TUNISIAN ADVENTURE

Tunis, Sfax, Douz, Tozeur, Kairouan

ITINERARY:

1 TUNIS, TUNISIA.
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to see some of Tunis. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers.

2 TUNIS - SOUSSE - MONASTIR - EL DJEM - SFAX.
This morning, drive to Sousse, known as the "Pearl of the Sahel" and blessed with a mild climate. Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, and Arabs who settled in this beautiful fertile city have left their imprint. Walk through the medina with its tiny, colourful shops and bustling with local activity, and enjoy a visit to the mosque. Leave Sousse and head towards Monastir, a city nestled in the shade of its walls. Here, visit the Old Town. Then we head for El Djem. This impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site features the remains of an imposing 3rd-century Roman colosseum that originally seated 30,000. Today's destination is Sfax on the Gulf of Gabes, a former Barbary pirate stronghold and now Tunisia's second largest city. (B,D)

3 FAX - GABES - MATMATA - TAMEZRET - DOUZ.
After a visit to the Medina of Sfax, journey to Gabes, an oasis by the sea and famous for its spice market. Later, turn inland and head for Matmata, renowned forits underground troglodyte village that was inhabited until the 1960s and served as the setting for the original Star Wars film. Follow the twisting road and stop in Tamezret, a complete contrast to Matmata and featuring stone houses and streets lined with high walls. Continue to the desert outpost of Douz, the largest oases in western Tunisia and gateway to the Sahara. Later, take an optional camel ride into the desert. (B,L,D)

4 DOUZ - KEBILI - CHOTT EL JERID-TOZEUR.
Travel via Kebili and cross the salt lake of Chott el Jerid to Tozeur, an important oasis on the ancient caravan route between Algeria and Tunisia. How about an exciting optional Jeep excursion to the mountain oasis of Chebika? This evening, consider an optional folklore show with dinner. (B,L)

5 TOZEUR - RED LIZARD TRAIN - GAFSA - SBEITIA - KAIROUAN.
After breakfast, drive to Metlaoui Selja to board the "Old Bey's" train, known as the "Red Lizard". The spectacular 2-hour rail journey through the narrow Selja gorges affords plenty of opportunity to take stunning photographs. Following a lunch stop in Gafsa, travel to Sbeitla for an included visit to the Roman ruins. On to the sacred city of Kairouan for an overnight stay. (B,L,D)

6 KAIROUAN - DOUGGA - TUNIS.
This morning, visit the Grand Mosque in Kairouan before the journey to El Fahs, then on to Dougga for lunch and a visit to the bestpreserved Roman remains-the most extensive in Tunisia and spectacularly set against the backdrop of the Atlas Mountains. Later, head for the capital city of Tunis for the next two nights. (B,L,D)

7 TUNIS. EXCURSION TO CARTHAGE & SIDI-BOU-SAID.
A delightful blend of ancient and modern, Tunis has a colourful medina and a contemporary city centre. Enjoy included excursions to the ancient Carthage city ruins and to the traditional village of Sidi-Bou-Said, and also visit the famous Bardo Museum, housing the finest Roman mosaics in the world. (B,D)

8 TUNIS.
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)