DISCOVER TUNISIA

Tunisia is a beautiful African-Mediterranean country, which offers a combination of beach and desert holidays. It is a prime destination for visitors from Europe. The climate is ideal for beach holidays throughout the year. Tunis has been a famous port since the days of Hannibal.

1. TREASURES OF TUNISIA TOUR
Ref: HTS
(Departures guaranteed each week with min 2 passengers)

Day 1 Sunday
10-200 Kms (depending on flight arrangement)
Transfer from Tunis airport to Hammamet or Sousse or Monastir airport to Sousse for overnight stay in 4 star hotel.

Day 2 Monday
Hammamet / Sousse / Monastir / El Jem / Gabes - 350 Kms
Depart Hammamet approx. 7.00
Depart Sousse approx. 8.00
Visit a 9th century mosque in Sousse. Continue to Monastir and visit the Ribat: Islamic military and religious monument, then to El Jem and visit the amphitheatre - the most imposing of the Roman monuments in Africa. Lunch at El Jem. At approx. 14.00 depart for Gabes with a short stop en route. Arrive at Gabes approx. 16.30 and visit Gabes market (Jara). Optional horse and carriage ride through the Chenini oasis at Gabes. Dinner and overnight stay at a 3 star accommodation in Gabes.

Day 3 Tuesday
Gabes / Medenine / Tataouine / Ksours / Matmata / Douz - 380 Kms
Depart for Medenine. Visit the Ghorfas (ancient Berber granaries) and continue towards Tataouine. Visit the Berber village of Chenini where the ochre-coloured houses built into the side of a hill have, for thousands of years, offered a refuge for the local tribes. Lunch at Tataouine. Depart for the Berber village of Ksar Haddada with its architectural style inspired by the Ghorfas. Depart for Matmata for a visit to the troglodyte homes. This area, with its lunar landscape, has become famous as the setting for films such as Star Wars. Continue towards Douz with its huge sand dunes -'the gateway to the Sahara'. Optional camel ride in the area of Zaafrane. Dinner and overnight stay at a 4 star hotel in Douz or Kebili.

Day 4 Wednesday
Douz / Tozeur - 120 Kms
Cross the vast salt lake, Chott El Jerid, where it is possible to see mirages and buy mineral samples. Arrive at Tozeur and visit the old town, followed by check in and lunch at a 4 star hotel. Free afternoon or optional excursion to the mountain oases of Chebika, Tameghza and Mides to admire the canyons and ravines sculpted by the rare torrential rains. After dinner a visit to the museum of Tunisian traditions in the Dar Cherait complex at Tozeur. Overnight stay in a 4 star hotel in Tozeur.

Day 5 Thursday
Tozeur / Gafsa / Sbeitla / Kairouan - 330 Kms
Depart for Metlaoui for an exceptional excursion on the Red Lizard train, once belonging to the Bey (king) of Tunisia. An opportunity to admire more magnificent mountainous desert scenery. Lunch near Gafsa. In the afternoon depart for Sbeitla for a visit to the remains of the Roman town of Sufeitula with its majestic arc de triomphe erected to the glory of the Emperor Diocletien. Continue to Kairouan for dinner and overnight stay in a 3 star hotel.

Day 6 Friday
Kairouan / Dougga / Tunis - 350 Kms
Visit to the Arabic-Islamic monuments in the holiest town in North Africa : the Great Mosque built in 670 A.D. by the first Arab conqueror Sidi Okba and the Mausoleum of Sidi Sahbi, one of the prophet Mohammed's companions. This is followed by a short visit to the ancient water reservoirs, the Aghlabites pools. Then a stop at a carpet shop to see the typical craftwork of the region. Depart approx. 10.30 for Dougga. Lunch is followed by a visit to the best-preserved Roman ruins in Tunisia, designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Arrive at Tunis, the capital, at the end of the day. Dinner and overnight stay in a 4 star hotel in the centre of the city or in the northern outskirts.

Day 7 Saturday
Tunis / Carthage / Sidi Bou Said / Tunis - 70 Kms
A guided visit to the old walled city of Tunis, the Medina with its maze of ancient narrow alleyways housing hundreds of varied and colourful shops. This is followed by a visit to the Bardo Museum, home of the world's finest collection of Roman mosaics as well as many works of art from the different periods that mark Tunisia's history. Lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon a visit to the ruins of the first South Mediterranean capital - Carthage to see the Antonin Baths and the Museum. The day ends with a visit to the picturesque village of Sidi Bou Said built on the hillside overlooking the Bay of Tunis. The houses are Andalusian in architecture, all blue and white and there are lots of souvenir shops and small art galleries. Dinner and overnight stay in the same 4 star hotel.

