TOUR:1
Thursday 07 June 2007
Full-Day Excursion Kairouan – Sousse – Port El Kantaoui
08H00-Departure to Kairouan:
The
first historical center of North Africa, Kairouan is a
unique
cultural
and spiritual center of interest
for its massive walls,
beautiful mosques and “Zaouia” mausoleums.
Kairouan
was at the height of its magnificence
during
the Aghlabit period in the
11th
century. Nowadays, Kairouan is known throughout the world
for its
ancestral
customs
often depicted
on
carpets
and tapestries.
Kairouan,
once the capital of Maghreb, remains an important center for
Islam and has many museums.
* Sidi Okba Great Mosque:
an important reference point in Islamic architecture.
* The Aghlabite
Pools: built
by the Aghlabite leaders to bring water to the town, these
represented one of the most important
designs of hydraulic
engineering
from
the Middle Ages.
* Sidi Sahbi
Mausoleum
(or the Mosque of the Barbie): dates from the 17th century and
contains a Médersa, (school for religious instruction).
Free time to stroll around the colorful
souks
(covered
markets) of the
Medina
and practice your bargaining skills
Buffet lunch at the five-star Hotel El Kasbah
www.goldenyasmin.com
Continuation
to the Town of Sousse:
Tour of the town
A seaside resort on the eastern Tunisian coast, Sousse enjoys a
temperate climate year round and is a favorite holiday
destination. Founded by the Phoenicians in the 9th century B.C.,
it was the first gate of Kairouan city during the Arabic
arrival. The city is full of history. Its archaeological museum
showcases the enduring importance of this city and its suburbs.
The seaside, Boujaafar coast road, Arabic Medina and Ribat are
the places of interest in the city. Sousse is nowadays the first
garden harbor of the Mediterranean complete with a 27-hole golf
course and luxurious hotel.
Continuation to
Port El Kantaoui:
It’s the first and most important integrated tourist center in
Tunisia built to model Sidi Bou Said in the suburbs of Tunis.
The port is a destination for yacht enthusiasts in the
Mediterranean thanks to its harbor, which can host more than 300
yachts.
18H15:
Back to the Hotel
Rate:
$70 / Person
Included: Transportation + English Guide + Lunch + Entrance Fees
TOUR:2
Friday 08 June 2007
Full-Day
Excursion Museum of Bardo – Medina – Carthage – Sidi Bou Said
09H00-Departure to the Bardo Museum
and its superb Roman mosaics, one of the most important
collections in the world.
The Bardo museum is situated in the old palace of the Bey, which
used to be countryside, but is now a sight in itself and houses
many interesting exhibits.
The tour around the museum is a tour through Tunisian history,
though dominated by Punic, Roman and Christian periods of rule.
The best exhibits of more recent times are the remains of the
palace itself, although it does not reflect the lifestyle of
ordinary people from those times.
‘’It is one of the most seminal museums in the world. It
displays relics from a long history stretching from remote
prehistoric times to the contemporary epoch. It houses the largest
mosaic collection in the world"
Tour of the Medina of Tunis.
We suggest a guided tour through the winding streets of Tunis' old
town, an
 opportunity
to see the rich cultural heritage of this old, walled city and
discover the exquisite craftsmanship of Tunisia's artisans.
'Souk' is the Arabic name for market; 'medina' is the Arabic name
for town. In Tunis today, the souk is also called medina and for
good reason: most of what was once Tunis now resembles one
enormous shopping center and handicrafts factory.
Today, the medina is still inhabited, but only a small percentage
of the total population of Tunis lives in these quarters.
The arrangement of the souks is traditional for Muslim cities: the
‘clean’ professions had their souks near the main mosque, the
Zitouna, while the ‘unclean’
professions like dyeing and crude metal works were placed further
away. It might be strange to us now that the slave souk, active
until 1846, was placed just 100-150 meters away from the main
mosque and the palace of the Bey (ruler). Though much has
disappeared from the souk of the weavers, Souk
de la Laine,
you still have a good chance of actually seeing the handloom
weaving process, which produces expensive fabrics for the elite
and special occasions. Just a few streets up from the main mosque,
you will come to the souk of goldsmiths, where gold of high carats
is
sold.
Lunch
at
the Restaurant Pirates
Afternoon:
Carthage – Sidi Bou Said
Departure to Carthage
to see the splendors of Tunisia's past. There will be visits to
the
Punic Ports,
Antonin Baths, Tophet and Theatre.
