| Day |
Schedules and Accommodations |
1-2
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Depart Home / Fly to Tunis, Tunisia
Your exotic cultural trip begins with an overnight flight to Tunisia via Europe. You’ll arrive in Tunis on the morning of Day 2 and transfer to your hotel in Tunis, where you’ll enjoy panoramic city views from your balcony for three nights. Enjoy a trip briefing this evening at the hotel.
Sheraton Tunis Hotel & Towers  |
3
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Tunis
Today, enjoy an included excursion featuring the historical and cultural center of Tunis, its medina or old town. On a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site you’ll see mosques and numerous souks — markets selling leather, silk, and jewelry. You’ll also visit the famed Bardo Museum, which houses the best collection of Roman mosaics in the world. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the storied ruins of Carthage, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see the Roman Amphitheater and public baths. Next visit the village of Sidi Bou Said, painted in white and blue and perched on a cliff above the Gulf of Tunis.
Cultural Connection: This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner at your hotel, with Middle Eastern music and belly dancing.
Sheraton Tunis Hotel & Towers (B,L,D) |
4
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Tunis
Visit the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site of Dougga, the best preserved Roman city in North Africa, where you’ll see the open-air theater and the capitol.
Cultural Connection: After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy a scenic drive back to Tunis, stopping en route at the North African American Cemetery and Memorial, the only U.S. military cemetery and memorial in Africa.
Cultural Connection: Tonight at your hotel you’ll meet local Tunisians at an exclusive Vantage cocktail party.
Sheraton Tunis Hotel & Towers (B,L) |
5
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Tunis / Tozeur, Tunisia
Depart on a scenic drive to Tozeur. Enjoy lunch in the Saharan market town of Sbeitla, then visit the remarkable Roman ruins of Sufetula. You’ll also make a quick stop in the oasis town of Gafsa. Enjoy dinner at your hotel this evening.
Eldorado Ksar Rouge (B,L,D) |
6
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Tozeur
In the morning, you’ll visit the Dar Cherait Museum, a folk museum exhibiting period clothing, wedding dresses, pottery, and ancient weapons. Then, take in Tozeur’s architecture, markets, and souks on a city tour which will end at the Saharan Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Dinner is included at your hotel.
Eldorado Ksar Rouge (B,D) |
7
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Tozeur
This morning, board the historic “Red Lizard” train, a restored colonial-era train that once belonged to the local ruler, or Bey. You’ll follow the rails on a remarkable route through the Selja Gorge, a magnificent desert canyon area that is accessible only by train, stopping along the route for photo opportunities .
Afterwards, enjoy an included lunch, then embark on a fascinating safari expedition by four-wheel-drive vehicle into the Sahara Desert. As you absorb the romance and mystery of the desert, you’ll revel in the striking contrast between the open sands and the fertile oases you’ll visit. Enjoy dinner at the hotel tonight.
Eldorado Ksar Rouge (B,L,D) |
8
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Tozeur / Douz, Tunisia
Today is packed with tour highlights!
Cultural Connection: Depart for Degueche and enjoy a ride by horse-drawn carriage under the lush palms of an oasis. You’ll also meet a local gardener and see an array of flora in this fertile spot surrounded by dryness. Then, by motorcoach you’ll cross the Great Dry Salt Lake, Chott el Jerid, to Douz, the doorway to the Sahara. You’ll spend the night here in a room with a view of the Sahara dunes.
Cultural Connection: After an included lunch, saddle up for a late afternoon camel ride led by Bedouins, then stop for a refreshing cocktail party in the desert with your Bedouin hosts. (Horse and buggy transport is available for those who don’t wish to
ride a camel.) Dinner is included at your hotel.
El Mouradi Hotel (B,L,D) |
9
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Douz / Djerba, Tunisia
Cultural Connection: Today you’ll see the astonishing cave dwellings at the Berber village of Matmata. You’ll also meet a local Berber family and learn a bit more about their daily life.
Cultural Connection: Visit a local primary school where the children will sing Tunisian songs for you (availability depends on school’s schedule). Afterwards, visit the seaport oasis of Gabes and the spice markets of Jara, with lunch at a local restaurant. We’ll then follow the road over the old Roman causeway to the island of Djerba, where you’ll spend two nights in a sea-view room with balcony. Dinner is at the hotel this evening.
Movenpick Ulysse Palace and Thalasso (B,L,D) |
10
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Djerba
Cultural Connection: Embark on a tour of the island featuring a pottery making demonstration and Houmt Essouk, the island’s capital, where you’ll visit local souks and bazaars. Plus, we’ll make a stop to learn about Tunisian handmade Berber carpets. We’ll also visit the El Djerba synagogue, one of the oldest in the world (availability depends upon the synagogue’s schedule). Enjoy dinner at your hotel tonight.
Movenpick Ulysse Palace and Thalasso (B,D) |
11
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Djerba / Sousse, Tunisia
Depart by Ferry to Gabes, stopping in Sfax, Tunisia’s second-largest city, for lunch. Then, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of El Jem, famed for its massive Roman amphitheater, before arriving in Sousse. You’ll stay here for three nights in a sea-view room. Enjoy dinner at your hotel tonight.
Orient Palace Hotel (B,L,D) |
12
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Sousse
Today enjoy the morning at leisure or choose an optional tour to the holy city of Kairouan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring the Great Mosque and medina. Lunch is included at the hotel, then you can enjoy the afternoon at leisure.
Cultural Connection: This evening, you’ll be the guest of a local family for a home-hosted dinner — a wonderful opportunity to meet some of Tunisia’s charming people.
Orient Palace Hotel (B,L,D) |
13
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Sousse
This morning you’ll set out on a drive down the scenic coast to the seaside resort of Monastir, the fortified monastery at Ribat, and the Bourguiba Mausoleum. You’ll also enjoy a walk through the Sousse medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a special Farewell Luncheon, you’ll have time at leisure, or you can take a transfer to picturesque Port El Kantaoui for last-minute shopping.
Orient Palace Hotel (B,L) |
14
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Sousse / Return Home
Transfer to the airport in Tunis for your return flight home.
(B) |
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IMPORTANT NOTICE: The above day-by-day itineraries are preliminary and therefore subject to change. If any major changes occur in advance of your departure, you will be notified in writing by Vantage Deluxe World Travel. If changes occur during your tour, you will be notified by your Vantage Program Manager.
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