From the ancient city of Carthage to the oases of the Sahara desert, experience Tunisia s remarkable heritage and explore its many natural treasures. Day 1: Sidi Bou Said Day 2: Bardo/Carthage Day 3: Medina of Tunis Day 5: Kairouan/El Djem Day 6: Matmata Day 8: Ksours Day 9: Ksar Ghilane Day 10: Douz Day 11: Tozeur Day 12: Mountain Oases Day 13: Tunis Day 14: Departure This program is easy to moderately strenuous: walking, climbing stairs and easy hiking in natural sites will be required. Day 1: Arrival to Tunis Arrive to Tunis- Carthage Airport. Check in at Hotel Dar Said 4* in Sidi Bou Said, a village with immaculate white and blue houses, that has managed to preserve its charm and peacefulness. This evening, gather for a welcome dinner at restaurant Dar Zarrouk (3 fourchettes) just across the alley from the hotel. The restaurant overlooks the Mediterranean and is renowned for Tunisian specialties. Day 2: Bardo Museum/Carthage Visit the Bardo museum, considered one of the richest museums in the world. Housed in one of the former Husseinite palaces, it encloses all the treasures of Tunisian history: from pre-historic times to the Punic civilization, the Roman era, Christian's times, Muslim civilization and up to the twentieth century and features the world's largest collection of mosaics. Afternoon visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site City of Carthage and its glorious monuments: the Anthonin thermes, the Tophet at Salambo, the Amphiteatre, the Punic ports and the Acropolium. Dinner at restaurant Au bon vieux Temps featuring seafood. Day 3: Medina of Tunis Walk through the winding street of the old Medina. Visit the houses of arts and traditions, Ottoman Palaces which illustrate the way of life and customs of the nineteenth century Tunis. We will organize an encounter with an architect in charge of the restoration of the city s old monuments.in the afternoon, walk at your leisure in the Souks (colorful local markets) to discover the exquisite craftsmanship of Tunisia's artisans. Dinner in an upscale restaurant in Gammarth featuring Mediterranean specialties. Visit the ancient city of Dougga, one of the best-preserved roman cities in Africa. Listed in 1997 in the UNESCO World Heritage List, the town of Dougga, built on an elevated site overlooking a fertile plain, was the capital of Punic and Roman states. Depart to Kairouan, the holy city of Visit the souks, taste the traditional local pastry stuffed with dates called makroudh, and learn about the traditional savoir-faire of women making rugs. Check in and dinner at La Kasbah hotel 5*. The Kasbah hotel lies at the heart of the city of Kairouan. This hotel, built and managed by PromoTunisia s parent company, with a luxurious inside and a sober outlook, merges harmoniously into the Arab-Islamic architecture of the city of Kairouan. Day 5: Kairouan/el Djem Visit the ninth century great mosque of Oqba ibn Nafi, an important reference point in Islam and Islamic architecture. Visit el Djem s spectacular amphitheatre that dates from 238 A.D, and is the second largest in the World only to Rome's. Visit the museum and the excavations extending behind the museum where beautiful mosaics have been found. Return to Kairouan. Dinner at la Kasbah hotel where you will learn how to prepare couscous with our chefs. Day 6: Matmata Visit the famous troglodytes, homes built underground to protect the Berbers from fierce summer heat. The fabulous town of Matmata with its pitted lunar landscapes was used by both Lucas and Spielberg in the production of Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Arc. Leave for Djerba, the mythical land of the Lotus-eaters in Homer s Odyssey. Check and dinner at hotel Ulysse Palace 5*. Visit the Ghriba synagogue holding one of the most ancient Torah's in the world. Continue to Houmt Souk, the island's capital, for a chance to experience local markets, crafts and foods, the museum of arts and popular traditions in Sidi Zitouni and the village of Guellala, which is known for its potteries. Free Afternoon: suggestions include going back to the hotel for relaxation and thalassotherapy (sea-water spas). Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Djerba. Day 8: Ksours Visit the Ksours, unique houses carved into the steep sides of the surrounding mountains. Visit the Ghorfas buildings in the Ksours, originally used by the Berbers as warehouses, then as lodgings. The area around Chenini and Tataouine is filled with fortified villages, and is one of the most exciting places to explore in Departure to Ksar Ghilane, an exotic oasis famous for its dunes and hot water spring. Check into the 4* La Pansea Camp, developed in harmony with its surrounding environment and local traditions. Tunisia- throughout Centuries & Geographies Tours 14 days Day 9: Ksar Ghilane Silence and vastness around the camp makes for a magical and unforgettable day. Cross immense dunes with our local guide, walking or riding a camel through the Sahara desert from Ksar Ghilane to the Roman fortress. The Grand Erg Oriental near Ksar Ghilane truly offers vast spaces for exploring and experiencing a taste of nomad life. Dinner under tents in the middle of the desert in Ksar Ghilane. Appreciate the famous "agneau a la gargoulette," portions of shoulder meat that are rubbed with a sauce of olive oil, salt, a sprig of mint, a touch of cayenne pepper and turmeric, and is baked underground in claypots. Day 10: Douz Cross the Salty chott el Djerid where fantastic forests and cities seem to appear on the horizon, only to be discovered as mirages. Visit the golden triangle made up of three beautiful oases around Douz, Sabria, Nouaeil and Zaafrane. Check in at the ottoman palace Dar Cheraiet 5* in Tozeur. Dinner at Dar Cheraiet. After dinner, visit the museum in Dar Cheraiet featuring luxurious decorations and gardens with the most representative scenes of North African life. Day 11: Tozeur Visit the oasis of Tozeur markets or relax by the pool in your hotel. Depart to Ong Jmel, in the middle of the Sahara (where the George Lucas' movie Star Wars was filmed) for a sunset camel ride. Dinner at Ras el Ain featuring Tunisia's southern specialties. Day 13: Tunis Fly to Tunis in the morning. Check in the Africa 5*, near the Medina. Free day (suggestions include visiting the central market and the souks, going back to Sidi Bou Said Lunch at your leisure where you can wander around the palatial rooms and courtyards. Dine in high style at a converted Ottoman palace in the medina, Dar El Jeld. Dinner will include a selection of mouth-watering delicacies, accompanied by a harp player and authentic Moorish music. Day 14: Departure Trip s cost: $3,180 (based on 7 to 10 participants) Day 12: Mountain Oases Visit the Selja gorges with the Red Lizard Train. The Red Lizard takes you to discover the famous and otherwise inaccessible Selja gorges. Visit the village of Mides that appears as if suspended above a deep gorge, with walls surrounding it on three sides. The fourth side used to be a high barrier, which sheltered the village from raiders. Walk along the Tamerza 's natural water cascades that irrigate the date palm trees. Dinner at Dar Cheraiet. Price is per person, double occupancy. For a single room, add $530. Round Trip economy airfare Terms & Conditions Refer to attached documentation. o Accommodations for 13 o May 5-19, 2005 o Sept 15--29, 2005 o Oct 13--27, 2005 o April 13-27, 2006 o Sept 14--28, 2006 o Oct 12--26, 2006 20 promotunisia.com promotunisia.com 21
From the Medina of Tunis to the Sahara mountain oases, discover the classical sites of ancient Tunisia while enjoying the charming Tunisian towns and oases. Day 1: Sidi Bou Said Day 2: Bardo/Medina of Tunis Day 3: Dougga Day 4: Kairouan/El Djem Day 5: Matmata Day 6: Ksar Ghilane Day 7: Douz/Tozeur Day 8: Mountain Oases Day 9: Tunis/Carthage Day 10: Departure Extension to Libya Day 1: Tripoli Day 2: Leptis Magna Day 3: Ptolemais/el Baydah Day 4: Cyrene/Apollonia Day 5: Sabratha Day 6: Departure This program is easy to moderately strenuous: walking, easy hiking in natural sites is required. Tunisia- from Kasbah to Sahara Tours 10 days Day 1: Arrival to Tunis Arrive to Tunis- Carthage Airport. Check in at Hotel Dar Said 4* in Sidi Bou Said, a village with immaculate white and blue houses, that has managed to preserve its charm and peacefulness (alternatively Africa 5* in the Medina). This evening, gather for a welcome dinner at restaurant Dar Zarrouk (3 fourchettes) just across the alley from the hotel. The restaurant overlooks the Mediterranean and is renowned for Tunisian specialties. Day 2: Bardo Museum/Medina of Tunis Visit the Bardo museum, considered one of the richest museums in the world. Housed in one of the former Husseinite palaces, it encloses all the treasures of