Judie at work.

 

You will be accompanied by award-winning travel journalists/photographers Judith Fein and Paul Ross.  Every day, participants will be encouraged to write about their experiences and read their words to the group.  Paul Ross will be on hand with tips and hands-on help for turning snapshots into great photos and Judith will be available for input about your writing, if you desire it. 

Paul – your personal photo coach

 

Although most tours to Tunisia involve many added costs for participants, we have decided to make this an all-inclusive journey, so you do not have any financial surprises. Ours is a time of economic uncertainty for many people, and we are committed to giving you the best value possible for your money. The trip will be your investment in creating memories that will last a lifetime.

 

We are working with a top-notch tour operator. You will be staying in 4 and 5-star or boutique hotels. You will have experiences that are not offered elsewhere. You will have in-depth contact with Tunisia rather than a been-there-seen-that-in-a-bus voyage. And we will do everything in our power to make sure the trip is PERSONAL for you, so you get the benefits of small group travel but also have time and room to make the journey yours.

 

If you sign up and send in your $500 deposit by January l5th, 2009,
you will get $100 off the price of the trip.

To read what others have said about their experiences with Judith and Paul in other countries, please see http://www.globaladventure.us/travelwriting2.html

 

We look forward to traveling with you…..and having a real Arabian nights experience together. 

 

We believe that this adventure will contribute to world peace and understanding.

 

The surprising luxury of Tunisia.

 

Friday, May 8^th – Tunis arrival

You will be met on your arrival at the Tunis/Carthage airport, and transferred to your 5-star hotel in the northern area of the city, near the seaside. You can take the rest of the afternoon to relax from your flight or suggestions will be left as to things you might want to do this afternoon on your own. Evening rendezvous at the hotel with the fellow travelers  and then departure to a wonderful restaurant for your introduction to the delights of Tunisian cuisine. Overnight in Tunis. (D)

 

Saturday, May 9^th – Tunis environs

Your morning begins with a visit to the ruins of Carthage, which legend says was founded by the Phoenician Queen Dido. Carthage became so powerful it threatened the hegemony of mighty Rome. You will walk where Hannibal walked (he is regarded as one of the most brilliant military commanders in history and his reputation lives on as the man who marched elephants over the Pyrenees and Alps into northern Italy).  You will see the destruction and devastation ultimately wrought by Rome. You will visit the intimate and stirring tophet cemetery, as well as the Byrsa hill, which provides a sense of why Carthage was such a strategic location for Phoenicians, Romans and subsequent “visitors”.

 

The historic seaside baths at Carthage

 

You will also visit the port area of Carthage. From Carthage you drive to the Bardo Museum. Housed in a former palace of the Ottoman Bey, the Bardo Museum holds the largest collection of Carthaginian tiles and mosaics, as well as many artifacts that reflect that ancient civilization. The museum houses what is arguably the best collection of Roman mosaics in the world--some of them the size of a room. Others are small and often contain only one symbol; these mini-mosaics were placed above doorways so that drunken revelers could recognize their own symbols and find their way home.

 

From the Bardo, you drive to the medina, Tunis's historic heart, where you will have a walking tour of the historic points within the old city. You will also have time to wander, if you wish, through the alleyways of shops that wind throughout the medina--and, since Tunisia is a shoppers' paradise, rest assured that there will be more opps to look and buy later in the trip. It's hard to resist buying in the souks as prices are good and the wares are dazzling.  "Pour le plaisir des yeux," a shop owner will call out to you.  Just come in for the pleasure of your eyes.

 

One of the fabulous mosaics you’ll see.

 

Lunch will be in an interesting setting. This evening, you will visit the world-famous village of Sidi Bou Said--a picturesque town with white walls, robin's egg blue accents and dripping bougainvillea.  The architecture was inspired by its many Andalusian settlers following their expulsion from Spain in the late fifteenth century.  Sidi Bou Said provides a pleasant place to stroll and enjoy the winding alleyways and ocean views. It is also a favorite spot for international jet-setters. Dinner will be in this area. Overnight in Tunis. (B, L, D)

 

Sunday, May 10^th – El Jem/Sfax

This morning you depart Tunis to head south, with some stops en route, eventually bringing you to Monastir, the birthplace of Habib Bourguiba, Tunisia’s first president and leader of Tunisia’s independence movement. Bourguiba's tomb is a marble wonder, and you will hear an imam reciting the Koran for the revered leader.  From Monastir, you drive southwest for less than an hour to El Jem.

