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Treasures
of the Roman Empire in North Africa
A
12 day Adventure Tour of Tunisia
. Including a one night camping in the Sahara
We'll take you through Carthage,Dougga , Thuburbo
Majus desert oases, curious troglodyte dwellings, Matmata Oases, experience
the exhilaration of the motorized Sahara caravan and a short camping
experience . A Roman amphitheater, a medieval synagogue, and unspoiled
beaches. You'll appreciate the breathtaking beauty of a land that
has drawn wanderers over the centuries . This is a Private Tour. Choose
Your Own Date !
Treasures of the Roman Empire in North Africa
Compare with the 10-day version
DAY 1 - TUNIS - Daily - Year Round
- This is a PRIVATE TOUR - Choose Your Own Date
Our local staff will meet you upon arrival at Tunis Carthage International
Airport. You'll be assisted with the formalities, and escorted to your
fine hotel . 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.
Private transfers at all times. Private vehicle, private chauffeur
DAY
2 - CHARTAGE, SIDI BOU SAID -Hammamet - (200 + Kilometers)
Private vehicle, private chauffeur
(BLD)
After
we tour and visit : 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. After
lunch at
a fine local restaurant we head out of Tunis to marvel
at the ruins of Carthage, a true metropolis of the ancient world, as
evidenced by its theater, circus, Thermes
baths
of Antonus, the
Punic Port installations ,the
Colisieum and extensive urban plan , then speed forward
in time to the middle ages, as we visit the picture-perfect Moorish
village of Sidi Bou Said. With its whitewashed walls and narrow laneways,
it's the perfect setting as we stop for traditional mint tea. Back in
Tunis,
DAY
3 - THUBURBO MAJUS - DOUGGA - Hammamet -Private vehicle, private
chauffeur (BLD)
After
breakfast, we'll set off , drive through Hammamet, a cosmopolitan port
where sun-worshippers from all over happily coexist with fishermen and
traditional ways, and head out as we
start our full day to Dougga and Thuburbo Majus. Lunch is included at
a modest yet charming local hotel's restaurant in Dougga : Hotel Thugga.
After lunch we head to Thuburbo
Majus :
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 in Hammamet in time for dinner.
DAY
4 - HAMMAMET, EL JEM, SFAX , GABES, DJERBA -Private vehicle, private
chauffeur (BLD)
After breakfast, we'll set off to El Jem, which boasts a Roman
coliseum very similar to the famous one in Rome. Our busy day continues
with a drive to SFAX. Stop, visit the Medina and lunch at HOTEL AMIN
2** in SFAX, after lunch we press on to the coastal city of Gabes,
a Roman outpost of old and a traditional market center where, for centuries,
goods from across the sea and across the desert have changed hands.
We'll visit the oasis, where palm groves and gardens flourish. We'll
then cross to the Isalnd of Djerba and your hotel and wherd dinner awaits
you , Djerba an island where Ulysses once encountered the legendary
Lotus-Eaters.
DAY
5 - Tunisian Sun. Tunisian Riviera- Djerba : Private Guide (BLD)
Today we 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. After a lunch stop ( included ) , we'll head back to the
hotel, or enjoy the afternoon as you wish and head back to the hotel on
your own . Dinner is included at the hotel. .
Ghoraf Ouled Soltan in Matmata . Tunisia
DaY
6 - Djerba , MEDENINE, TATAOUINE, MATMATA - Private vehicle, private
chauffeur (BLD)
After breakfast at the hotel, we'll head southward in our well-equipped
vehicles, crossing the short distance to the mainland of Tunisia, to
follow the route of an ancient Roman highway to Medinne and Ghorfas.
