The Best of Tunisia 10D9N

Tunisia, officially the Republic of Tunisia (Arabic: الجمهورية التو نسية) is the northernmost country in Africa. Tunisia was called Ifrīqiyyah in the early years of Islamic times and late era of the Roman Empire. This name, in turn, comes from the Roman word of Africa given by the Romans to their first African settlement after the victory over the Carthaginians in the so-called Punic Wars of 264-146 BC. The Tunisians are genetically descended mainly from the indigenous Berber peoples of the region, Arabs and, to a lesser extent, from the Phoenicians, the various peoples and tribes of Western Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Traditionally, the term “Berber” has been used to refer to the indigenous peoples of North Africa. Whether used by the Romans or later copied by the Arab conquerors and ultimately, by the European colonizers, this term had undoubtedly a discriminatory and pejorative connotation.

Carthage still stands despite Marcus Porcius Cato

At the origin was Carthage, classed by UNESCO as World Cultural Heritage Site. According to the legend, it was founded by the Phoenicians who came from the city of Tyre (the present-day Lebanon). According to the same tradition, a princess named Elissa, later known also as Dido, who escaped from Tyre, landed in 813 or 814 BC on the present location of Carthage and founded her kingdom, later called Carthage. In the 5th century BC, Carthage became a powerful empire and great civilization with numerous settlements along the western Mediterranean Sea, thanks to trade. Thus, Carthage became the greater enemy of the Roman Empire. Enemies fought numerous wars over the dominion of the Mediterranean, called the Punic Wars. Eventually, Rome took victory over Carthage, which was barbarically destroyed in 146 BC. During the next millennium, the city was ruled by Vandals, Byzantines, and Arabs, and finally almost vanished under the current city of Tunis. In 1574, the Ottoman Empire established a Bey-level control over Tunisia and ruled the country for more than 300 years until the French conquered Tunisia in 1881. As a result, the current Tunisian population is mainly composed by ancient Berber background together with influences from the different civilizations settled in this region in different periods and times as Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Arabs, Ottomans, Frenches, etc.

Tunis, Tunisia, Daughter Inheritor of Carthage

Based on the latest United Nations data, Tunisia counts a population of around 12 million as of 2021. A vast majority of the Tunisian population (98%) is Muslim. The remainder 2% adhere to other religions like Christianity and Judaism. Islam is thus the official state religion of Tunisia, and the constitution requires that the president be Muslim. Nowadays Tunisia is bounded by Algeria to the west and southwest, by Libya to the southeast, and by the Mediterranean Sea to the east and north.

Tunis (Arabic: تونس‎) is the capital and largest city of Tunisia. The greater metropolitan area of Tunis, often referred to as "Grand Tunis", has about 2,700,000 inhabitants, as of 2020. Tunis is situated on the northern African coast, between the western and eastern basins of the Mediterranean Sea. The city extends along the coastal plain and the hills that surround it. The Ancient Medina, classed as World Heritage Site, lies at the core of Tunis. Further east by the sea lie the suburbs of Carthage, La Marsa, and Sidi Bou Said. As the capital of the country, Tunis is the focus of Tunisian political and administrative life and also the center of the country's commercial and cultural activities.

“We are not Born Tunisian, We Become Tunisian”

Tunisian culture is a product of more than three thousand years of history and an extraordinary multi-ethnic influx. Most of the Mediterranean civilizations have been in one time or another in Tunisia. Among these cultures were the Carthaginian and their original native Phoenician civilization, Roman, Vandal, Byzantine, and Greek, Jewish, Christian, Arab, Islamic, Turkish, Europeans, and French, all along with the indigenous and native Amazigh.

To be Tunisian is rather a state of mind, a unique way of thinking and behaving than a nationality. We are not born Tunisian, we become Tunisian

In addition to its cosmopolitan capital Tunis, Tunisia is home to countless tourist attractions including the archeological site of the ancient Carthage, the Roman ruin sites of Dougga, Sbeitla and Bulla Regia, the Great Mosque and Aghlabid Basins of Kairouan, the numerous well-preserved Roman ruins, the Muslim and Jewish quarters of Djerba, the Andalusian style architecture heritage in Tunisia (23 villages and towns), the Roman amphitheater of El-Jem, as well as the golden sandy beaches along 1 300 km coastline, the glorious resorts of Hammamet and Monastir, and the famous oases of Douz and Kebil and, not to forget the Grand Desert of southern Tunisia. A new attraction is, undoubtedly, the landscape of Star Wars movie in Tunisia´s southernmost Governorate of Tataouine. According to the New York Times:

Tunisia is known for its golden beaches, sunny weather and affordable luxury

Tunisia UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Tunisia is perhaps best known for its wide range of historical attractions, such as the ancient city of Carthage and the huge well-preserved amphitheater of El-Jem near the city of Sousse. Tunisia is home to 7 UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites and 1 Natural Site :

Tunisia´s UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site: (7)

• Amphitheatre of El Jem (1979)
• Archaeological Site of Carthage (1979)
• Dougga / Thugga (1997)
• Kairouan (1988)
• Medina of Sousse (1988)
• Medina of Tunis (1979)
• Punic Town of Kerkuane and its Necropolis (1985,1986)

Tunisia´s UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site: (1)

• Ichkeul National Park (1980)

Trip Information Highlights

 International Flights

Round-trip flights are included in the trip´s price. We fly to Tunisia with the major airlines, depending on your point of depart, Tunisair, Finnair, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, Emirates Airlines, Etihad, British Airways, Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, Turkish Airlines, Quantas, etc. 

Destination: Tunisia
Starting point: Tunis Carthage   
Ending point: Tunis Carthage   

Accommodation

In twin or double rooms in Standard 3-Star, Premium 4-Star or Superior 5-Star hotels, according to your choice. Single rooms are available upon request and subject to a supplementary fee.

Features

Private local professional tour guides and for the tours, experienced drivers and private air-conditioned vehicles which size depend on the number of passengers

Meals

Breakfast will be both Tunisian and western at the hotel, lunch and dinner at local Halal restaurants. Meals will be exclusively Halal certified. For any special request related to other than Tunisian cuisines (Arabian, Malaysian, Indian, Pakistani, Italian, French, etc.), please advise us in advance.

Performing Salat Prayer Service

In different local mosques, masjids, prayer room facilities

Pricing Policy

• Infants aged 2 years and under: free of charge.
• Child price is applicable for children aged 3-12 years. At the time of booking for child, a minimum of 2 passengers of which one adult is required
• Group price is applicable for minimum 6 passengers and above

Inclusions

• International round-trip flights, depending on your point of depart
• Hotel accommodations with daily breakfast according to your choice
• Halal meals as specified in the itinerary
• Private air-conditioned vehicle with experienced driver for land transportation
• Experienced private English language speaking tour guide
• All admission tickets to sightseeing places and scenery spots
• All government taxes

Exclusions

• Own travel insurance
• Optional tour & insurance
  Gratuities or tips to porters, doormen, tour guides and drivers
• Excursions & activities not included in the itinerary
• Expenditure of a personal nature, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, etc.