 

Coliseum at El Jem

 

Many consider the coliseum in El Jem to be better-preserved and more evocative than the one in Rome. You will walk underneath the amphitheatre and experience what the gladiators must have felt when they headed for battle with animals and each other.  You will have a tour through the amphitheater, as well as a visit to the very impressive mosaic collection at the El Jem Museum. In El Jem, an opportunity will be arranged for you to visit a mosaic-making workshop and try your hand at this ancient craft!  From El Jem, you drive south approximately 70 kms to Sfax, which is a walled city and has a medina that retains much of its local character, given that Sfax is not a city that caters to tourists. The authenticity of the Sfax medina resulted in its being the film setting, though portrayed as the Egyptian market, in “The English Patient”. Dinner and overnight in Sfax. (B, L, D)

 

Monday, May 11^th – Gafsa/Jerba (also spelled Djerba)

This morning you depart from Sfax, driving south with a brief stop in Gafsa’s fabulous and aromatic spice market. Maybe you'll buy ras hanout (literally “top of the shop” and a Tunisian cook's secret blend of many herbs) or real saffron for your kitchen back home. Continue on to Jerba, arriving by late morning or early afternoon. Once crossing the ferry to the island, your first stop will be the ethnographic museum in Guellela, as well as a ceramic workshop in this small town, whose history of making pottery dates back centuries. Continue to your seaside hotel, where you will check in and have a little down time before a mid-afternoon visit to the Ghriba synagogue, which is the venue for the Jewish Lag B’omer festivities taking place today. You can join locals in dancing down the street to traditional music, crawl into cave to make your dreams and prayers come true and join Jews, Muslims and visitors from Israel and around the world who come for this unique pilgrimage festival. You will have time to slow down and enjoy the holiday and order delicious "Djerban fast food" on your own in a transformed caravansary.  It is all prepared under strict kosher laws.  Dinner and overnight in Jerba. (B, D)

 

Tuesday, May 12^th  - Jerba island

 

The day is devoted to seeing and exploring more of Jerba, providing an opportunity to meet people, both from Jewish community (which is likely the oldest extant Jewish community in the world) and longtime Jerbans from the Muslim community. You will have free time this afternoon to enjoy Houmt Souk, Jerba’s main market town; it's a small-scale town where you can visit the many shops, as well as enjoy lunch on your own at one of the many local restaurants in the town. Afternoon return to your hotel. Overnight in Jerba. (B, D)

 

 

 

The mysterious and evocative ksours.

 

Wednesday, May 13^th – Ksour region

This morning you depart the island of Jerba for the south, driving into a region of semi-arid desert that is referred to as the ksour region, named after the unique type of indigenous architecture, the ksour, that served as a multi-functional dwelling, providing strorage, housing and a defensive stronghold. You eventually arrive at the rather remote villages of Doiret and Chenini. Chenini is one of the few remaining Berber-speaking enclaves. Perched high on a hill, the remote location served as a defensive position for the Berbers of this region, as well as a reason for their language being preserved when so many others became integrated in Tunisia’s south. You continue exploring the varied and fascinating ksours, including Ksar Ouled Soltane, along with an afternoon arrival to Tatouine.

Your hotel is in a remote region with wondrous views of the surrounding

desert landscape.

 

Our special plan for this day is to take you to the home of Berber friends. You will have an opportunity to prepare a couscous meal with the warm and generous woman of the house.  You may also visit a local healer who removes and tames  jinns or spirits.

 

Overnight in Tatouine. (B,L, D)

 

Thursday, May 14^th – Matmata/Douz

This morning you depart early, driving north to Matmata. The region’s crater-like topography is dotted with troglodyte dwellings.  This exotic setting provided one of the film locations for the movie Star Wars. You will have an opportunity to visit one of the dwellings and perhaps try your hand at using a grinding stone, which makes lifting weights at a gym seem easy. Many cave dwellers are reluctant to relinquish their troglodytic lifestyles because caves are cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Then continue west to Douz, where you’ll arrive early enough to enjoy “Thursday market day,” at one of the most colorful and unusual markets in Tunisia. You will feel as though you have entered the pages of the Bible--with robed men buying and bartering for camels, sheep and goats.  In Douz, you will also have the opportunity, if you choose, to go on a camel trek into the surrounding dunes.  Lunch will be in the area--perhaps with a Bedouin family--before continuing west across the mysteriously evocative Chott el Jerid salt lakes to Tozeur. Dinner and folklore show this evening. Overnight in Tozeur. (B, L, D)

“Ahlan wasahlan!”
(Welcome)

A camel trek in the dunes in Douz

 

