Tunis (from La Goulette)

Discover the sights around La Goulette on a panoramic drive in this fascinating country. Drive along the main thoroughfare, a quaint avenue lined with historic French buildings, cafés and patisseries. You will pass by Bab Bhar (Porte de France), which is the one of the main gates to the Old City.

Reflect on days gone by as you pass by the ancient site of Carthage, and make short photo stops at the Punic Ports and the amphitheatre. Carthage was founded by the Phoenicians and was the home of Hannibal holding a strong position in the ancient world. See the President's Palace manned by guards in their traditional uniforms before proceeding towards Byrsa Hill dominated by the Gothic spires of the Cathedral of St Louis.

A stop will be made at the Phenix Restaurant for a Tunisian pastry and a cup of local mint tea.

Drive through the Moorish village of Sidi Bou Said and take a short walk to a nearby vantage point to enjoy a panoramic view over Tunis, before returning to the port via Tunis, the capital of Tunisia.

Once Rome’s most dangerous enemy and bitter rival, Carthage was reputedly founded by Queen Dido from Phoenicia. Today, the ruins of this settlement remain scattered among the area’s more modern construction.

Visit several of these fascinating ruins, such as the enormous Roman public baths near the seashore, the amphitheatre where Christians were sacrificed, and the Punic ruins of temples, monuments and columns. You’ll also drive by the Roman Theatre, Punic Port and the Tophet, the site where human sacrifices were offered to the gods of Carthage.

Take a short, guided walk through the interesting port town of Sidi Bou Said, famous for its Moorish architecture. You’re sure to be tempted in the local shops, which sell souvenirs, such as typical Tunisian bird-cages, leather, and pottery, to name but a few.

Your guide will walk you through the narrow cobbled streets of the picturesque cliff-top village of Sidi Bou Said, famous for its panoramic view of the bay, white houses with blue shutters and local craft shops.

The typical Arab market, the Medina, is where you’ll find many souvenir shops and also see the famous hand-made carpets. Continue onto the Medina of Tunis with a guided visit through the winding streets of Tunis' old town, offering an opportunity to see the rich cultural heritage of the walled city and to discover the exquisite craftsmanship of Tunisia's artisans. Today, the medina is still inhabited, but only a small percentage of the total population of Tunis lives in these quarters.

Souk is the Arabic name for market; medina is the Arabic name for town. In Tunis today, the souk is also called medina. There is a good reason for this, as most of what once was Tunis is today like one enormous shopping centre and handicrafts factory.

Thuburbo Majus was built in the 1st century BC and is known for its Palestra, the Capitol, the Mercury and Baalat Temples.

A visit will be made to the Capitol, the Petronii Palestra, the winter and summer baths, the Christian churches and the Roman house and monuments.

See the columns of the Capitol, then the Forum with a temple dedicated to Mercury, the curia and the senate meeting-place. The mosaics and the Roman houses, in particular the large residences, allow you to differentiate between the classes and hierarchies in ancient times.

In nearby Zaghouan, the Nymphaeum is a basin built under Hadrian that collected the spring water from the region to be conducted to Carthage through the longest Roman aqueduct.

Enjoy a comfort stop at a local coffee shop, situated in a rural village, where a refreshing drink will be served.

Visit the Old City Medina in the heart of Tunis, where you’ll have time to browse at leisure and practise your bargaining skills while shopping and view the great Mosque Ezzitouna (exterior only).

Once Rome’s enemy, Queen Dido from Phoenicia reputedly founded this bitter rival, Carthage. Visit several of the ruins, such as the Roman public baths, the amphitheatre and the Punic ruins of temples, monuments and columns. Drive by the Roman Theatre, Punic Port and the Tophet, the site where human sacrifices were offered to the gods.

Enjoy lunch and a glass of wine before a short, guided walk through Sidi Bou Said, famous for its Moorish architecture, followed by some free time.

Travel from La Goulette through Modern Tunis, down Avenue Bourgibba passing St Vincent's Cathedral and the Tunis Theatre to the Medina. Disembark and walk to the souks with your guide, then enjoy approximately 3 hours of free time for independent sightseeing and shopping. With souvenir vendors abound, a few remaining brass engravers, goldsmiths, perfumers and leatherworkers display their crafts.

Please bear in mind that this is a city transfer service, which is non-guided and exclusive of any meals, refreshments or entrance fees.

The Bardo Museum is situated in the old palace of the Bey and the tour around the museum takes you through Tunisian history, dominated by Punic, Roman and Christian periods. It is one of the most influential museums in the world, displaying relics from a long history stretching from remote prehistoric times to the contemporary epoch, housing the largest mosaic collection of the world.

Continue onto the Medina of Tunis with a guided visit through the winding streets of Tunis' old town, offering an opportunity to see the rich cultural heritage of the walled city and to discover the exquisite craftsmanship of Tunisia's artisans. Today, the medina is still inhabited, but only a small percentage of the total population of Tunis lives in these quarters.

'Souk' is the Arabic name for market; 'medina' is the Arabic name for town. In Tunis today, the souk is also called medina. And there is a good reason: most of what once was Tunis is today like one enormous shopping centre and handicrafts factory.

Take approximately an hour of free time to shop for souvenirs and gifts in this lively and interesting area.

Enter the Medina of Tunis for a guided visit through the winding streets of Tunis' old town, and an opportunity to see the rich cultural heritage of the old walled city and to discover the exquisite craftsmanship of Tunisia's artisans.

During the walking tour of the Medina, you will visit the patio of the Mosque Al Zitouna, The Palace of Dar Kheireddine Pacha and the Tourbet El Bey, an impressive building which was the mausoleum of the Hussein Dynasty.

Continue onto the Essaraya Restaurant for mint tea and a Tunisian pastry whilst you sit back and watch a Folkloric show. There will be approximately 30 minutes of free time to shop for souvenirs and gifts.

Your coach transfer will head towards Carthage, passing through a beautiful residential area to arrive in Gammarth. During the 19th century this was one of the favourite places where wealthy Tunisians spent their holidays. Nowadays with its renowned hotels and marvellous coast, characterised by sandy bays and rocky headlands, it is considered a jewel of Tunisian tourism.

Your destination is a luxury resort in Gammarth, Barcelo Resort. Here, enjoy a welcome cocktail (non-alcoholic) and some free time to sunbathe on the golden sandy beach. Take a swim in the Tunisian sea or use the swimming pool in the hotel.

Visit the Old City Medina in the heart of Tunis, where you’ll have time to browse at leisure and practise your bargaining skills while shopping and view the great Mosque Ezzitouna (exterior only).

During the walking tour of the medina, you will visit the patio of the Mosque Al Zitouna, the palace of Dar Kheireddine Pacha and the Tourbet El Bey, an impressive building which was the mausoleum of the Hussein Dynasty.

Enjoy lunch and a glass of wine before a short, guided walk through Sidi Bou Said, famous for its Moorish architecture, followed by some free time.

Once Rome’s enemy, Queen Dido from Phoenicia reputedly founded this bitter rival, Carthage. Visit several of the ruins, such as the Roman public baths, the amphitheatre and the Punic ruins of temples, monuments and columns. Drive by the Roman Theatre, Punic Port and the Tophet, the site where human sacrifices were offered to the gods.