Presented by New York University Alumni Association

En route
Depart from the USA for your tour of Tunis.

Welcome to Tunis

Arrive in Tunis at 3:05PM via AF 2584 and transfer to your hotel in the coastal area of Tunis. Early evening rendezvous with the other tour participants and then off to dinner in the historic heart of Tunis, providing you with a sense of the history and architecture, which dates back to the 7th century.
Overnight in Tunis. (D)

Tunis

Morning orientation of the capital, with your first stop being Carthage, the most famous (though by no means the largest) of Tunisia's ruins. Seeing Carthage will help one understand the strategic importance of Tunisia within the Mediterranean region to the Phoenicians, the Romans and the numerous subsequent settlers who wanted to rule this ancient land.

From Carthage, you drive to the US War Cemetery, where you will hear a brief accounting of Tunisia and the battles that took place there during World War II for American troops. From Carthage, you drive to the Bardo Museum. Housed in a former palace of the Ottoman Bey, the Bardo houses a world-class collection of mosaics, along with many remains found in sites throughout Tunisia. It provides a wonderful foundation for your days ahead.

Following the Bardo, you drive to the medina, the historic heart of Tunis. Sunday is a quiet day in the medina, thus, your walking tour will provide an opportunity to appreciate the many architectural aspects of the medina, where structures date to the 7th century. There are some shops that are open, but the majority are closed. In the afternoon, you return to your hotel, providing you with a very brief opportunity to refresh yourself and change your clothes. Prior to sunset, you visit the charming village of Sidi Bou Said. A picturesque town, whose architecture was inspired by its many Andalusian settlers following their expulsion from Spain in the late fifteenth century, Sidi Bou Said provides a pleasant place to stroll and enjoy the winding alleyways and ocean views. Dinner tonight in a wonderful seaside venue.

Overnight in Tunis. (B,L,D)

Northern Tunisia | Bulla Regia | Ain Draham | Tabarka

Overnight in Tabarka. (B,L,D)

Dougga | Hammamet

Today you continue touring the Roman heartland of Tunisia. Your morning drive takes your through scenic country roads, eventually bringing you to your primary site for today, Dougga. Covering some sixty acres, Dougga was known as the city of temples and its existence is thought to date back to the 4th century B.C. From Dougga, you drive east to the coast, with a lunch visit in a beautiful venue within the Mejerda river valley for lunch in a private home and an opportunity to learn about farming in this region. Following lunch, you continue on to the resort town of Hammamet, with stops en route. Your hotel is an all-suite spa hotel with several wonderful restaurants and a superb collection of Tunisia paintings. The remainder of the afternoon is unstructured, providing you the opportunity for spa treatments and to eat in any one of several, wonderful restaurants within the resort.

Overnight in Hammamet.  (B, L, D)

Monastir | El Jem | Kairouan

This morning you depart Hammamet and head south, with a stop in Monastir, the birthplace of Habib Bourguiba, Tunisia’s first president and leader of its independence movement. Following your visit to Monastir, you drive to El Jem, known in Roman times as Thysdrus and noted for its amphitheater, which is similar to the coliseum of Rome and the largest, single structure in Roman Africa. You will also visit the museum of El Jem, with its expansive collection of mosaics. From El Jem, you drive approximately an hour to Sousse, your base for the evening. Your hotel is in a resort area called Kantoui, approximately ten minutes from central Sousse. This evening, we will have a guest speaker from the University of Sousse to discuss foreign policy issues, after which, you will be independent for dinner. There are numerous restaurant options within a short walk of your hotel, as well as dining options within your hotel.

Overnight in Sousse. (B, L)

Kairouan | Sbeitla | Tozeur

This morning drive one hour west to Kairouan. During medieval times, Kairouan rose to become an important center for trade and crafts, due to its presence on the route of pilgrims going from Andalusia and other North African points, en route to Mecca. Your morning visit includes Kairouan’s Great Mosque, said to be the oldest mosque in Africa.

From Kairouan, you head southwest to Sbeitla. Sbeitla is an impressive antiquity site, known in Roman times as Sufetula. Among the ruins are Tunisia’s most expansive collection of early Christian remains. From Sbeitla, you continue southwest, through a rather undeveloped area of the country, where the topography leaves the green of the northern half of Tunisia and enters the more barren tones of the south, eventually arriving to Tozeur by late afternoon. Dinner tonight will be at your hotel.

