Tunisia Expedition

Salam! Welcome to Tunisia. Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, has two main sections – the 19th-century ville nouvelle grid (created by French colonialists) and the 8th-century medina, where all alleyways lead to the Great Mosque. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe head out to sample some specialties like lablabi (chickpea soup), tajine (different from the Moroccan version), or if you have a sweet tooth, bambalouni (deep-fried doughnut).

Stroll the streets of the Tunis Medina (Old Quarter), the largest in North Africa. Walk through the twisting alleyways, passing shops overflowing with goods, where the smells of spice and essential oils fill the air. Explore the specialty souqs that make up the Medina markets, like the perfume makers' souq or the Grand Souq des Chechias, where the iconic blood-red felt hats are made. Enjoy lunch in the medina, then head to Carthage, the 9th-century UNESCO World Heritage site, to see the vast Antonine Baths, the Roman Amphitheatre and the Punic Ports, which hark back to the glories of a bygone era. (B/L)

This morning, make your way to Sidi Bou Said. This village high above the Mediterranean makes for incredible photo opportunities, with its white walls and blue shutters. Then, visit the Baron d'Erlanger Palace and wander the cobbled streets lined with cafes and artisanal shops.  Then, continue to Sadika for a glass-blowing workshop. This boutique was opened by a local woman who studied to be a master glassmaker in Murano, near Venice. When she returned from Italy, she dedicated her life to bringing back blown glass in Tunisia, an activity that had been abandoned since the 14th century. Travel to the Gammarth stables and horse riding club, where you’ll sit down with a local family for a cooking demonstration of traditional Tabouna bread (clay oven) and three Tunisian dishes – brick a l’oeuf, grilled salad and Tunisian salad with a glass local Tunisian wine. This afternoon, you’ll have free time to explore the streets of La Marsa. Perhaps try an Arabic coffee with a kaak warka (traditional ring-shaped pastry) or shop in the many local Tunisian boutiques. Later, travel to Kairouan – the fourth holiest site in Islam. (B/L/D)

After breakfast, head out to explore Kairouan. Visit the 9th-century Great Mosque of Oqba Ibn Nafi – an important example of Islamic architecture. Many of the columns throughout the complex were taken from the ruins of cities like Carthage. Walk through the serpentine streets of the local medina and get a tasty sample of makroudh (a traditional local pastry stuffed with dates). Then, visit the carpet museum. You’ll also learn about the traditional trade of rug-making from a local women’s cooperative. Tunisia has a rich tradition of weaving rugs – in the 19th century, the daughter of the Ottoman governor was the first person in Kairouan to weave a carpet using wool. The tradition continued, making Kairouan the capital of carpets. You’ll then have free time for lunch – ask your leader for the best spots for local street food! (B/D)

Explore the palm-lined oasis town of Tozeur this morning. Sitting in the middle of the desert, this used to be an important stop on the Bedouin caravan route. Then a walking tour inside the oasis , meet a share cropper and demonstration of dates growing and harvesting. Stroll through the 14th-century medina, admiring the architecture and restored brickwork of the city, then maybe keep exploring with a visit to the Dar Charait Museum – an ethnographic museum depicting scenes of traditional Tunisian life. The rest of the day is free for you to explore however you like. Maybe hit the mountains on a 4WD tour of the surrounding oases, which film buffs may recognise from 'The English Patient'. See the mountain oasis of Tamerza, along with Mides and Chebika, and maybe even see some set pieces left over from the filming of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. (B/D)

This morning you’ll head to Douz, travelling across Chott El Jerid – the largest Salt Lake in the Sahara – and taking in the green and pink hues. When you arrive, have some lunch in the centre of Douz at a restaurant close to the central market. Taste some local specialties out on the terrace and bask in the sun. After, head to your campsite by coach, then meet your camel drivers for a brief lesson in desert etiquette before your 2-hour trek into the Sahara (you have the choice to either ride a camel or walk). Walk or ride back to the camp before sunset, where you’ll be treated to a cooking demonstration of cous cous and desert bread, before settling in for a peaceful night under the stars. (B/D)

Enjoy breakfast among the undulating dunes of the Sahara and spend the morning soaking in the incredible landscape before the drive back to Douz. When you arrive, you’re free to spend your evening how you wish. Maybe head to the Sahara Desert Museum and learn some more history about this incredible part of the world. (B/D)

Continue to Matmata this morning, stopping in Toujane along the way to visit the ruins of an old kasbah and a centuries-old olive press. Then, head out for a hike in Matmata's surrounding hills. Matmata is best known for the houses built underground that protect the locals from the intense summer heat. Explore some of the local dwellings – these underground houses might look familiar, as these were used as Luke Skywalker’s home in Star Wars. Staying on the Star Wars train, you’ll head to a local troglodyte restaurant for lunch, where scenes from Star Wars Episodes I, II, III and VI were filmed. After, embark on a hike through the rocky, mountainous desert and snap some incredible photos of the unique landscape. This afternoon, you’ll drive to the Dhaher area, where you’ll will spend the next two nights in a troglodyte gite (a cave dwelling). The property is in a very old Amazigh village, and the rooms are carved into the mountain rock, offering some stunning panoramic views. (B/L/D)

After a leisurely morning, head out to visit the old village of Douiret. From here you have the option to head out on an 8 km hike in the Dahar Mountains. Then, visit the 12th-century mountain village of Chenini. The Dahar area is famous for olive oil production, and the olive tree has been affluent in southern Tunisia since ancient times. The traditional oil mills here were found in the caves of the Matmata and Tataouine regions, marking a long, fascinating history. The rest of the day is free to choose your own adventure. Maybe relax at your gite or visit a unique Amazigh Granary. Tonight, you’ll be treated to a home-cooked meal in Douiret. (B/L/D)

Head to Mahdia, stopping on the way to see the spectacular Roman amphitheatre of El Jem. From the 3rd century, this was the second largest Roman arena ever built and resembles Rome’s Colosseum as it rises above the city. Arrive in the seaside Mahdia, a relaxed port town, in the afternoon. Among Tunisia's most picturesque cities, Mahdia lies between Sousse and Sfax and has many historic attractions, including the ruins of an ancient Punic city. Maybe spend your free time exploring the picturesque medina in the Old Town, full of whitewashed houses, narrow lanes and bursting with local life. Soak up the seaside character of the town, do some people-watching and enjoy the tourist-free charm of a traditional district. Later, maybe relax on the sandy beach and enjoy the colours of the Mediterranean. (B/D)

Enjoy a gentle walking tour around the peninsula (Cap Mahdia) this morning after breakfast, past the sea cemetery, some local ruins, the old port and the medina. This afternoon, return to Tunis and visit the National Bardo Museum, second only to the Egyptian Museum of Cairo in terms of the breadth and depth of its collections. This evening, head out for a farewell dinner with your fellow travellers. (B/D)

With no further activities planned after breakfast, your trip comes to an end in Tunis this morning. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent. (B)