Auckland – Dubai

Depart Auckland on Emirates Airlines for our overnight flight to Dubai. We are met on arrival and transferred to the Rove City Hotel for our accommodation.

Dubai – Tunis

Up early and transfer back to the airport for our flight to Tunis, Tunisia. Arrive at

Tunis-Carthage International Airport and head over to our historical hotel nestled in the heart of the nation’s capital.   We ease into the day with a guided walking tour, exploring the city’s sunny squares, maze-like alleyways, and well-preserved historical district. Weave through the Tunis Medina, a city-within-a-city home to thousands of market stalls, restaurants, and mosques, and get the lowdown on what makes Tunis tick, pausing to sample some snacks—perhaps a steaming deep-fried, and yolk-filled brik à l’oeuf.  However, we will want to save some room for our welcome dinner this evening!  Accommodation at Hotel Ezzahra, Tunis (D)

Ruins of Carthage

This morning, we hurtle back in time a few thousand years as we explore the relics of Carthage, once the most powerful trading city in the Western Mediterranean. Dating back to the ninth century BC, the city was a longstanding foe to the Romans and the birthplace of the formidable warlord Hannibal, who allegedly marched his massive army complete with war elephants through the Alps to invade Rome. Step by step, we trace the history of the ancient city from the enormous Roman-era cisterns of La Malga to enigmatic Carthaginian sites of sacrifice. Lunch at the Restaurant Phenix and look out over the shimmering Mediterranean. Once we get back to Tunis, take some time to explore the bustling markets and Brutalist architecture of the city. Dinner and overnight accommodation at Hotel Ezzahra. (B/L/)

Mosaics & Mosques

After an early breakfast, we hit the road, briefly stopping over in Sousse, where we will visit the Medina of Sousse that was designated by the UNESCO a World Heritage Site in 1988. The Medina is a typical example of the architecture of the early centuries of Islam in Maghreb. and encompasses a Kasbah, fortifications, and the Great Mosque of Sousse. We then continue to Kairouan one of the holy cities of Islam and an important pilgrimage site. Arriving in Kairouan, we will visit the Grand Mosque, a spectacular structure complete with an elaborate mihrab, intricately carved columns, and what’s believed to be the oldest surviving mihrab in the world. Lunch at the Hotel Continental.

In the afternoon, we will visit the Aghlabid Basins, giant hydraulic structures erected in the ninth century that provided water for the people of Kairouan for over a millennium, and the Kairouan Medina. Dinner and accommodation at hotel Continental 3* or similar. (B/L)

Djerba – The Island of Dreams

Today we visit El Jem, a massive, Roman-era colosseum that hosted gladiatorial battles as early as the third century. With an estimated capacity of 35,000, it’s one of the largest Roman amphitheatres in the world. We continue to the seaside town and port of Gabes for lunch at restaurant Kasr El Bahr Gabes. In the afternoon, we catch a ferry to Djerba, also known as “the Island of Dreams” and take a walking tour through DjerbaHood, a street art event in which artists from all over the world gathered in the village of Erriadh to create 250 mural paintings. The project was established by the Itinerrance de Paris gallery in June 2014.

Overnight at the Djerba Resort, Djerba (B/L/D)

Resort Ruins & Fresh Fish

We spend the morning exploring Djerba, including a visit to Guellala, the pottery capital on Djerba. One of today’s highlights is the visit to Houmt El Souk, one of the local markets that’s a must visit. Here we will find everything we desire from wonderful and varied products such as gold, silver, souvenirs, and beautiful traditional clothes, as well as ceramic pots with wonderful traditional inscriptions, and there are also several beautiful and picturesque high-quality fabric stores We will also find shops selling fresh food products such as fruits, vegetables, fish, and distinctive eastern and North African spices. The market is characterized by its beautiful traditional design with white walls and cheerful blue doors, and many locals visit the market to enjoy the wonderful and lively atmosphere. Lunch at a wonderful seafood restaurant. Once we are satiated, it’s time for our journey into the Sahara. We cross the first of the desert’s massive salt lakes before arriving at our destination, Tataouine. En route we will visit Ksar Ouled Soltane, a fortified granary, or ksar,. The Ksar is spread out over two courtyards, each of which has a perimeter of multi-story vaulted granary cellars, or ghorfas. Like other ksour (plural of ksar) built by Berber communities, Ksar Ouled Soltane is located on a hilltop, to help protect it from raiding parties in previous centuries. Overnight at Hotel Dakyanous, Tataouine (B/L/D)

Hilltop Homes & Cave Dwellings

Today we begin exploring the Tataouine region from various vantage points, from its hilltop caves to its underground dugouts, and even taking an intergalactic perspective. Made famous by its Star Wars namesake, Tatooine, the town still hosts a smattering of otherworldly relics from the film set. Whether we are Star Wars fans or not, we will likely discover this area to be one of the most visually stunning places we will see. After a sumptuous breakfast we head off to Ghomrasen to visit Ksar Hadada and drive to the Berber village of Toujene via Metameur then continuation to Matmata. Lunch at Hotel Sidi Driss Matmata. This afternoon we visit the troglodyte houses. We will share a traditional Berber meal with a few friends and drop into a cave for a cup of tea. Dinner and accommodation at Hotel Diar El Barbar, (B/L/D)

