Tunisia: A Journey in a Magical Land

July 19 - July 29, 2015

Directors:
Phillip V Stanley, Professor Emeritus
George Perko, MBA

Our journey in search of Aeneas and Dido begins with a full tour of ancient Carthage. Excavations on the acropolis of the ancient city have uncovered remains from the Carthaginian period below the Roman forum and Temple of Aesculapius. In the lower city are the remains of the aqueduct that supplied the city with water in the Roman period along with the cisterns. The remains of the Roman bath structure are near the coast and the ancient harbor is still visible. The Bardo Museum has one of the best and most extensive collection of Roman mosaics, including the one depicting Vergil writing about the fall of Troy. A visit to Tunis would not be complete without a walk through the suq in the Medina, the old walled city.

From Tunis we will journey around the country visiting various ancient sites. Among the sites will be Bulla Regia with its underground Roman houses, designed to keep the residents cool in summer. This city is located in the rich farmland of Tunisia where even today they practice the ancient farming techniques of dry farming. We will visit the Roman cities of Utique, Dougga, Thuburbo Majus and Sbeitla. We will drive along of one of the Roman aqueducts that supplied Carthage with water, still well preserved. We will stop at El Jem to visit the second largest amphitheater in the Roman world, only the Colosseum is bigger. At Sousse we will visit the archaeological museum with its collection of mosaics; among them is the depiction of Medusa. In the city of Sfax we experience life in modern Tunisia; this is the second largest city in the country and we will tour the city and walk through the Medina, the old city. Upon our return to Tunis we will spend the afternoon on our own exploring the city as we prepare to leave this magical land.

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ITINERARY

Day 1:

Arrival in Tunis, transfer to hotel
Welcome dinner
Overnight Tunis: D

Day2:

All day visit to ancient Carthage
AM: Acropolis: Roman Forum, Temple of Aesculapius: Carthaginian shops; Museum
Aqueduct and cisterns
Lunch
PM: Roman baths, Roman Theater, harbor area
Overnight Tunis B, L, Dinner free

Day 3:

AM Bardo Museum
Lunch
PM: Suq
Overnight Tunis: B, L Dinner free

Day 4:

AM: Utique
Lunch stop
PM: drive to Jendouba
Overnight Jendouba: B Lunch and Dinner free

Day 5:

AM: Bulla Regia
Lunch stop
PM Thuburbo Majus
Overnight near Dougga B, Lunch and Dinner free

Day 6:

AM: Dougga
Lunch stop
PM: Le Kef
Overnight Le Kef B, Lunch and Dinner free

Day 7:

AM: Mathar, Haidra
Lunch stop
PM: drive to Sbeitla
Overnight Sbeitla B, Lunch and Dinner free

Day 8:

AM: Sbeitla
Lunch stop
PM: drive to Sfax: tour of city (Medina)
Overnight Sfax B, Lunch and Dinner free

Day 9:

AM: El Jem: Amphitheater and Archaeological Museum
Lunch in Sousse
PM: Museum in Sousse
Overnight Sousse B,L, Dinner free

Day 10:

AM: drive to Tunis
PM: free in Tunis
Overnight Tunis B, farewell dinner, Lunch free

Day 11:

Depart for USA
B, meals in flight

Price: $1,650; Single Supplement: $195

Price includes:

  • Transfers to and from the airport
  • Hotels in towns listed
  • Air conditioned motor coach throughout Tunisia
  • Entrance fees to sites and museums
  • Local guide
  • All breakfasts
  • Three lunches as indicated (Carthage, Tunis, Sousse)
  • The welcome and farewell dinners

Not included:

  • Airfare to and from Tunisia
  • Tips for guide and driver
  • Dinners and lunches not indicated as covered