Friday, May 15^th – oasis region/Nefta

Morning departure to Nefta and an opportunity to learn about Sufism (Nefta is a center for the mystical practice). If he is there, you'll have a chance to meet the sheikh. From Nefta, you drive to Tozeur, the largest oasis town in the southwest. You will have an orientation/overview of the area with the remainder of your afternoon free to explore the old town, the nearby oasis or enjoy the amenities of your hotel. If you wish, we can go to the traditional "brick-making area" in the desert where local families make adobe blocks the ancient way. These bricks give Tozeur its particular appearance.  Dinner tonight will be in a private home in an oasis, some 30 minutes from Tozeur. Overnight in Tozeur. (B, D)

 

Saturday, May 16^th – oasis region

This morning you depart in your 4x4 vehicles for the mountain oasis villages of Tamerza and Chebika. You will have the opportunity to hike among the hills of Chebika. Afternoon return to Tozeur, where the remainder of the afternoon is free. Dinner and overnight in Tozeur. (B, D)

 

Hiking in the oasis of Chebika

 

Sunday, May 17^th – Gafsa/Sbeitla/Kairouan

This morning you depart Tozeur and head northeast. You will have an opportunity to board a 19^th century train that will take you into the Selja Gorge, an area of beautiful scenery not accessible by any other vehicle. Following your excursion, you continue northeast to Sbeitla. Known by its early Punic name, Sufetula, this impressive site seems to be in the middle of nowhere.  During Roman times, olive trees were cultivated in this region and provided a flourishing oil export trade to Italy.  You will have plenty of time to explore the site. From Sbeitla, you drive northeast to Kairouan, your base for the night.

Overnight in Kairouan. (B, L, D)

 

Kairouan’s grand mosque.

 

Monday, May 18^th – Kairouan/El Kef

Kairouan today is a rather provincial town. The city was founded and subsequently developed during early Islamic times, with Kairouan’s spectacular Great Mosque, dating from the 7^th century, reputed to be the oldest mosque in Africa. Kairouan’s location along the caravan routes also provided a base for a flourishing crafts industry.  The region still produces much of Tunisia's crafts, particularly intricately-patterned rugs and textiles. From Kairouan, depart to Makthar. Known during Roman times as Mactaris, the ruins date to around 200 AD. Following your tour of Makthar, you will journey to El Kef. Off-the-beaten path, you will meet locals and explore the fort and cisterns of this town. Overnight in El Kef. (B, L, D)

 

 

Tuesday, May 19^th – Dougga/Bulla Reggia/Tunis

Visits to Dougga and Bulla Reggia, Tunisia’s most expansive and impressive Roman sites. En route back to Tunis, stop for dinner at a private farm in the region of the Mejerda Valley at Medjez el Bab. After dinner, continue to Tunis. Late night arrival to hotel. Overnight in Tunis. (B, L, D)

 

Wednesday, May 20^th – Tunis environs

Today will be devoted to visiting with various Tunisians who will be of interest to the group. Your guide and driver/vehicle will be at your service throughout the day, as well as this evening. Dinner to be in an interesting environment. Overnight in Tunis. (B, L, D)

 

Judie Fein and group meet with an Imam.

 

Thursday, May 21^st – Tunis environs

Today you will have additional opportunities to encounter Tunisians of varying backgrounds and professions, as well as an opportunity to do any last minute shopping. Your farewell dinner will be in a wonderful surprise setting.

Overnight in Tunis. (B, L, D)

 

 

Friday, May 22^nd – Tunis departure

Transfers arranged to airport for your departure flight. (B)

 

 

PRICE FOR 15-day, l4-night trip:

 

$3895 before January l5th, 2009

$3995 after January l5th, 2009

 

 (You can use your airlines miles to get to Tunisia or get a cheap flight to almost anywhere in Europe and then fly approximately two-hours on a low-cost airline to Tunis.)

 

COST includes:

 

·    All touring and entrance fees at sites indicated on itinerary, baggage handling and all meals indicated on the itinerary (we have, according to your requests, left a few lunches that you will have on your own during your free time).

 

·    Knowledgeable English-speaking guide throughout and a private coach with driver.

 

Bottled water is always included at lunch and dinner when group seating takes place.

 

·    Price is based on double occupancy in deluxe/first class hotels. Single supplements apply.

 

·     Airport transfer upon arrival May 8^th and departure on May 22^nd.   

 

Not included:

 

A tip for the guide and driver at the end of the trip and any drinks besides bottled water at meals.

 

Click Here to Register

 

Click here for Printable PDF of Itinerary