Best of Tunisia Tour

Upon arrival at Tunis-Carthage International Airport, you will be met by your private driver / guide and taken to your hotel for check-in. Depending on your arrival time, you may begin with a tour of Tunis's old medina (ancient city). From the charming architecture to the picturesque souks (markets), the ancient medina is well worth a visit.

HOTEL OPTIONS: Choice of 3-star, 4-star, 5-star or 5-star deluxe hotels

After breakfast, you will visit the ancient archaeological site of Carthage, once the most significant ancient city in northern Africa. This site holds ruins from many eras of history: the Punics, Romans, Vandals, and Byzantines all made a claim to this area at some point. Your guide will take you to the Phoenician Cemetery, Antonin’s Bath, Punic Harbors, the Carthage Museum, and more. Depending on your time, you may want to drive up to the beautiful Sidi Bou Said, which overlooks the Gulf of Tunis.

** Typically, you would also have visited the Bardo Museum on this day. However, it has been closed to the public indefinitely since 2021

HOTEL OPTIONS: Choice of 3-star, 4-star, 5-star or 5-star deluxe hotels

After breakfast, you will travel to the roman ruins in Dougga. This enormous Roman archaeological site has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997. Overlooking the vast surrounding regions, it is not uncommon to see locals herding their sheep through the Roman ruins.

Continue north to Bulla Regia where you will find some of the best-preserved underground Roman villas. You will also visit its basilica and amphitheater. St. Augustine of Hippo once visited Bulla Regia in 399 AD and stood in this amphitheater to reproach the citizens for their lack of faith.

After your visit, travel to El Kef for the night.

HOTEL OPTIONS: Choice of guesthouse

Today you will visit the archaeological site of Makthar. There are several notable archaeological wonders to keep an eye out for including a Trajan forum, large baths, schola juvenum (Roman minor militia club), and other pre-Roman structures. At the entrance to the archaeological site in Makthar is a museum where you can find some mosaics and other artifacts excavated from this site.

Afterward, you will depart for the famous and historic Islamic city of Kairouan. You will have time to relax in the evening.

HOTEL OPTION: 5-Star hotel only

If you didn’t yesterday, this morning you will visit the grand mosque Okba Ibn Nafaa, established in 670 AD. You will also see the 9th-century Aghlabid pools that provided the historic city with water.

After that, your next visit will be to the archaeological site of Sbeitla. As you explore this site you will see numerous ancient church sites along with intricately designed baptisteries, temples, baths, and the Arch of Diocletian. Sbeitla also has a museum containing a variety of mosaics and other objects found at the site

After exploring this historic city, you will start your journey into the Southern desert region. Travel to Tozeur for dinner and night.

HOTEL OPTIONS: Choice of 3-star, 4-star, 5-star or 5-star deluxe hotels

After breakfast, you will spend your day exploring the region around Tozeur. Enjoy the Saharan charm of this area, its oasis date farms, and unique architecture. Take a trip into the mountains to see the impressive waterfalls of Tamerza. You will also visit the impressive gorge and canyon of Mides and Chebika.

Return to Touzer and hop into a 4x4 land cruiser for a sandy desert tour.

HOTEL OPTIONS: Choice of 3-star, 4-star, 5-star or 5-star deluxe hotels

After breakfast, you will drive across the beautiful salt flats of Tunisia to Douz, the ‘gateway to the Sahara’. Explore the market, museum, and Tunisia’s largest date palmery. While you're so close to the Sahara, you might also be interested in adding a 1-hour camel excursion.

Continue to Matmata where you may spend the night in one of the troglodyte dwellings. In fact, at one time there were over 800 homes underground in Matmata. If you are a Star Wars fan, you will not want to miss visiting Hotel Sidi Idriss, the film location of Luke Skywalker’s home.

HOTEL OPTIONS: Choice of 3-star, 4-star, 5-star or 5-star deluxe hotels

This morning, you will visit perhaps Tunisia’s most spectacular site, the Coliseum of El Jem; a must-see site. Stop for a minute to imagine life in the gladiator times while discovering the history of El Jem. Afterward, you will travel alongside the beautiful Mediterranean coastline, passing by the coastal cities of Mahdia and Monastir.

If time permits, you may visit the Bourguiba Mausoleum, a monumental grave of former president Habib Bourguiba, the father of Tunisian independence. Your final destination is the coastal city of Sousse.

HOTEL OPTIONS: Choice of 3-star, 4-star, 5-star or 5-star deluxe hotels

After breakfast, you will have the opportunity to explore Sousse. Founded in 800 BC, there is plenty of history to be seen in this ancient city. The Great Mosque, Kasbah, and the archeological museum tell a story of Sousse’s ancient past.

You can spend the afternoon shopping in the medina or return to your beach resort to relax or swim in the Mediterranean Sea.

HOTEL OPTIONS: Choice of 3-star, 4-star, 5-star or 5-star deluxe hotels

After breakfast, you will depart for Thuburbo Majus. This Roman site has a small coliseum, baths, and various Roman houses allowing one to imagine life in a quintessential Roman African city.

Continue to the mountainside Roman site of Zaghouan, where you will find a temple of the ‘water god’. You can still see the remains of the Roman aqueduct which once supplied water to the ancient city of Carthage.

When you are ready, travel to the coastal city of Hammamet. If time permits, you can explore the Hammamet medina. Dinner will be at the hotel.

HOTEL OPTIONS: Choice of 3-star, 4-star, 5-star or 5-star deluxe hotels

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for departure.