12 days edition with Malta
Arrive Weekly : Sunday's

The Mediterranean resorts of Europe are wonderful, but they can be crowded
and expensive. So where do discerning Europeans go to find the perfect
laid-back, affordable Mediterranean vacation? Why, they go to Tunisia, of course!

The clear blue water, the shimmering sun, the white sand beaches are all the
same in Tunisia, the southern shore of the Mediterranean, just across the
sea from Sicily and Sardinia. The prices are lower, the pace is more
relaxed, and the cuisine and service in this former French colony are
French-inspired. (Everyone speaks French as well as Arabic, and many people
in hotels, restaurants and other tourist spots speak some English, too.)

Tunisia's history has always been linked to Europe's. Hannibal of Carthage
crossed from Tunisia to Europe with 30,000 men and a few dozen elephants and
humbled the Roman legions. Rome ultimately triumphed, however, and Tunisia
became the Roman province of Africa. Today the picturesque ruins of great
Roman cities are spread throughout the Tunisian countryside.

Be sure to see Tunisia's African side as well: its legacy of Umayyad,
Abbasid and Ottoman culture and cuisine, its picture-perfect desert oases
shaded by date palms, its markets filled with handicrafts and exotic spices.

Want a Mediterranean vacation like the Europeans enjoy? Go to Tunisia!

DAY 1 - TUNIS - Sunday
Our local staff will meet you upon arrival at Tunis Carthage International Airport. You'll be assisted with the formalities, and escorted to one of the fine Hotels: Khamsa Corinthia in Gammarth , El Hana International in Tunis or "Palm Beach" Hotel in Hammamet or similar. Depending on your flight and arrival time : There will be time to relax and recuperate from your journey, and enjoy the excellent facilities. If you wish, you can adventure into the center of Tunis to start your exploration of the winding alleys of the souk, filled with treasures of beaten brass and basketry and carpets, and merchants who will welcome you with traditional mint tea.

DAY 2- Kairouan - Monday (BL)
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we proceed in a private air-conditioned car/driver to drive to Kairouan , where we will tour that Barber Mausoleum, the Aglabites pools and the old Medina. Lunch is included , in the afternoon we proceed to : THUBURBO MAJUS & DOUGG
This town of Libyan and then Punic origin sided with Carthage and thus had to pay a tribute to Rome . Thuburbo Maius reached its apogee in the 2nd c with 10,000 inhabitants and and impressive array of of monuments: the forum, built in 161-2, the capitol (168) and a number of temples (Temple of peace, Temple of Mercury, Temple of B'a alat, Temple of Caelestis, Temple of Saturn) of which one later became a basilica, we'll tour as well the market, Roman bath and the amphitheater. We'll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before proceeding to Dougga: A Numidian city, mentioned in the 4th century B.C. by Diodorus the Sicilian as Tocai, tukka was from the 2nd to 1st century B.C. one of the residences of the Massyle Kings (MASSINISSA, MICIPSA,JUGURTHA). In Roman times the municipal land was split into two parts; the Numidian city, and a pagus (rural area) under the authority of Carthage, Whole again, thugga was a municipium in 205 and honorary colonia in 261. With some 5,000 residents, thugga had a municipal bourgeoisie which endowed her with a number of rich monuments. The monuments are incredibly well preserved, allowing us to imagine the infrastructure this small Proconsular town possessed: 12 temples, 3 of which were transformed into churches in the 4th Century , 3 Roman baths, numerous fountains, aqueducts and more. Thugga slowly lost its glory, though it still enjoyed brief periods of revival in the 3rd, the 4th and 6th centuries (Byzantine fortress) .Though it was never deserted, archaeological research required the removal of its residents to a new Dougga lying below classical thugga. Return early evening to our hotel .

DAY 3 - DJERBA - Tuesday (B)
Today we fly to Djerba, ( air fare is included & issued in Tunis) an island where Ulysses once encountered the legendary Lotus-Eaters. Transfer to Hotel Melia El Menzel or similar.

