North African Discovery

Tunisia & Morocco

14 days, land only
$2556

April 25 - May 8, 2010

Tunis Skyline

DAY 01 / April 25: Welcome to Tunis, capital of Tunisia. Upon our arrival we will be met and assisted then transferred to the Mouradi Gammarth Hotel for dinner and overnight. (D)

DAY 02 / April 26: Our tour of this North African gem will start with a full day tour of Tunis and the surrounding area. We will visit the Roman sites of Carthage and the Moorish Arab village of Sidi Bou Said. The village of Sidi Bou Said is a picturesque blue and white town perched on the cliffs overlooking the Bay of Tunis. Walk up the cobblestone streets and enjoy the charm of this town with a romantic legend about a soldier coming to wage war but he fell in love with a Berber princess, changed his name and ended up staying and becoming the patron saint of Sidi Bou Said. Lunch will be at the Restaurant La Victoire La Goulette. In the afternoon we will visit the famous Bardo Museum to see the vast collection of Roman mosaics - one of the most extensive in the world. It is situated in the former Sultan's palace, built in 1882, and along with the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, it is undoubtedly the most important museum in North Africa. We will finish our day with a visit to the souks in the old city then return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B/L/D)

DAY 03 / April 27: After breakfast check out and head south along the coast to visit the Fort of Hammamet. Continue on to Sousse and visit Port El Kantaoui and the Old City. Continuing along the coast, we will drive to Monastir to visit the ribat (fort) and mausoleum before having lunch at Hotel Monastir Center. After lunch we will continue to Sfax, with a stop at El Jem to visit the Roman Coliseum, one of the best preserved and largest outside Rome. Dinner and overnight in Sfax at the Hotel Syphax. (B/L/D)

DAY 04 / April 28: We will check out after breakfast and continue to the south to the island of Djerba. It is located in the Gulf of Gabes. Tour of the island, including a visit to the Synagogue, Potteries of Guellala and the Center of the Island at Houmt Souk. Lunch will be at the Hotel Rodes Jerba, then continue back to the mainland to Gabes. Enjoy a panoramic tour of the Oasis of Gabes then head inland to Matmata. If Matmata looks somewhat familiar to you, you probably are a Star Wars fan. The underground troglodyte houses - pits dug in the earth with rooms radiating out into the rock walls - were used in the first Star Wars movie as well as other nearby locations. Dinner and overnight in Matmata at the Hotel Diar Berber. (B/L/D)

DAY 05 / April 29: This morning we will depart for the desert oasis of Tozeur, with stops in Douz and Kebili on the way. In Douz we will enjoy the sand dunes by camel for one hour. There will also be some free time before we head across the great Salt Lake to Tozeur. Once in Tozeur we will visit the Dar Cheraiet Museum, a traditional arts museum. Tozeur was one of many Roman outposts and a stopping point for the caravans coming from the sub Sahara to trade with the coastal cities of the Mediterranean. It now owes its fame and affluence to the stately palm and its world renowned dates - the deglet noor, or "fingers of light". Lunch, dinner and overnight at the Palmyre Hotel in Tozeur. (B/L/D)

DAY 06 / April 30: Today we will have a three hour Jeep tour of the mountain oases of Chebika and Tamerza. Chebika, a small earthen village with its palm trees and waterfalls lying at the foot and slopes of the Djebel el Negueb, was once a Roman outpost and one of the mountain refuges of the Berber peoples. From here, up a steep winding road, lies Tamerza another refuge which gives a breathtaking view of the region with its salt lakes and river gorges. In Nefta, which has the status of a holy city and a center of Sufism (mystical subgroup in Islam), visit the Corbeille, a garden filled gully cutting the town of Nefta in half, and the Marabout, the holy men and their tombs. Lunch will be at the Palmyra Hotel. Tonight we will enjoy dinner under a Berber tent in the oasis, including wine, from 7:30pm to 11:00pm. Overnight at the Palmyre Hotel in Tozeur. (B/L/D)

DAY 07 / May 1: After breakfast we will depart for Tunis, with stops along the way. Our first stop will be in the city if Sbeitla, where we will visit the Roman site of Suffeitula. The well preserved forum, a mosaic bath tub, Diocletian's Arch and the street layout are among the finest of their kinds in Tunisia. Our next stop will be in Kairouan where we will see the Great Mosques of Okba and Sidi Sahbi, the Old City and Rug Factory. Lunch will be in Kairouan before we continue to Tunis. Dinner and overnight in Tunis at the Mouradi Gammarth Hotel. (B/L/D)