Tunisian history: from pre-historic times to the Punic civilization, the Roman era, Christian's times, Muslim civilization and up to the twentieth century and features the world's largest collection of mosaics. In the afternoon, walk through the winding street of the old Medina. Visit the houses of arts and traditions, Ottoman Palaces which illustrate the way of life and customs of the nineteenth century Tunis. We will organize an encounter with an architect in charge of the restoration of the city s old monuments.in the afternoon, walk at your leisure in the Souks (colorful local markets) to discover the exquisite craftsmanship of Tunisia's artisans. Dine in high style at a converted Ottoman palace in the medina, Dar El Jeld. Dinner will include a selection of mouth-watering delicacies, accompanied by a harp player and authentic Moorish music. Day 3: Dougga Visit the ancient city of Dougga, one of the best-preserved roman cities in Africa. Listed in 1997 in the UNESCO World Heritage List, the town of Dougga, built on an elevated site overlooking a fertile plain, was the capital of Punic and Roman states. Depart to Kairouan, the holy city of Visit the souks, taste the traditional local pastry stuffed with dates called makroudh, and learn about the traditional savoir-faire of women making rugs. Check in and dinner at La Kasbah hotel 5*. The Kasbah hotel lies at the heart of the city of Kairouan. This hotel, built and managed by PromoTunisia s parent company, with a luxurious inside and a sober outlook, merges harmoniously into the Arab-Islamic architecture of the city of Kairouan. Day 4: Kairouan/el Djem Visit the ninth century great mosque of Oqba ibn Nafi, an important reference point in Islam and Islamic architecture. Visit el Djem s spectacular amphitheatre that dates from 238 A.D, and is the second largest in the World only to Rome's. Visit the museum and the excavations extending behind the museum where beautiful mosaics have been found. Return to Kairouan. Dinner at la Kasbah hotel where you will learn how to prepare couscous with our chefs. Day 5: Matmata Visit the famous troglodytes, homes built underground to protect the Berbers from fierce summer heat. The fabulous town of Matmata with its pitted lunar landscapes was used by both Lucas and Spielberg in the production of Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Arc. Departure to Ksar Ghilane, an exotic oasis famous for its dunes and hot water spring. Check into the 4* La Pansea Camp, developed in harmony with its surrounding environment and local traditions. Day 6: Ksar Ghilane Silence and vastness around the camp makes for a magical and unforgettable day. Cross immense dunes with our local guide, walking or riding a camel through the Sahara desert from Ksar Ghilane to the Roman fortress. The Grand Erg Oriental near Ksar Ghilane truly offers vast spaces for exploring and experiencing a taste of nomad life. Dinner under tents in the middle of the desert in Ksar Ghilane. Appreciate the famous "agneau a la gargoulette," portions of shoulder meat that are rubbed with a sauce of olive oil, salt, a sprig of mint, a touch of cayenne pepper and turmeric, and is baked underground in claypots. Day 7: Douz/Tozeur Cross the Salty chott el Djerid where fantastic forests and cities seem to appear on the horizon, only to be discovered as mirages. Check in at the ottoman palace Dar Cheraiet 5* in Tozeur. Visit the oasis of Tozeur or relax by the pool in your hotel. Depart to Ong Jmel, in the middle of the Sahara (where the George Lucas' movie Star Wars was filmed) for a sunset camel ride. Dinner at Dar Cheraiet. After dinner, visit the museum in Dar Cheraiet featuring luxurious decorations and gardens with the most representative scenes of North African life. Day 8: Mountain Oases Visit the Selja gorges with the Red Lizard Train. The Red Lizard takes you to discover the famous and otherwise inaccessible Selja gorges. Visit the village of Mides that appears as if suspended above a deep gorge, with walls surrounding it on three sides. The fourth side used to be a high barrier, which sheltered the village from raiders. Walk along the Tamerza 's natural water cascades that irrigate the date palm trees. Dinner at Dar Cheraiet. Day 10: Departure Day 9: Tunis/Carthage Fly to Tunis in the morning. Check in the Africa 5*, near the Medina. visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site