Who has not heard of Hannibal and this city who dared brave the
might of Rome? Now, the ruins of both these great empires lay open
to the sun and wildflowers. Declared a national monument, the town
of Carthage and nearby
Salammbo reveal many traces of the Punic and Roman empires,
including baths, dwellings, temples, shrines and the fabulous
naval port of the Carthaginians.
For a thousand years, Phoenicians were masters of the
Mediterranean. Over 200 war ships and innumerable merchant vessels
were sheltered in the nearby port of Salammbo. At its center,
Admirals Island still exists and archaeologists are reconstructing
the pavilion with its shrine and docks. Next to the ports is the
ancient sanctuary of the goddess Tanit (Tophet), a quiet, shady
square of hundreds of gravestones.
Continuation to the Moorish village of
Sidi Bou Said
with its immaculate white and blue houses. The village has managed
to preserve its charm and peacefulness.
Sidi Bou Said, gaily perched on the cliffs overlooking the Bay of
Tunis, is perhaps the most cherished village in Tunisia. Legend
tells of Saint Louis who came to wage war, but fell in love with a
Berber princess, changed his name and became the patron saint of
this village where he lived in joy and peace. Visit Sidi Bou Said,
fall under its charm and the story will come to life.
Adventurous visitors will have the opportunity to try the famous
Chicha (water pipe). Enjoy
free time in Sidi Bou Saïd to sip a mint tea at Café Sidi Chabaane
or stroll along the narrow streets to see the magnificent view
from the cliffs.
17H30:
Back to the Hotel
Rate: $60
/ Person
Included: Transportation + English Guide + Lunch + Entrance Fees
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. Excursions
After the Colloquium
TOUR:3
Saturday
09 June 2007
Half-Day
Excursion: Nabeul – Hammamet
14H00:Departure to Nabeul:
 
Located 12 km from Hammamet, Nabeul is the administrative
headquarters of the region and known as the pottery capital,
whose inhabitants have been practicing Alfa scribing since the
Roman period.
Visit a pottery & ceramic shop and archaeological museum with
mosaics of Neapolis, amphorae and a fish shop. You will also have the
opportunity to buy presents and souvenirs at the famous market.
Continuation to Hammamet:
Kilometers of beaches stretch all along Hammamet coast,
a
region marked by Muslim history and a favorable spot for sports
and rest.
This fishing town is located in the harbor built in the 15th
century and offers visitors a spectacular view of its warm
beaches and local vegetation famous for its gardens of jasmine
and orange trees.
Visit of the Spanish fort and the town
Travel to
the new
Medina
of
Yasmine Hammamet and be transported to ancient
times
www.medina.com.tn
Recent archaeological excavations led us to rediscover the
city’s ancient trail. These excavations reveal majestic
architectural center with luxurious residences, markets,
theatres, entertainment centers and even an attraction park,
Carthage
Adventure Land.
Miraculously, the notes from the architect’s astounding work
were found and, even though they were in an advanced state of
decomposition, were very revealing. Scientists date these notes
to the 16th century.
‘’Nobility Gala Dinner’’
Dinner
will be prepared for the group at “Space Shehrazede” to include
a very rich menu in the style of Arabian Nights!
Menu
ASSORTMENT
OF COLD & HOT FIRST COURSES
******
LAMB IN JARRE WITH DRIED FRUITS COUSCOUS OR ROAST LAMB WITH
ORIENTAL RICE
******
FRUITS OF THE SEASON OR ORIENTAL PASTRY
******
TEA
23H00:
Back to the Hotel
Rate: $90
/ Person
Included: Transportation + English Guide + Gala Dinner
TOUR:4
Saturday 09 & 10 June 2007
2-Day
Excursion: Sahara Discovery
Day
1: 09 June 2007
06H00:
Early departure from Tunis by air conditioned bus
En route to El Jem
:
Visit of the ancient Thysdrus
Departure to Sfax:
Buffet lunch in the five-star Hotel
Zitouna:
www.goldenyasmin.com
Departure to Matmata:
The
star of Tunisia's south. Visit
the famous troglodyte houses,
carved into the rock surface.
Entrance is through giant craters!
