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ANCIENT TUNISIA & TRIPOLITANIA
15 DAYS HOTELS/CAVE HOTEL ART AND HISTORY OF ROMAN AND ISLAMIC NORTH AFRICA Led by lecturer, writer and photographer Chris Bradley, author of the Libya Berlitz guide, this in depth discovery of north Africa takes us on a journey from the ancient sites of the Carthaginians through to the rise and fall of the Roman Empire and into the modern era of Islam. From the sites of Carthage and Leptis Magna to the great mosques and medinas of Kairouan and Sfax, we explore the rich history, art and sites of Tunisia and Libya. Ancient sites of the Carthaginians Beginning in Tunisia we spend time in its eclectic capital city and visit the Bardo museum, brimming with treasures from the Punic, Roman and Christian periods. Close by is Carthage, founded around 1000 BC by the Phoenician Queen Dido and eventually sacked by the Romans in 146 BC. The site still boasts a wealth of Roman ruins as well as those of the two ancient Punic harbours, once the very foundation of Carthaginian prosperity. Leptis Magna/Martin Eshelby After visiting Sfax, Tunisia's economic heart, and the island of Djerba, we head into Libya to explore the great Roman cities of Tripolitania: Sabratha, Oea and Leptis Magna Roman Cities of Tripolitania In Tripoli (formerly Oea), we visit the prime sites of the old city, including the beautifully restored Karamanli house and impressive museum. At its most prosperous under the reign of Septimus Severus around 200 AD, the stunning site of Leptis Magna is one of the best preserved Roman cities anywhere in the world. We spend three nights here examining the site in depth along with nearby Villa Silene and its world renowned mosaics. Finally we make for the Nafusa mountains exploring the more contemporary fortified berber granaries at Qasr el Haj. Berber & Islamic North Africa Back over the Tunisian border we spend a night in a troglodyte cave hotel before heading to Tunisia's holiest city, Kairouan, now a UNESCO world heritage site in its entirety where we
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FACTFILE
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Tunis. 2 In Tunis; visit Bardo museum and tour old city and souk. 3 Tour Carthage; drive Sfax. 4 Drive to Djerba island. 5 Drive via Libyan border to Sabratha; continue to Tripoli. 6 In Tripoli; visit National Museum and tour old city and souk. 7 Drive and visit Leptis Magna. 8 & 9 Full days sightseeing in Leptis Magna. 10 Drive via Qasr al Haj, Tormissa and berber granaries to Yefren. 11 Drive Matmata via Tunisian border. 12 Drive to El Jem; continue to Kairouan. 13 Sighseeing in Kairouan; continue to Mahdia. 14 Drive to Monastir; continue to Tunis. 15 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 13nts hotel, 1nt cave hotel; 14 breakfasts, & 1 dinner included. See p15. Mode of Travel: Charter buses/On foot at sights. Comment: : A comprehensive discovery of the cultural highlights of two distinct north African countries. Come prepared for a few long driving days. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader & guest lecturer Chris Bradley, drivers, local escort and national guides. Group Size: Approx. 15 to 20.
visit the Aghlabid pools and the Great Mosque, one of the oldest, largest and most important in the whole country. From the magnificent amphitheatre at El Jem, rising majestically from the plains of olive groves, we head to Mahdia, the fortress capital of the self-styled Mahdi, the Fatimid ruler of Tunisia in the 10th Century AD. Finally we discover Monastir, the Bourguibe Mosque and Ribat of Harthema.
DATES AND PRICES Flight Inc 15 days Sat to Sat
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2008 deps flight land Price in £s inc only 15 Mar-29 Mar 999 799 09 Aug-23 Aug 1049 799 2009 Price in £s 21 Feb-07 Mar 1049 849 Land Only tour: 15 days - start Tunis day 1 (Sat), end Tunis day 15 (Sat) Plus Local Payment: TND200 (approx £79) payable Tunis Single Room Option: £35* see p14 for details. These are guide prices, see p17 for details.
TUNISIA·LIBYA
Ancient Tunisia & Tripolitiania Ref STL
TUNIS
Ancient Carthage ITALY
City tour Bardo Museum Monastir Great Mosque Aghlabid Pools
KAIROUAN
MAHDIA
El Jem Roman Colosseum
SFAX
MATMATA
DJERBA
MEDITERRANEAN SEA
Old City tour National Museum
El Djem Colosseum
Berber cave village
TUNISIA
Qasr el Haj Visit Berber villages & Granaries
km 0 250
Sabratha
TRIPOLI AL KHOMS
Oea Leptis Magna & Villa Sileen
YEFREN
LIBYA
7
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