We'll have the opportunity to look in on the ways of the Berbers, the
most ancient of North African peoples. Lunch will be at Tatouine in
Hotel Sangho Priviliege Tataouine 3* , In the afternoon, we'll visit
the village of Chenini, deep in the midst of palm groves past the Chella
falls, and Ghomrassen, before we reach our stopping point for the night,
Matmata, and dinner : Hotel Diar El Barbar 4* (www.diarelbarbar.com)
, or similar
The Village of Chenini . Tunisia
DAY
7 - MATMATA, DESERT CAMP- PANSEA Ksar Ghilane - Private
vehicle, private chauffeur (BLD)
Our route today takes us through terrain of increasingly sparse grasses
and shrubs, into
the desert. We'll stop to look in on a community of miniature underground
houses, where the earliest settlers sheltered from the extremes of the
desert above as do the Berbers of today. Then into the Sahara and to
Ksar Ghilaine, we'll stop for lunch, and check-in at our camp have a
leisurely afternoon to look around on our own. In the evening, we'll
establish camp, CAMPEMENT PAN SEA 4* (www.pansea.com)and witness
the desert sunset and the infinite night sky. We'll savor a dinner prepared
in the PANSEA camp , then rest soundly in the cool night, camp style
modest meals for today.
Afternoon at leisure, visit the hot water sources
in Ksar Ghilane and enjoy a camel ride tour.
Back to your Campement PAN SEA, dinner and overnight.
The
Pansea Ksar Ghilane nestles at its own oasis in the midst of the Sahara
desert, in southern Tunisia, a delightful tented property, Your private
oasis in the Sahara.
A shimmering
mirage awaits you in the Tunisian Sahara - nestled at its own oasis
in the midst of the desert, offering its charm and shade, its spring
and the whispering waters of its seguias: Pansea welcomes you to this
hospitable land of colours and contrasts, spices and scents.
DAY
8 - Ksar Ghilane , DOUZ - Private vehicle, private chauffeur
(BLD)
Our route takes us through terrain of increasingly sparse grasses and
shrubs, into the desert . We'll enjoy a full day of desert adventure,
we'll visit the village of Zaafrane, Douret and Chennini , then proceed
to Douz, fabled as the Gateway to the Sahara. Check in at our hotel
and enjoy lunch: Hotel EL Mouradi Douz 4* (www.elmouradi.com) (Best
available, there is no 5 stars hotels in DOUZ)
Afternoon tour of the medina of DOUZ , then on to Kebili,
largest of a cluster of oases, islands of life in a harsh landscape
.
There, a special treats waits, the opportunity to sample a caravan trek!
This close encounter with a camel is entirely at your option ( additional
$$ for the camel ride ) ! Dinner is of course included at your hotel
DAY 9 - Chott El Jerid - Nafta - TOZEUR - - Private
vehicle, private chauffeur (BLD)
We set off across the Chott El Djerid, a great
dry salt lake, for Tozeur. Here, we'll wonder at the ancient irrigation
works .We'll
learn more about oases today . Despite the dryness of its surface, great
aquifers underlie the Sahara. Where they spill their riches out in springs,
they create the green havens of Tunisia's oases. We'll see a dramatic
example, as we explore the irrigated fields around Tozeur . Continue
to visit the palmerai of NAFTA and the ONG EL JEMEL ‘s site.
We'll return to Tozeur late afternoon, Check in
and enjoy lunch at Hotel El Mouradi 4* OR HOTEL DAR CHRAIET 5* (www.darcherait.com.),
after lunch we will motor overland to the great mountain oases of Chebika,
Mides and Tamerza ( in 4 wheel drive) .
You can choose to enjoy the unique desert resort comforts at your hotel.
Or, you might decide to wander the streets of Tozeur, look in on daily
life, admire the classic North African houses built around patios on
terraces above a river fed by springs, and shop for baskets and capes
of camel hair. Dinner is included at the hotel .
Chot
El Jerid In Tunisia
DAY 10 - TOZEUR, GAFSA, SBEITLA, KAIROUAN,
TUNIS - Friday - Private
vehicle, private chauffeur (BLD)
We'll delve more into Tunisia's rich and varied past today, as we motor
overland through pleasant, rolling coastal lands. At Gafsa, we'll see
the Roman pools of Capsa, the ancient crossroads between desert oases
and the cultivated coastal lands , lunch is included at Hotel Juguratha
Palace 5*.
