About this experience
The famous phrase 'Carthage must be destroyed!', perhaps known to many since school. But when mentioning the ancient state, the associative series often ends with Mediterranean ruins and ancient battles of Romans, Phoenicians, and Arabs. And the rest of Tunisia may seem like a desert with camel caravans. On this excursion, you will immerse yourself in the world of events that legends were made of, get acquainted with an incredible cultural mosaic, learn about the remarkable people who live here, and realize how unique the land of North Africa really is!
What to Expect
Legendary Carthage
Near the ancient ruins, you will hear the legend of the city's founder - Queen Dido - and trace the path it has taken from the times of Phoenician sailors to the present day. You will learn about the period when the city was the political center of the western Mediterranean and the largest maritime power. I will tell you about the famous Punic Wars against the Romans, as well as the Byzantine and Arab conquests. Most monuments are destroyed, so you will only see a few ruins, but the atmosphere of antiquity remains untouched! You will visit the Thermae of Antoninus - the largest Roman baths in North Africa - and the villas of Carthaginian nobles, where we will talk in detail about the life, habits, and economy of ancient civilizations.
A Piece of Greece in Tunisia: Sidi Bou Said
The white-blue tones of the houses, colorful streets, and lush greenery of Sidi Bou Said have long been loved by filmmakers (for example, one part of the 'Angelique' saga was filmed here), writers, and poets who come for the aesthetic pleasure of views, smells, and unique cuisine. During the walk, you will learn why you won't find two identical doors here, how the locals live, and admire the fantastic panorama of the Gulf of Tunisia. If you wish, you can also taste the traditional Tunisian green tea with pine nuts, which has been prepared in a local cafe for over 300 years!
Main Street of the Capital
In the final part of the journey, we will make a short visit to the capital itself, where you will stroll along Tunis' main street - Avenue Habib Bourguiba. I will introduce you to modern buildings reflecting the merging of European and Arab cultures. From July to October, walking tours of the city are impossible due to unbearable heat. We will either drive along the street without stopping (viewing objects from the car window) or skip this point of the program, allocating more time to see other sights.
Organizational Details
- Unfortunately, this tour is not available for travelers from cruise ships
- Price includes: transfer by air-conditioned car, services of a guide-driver, tickets to historical sites
- Lunch is not included, but time is allocated for it in the program (average cost per person is $5-6).
How the Tour Goes
- The tour will be conducted by me or my colleague
- Recommended start time for the tour is 7 am so you can comfortably see some sights before the scorching heat
- The average duration of the trip is 8 hours but can vary depending on the location of your hotel. Please check details when booking.
Where the Tour Starts
- I will meet you at the hotel and drop you off after the tour
- I pick up travelers from the following cities: Monastir, Sousse, Hammamet, Tunis, and, in some cases, Mahdia
- I do not pick up travelers staying in Djerba and Zarzis.