Overnight in Tozeur. (B,L,D)

Tozeur and Oases Region

Dinner and overnight in Tozeur. (B, D)

Chottel Jerid | Douz | Matmata

This morning, you depart early for further exploration of Tunisia’s south.  You travel eastward via the Chott-el-Jerid, Tunisia’s salt lake and then stop in Douz, a small town that appears to be plopped down amidst the dunes. Thursday morning is “market day” in Douz, one of Tunisia’s most colorful market days. Traders come from various areas of the south to trade wares of all types, including camels.  You will also have an opportunity to go on a brief camel ride within the dunes, if you wish.  From Douz, you continue east eventually arriving to the region of Matmata.

This region’s crater like topography is dotted with troglodyte dwellings.  Its exotic settings provided one of the film locations for the movie, Star Wars.  You will have an opportunity to explore some of these dwellings and the region, as well as have lunch in a troglodyte restaurant.  You depart in the late afternoon, heading east to the coast, for the ferry crossing to the island of Jerba.  You arrive at your deluxe, seaside hotel around dinner time.

Overnight in Jerba. (B,L,D)

Jerba

Morning tour of the island (sometimes spelled: Djerba), which was a port of call to the Phoenicians and a port where Ulysses and his men were detained on their return from Troy. Jerba's island location has always provided its people a simple and peaceful lifestyle, which continues today. You drive to the southern part of the island to visit a privately owned ethnographic museum in the village of Guellela, which focuses on Jerban lifestyle and traditions. From Guellela, you drive to central Jerba to visit the Ghriba synagogue, a venerated synagogue which is located just outside the smaller of the island’s two Jewish communities, Hara Saghira. From the Ghriba, you drive approximately three miles to Hara Kabira, the larger of the island’s two, historically Jewish villages. We will be joined by a resident of this ancient Jewish community who will share some of the background about their vibrant and youthful community. You then go to Houmt Souk, the island’s main market town. ‘Here you will have a walking tour of the town, and some leisure time to shop and have lunch.‘ There are many eating and shopping options, all of which are within an easy walk and within a wonderful Mediterranean setting.

Your bus will return to your hotel where you can enjoy the amenities of the spa and other facilities at your hotel, or you may choose to stay and shop in Houmt Souk, taking a taxi back to your hotel.

Dinner and overnight in Jerba. (B,D)

Jerba | Tunis

You take a late morning flight back to Tunis, where upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in the heart of the city. The remainder of the day is unstructured, providing you with the independence to enjoy Tunis as you choose. You are a short walk from the medina and the commercial shopping district, providing an opportunity for anyone wishing to enjoy the activity of the souks, the alleyways of shops within the historic part of Tunis. Your farewell dinner will be in a very special restaurant, joined by Tunisians who will in many cases, have shared interests.

Overnight in Tunis. (B, D)

Tunis departure

Morning transfer to the airport for your departure flight to the US via AF 1685 to Paris at 9:05AM, connecting with AF006 in Paris at 1:30PM, arriving at 4:45PM. (B)

Included services in our tour rates:

• Round Trip Group Air Transportation Economy Class from NYC (JFK)
• 5 Star hotel accommodations as listed above.
• All touring, domestic flight, entrance fees, baggage handling and most meals, as indicated on the itinerary with (B,L,D). Bottled water is included during group lunches and dinners. Wine and other alcoholic drinks with meals are optional.
• Knowledgeable English speaking guide throughout.
• Price is based on double occupancy in deluxe/first class hotels. Single supplements apply. Airport transfers are included as a group or for individual arrivals.

Not included services in our tour rates:

• Travel Insurance
  Please contact for NYU Tunisia Travel Insurance:
  Seven Corners, Inc.
  Phone: 800-461-6920 or 317-575-2652
  Fax: 317-575-2659 (credit card orders)
• Tips to guide/driver and hotel staff

Call Gil Travel Alumni Travel Desk: 1.800.223.3855 or 215.568.6655
or Email Iris Hami: irishami@giltravel.com