Classic Tunis: Tunis Medina, the Bardo Museum, Sidi Bou Said & Carthage

Culture and History tour in Tunis, Carthage, Sidi-Bou-Said, Hammamet

Tour Price : $160 Duration : 7-8 hours Languages: English, French, German, Italian, Arabic Discount: discount available for solo travellers

CLASSIC TUNIS: Tunis Medina, The Bardo Museum, Carthage & Sidi Bou Said

Duration: approximately 8:30am - 17:00 This tour can begin and end in Tunis, Sidi Bou Said or Hammamet

A full day tour of all the main sites of Tunis and around. This morning we embark on a walking tour of old Tunis, with its narrow lanes crowded with markets, mosques, tombs and palaces. This was Tunis until the arrival of the French in the late 19th century, who subsequently built their own quarter – the Ville Nouvelle – just beyond the “Sea Gate” – Bab al Bahr – which today stands in the middle of Place de la Victoire. Here is the Cathedral of St. Vincent de Paul, the central market and some fine examples of colonial architecture. On our walk in the medina, we pass through the bustling souks of spices, herbs, carpets, clothing and gold. We visit the Souk des Chechias, the area of workshops where the traditional red hats of the Maghreb (since Ottoman times) are still being made by hand. En route, we will see the Great Mosque of Tunis – Jemaa Zitouna and the elegant Place du Gouvernement in the old Kasbah square.

Next we visit the National Bardo Museum*, which houses the largest and finest collection of ancient mosaics in the world. These mosaics were discovered in the wealthiest of Roman villas in the many ancient cities of Tunisia. Rich patrons commissioned a vast array of subjects and themes, from scenes of gods & goddesses, daily life (hunting, fishing, harvesting), the zodiac, seasons, amphitheatre games. From their exquisite details, we can understand why the North African school of mosaicists was the finest in the ancient world.

Our afternoon is dedicated to Carthage – the legendary city of Queen Dido & Hannibal. Our visits will include:

· Byrsa Hill: the ancient acropolis & earliest Phoenician settlement, and the Carthage Archaeological Museum

· the Tophet: the funerary sanctuary of Baal & Tanit and .Punic necropolis Roman propaganda, hostile to the Carthaginians, stated that the Carthaginians ritually sacrificed here their children to the gods.

· the Roman amphitheatre of Carthage. Although the remains are scanty, this was the largest of the 23 identified amphitheatres in Tunisia. In the 2nd century, it was enlarged to accommodate over 44,000 spectators and thus rivalled the arenas of Capua and Rome. According to legend, it was once believed to be the location of the martyrdom of Saints Perpetua & Felicitas.

· the Punic ports, with the remains of its sophisticated naval harbour from which Hannibal set sail, and the merchant harbour from which cargo ships engaged in trade throughout the Mediterranean.

· The Roman Antonine Baths: in the 2nd century AD, these were the largest in North Africa and 3rd largest in the Roman world.

NB: If you wish to the visit the North African American War Cemetery in Carthage, please notify us in advance so that we can adjust the order of our visits accordingly today. It contains very interesting information plaques, regarding the history of World War II in Tunisia, Operation Torch & the North African Campaign. The Cemetery is open Mon. – Fri. 9:00-17:00.

To Sidi Bou Said, the beautiful village on a cliff, renowned for its blue and white houses and distinctive Moorish doors. Its serene beauty, and Andalusian inspired architecture, attracted many artists and writers including Paul Klee, August Macke, Simone de Beauvoir, André Gide, and Jean Foucault. Some free time to explore the village before returning to Tunis.

NB: the Bardo Museum & Carthage Museum are closed on MONDAYS. Instead, you may wish to see surviving stretches of the great Roman Aqueduct – perhaps the longest in the Roman Empire – which spanned a distance of 132 km from Mount Zaghouan to Carthage.

Includes: Full Day of driving & guiding Services, Transportation (Renault Symbol or similar, gas, parking), Pick up & Drop off at your hotel.

What’s Extra: Entrance & photo fees to all sites and museums (approx. 23 DT per person) , lunch, beverages, any personal expenses

Additional information