The Bardo museum

Disembark Cruise Ship at the Port of La Goulette, at approximately 8.30 am.

I will be waiting for you at the port with your driver and minivan for the day.

We begin the day with a walking tour of old Tunis, with its narrow lanes crowded with markets, mosques, tombs and palaces. This was Tunis until the arrival of the French in the late 19th century, who subsequently built their own quarter – the Ville Nouvelle – just beyond the “Sea Gate” – Bab al Bahr – which today stands in the middle of Place de la Victoire. Here is the Cathedral of St. Vincent de Paul, the central market and some fine examples of colonial architecture. On our walk in the medina, we pass through the bustling souks of spices, herbs, carpets clothing and gold. We visit the Souk des Chechias, the area of workshops where the traditional red hats of the Maghreb (since Ottoman times) are still being made by hand. En route, we will see the Great Mosque – Jemaa Zitouna and the elegant Place du Governement in the old Kasbah square. 

We then stop for lunch in a fine local restaurant in the Medina.

After lunch, we visit the Bardo National Museum, recently re-opened after extensive renovations. The Bardo houses the largest and finest collection of ancient mosaics in the world. These mosaics were discovered in the wealthiest of Roman villas in the many ancient cities found in Tunisia.  Rich patrons commissioned a vast array of subjects and themes, from scenes of gods & goddesses, daily life (hunting, fishing, harvesting), the zodiac, seasons, amphitheater games. From their exquisite details, we can understand why the North African school of mosaicists was the finest in the ancient world, and whose masterpieces are found throughout the Mediterranean. As well, there are also fine sculpture galleries, exhibits of Punic, early Christian & Islamic artefacts, and an exhibition of magnificent bronzes from the 1st BC Mahdia shipwreck.

We return to the Port of La Goulette where you will re-embark your Cruise Ship.

Price Includes:

•           Air conditioned minivan & driver, all parking and port fees, services of a Guide, all entrance fees to sites & museums, photography/camera fees, complimentary water on the bus, lunch (including water & tea) in a fine local restaurant.

Price Does not Include

•           Any personal expenses, any activities not mentioned, tips for driver & guide

Day 1Full Day Tour: Tunis & the Bardo Museum
We begin the day with a walking tour of old Tunis, with its narrow lanes crowded with markets, mosques, tombs and palaces. This was Tunis until the arrival of the French in the late 19th century, who subsequently built their own quarter – the Ville Nouvelle – just beyond the “Sea Gate” – Bab al Bahr – which today stands in the middle of Place de la Victoire. Here is the Cathedral of St. Vincent de Paul, the central market and some fine examples of colonial architecture. On our walk in the medina, we pass through the bustling souks of spices, herbs, carpets clothing and gold. We visit the Souk des Chechias, the area of workshops where the traditional red hats of the Maghreb (since Ottoman times) are still being made by hand. En route, we will see the Great Mosque of Tunis – Jemaa Zitouna and the elegant Place du Governement in the old Kasbah square.

After lunch, we visit the Bardo Museum, recently re-opened after extensive renovations. The Bardo houses the largest and finest collection of ancient mosaics in the world. These mosaics were discovered in the wealthiest of Roman villas in the many ancient cities found in Tunisia.  Rich patrons commissioned a vast array of subjects and themes, from scenes of gods & goddesses, daily life (hunting, fishing, harvesting), the zodiac, seasons, amphitheatre games. From their exquisite details, we can understand why the North African school of mosaicists was the finest in the ancient world, and whose masterpieces are found throughout the Mediterranean. As well, there are also fine sculpture galleries, exhibits of Punic, early Christian & Islamic artefacts, and an exhibition of magnificent bronzes from the 1st BC Mahdia shipwreck.

Day 2 Carthage & Sidi Bou Said

This morning we head to Carthage – the legendary city of Queen Dido & Hannibal. We begin with a visit to the Tophet, or sanctuary of Baal & Tanit. Roman propaganda, hostile to the Carthaginians, stated that the Carthaginians ritually sacrificed their children here to the gods. We continue to the Punic ports, with the remains of its sophisticated naval harbour from which Hannibal set sail, and the merchant harbour from which cargo ships engaged in trade throughout the Mediterranean.  Next are the Roman Antonine Baths; in the 2nd century AD, these were the largest in North Africa and third largest in the Roman world. Our final stop is Byrsa Hill, the ancient acropolis & earliest Phoenician settlement and location of a small museum.

To Sidi Bou Said, the beautiful village on a cliff, renowned for its blue and white houses and distinctive Moorish doors. Its serene beauty, and Andalusian inspired architecture, attracted many artists and writers including Paul Klee, August Macke, Simone de Beauvoir, André Gide, and Jean Foucault. A brief walking tour will take us through the narrow picturesque streets of this beautiful Andalusian village, famous for its blue & white architecture, colorful doors, and magical views of the Gulf of Tunis. We visit the beautiful Dar Ennejma Ezzahra, the mansion of Baron Rudolphe d'Erlanger. Built between 1912-1922 by this aristocratic Orientalist painter & musicologist, today it serves as both a museum and the Center of Arab & Mediterranean Music. We will also see the famous Cafe des Nattes, which at the turn of the 20th century, was popular among European artists, painters, poets and celebrities. Free time to explore this charming village before returning to Tunis.
Day 3  Tunis – Roman Aqueduct – Hammamet – Takrouna – Kairouan*