Day 4 - Djerba- Wednesday (B)
Optional excursion are available through us or book on the spot through the hotel:

Maybe explore the old quarters, including the synagogue of Hara Sghira, Hara Kebira with its modern Jewish community, and Guellala, with its craft stalls, and to see the waterfront and fishing fleet, and the lively town of Houmt Souk

Day 5 - Djerba - Thursday (B)
Full day at leisure to enjoy the sun & the beach or to go back to the local souks & old medina.

Day 6 - Djerba - Friday (B)
Optional excursion are available through us or book on the spot through the hotel

Day 7 - Tunis / Chartage: Saturday (BL)

We fly back to Tunis , from the airport we proceed to tour : CHARTAGE, SIDI BOU SAID (Lunch included)
we'll marvel at the ruins of Carthage, a true metropolis of the ancient world, as evidenced by its theater, circus, baths, port installations, and extensive urban plan. We'll lunch at a fine local restaurant, then speed forward in time to the middle ages, as we visit the picture-perfect Moorish village of Sidi Bou Said. With its white washed walls and narrow laneways, it's the perfect setting as we stop for traditional mint tea. Back in Tunis, we'll stop at the Bardo Museum, to view the most extensive Roman mosaics in the world. We'll then head for the Medina, the old quarter of the city, with its warrens of shops filled with wares ranging from humdrum to exotic. Return to our hotel early evening.

DAY 8 - The Island of Malta-Sunday (B)
After breakfast, our local personnel will escort you to the international airport, where you'll board your flight ( air fare between Tunis & Malta is included in economy class, tax included , heading for Valetta ,Malta and your 4 stars ,hotel ( Forum/ Victoria or Corinthia Marina) .

DAY 9 - Monday- VALLETTA - City of the Knights- (B)
Morning tour of the Capital Valletta and walk to the Upper Barracca Gardens for a panoramic view of the Grand Harbour. Then on to St. John's co-Cathedral, Malta's greatest treasure which includes the famous painting by Caravaggio. Our tour proceeds to the Grand Master's Palace, which houses Parliament, the offices of the President of Malta and the Armoury. Remainder of the day at leisure

DAY 10 - Tuesday-The Silent City Mdina and Rabat (BL)
A Full- day tour with lunch .We drive towards Ta' Qali to the Crafts Village to watch local artisans at work producing typical Maltese ware which includes glass, silver, filigree and pottery. We then proceed to the Silent City Mdina with its defense bastions dating back to the 09th Century. We walk through the town, visiting St. Paul's Cathedral and then to the Bastions for a panoramic view of the Island. We then walk to Rabat to visit the Roman Villa with its mosaic floors and St. Paul's Catacombs, an underground burial place used by the early Christians. A typical Maltese lunch will be served in one of the village's restaurants. We also stop to see the local handwork for which the village of Rabat is renowned. Then on to Dingli Cliffs for a panoramic view of the open sea where we will also stop to see some Cart Ruts. WE stop by Mosta to visit the famous Dome considered to be the 3rd largest in Europe before we head back to our hotel.

DAY 11 - Wednesday- Leisure (B)
Full day at leisure or for last minute shopping.

DAY 12 - Thursday- Departure (B)
Our local rep will escort you back to the airport for your flight home.

RATES per person in US$:

Sharing in Double or triple Occupancy: $2550.00

In Single occupancy : $3350.00

Prices include:

• Round-trip transportation between airport.

• Air fare between Tunis & Malta.
  

• Full days of guided sightseeing as indicated, including lunch.
  
• Hotel Accommodations, including tax, service charges.
• Meals : Continental Breakfast daily.
• Domestic air fare Tunis Djerba Tunis.

• Children : 30% discount for children up to 12 Years of age, sharing with parents or in another room .

Not Included:

• International air transportation from/to your home country.

• Optional excursions.

• Any meal that's not listed

• Beverages, and personal expenses.

• Gratuities for local personnel.

• Travel insurance (please inquire about plans available from Nubian Nile Cruise, Inc. & Travel in Style).

• Airport taxes.