City of Carthage and its glorious monuments: the Anthonin thermes, the Tophet at Salambo, the Amphiteatre, the Punic ports and the Acropolium. Free afternoon (suggestions include visiting the souks, Sidi Bou Said). Dinner at hotel Africa 5* near the Medina. Trip s cost: $2,520 (based on 7 to 10 participants), $2,835 (based on 2 to 6 participants). Price is per person, double occupancy. For a single room, add $470. Round Trip economy airfare E X T E N S I ON T O L I B Y A (6 DAYS) Day 1: Fly from Tunis to Tripoli Check in and dinner at hotel Corinthia 5*. Day 2: Leptis Magna Visit the site of Leptis Magna, the best preserved and most extensive Roman city in the World.Go back to Tripoli, dinner and overnight. Day 3: Benghazi/Ptolemais/El Baydah Fly from Tripoli to Benghazi and visit the site of Ptolemais, one of the major sites of "Pentapole de la Cyrenaique". Depart towards El Baydah. Dinner and overnight at Al-Manara Palace Hotel 4*. Day 5: Sabratha/Tunis Visit Sabratha, second largest archaeological site of the "Tripolitaine", and its spectacular theatre with its three-storey backdrop of columns, overlooking the Mediterranean. Towards the end of the day, go back to Tripoli and fly back to Tunis. Dinner and overnight in hotel Africa 5* in Tunis. Day 6: Departure Day 4: Cyrene/Apollonia/Tripoli Today is dedicated to the two major sites of Cyrene and Apollonia. In the afternoon, fly back from Benghazi to Tripoli. Check in hotel 5* in Tripoli. Dinner and overnight. L I B Y A E X T E N S I O N Extension s cost: $1,380 (based on 7 to 10 pax), $1,580 (based on 2 to 6 pax). Price is per person, double occupancy. For a single room, add $390. Round Trip economy airfare is Visa fees for Libya are $145 (includes passport translation) Terms & Conditions Refer to attached documentation. o Accommodations for 9 (+ 5 additional nights Libya) o May 5-19, 2005 o Sept 15--29, 2005 o Oct 13--27, 2005 o March 16--30, 2006 o April 13-27, 2006 o Sept 14--28, 2006 o Oct 12--26, 2006 22 promotunisia.com promotunisia.com 23
Ancient Tunisia focuses on the historical & cultural heritage of Tunisia while Saharan Tunisian takes you in the adventurous discovery of the Southern oases & Berber life. Day 1: Tunis Day 2: Bardo/Utica Day 3: Tunis Medina/Carthage Day 5: Kairouan/El Djem Day 6: Sousse/Monastir Day 7: Hammamet/Nabeul This program is easy. o Accommodations for 7 o March to Oct 2005 o March to Oct 2006 Day 1: Arrival to Tunis Arrive to Tunis- Carthage Airport. Check in at Hotel Africa 5* (or equivalent) in Tunis. This evening, gather for a welcome dinner at restaurant Africa, Mediterranean specialties. Day 2: Bardo Museum/Utica Visit the Bardo museum, considered one of the richest museums in the world. Housed in one of the former Husseinite palaces, it encloses all the treasures of Tunisian history: from pre-historic times to the Punic civilization, the Roman era, Christian's times, Muslim civilization and up to the twentieth century and features the world's largest collection of mosaics. Drive north to the ancient Punic city of Utica, the oldest phoenician settlement on the coast of North Africa. Return to Tunis. Dinner at restaurant Africa. Day 3: Medina of Tunis/Carthage Visit the winding street of the old Medina. Visit the houses of arts and traditions, Ottoman Palaces which illustrate the way of life and customs of the nineteenth century Tunis. In the afternoon, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site City of Carthage and its glorious monuments: the Anthonin thermes, the Tophet at Salambo, the Amphiteatre, the Punic ports and the Acropolium. Dinner a restaurant Africa. Visit the ancient city of Dougga, one of the best-preserved roman cities in Africa. Listed in 1997 in the UNESCO World Heritage List, the town of Dougga, built on an elevated site overlooking a fertile plain, was the capital of Punic and Roman states. Depart to Kairouan, the holy city of Visit the souks, taste the traditional local pastry stuffed with dates called makroudh, and learn about the traditional savoir-faire of women making rugs. Check in and dinner at La Kasbah hotel 5*. The Kasbah hotel lies at the heart of the city of Kairouan. This hotel, built and managed by PromoTunisia s parent company, with a luxurious inside and a sober outlook, merges harmoniously into the Arab-Islamic architecture of the city of Kairouan. Day 5: Kairouan/el Djem Visit the ninth century