Into the Sahara

We set out early this morning, driving up into the mountains, where we stop for a coffee break with panoramic views before we continue and visit Chenini, the ruins of an ancient, Berber village. Around midday we will arrive at Le Paradis Campement for lunch and our overnight tented accommodation (6-8 to a tent). Nearby is Ksar Ghilane, an oasis renowned for being the most southerly of the Tunisian oases and one of the gates of the Tunisian Sahara desert. The oasis is fed by a hot source water in which one can bathe with alleged thermal virtues.  We will stop here for the afternoon to relax in the hot water.  Remember to pack some swim ware! Back at the camp, enjoy a traditional Berber dinner by the campfire and enjoy the glittering mosaic of stars and planets in the night sky with unparalleled lucidity. Overnight in Desert Tents (B/L/D)

Salt Lakes & Desert Oases

After breakfast we drive to Douz and visit the very vibrant Douz Market. This is a general market for locals with very few concessions to tourists, so there are stalls full of fresh dates, dried vegetables and fruits, spices, and all kinds of household goods. Many shoppers wear traditional dress making for a very colourful spectacle and make for a great opportunity to glimpse everyday Tunisian life. If time permits there is the ppossibility to do a camel ride on the nearby sand dunes. Lunch at Hotel Sun Palm Douz. In the afternoon, we depart to Tozeur via Kebili where we visit Les Refroidisseurs d’Eau, a gargantuan concrete facility built to process, cool, and store the hot water that bubbles up from beneath the desert sand.  today we cross the Chott El Djerid Salt Lake to arrive in Tozeur, a tropical city deep in the desert. Tonight, we taste the city’s world-renowned lamb at the restaurant at our accommodation, the Hotel Ras el Ain Tozeur (B/L/D)

Saharan Spaceport

We start the day off-roading, in 4 x 4 vehicles, visiting the beautiful oases of Chebika, Tamerza and Mides. We return to Tozeur for lunch and in the afternoon, we will have a tour of the old town, full of unique brick-pattern architecture and a rambling palm grove that slices a sea of green through the desert sand. Then back onto our 4 x 4s to visit another abandoned Star Wars film set in the desert at Oung Jemel. Though the set is slowly being overtaken by sand, you can still spot “Moisture Evaporators,” among other space structures, lining the streets. In the late afternoon we return to Tozeur and our accommodation at Ras El Ain Tozeur (B/L/D)

Sbeitla Roman Ruins

This morning we head north along the Algerian border, from Tozeur to the ancient city of Sbeitla. Also known as “Sufetula,” Sbeitla is believed to have been the point of entry for the Islamic conquest of Africa. We explore local Roman ruins and sample some wild boar, a contemporary delicacy with ancient roots. After a day of walking, exploring, and feasting, enjoy some rest at our lovely hotel in Sbeitla. Accommodation in Hotel Byzacene (B/L/D)

Relics of Rome

From Sbeitla we drive to Dougga, known for its best-preserved Roman town in North Africa, and arguably anywhere on the planet. An archaeologist’s paradise, its ancient temples, bathhouses, mosaics, and original Roman streets still stand as if frozen in time. We aim to visit its massive theatre, chariot racing arena, and the remains of the ancient temple known as the Capitol. Lunch in the Hotel Dougga and continue to Bulla Regia to visit the Romaine site. We then travel to Tabarka for dinner and overnight accommodation at Hotel Itropika Tabarka (B/L/D)

Tabarka, The Needles, Utica

Tabarka’s coastline offers several natural and manmade wonders.  Set on an island in the harbour, the Fort was built in the 16^th Century by Genoese traders who had the monopoly on the precious red coral that was once abundant along Tunisia’s coast.   Before leaving for Bizet, we will walk the wide coastal walkway to view the striking geological formations of “The Needles.” After lunch in Bizet, we visit the nearby ruins of Utica.  The first Phoenician city in North Africa, Utica became the capital of the Roman province of Africa after the destruction of Carthage.  We then continue to Tunis for dinner and the night at Hotel Ezzahara Dar Tunis, Tunis (B/L/D)

Old Medina, Port and Ruins

After breakfast we head off to Hammamet, visiting its old medina before travelling to Nabeul, a centre of ceramics. Here examples can be seen throughout the town in house numbers, shop fronts and streetscapes, and while here we visit a ceramic workshop.  From Nabeul we continue to Kelibia port with its Byzantine citadel and to Kerkouane and its Roman Ruins. After lunch in Haouaria we finish our exploration with a visit to The Caves of El Haouaria. The caves were first formed by the quarrying of sandstone in the Punic period of the 6^th & 7^th centuries BC and later more intensely by the Romans.  Carthage and other Roman coastal cities and monuments were constructed from the stone quarried here. On returning to the capital, we will celebrate our time together with a farewell dinner and our last night at the Hotel Ezzahara Dar Tunis, Tunis (B/L/D)

Tunis – Dubai

After a final breakfast together, relax until we head to the airport late morning for our flight to Dubai on Emirates Airlines. On arrival late evening we transfer to our hotel for overnight accommodation. Hotel to be advised (B)

Dubai – Auckland

Early morning, we return to Dubai Airport and reconnect with Emirates Airlines for our overnight flight to Auckland

Arrive Auckland