DAY 08 / May 2: After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our flight on Royal Air Maroc, flight 571 to Casablanca at 12:15pm, arrival at 2:00pm. Upon our arrival in Casablanca we will be met then set off on a tour of Rick's city - Casablanca, the business capitol of Morocco. See the Medina, the Mohamed V Square, the Central Market, the Royal Palace grounds, the Habbous quarter, and the United Nations' Place. Drive through the residential area of Anfa and the beautiful Ain Diab Corniche meandering along the Atlantic Coast, bordered with swimming pools and restaurants. Depart for Rabat, the "Imperial Garden City" and also the administrative capitol of the kingdom. Our sightseeing tour includes the Kasbah of the Oudayas, the Hassan Tower and Mosque, the splendid Mohamed V Mausoleum and the Mechouar - the ramparts and walls surrounding the Royal Palace. Late in the afternoon, check in to your hotel and enjoy a welcome cup or Moroccan tea. Dinner and overnight in Rabat. (B/D)

DAY 09 May 3: Depart Rabat for the sacred Islamic town of Moulay Idriss. Lunch at will be at the Volubilis Inn Hotel overlooking the Volubilis Ruins. Continue to Meknes, the "Moroccan Versailles," founded at the end of the 17th century by Moulay Ismail, a contemporary of France's Louis XIV. Our exploration of this area includes the Bab El Mansour, considered to be the finest gateway in Morocco, the Hari Souani, the Moulay's stables, and the new and old Medinas. Continue to Fes (Fez) for dinner and overnight. (B/D)

DAY 10 / May 4: This morning, explore Fes, the oldest of the Imperial Cities, known for its spiritual and educational contributions to Moroccan culture. Visit the Medieval Medina, the religious Islamic universities known as Merdersas, the Karouine Mosque and the Nejjerine Fountain. Take an afternoon at your leisure to stroll, swim, or shop. A festive dinner in a Moroccan restaurant features an Andalusian orchestra and belly dancer. Also see a representation of a traditional Moroccan wedding which has not changed over many centuries. Overnight in Fes. (B/D)

DAY 11 / May 5: Leave Fes for a scenic journey through the Atlas Mountains stopping along the way at Immouzer du Kandar a Berber village, the heavenly Lake of Dait Aoua, Ifrane a ski resort, and Azro, a Berber village known for its wood carving and carpet weaving handicrafts. Lunch at Afourar. Continue to Marrakesh, the "Pearl of the South" and second oldest Imperial City. Founded by the Almoravides at the end of the 11th century, its nestled in a lush oasis at the foot of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. Enjoy a Moroccan dinner and folkloric show at local restaurant. Overnight in Marrakesh. (B/D)

DAY 12 / May 6: Today we will have a full day exploring Marrakesh, sightseeing throughout this historic city including Koutoubia, the Menara and garden, the Saadien Tombs, and the Bahia Palace. Lunch at the hotel. This afternoon, walk through the colorful souks with their wealth of treasures, the famous Djemaa El Gna Place filled with fascinating characters, fire eaters, teeth pullers, fortune tellers, spice - nuts - incense merchants, story tellers, snake charmers, and tame monkeys, to name a few! Farewell dinner at Chez Ali Restaurant, situated in the outskirts of the city. Sit under big caidal tents, enjoy a Moroccan meal, and watch performances by folkloric troops representing different regions of Morocco. At the end of dinner, a magic show will produce a camel caravan with a belly dancer, a fantasia, and a show of horse riding. Overnight in Marrakesh. (B/D)

DAY 13 / May 7: After breakfast, we will have the morning free at leisure for personal exploration or relaxation by the pool of the hotel. Checkout by 11:45am for lunch in a typical Moroccan restaurant. In the afternoon we will depart for Casablanca via Settat, on the coast. Arrival at the hotel in Casablanca and check in. Dinner and overnight. (B/D)

DAY 14 / May 8: Transfer to the airport for departure.

Single supplement: $365.00

Included:

• Group transfers in air conditioned motor coaches
• Accommodations in 4-5 star hotels, double occupancy
• Meals as noted in itinerary
• Qualified English speaking guides throughout
• All sightseeing as listed in the itinerary, entrance fees and taxes
• Baggage handling

Not Included:

• Airfare
• Personal expenses such as room service, mini bar charges, telephone/fax calls, laundry, etc
• Optional tours or entrance fees not shown on the itinerary
• Refreshments, alcoholic beverages, snacks, etc., en route or during meals
• Tips for guide and driver (we usually recommend about $4 for the driver and $7 for the guide-all per person per day)
• Trip insurance

Make a Reservation