great mosque of Oqba ibn Nafi, an important reference point in Islam and Islamic architecture. Visit el Djem s spectacular amphitheatre that dates from 238 A.D, and is the second largest in the World only to Rome's. Visit the museum and the excavations extending behind the museum where beautiful mosaics have been found. Return to Kairouan. Dinner at la Kasbah hotel where you will learn how to prepare couscous with our chefs. Ancient Tunisia- 8 days Day 6: Sousse/Monastir Drive east to the coastal city of Sousse, third largest city of Tunisia and visit its majestic Medina, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afternoon visit to nearby Monastir to appreciate modern Tunisian arabo-andalusian architecture. Dinner and overnight La Kasbah Kairouan. Day 7: Hammamet/Nabeul Visit Hammamet, noted for its orange and lemon groves as well as its historic landmarks. Here you will find the walled town, a 13th-century fortress, a 15th-century Casbah and Dar Sebastian, a beautiful home with luscious gardens turned into an International Cultural Center. Drive to Tunis, check in Africa 5*. Dine in high style at a converted Ottoman palace in the medina, Dar El Jeld. Dinner will include a selection of mouth-watering delicacies, accompanied by a harp player and authentic Moorish music. Trip s cost: $1,980 (based on 7 to 10 participants), $2,260 (based on 2 to 6 participants). Price is per person, double occupancy. For a single room, add $390. Round Trip economy airfare Day 1: Arrival to Tunis. Fly to the oasis of Tozeur Arrive to Tunis-Carthage Airport. Fly from Tunis to the Saharan oasis of Tozeur. Check in at Dar Cheraiet Hotel 5*, an architectural jewel born of 1001 nights dreams. The beautifully-tiled Moorish bath will take you back a few centuries. Dinner at Dar Cheraiet. Day 2: Tozeur/Nefta After breakfast, visit the "Belvedere" of Tozeur, its numerous palm trees, its numerous springs watering a large variety of date palms. Discover the oasis of Nefta named 'Kairouan of the Sahara' for its numerous minaret towers, mosques and marabouts. Visit the settings of George Lucas's Star Wars at Ong Jmel. Dinner at Dar Cheraiet. After dinner, visit the Dar Cheraiet museum featuring luxurious decorations and gardens with the most representative scenes of North African life. Day 3: Mountain Oases ( the English Patient set) Visit the Selja gorges with the Red Lizard Train. The Red Lizard takes you to discover the famous and otherwise inaccessible Selja gorges. Visit the village of Mides that appears as if suspended above a deep gorge, with walls surrounding it on three sides. The fourth side used to be a high barrier, which sheltered the village from raiders. Walk along the Tamerza 's natural water cascades that irrigate the date palm trees. Dinner at Dar Cheraiet. Day 4: Douz Cross the Salty chott el Djerid where fantastic forests and cities seem to appear on the horizon, only to be discovered as mirages. Optional: participate in a min-rallye with quads to drive amid thesand dunes around the golden triangle made up of three beautiful oases Sabria, Nouaeil and Zaafrane (additional cost of $85/hour). Departure to Ksar Ghilane, an exotic oasis famous for its dunes and hot water spring. Check into the 4* La Pansea Camp, developed in harmony with its surrounding environment and local traditions. Day 5: Ksar Ghilane Silence and vastness around the camp makes for a magical and unforgettable day. Cross immense dunes with our local guide, walking or riding a camel through the Sahara desert from Ksar Ghilane to the Roman fortress. The Grand Erg Oriental near Ksar Ghilane truly offers vast spaces for exploring and experiencing a taste of nomad life. Dinner under tents in the middle of the desert in Ksar Ghilane. Appreciate the famous "agneau a la gargoulette," portions of shoulder meat that are rubbed with a sauce of olive oil, salt, a sprig of mint, a touch of cayenne pepper and turmeric, and is baked underground in claypots. Day 6: Ksours Visit the Ksours, unique houses carved into the steep sides of the surrounding mountains. Visit the Ghorfas buildings in the Ksours, originally used by the Berbers as warehouses, then as lodgings. The area around Chenini and Tataouine is filled with fortified villages, and is one of the most exciting places to explore in Leave for Djerba, the mythical land of the Lotus-eaters in Homer s Odyssey. Check and dinner at hotel Ulysse Palace 5*. Visit the Ghriba synagogue holding one of the most ancient Torah's in the world. Continue to Houmt Souk, the island's capital, for a chance to experience local markets, crafts and foods, the museum of arts and popular traditions in Sidi Zitouni and the village of Guellala, which is known for its potteries. Free Afternoon: suggestions include going back to the hotel for relaxation and thalassotherapy (sea-water spas). Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Djerba. Depart to the airport of Djerba, fly totunis-carthage. Saharan Tunisia- 8 days Trip s cost: $2,120 (based on 7 to 10 participants), $2,410 (based on 2 to 6 participants). Price is per person, double occupancy. For a single room, add $390. Round Trip economy airfare Tours Day 1: Tunis/Tozeur Day 2: Tozeur/Nefta Day 3: Mountain Oases Day 4: Douz Day 5: Ksar Ghilane Day 6: Ksours This program is moderately strenuous: walking, hiking in natural sites is required, adventure activites optional. o Accommodations for 7 o Oct to March 2005 o Oct to March 2006 24 promotunisia.com promotunisia.com 25
Excursions outline Excursion 1: Tunis/Bardo/Carthage/Sidi Bou Excursion 2: Dougga Excursion 3: Kairouan/Sousse/El Kantaoui Excursion 4: El Djem/Monastir/Sousse Excursion 5: Cap Bon/Hammamet/Nabeul Excursions are easy. by local guides charges o Lunch o All Year long 2007/2008 departures* or Visit Day Excursions in Tunisia TUNIS/BARDO/CARTHAGE/SIDI BOU SAID Visit the Medina and the souks. Continue to the Bardo museum, featureing the world's largest collection of mosaics. Afternoon visit of the UNESCO World Heritage Site City of Carthage and its glorious monuments. Finish the day in the typical village of Sidi Bou Said. 1 day excursion cost: $155 (available on Tuesdays and Thursdays) DOUGGA Visit the ancient city of Dougga, one of the best-preserved roman cities in Africa. Listed in 1997 in the UNESCO World Heritage List, the town of Dougga, built on an elevated site overlooking a fertile plain, was the capital of Punic and Roman states. 1 day excursion cost: $145 (available on Tuesdays and Thursdays) KAIROUAN/SOUSSE/PORT EL KANTAOUI Visit the ninth century great mosque of Oqba ibn Nafi, an important reference point in Islam and Islamic architecture. Visit the souks. Depart to Sousse, third largest city of Tunisia and visit its majestic Medina, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Finish the day in the Port el Kantaoui resort. 1 day excursion cost: $140 (available on Tuesdays and Thursdays). EL DJEM/MONASTIR/SOUSSE Visit el Djem s spectacular amphitheatre, the second largest in the World only to Rome's. Visit the mosaics museum. Drive east to the coastal city of Sousse to visit its Medina and visit nearby Monastir to appreciate modern Tunisian arabo-andalusian architecture. 1 day excursion cost: $160 (available on Tuesdays and Thursdays). CAP BON/HAMMAMET/NABEUL Visit Hammamet, noted for its orange and lemon groves as well as its historic landmarks. Continue to Nabeul, home of traditional pottery making and a weekly cultural market. 1 day excursion cost: $140 (available on Tuesdays and Thursdays). All excursions typically require early morning departure and late night return to your hotel. Excursions by big coach only, with groups of 20 or more, accompanied by local guide. TRAVEL IN EXPERT COMPANY. we focus on Tunisia because it is our motherland, we know it, love it & are experts at making travelers fully enjoy it - Mohamed Malouche, PromoTunisia General Manager USA---TRAVEL WORLD NEWS, April 2004. PROMOTUNISIA proudly presents some of the experts who make your trip to Tunisia unforgettable: Mariem Mezghenni Our CFO and tour manager in the US, holds a PhD in international economics from the University of Paris Dauphine. Mariem dedicates tremendous efforts seeking out initiatives that benefit the local people in Mohamed Malouche Our general manager in the US, holds a Masters in communication from U of Michigan. Mohamed specializes in historical, culttural and adventurous journeys to Tunisia & will be the point of contact for any of our trips. Naceur Malouche Our president and CEO, is a 50- year veteran in tourism, and is considered one of the pioneers and fathers of tourism in Naceur served as head of the country's hotels & tourist office for 20 years. Jamil Chachia Our trip coordinator in Tunisia, has over 20 years of experience planning, monitoring, checking