Explore Tunisia's heritage from the legendary city of Carthage to significant Roman sites of Dougga and El Djem
Appreciate Tunisia's Islamic legacy with visits to the historical centres of Kairouan and Sousse
Discover the cultural and historical richness of Tunis, including its modern thoroughfares and the ancient Medina
“Nick brought his own reflections to the sites and artefacts which was thought provoking. His knowledge of the era was excellent”
- ACE customer on a previous tour led by Nick Jackson
Located in the Maghreb, the western region of the Arab world, Tunisia harbours a myriad of cultural gems, including impressive UNESCO World Heritage sites, stunning landscapes and exquisite gastronomy. We will delve into Tunisia’s rich heritage, from the ancient ruins of Carthage and the vibrant souks of its capital, Tunis, to the tranquil blue and white village of Sidi Bou Said, where tradition meets contemporary life.
Tunis serves as the historical, cultural and political hub of the country. Its central thoroughfare, Avenue Habib Bourguiba, boasts colonial-era buildings, tree-lined streets and bustling storefronts and cafes. Named after Tunisia’s first president – a national leader of the Tunisian independence movement – the city's prominent institutions include Independence Square, the French Embassy and an iconic clock tower, exemplifying both the country’s tumultuous development and modern identity. The ancient Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a warren of covered walkways, winding streets and over 700 historical monuments, including palaces, mosques, mausoleums and madrasas, offering a glimpse into the city’s Almohad and Hafsid eras.
The nearby Bardo National Museum, one of the most important in the Mediterranean, holds an extensive collection of Roman mosaics and marble statues from Carthage, Dougga and Thuburbo Majus. Among its exhibits is the renowned Virgil Mosaic, the oldest portrait of the Latin poet in existence, presenting an evocative depiction of daily life in Roman Africa.
Delving further into Tunisia’s classical past, our tour will include several Roman sites. Oudna, a colony founded during the reign of Augustus, houses an impressive array of ancient structures, including an amphitheatre, fortress, aqueduct, basilica, intricate mosaics and a triumphal arch. Nearby Zaghouan, known for its roses, was crucial for supplying water to the ancient city of Carthage, as evidenced by its Roman water temple – Temple des Eaux. Further south, Thuburbo Majus was a vital thoroughfare connecting Carthage to the Sahara, with remains of its Roman road still visible. The 4th or 5th century bishopric of Chemtou, meanwhile, lies at the crossroads of the two major routes between Carthage and Hippo Regius.
Considered one of the best-preserved Roman small towns in North Africa by UNESCO, Dougga (Thugga) is an ancient Berber, Punic and Roman settlement dating from the 6th century. Here, we will explore a mausoleum, a Roman theatre and temples dedicated to Saturn and Juno Caelestis. Bulla Regia is famous for its Hadrianic-era semi-subterranean housing and mosaic floors; while El Djem boasts a stunning Roman amphitheatre to rival the Colosseum. One of the best-preserved in the world, the site retains much of its original infrastructure, including the arena floor and underground passages.
In the 7th century, military campaigns from the Arabian Peninsula extended the power and influence of Islam across North Africa, Central Asia and Southern Europe. Sufetula (in Sbeitla) served as the entry point for the Muslim conquest of North Africa, and today’s archaeological park will help us to trace the transition from the Roman and Byzantine eras to the Islamic. A significant centre during Roman and Byzantine rule, Sufetula contains some of the best-preserved forum temples in the world.
Kairouan – established as the first Islamic city in the Maghreb in 670 CE – evolved into an intellectual centre for Islamic scholarship, with the Great Mosque playing a crucial role in the study of science, medicine, astronomy and mathematics. Meanwhile, Sousse – originally founded as the Phoenician settlement of Hadrumetum – seamlessly combines its modern urban identity with ancient roots. The city was rebuilt and fortified as a commercial and military port during the Islamic era and still retains Roman-era remains in its catacombs; while the UNESCO-listed medina features a ribat, Great Mosque and an archaeological museum.
We will stay in a selection of comfortable and welcoming hotels in Tunis, Dougga, Kef, Kairouan and Sousse. These strategically chosen bases will provide ideal starting points for exploring the key historical and cultural sites in our itinerary.
Nick Jackson
Nick is an experienced archaeologist of the Eastern Mediterranean who has also worked as a guide lecturer in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel and Oman.
Tour Director Nick Jackson graduated from the Institute of Archaeology at University College London and proceeded to a career as a field director excavating the ancient history of the Eastern Mediterranean in Turkey and the Near East. After a research post at the University of Cambridge, he began work as a guide lecturer in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel and Oman and has continued leading tours to the present day.
10
£2995
TUNI-26
Tour is fully booked please contact us on 01223 841055 to be added to the waiting list.
Included: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, nine breakfasts, seven lunches, nine dinners (one light on day 1) with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.
Not Included: travel insurance, single room supplement £415.