Day 8 Sunday
10-150 Kms (depending on flight arrangement)
Depart for Tunis or Monastir Airport or the resort hotels.

Please contact (012) 460 8382 for rates, or e-mail: info3@duto.co.za

2. TUNISIA PACKAGES

2.1 7 NIGHTS / 8 DAYS TUNIS & HAMMAMET

* 2 nights accommodation in Gammarth at the Carthage Palace Thalassa 5*
* 5 nights accommodation in Hammamet at the Le Hammamet Hotel 4*
* Return transfers from Tunis Airport and Hotel in Tunis area
* Return transfers from Tunis to Hotel in Hammamet
* Full day excursion in Hammamet (on Tuesday or Thursday only)

Please contact (012) 460 8382 for rates, or e-mail: info3@duto.co.za

Optional excursions in Hammamet available.

2.2 7 NIGHTS / 8 DAYS: TUNIS & SOUSSE

* 2 nights accommodation in Gammarth at the Carthage Palace Thalassa 5*
* 5 nights accommodation in Sousse at the Hasdrubal Hotel 4*
* Return transfers from Tunis Airport and Hotel in Tunis area
* Return transfers from Tunis to Hotel in Sousse
* Full day excursion in Sousse (on Wednesday or Saturday only)

Please contact (012) 460 8382 for rates, or e-mail: info3@duto.co.za

Optional excursions in Sousse available.

2.3 5 NIGHTS / 6 DAYS SAHARIENNE SAFARI & HAMMAMET
Departure on Saturday or Tuesday

* 3 nights in Hammamet at the Le Hammamet Hotel 4*
* Return transfers from Tunis Aiport and Hotel
* 3 days Saharienne Safari (departure on Monday or Thursday only)

Spend the first 2 days at leisure. On day 3, depart by land cruisers to the south, visiting mountain oases, Matmata and the troglodyte dwellings. Overnight in Douz and Tozeur in 3* hotels. Visit Ong Jemel where the latest Star Wars was filmed. Includes visits to El Jem Coliseum and Dar Cheraiet Museum.

2.4 5 NIGHTS / 6 DAYS SAHARIENNE SAFARI & SOUSSE
Departure on Saturday or Tuesday

* 3 nights in Sousse at the Hasdrubal Hotel 4*
* Return transfers from Tunis Aiport and Hotel
* 3 days Saharienne Safari (departure on Monday or Thursday only)

Spend the first 2 days at leisure. On day 3, depart by land cruisers to the south, visiting mountain oases, Matmata and the troglodyte dwellings. Overnight in Douz and Tozeur in 3* hotels. Visit Ong Jemel where the latest Star Wars was filmed. Includes visits to El Jem Coliseum and Dar Cheraiet Museum.

Contact (012) 460 8382 for newest rates

3. SELF-CATERING APARTMENT

Royale Residence 4*, Hammamet
Prices are per apartment, per day on self-catering basis in Tunisian Dinar.

Please contact (012) 460 8382 for rates, or e-mail: info3@duto.co.za

4. EXCURSIONS IN HAMMAMET / NABEUL

4.1 Saharienne. 3 days. By land cruisers to the south visiting oases, Matmata and the troglodyte dwellings. Overnight in Douz and Tozeur, in 3* hotels. Visit Ong Jemel where the latest Star Wars was filmed. Also visit El Jem and Dar Cheaiet Museum. (Monday/Thursday)

4.2 Safari. 2 Days. Coach tour to the south with overnight in Douz and visit the oasis and Matmata. A ride on the old Red Lizard train is included. (Monday)

4.3 Pirate Boat Trip. A wonderful halfday on the pirate ship "Yasmine" with time for swimming, fishing à la ligne on the Golf of Hammamet. (Monday, Wednesday, Saturday)

4.4 Kairouan. ½ Day A visit to the holy city with its famous mosques and carpet workshops. (Monday)

4.5 Jedidi, Takrouna & Friguia Park. 3/4 day. By land cruisers to the Jedidi: visit of the Berber market. Visit of the culture centre Le Rocher Bleu with thw little museum Dar Gmech in Takrouna and Friguia Park with its animals. Lunch not included. (Monday)

