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Carthage to Kairouan

Tunisia

7 nights 18 Departures Available

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Based in cosmopolitan Tunis and the sea and sand city of Sousse, take a fascinating journey through time, from the ancient archaeological sites of Roman Africa to Islamic architecture

Overview

Intriguing, enchanting and eye-opening sights fill this unhurried tour. It begins amid the French colonial boulevards and labyrinthine lanes of Tunis, sprawling out to rural and seafront suburbs; where ancient archaeological remains include the town of Uthina and the ruins of Roman Carthage, the third city to be built on the enclave. An excursion to the east of the capital takes us to Dougga, with superbly preserved remains of a small but prosperous Roman town, and offering a glimpse of daily life in ancient times.

From ancient to medieval monuments, we travel to the ‘sacred city’ of Kairouan, for the second sector of the tour, to Sousse, its kasbah and Ribat reflecting Arab-Muslim roots. From here we tour our final UNESCO site, the hugely impressive, oval-shaped amphitheatre of El Djem; and to the imposing and sympathetically restored Ribat of Monastir.

Highlights

  • Enjoy the fascinating Tunis Medina
  • Impressive Dougga ruins
  • UNESCO Site: Carthage
  • 'Holy' Kairouan and Great Mosque
  • UNESCO Site: El Djem
  • Explore Sousse Medina
Carthage To Kairouan Map 2023

Itinerary

Day 1 - Fly to Tunis

Fly from your chosen airport to Tunis. Transfer to the Tunisian 5-star El Mouradi Gammarth for four nights.

Day 2 - Visit Uthina and continue to Sidi Bou Said

Visit the archaeological site of Uthina, a short drive south of Tunis. Lesser known and little-visited, this Roman town covers a sizeable area with extensive remains probably built by the emperor Hadrian in the early 2nd century AD. Continue to the coastal town of Sidi Bou Said, its cobbled streets are lined with whitewashed houses, their bright blue doors and balconies echoing the sea and sky.
(B, L, D)

Day 3 - Explore the Dougga ruins

Visit the UNESCO Dougga ruins, with uninterrupted views from its 65-hectare hillside setting, its temples, baths, cisterns, elegant colonnades, and 19-tier theatre date from the 2nd and 3rd centuries but are built on the foundations of a much earlier Numidian settlement.
(B, L, D)

Day 4 - Enjoy a visit to Carthage with the afternoon in Tunis

Visit the ruins of ancient Carthage, scattered across an extensive area in the Tunis suburbs. The capital of the ancient Carthaginian civilisation, and a major trading empire from the 6th century BC, it was destroyed by the Romans in 146 BC, who then built Roman Carthage on its ruins, centred on the Hill of Byrsa, with the Capitol and forum. Enjoy an afternoon in Tunis, visiting the Bardo Museum, and exploring the atmospheric, UNESCO protected medina, with its fountains, mosques and palaces.
(B, L, D)

Day 5 - Travel to Kairouan before continuing to Sousse

Travel (3 hrs) to the UNESCO listed city of Kairouan, a revered centre of Islamic scholarship in the 9th century, and equally important as a place of pilgrimage today. Visit the medina, its multi-gated walls encompassing atmospheric little squares, narrow lanes of houses and archways, the covered souk, the enormous Great Mosque of Sidi Oqba, its square minaret dominating the skyline, and the Sidi Sahbi Mausoleum. Continue to Sousse for three nights at the 5-star Mövenpick Sousse Hotel.
(B, L, D)

Day 6 - Enjoy a tour to El Djem and Monastir

Tour to El Djem a 3rd-century AD Roman amphitheatre. With a spectator capacity of 35,000, it is one of the largest and best preserved in the world. Visit the El Djem Archaeological Museum. Continue to Monastir to visit the Ribat fortress flanked by polygon towers and the opulent Mausoluem of Habib Bourguiba, Tunisia’s first president, the two set side by side on the shoreline.
(B, L, D)

Day 7 - Explore Sousse, with an afternoon lecture

In Sousse, visit the Archaeological Museum, housed in the medina Kasbah, and housing one of the largest mosaic collections in the world; and explore the gloriously preserved medina, a UNESCO listed masterpiece. Enjoy our Unique Experience, an afternoon lecture in the atmospheric setting of the Ribat medieval fortified enclave, designed to serve both military and monastic functions, its multi-level cells encircling a central courtyard.
(B, L, D)

Day 8 - Fly home from Tunis

Transfer to Tunis airport for the return flight.
(B)

Notes:

Tunisian hotel ratings normally equate to one category lower by British standards.

On occasion, alternative hotels of a similar standard may be substituted.

Reviews

Unique Experience

Accommodation

Here is a list of the accommodation you can stay in for this tour. Occasionally we use alternative hotels, or have a choice of hotels to choose from which will be detailed when booking.

El Mouradi, Gammarth, Tunisia, Exterior

El Mouradi Gammarth - Tunis

A Tunisian 5-star hotel located on the beach, close to Carthage. Restaurant, bar, WiFi (free) and 507 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, mini-bar and satellite TV.

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Mövenpick, Sousse, Tunisia, Exterior

Mövenpick - Sousse

A 5-star resort on the beachfront in the heart of city. Restaurants, bars, pools, sauna and WiFi (chargeable). 618 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities, satellite TV and terrace or balcony.

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Stay Extra Nights...

Add extra nights to your tour at the starting or ending hotel.

- Travel Guides -

You can find out more about the county on the travel guide.

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