At the height of their empire, the Romans had at least 200 cities in Tunisia, their first colony south of the Mediterranean. Today, the legacy of this lost civilisation is over 26,000 listed sites. Most are yet to be excavated, but many –Dougga, Thuburbo Majus, Sbeitla and El Jem –are exceptionally well preserved and have a particular charisma set in the beautiful scenery of North Africa.

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Based in two centres, our 7-night guided tour takes you to visit not only the key sites but also the museums which hold the largest and finest collection of Roman mosaics in the world. You cover a lot of ground, yet the trip is comfortably paced, busy days alternating with leisurely ones.

Day 1
Depart by scheduled flight from London-Heathrow to Tunis-Carthage. Transfer to 4-star Hotel Riu Park El Kebir in Hammamet.

Day 2
Leave hotel for the Punic site of Kerkouane in the Cap Bon, more revealing of the life of its founders than Carthage. Lunch in Kélibia. On the way back to Hammamet, stop in Nabeul, the pottery centre of Tunisia for some shopping and to see the potters at work. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Riu Park El Kebir.

Day 3
Depart for Tunis and the Bardo Museum. A former 19th-century palace, this houses a comprehensive collection from Tunisia’s eventful history with a special accent on the Roman period. Richly-coloured mosaics of great artistry show aspects of everyday life in the early centurie AD. After lunch, visit Roman Carthage and enjoy a panoramic view from Byrsa Hill where, according to legend, the Phoenician city was founded by Dido. See the Museum and the Antonine Baths. Return to Hammamet for dinner and overnight as before.

Day 4
Travel to Dougga. On a plateau overlooking lovely countryside, this is the bestpreserved site in Tunisia. A settlement of Numidian origin in the 2nd century BC, Dougga was later promoted to the status of Municipium by the Romans. You can actually walk along its ancient stone-paved streets and admire its capitol, theatre and other splendid public buildings. After lunch, on to Thuburbo Majus, a city which flourished in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD and whose monuments reflect the importance of its position at the crossroads of trade routes between Carthage and other cities south and west. Return to Hammamet.

Day 5
Travel to the holy city of Kairouan, former capital of Tunisia, look at columns quarried from Roman ruins used in the building of its Great Mosque and visit the shrine of Sidi Sahab, companion of the prophet. On to Sbeitla for lunch and then to explore Sufeitula the 1st century AD site known for its superb Temples to the Capitoline Trinity and its Byzantine quarters. Dinner and overnight at 4-star Hotel Hasdrubal in Port El Kantaoui.

Day 6
Leave for El Jem (formerly Thysdrus) to visit one of the best preserved amphitheatres in the Roman world, a colossal monument rising above the local houses. 27,000 spectators used to pack its tiers. Return to hotel for lunch. Afternoon visit to the Sousse Museum and its superb Roman mosaics before trying your haggling skills in the Medina. Back to Port El Kantaoui.

Day 7
At leisure in El Kantaoui. Lunch in hotel. Farewell Gala dinner, including wine, in a Port El Kantaoui restaurant.

Day 8
Return to London.

Departures
14 March and 25 April by Tunisair scheduled return flight Heathrow/Tunis.

Prices
Prices per person
All departures £845
Single supplement £60

What the price includes
Tunisair return scheduled flight Heathrow/Tunis. Air-conditioned coach transportation in Tunisia Accommodation as per itinerary All meals. Farewell Gala dinners including wine. All entrance fees to museums and sites mentioned in the itinerary (photography fee of 1 dinar per site not included). English-speaking guide

Operation
Please note that a minimum of 12 people is required for us to be able to operate each tour. Maximum 20. Should it be necessary for us to cancel a tour, you will either be offered the option of an alternative date or a full refund of all money paid.