and rechecking every detail of your journey. Jamil takes care of all the complex logistics behind every single trip. ABOUT US Tunisia is magical all the complexity and richness of its ancient civilizations, all the mystery and color of the medinas, spice markets, and temples, and both the graciousness of the traditional culture and the sophistication of an educated and successful modern country...the mosaics (more than any other country) and ancient buildings are breathtaking, the coastline long and lovely. But the most memorable are the people and the cuisine: both are complex, interesting, inviting and rewarding. There will never be enough time to enjoy all the wonders of Barbara Bauer, Denver, CO, 2004 trip participant Your company gets my endorsement! I've already told most of my family, friends and colleagues what a great tour it was and how good a job PromoTunisia did in planning and executing. I suspect we don't fully appreciate half the things you had to do in order to pull this off - things like getting the timing right so we weren't visiting sites with hordes of other tourists. Not to mention the selection of hotels, drivers, etc. Fantastic job. Margie & Gary Puckering, Toronto, ON, 2004 trip participant Mohammed, the tour director was absolutely incredible!! Passionate, patient and extremely knowledgeable! His knowledge of and passion for history, archeology and linguistics added tremendously to our experience. He was brilliant, funny, sensative and a great part of the group, he made the trip! The drivers were absolutely fantastic! We spent most of our time with Najah - he was terrific. Good conversationalist, patient, polite, and respectful. We all bonded with the drivers. Iit was a great experience! Debra Hitti, San Francisco, CA, 2004 trip participant The memories of my trip to Tunisia, will be with me always. First class, Five star all the way... The accommodations were great, I enjoyed the small hotel experience...you left nothing to be desired...the food was "what can I say", fabulous. I gained 5 lbs. Each meal was special, the settings, the tastes of the country were such a great part of the trip. The special touches like the cookouts, picnics and the couscous demonstration were wonderful. I do believe that you went to extremes, including you meeting us in Tunis, to make this trip the very best, sharing all of the wonders your country has to offer... Suzanne Turchin, Miami, FL, 2004 trip participant What a wonderful adventure we have had. I cannot say enough good about Mohamed as he took a sack of wildcats and made it work. A great job - a great guide! Thanks so much for everything! Julene Miller, Atlanta, GA, 2004 trip organizer Mohamed Halouani Our tour director, carried out multiple archaeological and cultural trips for various US museums and specialized agencies. Mohamed leads our special 10 and 14 daystours through the marvels of Hedia Manoubi Our FIT and customized trip coordinator brings several years of tourism experience in handling our travelers specific interests. She is aware of the latest happenings and puts her special touch into crafting exquisite trips. CALL TOLL-FREE Or RESERVE ONLINE www.promotunisia.com 26 promotunisia.com promotunisia.com 27
Tunisia gathers in one single place the look and feel of the various towns around the Mediterranean basin. Cities Carthage El Djem Queen Didon founded Carthage after being driven out of Tyr, her proud Phoenician hometown, where her father was King. Her exile resulted from the death of her husband, Siche, killed by her own brother, Pygmalion. Villa of the Aviany Peristyle Once in Carthage, Didon fell in love whith a handsome prince, Aeneas. However, the Gods rejected this relationship and whilst Aeneas was sailing to Italy, the Queen stabbed herself on her funeral pyre. In the following centuries, through bloodshed and destruction, Carthage extended her empire and her commerce. She was the Venice of Africa. Carthage Carthage s Antonine Baths was getting stronger and stronger, but Rome was resisting. The famous Carthaginian general Hannibal crossed the Alps with his army carried by hundreds of elephants. Italy was invaded but Rome retorted and finally in 202 B.C. the Roman legions entered Carthage. El Djem was one of the wealthiest cities in the third century A.D.; One can imagine as he or she enters the amphitheatre with its three tiers of arcades, the cruel games which must have taken place on this occasion. 