Departure about 8.30. Today we drive along the surviving stretches of the ancient aqueduct of Roman Carthage. Water was carried by a complex system of pipes, reservoirs and conduits supported on lofty arches from Zaghouan springs to the city center – a distance of over 130 km! We continue to Hammamet, formerly a sleepy fishing village and today a pretty seaside resort. Some time to explore the charming medina around the castle walls and take lunch near the seaside. We continue to hilltop Berber village of Takrouna, which towers over the Enfidha valley, overlooking the Bay of Hammamet and the mountain of Zaghouan. We will ascend to the top of this picturesque traditional village, where we take a break at le Rocher Bleu, a combined café, restaurant & art gallery. A local artist who was born here in Takrouna conceived the Blue Rock Project as a way to revive the village.

To Kairouan, where Islam gained its first foothold in the Maghreb in the late 7th century. Kairouan was also the 4tch city to be established outside Arabia by Arab conquerors. The afternoon we go for a walk through the beautifully preserved medina of Kairouan, stopping to admire houses with their beautiful facades, decorative iron grills and brightly coloured shutters and doors.  We may see weaving workshops on the way, where local textiles are still hand-woven on traditional looms, and the bakeries were a vast array of local sweets are made. A photographer’s delight!
Day 4  Kairouan & El Djem

Departure about 8.30-9.00. This morning we see the historic monuments of Kairouan. We visit the Great Mosque, North Africa’s oldest and most historically important mosque, grand in the simplicity and harmony of its design as an expression of the faith. Next is the Zaouia of Sidi Sahab, also known as “The Mosque of the Barber”; originally built in the 7th century, it houses the mausoleum of the venerated Sidi Sahab, a companion of the Prophet Mohammed. The interior is richly decorated with ornamental stucco ceilings and stunning tile work. We also visit the Aghlabid basins, enormous cisterns that were built in the 9th century under the Aghlabids – the first Islamic dynasty under which the finest Islamic monuments in Tunisia were built.

We head inland to El Djem (ancient Thysdrus) to see its magnificent amphitheatre, used to stage the wild beast and gladiator fights so loved by the Romans. The amphitheatre is one of the best preserved of its kind, far surpassing the ruins of the Coliseum of Rome. Built by the short-lived Emperor Gordion in the 3rd century CE, it consists of an oval arena surrounded by three tiers of seats rising to a height of 30m, with an estimated capacity of 30,000. From the upper tiers, we can view the elaborate underground system of tunnels and chambers where wild animals and prisoners were kept before entering the arena. The second main attraction is the opulent villas discovered nearby, paved with fine mosaics and of palatial proportions. We will spend some time exploring the villas, and in particular, the mansion of “The House of Africa” before seeing the stunning mosaics unearthed here - on display in the Archaeological Museum. Return to Kairoua & overnight.
Day 5  Kairouan - Makthar – Elles – Zannfour - Le Kef

Departure about 8 am. We depart from Kairouan via one of the most picturesque routes & remote areas of the Tell region. We reach the town of Makthar* and stop to see the colorful weekly market, where local farmers bring their fresh produce. We will also buy picnic supplies for our journey today.

We make a short detour, to see the mysterious Kbor Klib (a monumental altar or victory monument?) before heading to the prehistoric megalithic tomb fields of Elles. We then will make a stop at Zannfour before continuing to Le Kef.

We continue to fortified town Le Kef (“the Rock”) located 800 m above sea level & 42 km from the Algerian frontier. Although settled since Neolithic times, its current form dates back to the days when it was an Ottoman bastion. This evening and / or tomorrow morning, we spend some time exploring the narrow streets and historic monuments of old Le Kef including its fine museum and the Kasbah.

Day 6  Le Kef –Bulla Regia – Chemtou – Le Kef

Museum opens at 9.30 in case we did not get to it yesterday.
This morning we see the fine ethnographic Museum of Arts & Traditions in Le Kef before driving to Bulla Regia – famous for its unique subterranean villas. These luxurious residences belonged to some of the wealthiest families of the Roman era, and in which we can see some fine mosaics, some still in situ.  Next to Chemtou – ancient Simmithus – the site of the ancient quarries of Numidian marble. On site is a fascinating museum, set up as a joint Tunisian-German venture, dedicated to the marble quarries, Numidian society & the Roman history of the site.

Day 7 Le Kef – Dougga – Testour - Tunis

Depart 8.30 or 9 am
Our first stop it Dougga, the best-preserved Roman city in Tunisia, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The monumental Capitolium Temple stands in the main Forum, with breath-taking views over the surrounding plains. The theatre, baths, shops, stone paved streets and lavish villas are all testimony to the golden age of this North African city.
We follow the Medjerda river valley to the charming village of Testour, founded by refugees fleeing Andalusia in the 17th century. With them brought their sophisticated culture – everything from agricultural techniques & products, to decorative tile work, fine architecture, music & poetry. The inhabitants remain proud of their heritage, visible in their hospitality, dress, craftsmanship and arts. We take time to explore the village, and see the Great Mosque with its tiled octagonal minaret – the only one in Tunisia with a clock – recalling the church bell towers of Aragon & Castile. Return to Tunis.