From Berber villages and awe-inspiring historical architecture to spectacular rocky gorges, Tunisia’s enchanting blend of European sophistication and Arabian exoticism awaits you. From Tunis, continue on to the medina and mosque of Sousse, the old town of Monastir, impressive El Djem with its Roman Colosseum, and Sfax on the Gulf of Gabes. At Matmata, see the incredible underground troglodyte village used in the original Star Wars movie, then—via Tamezret, Douz, and Kebili—the salt lake of Chott el Jerid. Be enthralled as you travel on the Red Lizard train through the spectacular gorges of Selja before visiting the Roman ruins at Sbeitla. After the Grand Mosque at Kairouan, your Tunisian adventure culminates with a 2-night stay back in the capital of Tunis, including the chance to visit Carthage, Sidi-Bou-Said, and the famous Bardo Museum. Dec 19 departure - Christmas departure

Day 1 ARRIVE IN 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 travelers.

Day 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, colorful 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. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 3S 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 for its 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. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 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. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 5 TOZEUR–RED LIZARD TRAIN–GAFSA–SBEITLA–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. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 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 best-preserved 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. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7 TUNIS. EXCURSION TO CARTHAGE & SIDI-BOU-SAID
A delightful blend of ancient and modern, Tunis has a colorful medina and a contemporary city center. 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. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 8 TUNIS
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS WITH US
Learn more about booking an air-inclusive vacation - the reasons why include, you'll receive free airport transfer on published dates and your air will be coordinated with your vacation.

AIRPORT TRANSFER TIMES
Ask for details and pricing on airport transfer times and extra nights. Learn more about what's included with your vacation and how you can personalize it.

INCLUDED FEATURES
Visits Sousse, Monastir, El Djem, Sfax, Gabes, Matmata, Douz, Chott el Jerid, Tozeur, Sbeitla, Kairouan, Dougga, Tunis, Carthage, Sidi-Bou-Said

SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS
Sahara Desert

INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.

GUIDES
Services of a professional Tour Director while touring

STANDARD INCLUDED FEATURES
Learn more about transportation, hotels, and other standard included features offered.

MEALS
Buffet breakfasts; 4 lunches; 5 dinners

HOTELS - (F) First-Class (ST) Superior Tourist-Class (T) Tourist Class
Tunis Sheraton (SF), Sfax Golden Tulip (F), Douz El Mouradi (F), Tozeur El Mouradi (F), Kairouan El Kasbah (SF)

TRANSPORTATION
Touring by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach. Red Lizard train ride

Optional Excursions

Important Note: the following list of optional excursions are examples only for this vacation as they are the excursions that are being offered for this vacation in the current travel year. These optional excursions might or might not be offered next year, as well as new optional excursions might be offered. Information about what optional excursions will be offered for your vacation will be available later this year into next year. If no example excursions are listed, please check back later.

Here's a list of optional excursions you can enjoy during your vacation. Whether it's a special dinner, a local show or a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site, optional excursions are a wonderful way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus, they give you flexibility. We include the must-see sites and experiences, and we also understand that people take interest in different activities and may want to craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to them.

Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, days of operation, group interests, and general feasibility for your vacation. The approximate value listed gives you a good, general idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your vacation. Some information provided might be in a foreign currency.

CITY: Douz

Desert Experience
Travel by camel into the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert - as you have always imagined it with an opportunity for a fabulous view over the desert.
Approximate value: EUR €15 per person

CITY: Tozeur

The Mountain Oases
A trip by jeep to Chebika to discover the source of the mountain oasis, then on to Tamarza to view the "ghost" village. Weather permitting, also go to the head of the grand cascade. See the old village of Mides, which is just a few kilometers away from the Tunisian/Algerian border.
Approximate value: EUR €28 per person

Bodouin Food & Folklore
Inside a modern nomadic tent, you can enjoy a traditional Tunisian meal and watch a folklore show with dances and acrobats.
Approximate value: EUR €25 per person

PRICES
From approx $926 US based on double occupancy land only