30,000 howling spectators standing in the stone galleries, cheering the gladiators and hooting the vanquished. At the end of the seventeenth century, the amphitheatre was still intact until a mass rebellion broke out in the region. The rebels dug themselves Internal view of the Amphitheatre into the Coliseum and it was necessary to breach in the side of the building in order to dislodge. Once broken, the marvelous monument was no longer a fortress. People rushed to take away the stones of this ill-fated arena. During the restorations, in the twentieth century, subterranean chambers lining two long arched galleries were discovered. These were the rooms where the Romans kept the Christians and the wild beasts. The Coliseum 1,800 years ago The city was brought to its knees and razed to the ground, district-by-district and house-byhouse. Inhabitants who escaped extermination were led off to slavery. On the eve of that terrible day there had been 700,000. Rome had destroyed Carthage, but Rome would rebuild it. Just a century later, Caesar, resurrected the city. Carthage attracted many of rich families from Rome. It was the Roman remains of ancient Carthage capital of Africa, full of life, learning and pleasure, monuments and libraries. Her newfound glory was to continue for five centuries. Today, around the summer houses of the Tunisian bourgeoisie, sufficient ruins remain for us to imagine some of the pomp and splendor of this imperial city, once the third largest Roman city. The Coliseum remarkably well weathered by time 16 promotunisia.com promotunisia.com 17
Kairouan Tunis In 670 A.D., the Arabs who had subdued Egypt, invaded Ifriquiya (Roman Africa). A great soldier, Oqba Ibn Nafi led them to victory. To invade the whole Maghreb region, Oqba needed a base to operate from, a base, well placed in the interior of the region, with an Islamic capital that was not rooted with foreigners. The famous historian of the fourteenth century, Ibn Kairouan Mosque seen from the Medina Khaldoun, tells how Oqba decided on Kairouan. His armies arrived one day in front of an impenetrable wood, "This is what we are looking for," he said. The Mosque minaret used to call for prayer and as a lookout But his companions cried out against the choice saying that it was not only swampy, but also overrun with snakes and wild beasts. So Oqba gathered up the 18 members of his ranks, who were followers of the Prophet, and ordered the animals to disappear, which they did. At this, the rest of his men, formerly Berbers, became Muslims on the spot. Until the seventh century, Tunis was overshadowed by Carthage. Spared by the Byzantines and the Arabs, she grew while Carthage was dying a slow and agonizing death. By the time the crusaders arrived, she was a proud and powerful city. Its siege was to end after a month, with the Death of Saint Louis, in Tunis. A treaty dawn up at the time, and always scrupulously adhered to, gave to the Christians Medina Souks- colorful markets the right to have their churches in the city and to trade on the same terms as Muslims. Tunis was living in her golden age. It was a citywhich intellectually and religiously rivaled with Cairo and Baghdad. In the medina, where each guild had its own souk, all the Mediterranean people (Spaniards, Jews, Venetians, Genoans) traded together in mutual tolerance for many years. However, at the beginning of the sixteenth century, this harmony was disrupted when the dreaded Barberousse brothers arrived. They sieved the Mediterranean of its treasures and took Tunis for their masters, the sultans of Constantinople. At the end of the century, the Turks installed a Bey who founded the first Beylical dynasty and reigned until 1881 when the French protectorate was established. In 1956, the French government recognized the independence of Medina of Tunis alleway Dar Lasram Ottoman Palace Kairouan s Sidi Amor Abada Mausoleum Oqba outlined the foundations of Kairouan. The Aghlabite dynasty was born and it continued in its splendor for a century. Kairouan adorned herself with ramparts, gardens, monuments and admirable mosques. The holy town became a place of pilgrimage: seven pilgrimages to Kairouan are equal, in the eyes of the believers, to one trip to Mecca. Kasbah Hotel in Kairouan, renovated monument Antiques shop--medina of Tunis 18 promotunisia.com promotunisia.com 19