We'll wonder at the Roman ruins of Sbeitla, Museum
(it closes on Monday).
Later in the day, we'll reach Kairouan,
an ancient, holy, and vibrant city noted for its historic mosques and
centers of learning. Kairouan also is noted for its souk, and the crafting
of carpets and leather goods. Of course, there will be time to check
out these wares.
Dinner and overnight at Hotel LA Kasbah 5* (www.goldenyasmin.com) in
KAIROUAN.
Day 11 : KAIROUAN – MONASTIR –SOUSSE – TUNIS
(BLD) :
After
breakfast we tour the old Medina of Kairouan , the great mosquee and
the Aghlabythe Pools of Kairouan
before we head for Monastir , where lunch awaits us at Hotel Vime Helya
Beach 4* , after lunch we tour the Medina, the Mausolée of Bourguiba
and the Ribat of Monastir , on to the nearby mediterranean
town of SOUSSE and visit the Ribat and the Port EL Kantoui , we continue
on to Tunis, where Dinner awaits us at at Hotel Tunisia Palace 4* (www.goldenyasmin.com)
, or Hotel Golden Tulip Chartage for the 5*.
DAY
12 - DEPARTURE -Monday -Private vehicle, private
chauffeur (B)
After breakfast, our local personnel will escort you to the international
airport, where you'll start your homeward journey.
PANSEA
Camp in Ksar Ghilane in Tunisia
RATES
per person in US$
Category
A:
Sharing in Double or triple Occupancy: $ 3688. USD
In Single occupancy : $ 5113 . USD
Hotels 5 stars:
In TUNIS: Hotel GOLDEN TULIP 5* CARTHAGE
In HAMMAMET: Hotel MEHARI HAMMAMET 5* (www.goldenyasmin.com)
In DJERBA: Hotel RADISSON BLU Resort & Thalasso
5* DJERBA (www.radissonblu.com)
In MATMATA: Hotel DIAR EL BARBAR 4* (www.diarelbarbar.com)
In KSAR GHILANE: Campement PAN SEA 4* (www.pansea.com)
the noly luxiours campement.
In DOUZ: Hotel EL MOURADI DOUZ 4* (www.elmouradi.com)
In TOZEUR: Hotel DAR CHRAIET 5* TOZEUR
In KAIROUAN: HOTEL LA KASBAH 5* (www.goldenyasmin.com)
(the only 5 star* hotel )
Category B :
Sharing in Double or triple Occupancy: $ 3379. USD
In Single occupancy : $ 4880.USD
Hotels
4 Stars :
In TUNIS: Hotel TUNISIA PALACE 4 stars * (www.goldenyasmin.com)
In HAMMAMET: Hotel LE SULTAN 4* (www.lesultan.com)
In DJERBA: Hotel LAICO 4* DJERBA (www.laicohotels.com)
In MATMATA: Hotel DIAR EL BARBAR 4* (www.diarelbarbar.com)
In KSAR GHILANE: Campement PAN SEA 4* (www.pansea.com)
the noly luxiours campement.
In DOUZ: Hotel EL MOURADI DOUZ 4* (www.elmouradi.com)
In TOZEUR: Hotel EL MOURADI TOZEUR 4*
In KAIROUAN: HOTEL LA KASBAH 5* (www.goldenyasmin.com)
(the only 5* hotel because the others are 2** and 3**)
For
Dec 20- Jan 3 : Please add 20 % to any of the listed rates
Prices
include:
-
Round-trip transportation between airport, always on a private basis
, private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur .
- Hotel
Accommodations as listed , with private facilities, plus the camping
night.
- Meals
as indicated from preset menu (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner).
-
Private guided sightseeing as indicated in air-conditioned coach,
including all admission fees.
Not
Included:
- International
air transportation.
- Any
meal not specifically mentioned beverages, and personal expenses.
- Gratuities
for local personnel.
- Travel
insurance
-
Airport taxes.
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