4.6 Tunis/Carthage/Sidi Bou Said. 1 Day. A chance to see the capital including a visit to the Medina and the Bardo Museum which houses a world class collection of Roman mosaics, then on to the Roman sites at Carthage followed by a chance to explore the picturesque village of Sidi Bou Said. (Tuesday/Thursday)

4.7 Kairouan/Monastir/Sousse. 1 Day. Visit to the holy city of Kairouan including a visit to the Great Mosque, then on toMonastir to visit Bourguiba's mausoleum and then to Sousse for free time in the old medina. (Wednesday)

4.8 Dougga. 1 Day The best Roman site in Tunisia with its temples, capitol and theatre. Plus visit to the Roman site at Thuburbo Majus and the water temple at Zaghouan. (Wednesday)

4.9 Cap Bon. 1 Day. A panoramic drive along the "garden of Tunisia" including a visit to the Punic site at Kerkouane and wine tasting. (Wednesday)

4.10 Sousse/Port El Kantaoui. 3/4 Day. A visit to Sousse with its medina, then on the marina at Part El Kantaoui with free time or option of a camel ride among the olive grovers (10 Dinars). Lunch is not included. (Thursday)

4.11 Kairouan/El Jem. 1 Day. Visit to the holy city of Karouan including a visit to the Great Mosque, then on to El Jem to visit the Roman coliseum. (Thursday)

4.12 Nabeul. ½ Day. Nabeul is the ceramics centre of Tunisia and its Friday morning market is one of the biggest. (Friday)

4.13 Folklore Evening. An evening out with Tunisian food, unlimited wine and a folklore show. (Sunday)

Please contact (012) 460 8382 for rates, or e-mail: info3@duto.co.za

5. EXCURSIONS IN SOUSSE / MONASTIR

5.1 Sahara Tour. 3 Days. By land cruisers to the south visiting oases, Matmata and the troglodyte dwellings. Overnight in Douz and Tozeur or Nefta, in 3* hotels. Visit Ong Jemel where the latest Star Wars was filmed, plus El Jem coliseum. (Monday/Thursday)

5.2 Safari (Red Lizard). 2 Days Coach tour to the south with overnight in Douz and visit the oasis and Matmata. A ride on the old Red Lizard train is included. (Monday)

5.3 Kairouan. 1/2 Day. Visit to the holy city of Kairouan with its Great Mosque, on to Monastir with free time to visit a carpet making emporium.

5.4 Tunis/Bardo/Carthage/Sidi Bou Said. 1 Day. Visit the capital - the Medina and Bardo Museum which houses a world-class collection of Roman mosaics, then on to the Roman ruins at Carthage, followed by a chance to explore the picturesque village of Sidi Bou Said. (Tuesday/Saturday)

5.5 Dougga. 1 Day. The best Roman site in Tunisia with its temples, capitol and theatre. (Wednesday)

5.6 Safari. 2 Days. Coach tour or the south, with a night in Douz and a visit to El EJem Coliseum and Matmata. Plus an optional land cruiser trip to Chebika and Tamerza (extra fee). (Wednesday)

5.7 Kairouan/El Jem/Mahdia. 1 Day. Visit to the holy city of Kairouan including a visit to the Great Mosque, then on to El Jem to visit the Roman coliseum. Free time in the medina of Mahdia.

5.8 Nabeul. ½ Day. Nabeul is the ceramics centre of Tunisia and its Friday market is one of the biggest, plus free time in Hammamet. (Friday)

5.9 Folklore Evening. An evening out with Tunisian food, unlimited wine and a folklore show. (Friday/Sunday)

5.10 Hergla/Takrouna/Friguia Park. Short day. Special trip in land cruisers, visiting the pretty village of Hergla, plus the old berber village Takrouna with great views from a little café called Blue Rock and a visit to the traditional Tunisian house Dar Gmech. Then drive to Friguia Animal Park. No meals included.

5.11 Boat trip. A pleasant ½-day cruise on a pirate ship around the coast of Sousse with time for swimming & fishing, plus a barbecue lunch.

Please contact (012) 460 8382 for rates, or e-mail: info3@duto.co.za

Updated: January 2006