Continuation to the town of Douz:
19H00:
Installation
at the Hotel Mehari
Douz
www.goldenyasmin.com
Buffet
Dinner & Overnight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day
2: 10 June 2007
Buffet
breakfast at the hotel.
06H00:
Departure
to
the Chott El Jerid salt lake,
with its vast, barren plane, brilliantly white salt crystals
and unbelievable mirages.
Passing through Kebili to arrive at Tozeur and then to the
mountain oases
Chebika – Tameghza
– Mides:
Chebika, Tameghza
and Mides
are three fascinating mountain oases located in spectacular
and captivating sites. During the Roman era, there was a
military outpost, Ad Speculum, in the mountainside, bordered
by limes. This marvellous site is now occupied by the village
of
Chebika,
described by the French ethnologist and writer, Jean Duvignaud,
in the following words: ‘Then Chebika appears, but very far,
like a tuft in the mountainside, which, from the desert,
becomes transparent as its colour becomes so much clearer.’
Buildings are made of stone and clay, neither level with the
desert nor the hill summit, but halfway up the platform,
dominating an oasis, river gorge and deep ravine.
A few kilometers from Chebika lays El Khanga, a small oasis
located at the entrance of a gorge, with an arresting
landscape above beautiful gorges. After reaching El Khanga,
the road continues to Tameghza.
Tameghza
is thought to be ancient Ad Turres, a Roman defensive outpost
that became an E piscopal
station in the Byzantine era. Barricaded behind a mountain
chain, hanging from the sides of a gigantic canyon and
dominating an immense plane, the village occupies a privileged
site.
Like Chebika,
the old brick village was abandoned, and people now live in
the new village nearby. The charm of the site has nevertheless
remained intact and the late French President, François
Mitterrand, even stayed there. Enjoy some time to relax (with
the possibility to swim in the open air pool).
Tour of Chebika.
Trekking through the mountains,
continue in 4x4 cars to the palm grove in
Tameghza.
Buffet
lunch at the five-star
Hotel Gafsa Palace
www.gafsapalace.com
Continue to Kairouan:
Kairouan, once the capital of Maghreb, remains an important
center for Islam and has many museums.
Departure
to Tunis
21H00:
Back to the Hotel
Rate
Double Room:
$200
/ Person
Rate
Single Room:
$220
/ Person
Included: Transportation + English Guide + Accommodation +
Lunches + Entrance Fee
|
TOUR:5
Sunday
10 June 2007
Half day Carthage – Sidi Bou Said
Half-Day Excursion: Carthage – Sidi Bou Said
09H00:
Departure to Carthage
to see the splendors of Tunisia's past. There will be visits
to the
Punic Ports,
Antonin Baths, Tophet and Theatre.
Who has not heard of Hannibal and this city who dared brave
the might of Rome? Now, the ruins of both these great empires
lay open to the sun and wildflowers. Declared a national
monument, the town of Carthage and nearby Salammbo reveal many
traces of the Punic and Roman empires, including baths,
dwellings, temples, shrines and the fabulous naval port of the
Carthaginians
For a thousand years, Phoenicians were masters of the
Mediterranean. Over 200 war ships and innumerable merchant
vessels were sheltered in the nearby port of Salammbo. At its
center, the Admirals Island still exists and archaeologists
are reconstructing the pavilion with its shrine and docks.
Next to the port is the ancient sanctuary of the goddess Tanit
(Tophet), a quiet, shady square of hundreds of gravestones.
Continuation to the Moorish village of
Sidi Bou Said
with its immaculate white and blue houses. The village
has managed to preserve its charm and its peacefulness.
 
Sidi Bou Said,
gaily perched on the cliffs
overlooking the Bay of Tunis,
is
perhaps the most cherished village in Tunisia. Legend tells of
Saint Louis who came to wage war, but fell in love with a
Berber princess, changed his name and became the patron saint
of this village where he lived in joy and peace. Visit Sidi
Bou Said, fall under its charm and the story will come to life.
Adventurous visitors will have the opportunity to try the
famous Chicha (water pipe).  Enjoy
free time in Sidi Bou Saïd to sip a mint tea at Café Sidi
Chabaane or stroll along the narrow streets to see the
magnificent view from the cliffs.
12H30:
Back
to the Hotel
Rate: $40
/ Person
Included: Transportation + English Guide + Lunch + Entrance
Fees
|
For further information about tourism in Tunisia, visit
www.tourismtunisia.com
|
