detained on their return from Troy. You will visit the picturesque village of Guellela, known for its pottery production and Houmt Souk. In the afternoon, depart for Sfax, an industrial city and Tunisia's second largest town. Visit the medina of Sfax, which 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". Continue to the historic town of Mahdia for dinner and the night.
Day 8 - Mahdia / El Jem / Monastir / Yasmine Hammamet

Depart for El Jem, known in Roman times as Thysdrus and noted for its amphitheater, which is similar to the coliseum of Rome, and the third largest amphitheatre of the ancient world. Depart for Monastir, where you will visit the Ribat of Monastir and the mausoleum of Habib Bouguiba. Continue to Yasmine Hammamet, where on arrival you will be transferred to your hotel for dinner and the night.
Day 9 - Yasmine Hammamet / Tunis / Carthage / Sidi Bou Said / Gammarth

Depart for Tunis. On arrival visit the Bardo Museum, housed in a former palace of the Ottoman Bey, and containing the largest exhibition of mosaics in the world. You will also visit Tunis' historic heart. In the afternoon, visit the most famous site in Tunisia: Carthage. You will see the Archaeological site including the Baths of Anthony, and those of the Carthaginian ports; It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to Sidi Bou Said, to visit this beautiful village with blue and white houses. The village is perched on a cliff that dominates Carthage and the Gulf of Tunis. Depart for your hotel in Gammarth for dinner and the night.
Day 10 - Day of Return

Early morning transfer to the airport in Tunis, to take your international flight to Canada.
Contact Touringhouse

Our Tour Escorts are personable and knowledgeable. Contact us for more information on any of the travel experiences we offer.

Tour costs include:

Airfare from Toronto or Montreal to Tunis and back via a European gateway
8-night accommodations in hotels with private bathrooms
Breakfast and dinner every day
Guided tours and visits to attractions as indicated in the itinerary
Entrance fees to all the sites and museums mentioned in the itinerary (including desert safari by 4-wheel drive)
Services of an English-speaking Tour Escort from the time of arrival until departure
One complimentary teacher for every six paying passengers
All service charges and taxes

Cost per person:

Costs apply for departures from Toronto or Montreal. For Ottawa groups, the cost is higher by $75.00 per person.

Tour costs

40 paying passengers	$2,464.00
30 to 39 paying passengers	$2,519.00
20 to 29 paying passengers	$2,579.00
6 to 19 paying passengers	$2,679.00
Taxes/airlines surcharges (subject to change)	$410.00
All-inclusive insurance	$197.00
Double room supplement	$199.00
Private coach supplement	$50.00