Roman Tunisia

 

Tunisia was the bread-basket for the Roman Empire during their reign. Following the Third Punic War (mid 2^nd century), Rome captured Carthage and the surrounding regions. During subsequent centuries, the land was cultivated and became an important source for much of what Rome needed.  Roman remains can be found throughout much of central and northern Tunisia today, with ruins that are frequently in pristine condition.
Our Roman Tunisia concentrates on this aspect of Tunisia’s history and allows participants the opportunity to explore much of the central and north of the country.

 

COST $3,800 per person.   NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

Departures Every Friday through December 16, 2023

(As long as 2 people are traveling together)

 

Day 1, Friday – Arrival Tunisia 

Upon your arrival in Tunis, you will be met at the airport by one of our drivers and transferred to your hotel in the charming seaside town of La Marsa. Once you have had an opportunity to refresh yourself at your hotel, you can do some light touring with your guide if you wish.

Visit the cliff top village of Sidi Bou Said, whose gleaming houses and stunning location above the Gulf of Tunis make for a wonderful stroll through its maze of lanes and alleys. The village has attracted generations of European artists and writers, and is often called a “living museum.”

Your guide will join you for tonight for dinner to tell you more about your upcoming days in Tunisia. Overnight in Tunis-La Marsa. (D)

Day 2, Saturday – Carthage, Bardo Museum, Tunis

This morning visit the world famous Bardo Museum, whose earliest exhibits (Punic) date to the 7^th century B.C., and whose most exquisite exhibits (Roman and Byzantine) are mosaics from sites all over Tunisia, many virtually intact. (NOTE: The Bardo has been closed for more than a year for political reasons. We will go assuming it reopens).

 

After lunch, explore the vast site of Carthage, founded in 814 B.C. by the Phoenicians and sacked by the Romans in 146 B.C. It was not until the 1^st century A.D. that Rome rebuilt the city, and within a few years it expanded and prospered to the point where it was second only to Rome. Your visit will include the tophets, Punic ports, Antonine Baths, Byrsa Hill, cisterns, and the Carthage museum, which houses an unparalleled collection of Punic artifacts.

         Overnight in Tunis-La Marsa (B, L)

Day 3, Sunday – Cape Bon, Nabeul Museum, Kerkouane, Tunis
This morning you depart the Tunis area southwest to the Cape Bon peninsula, a fertile agricultural region that was developed by the French as the heart of Tunisia’s wine industry. As you travel the Cape Bon you will have numerous opportunities to stop, with some of the nicest places to visit including Nabeul, where there is a small, but good archaeological museum, the small historical towns Kilibia and Kerkouane, ,the later with Tunisia’s most expansive Punic remains and also the coastal village of El Haourira. Late day return to Tunis-La Marsa. Dining suggestions to be provided. Overnight in Tunis-La Marsa. (B, L)

Day 4, Monday– Uthina, Zaghouan, Thuburbo Majus, Kairouan

This morning you drive south, less than an hour to Oudna (Roman Uthina), one of Tunisia’s more recently excavated sites that is still a work in progress. See the fine amphitheater and nearly a dozen villas with many mosaics, cisterns, and storage areas. as well as visiting Zaghouan, the Roman aqueduct and the nearby Temple of Water. Following these sites, you will drive to Thuburbo Majus, another well preserved Roman site where the archaeological

remains show the Punic origins, built over subsequently by the Romans. Continue on to Sousse. Dinner and overnight in Sousse. (B, L, D)

Thuburbo Majus, showing Roman construction on top of Punic

Day 5, Tuesday – Sousse, El Jem, Kairouan

Following your morning visit seeing the older part of Sousse,, including its wonderful museum which was recently renovated, highlight some very impressive mosaics. Following your visit to the older part  of Sousse, you drive southwest to El Jem, one of the most extraordinary sites in Tunisia thanks to the marvelous, 3^rd-century A.D. amphitheater in the heart of the town. Nearby is the museum of El Jem, which houses some lovely mosaics and the remains of some recently-excavated luxury villas.

Following your visit to El Jem and lunch, you drive approximately 65km to Kairouan. Kairouan’s location along the old caravan routes provided a base for a flourishing crafts industry, which lives on today in its rugs and textiles. Walk through the heart of the city’s medina, past sellers of carpets, leather goods, brass works, and spices to the Great Mosque, which has been rebuilt several times since its original construction in the 7^th century. Dinner and overnight in Kairouan. (B, L, D)

Day 6, Wednesday – Kairouan, Bulla Regia, Tabarka

This morning you start with a visit to the Great Mosque of Kairouan, where construction started in the 7th century with columns that were brought from various places within Tunisia. Check out of your hotel and depart Kairouan by 10:15, as you have a number of hours ahead

of you until your next primary site in northwest Tunisia, taking rural  roads as the terrain changes from semi-arid to the green, lush farmlands of northwest Tunisia.

The primary highlight today is Bulla Regia, an unusual and very well preserved site that features underground Roman villas; a Temple of Apollo, the oldest existing structure on the site and a 4^th-century theater. Departing Bulla Regia via scenic mountain roads, you eventually arrive to the seaside town of Tabarka and check in to your resort hotel.  Dinner and Overnight at the 5-star La Cigale Tabarka Hôtel. (B,L,D).

 

Bulla Regia