North Tunisia Explorer

We touch down at Tunis–Carthage Airport and meet our local representative, complete the formalities and drive into the capital. We transfer to our hotel, catching first glimpses of lively streets and characterful neighbourhoods along the way. You have free time to unwind after the journey or take a short stroll nearby to start soaking up the local atmosphere at your own pace. Later we meet our guide and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing – we outline the days ahead, answer questions and share practical tips for the journey.

We leave Tunis and head northwest towards Sejnane, passing rural scenery of rolling hills and farmland. In Sejnane we join a hands–on pottery workshop with local women, learning age–old hand shaping and decorating techniques recognised by UNESCO. We continue to the Mediterranean town of Tabarka to explore the Roman, later Genoese, fort that commands the harbour – we walk the ramparts for sweeping views where green hills meet blue sea. Leaving the coast, we climb into the Kroumirie Mountains towards Ain Draham, pausing among forests of cork oak and evergreen to savour the cool air and tranquil highland vistas.

We set out into the forests around Ain Draham, where cork oak and evergreen thrive – a serene immersion in crisp mountain air. We then share a traditional lunch with a local family, with regional dishes and warm conversation offering a genuine window onto everyday mountain life.

We depart Ain Draham for Bulla Regia, driving through countryside dotted with olive groves and small villages. At the site we explore remarkable Roman remains, famed for ingenious underground houses designed to escape the summer heat – we wander sunken courtyards, intricate mosaics and cool vaulted rooms. We continue to the hilltop town of El Kef to stroll the old medina’s narrow lanes and traditional houses, soaking up the calm ambience and wide views over the surrounding country. We visit Dar el Khobz – the House of Bread – for a practical introduction to regional loaves, taking part in a demonstration and tasting them fresh from the oven. Leaving El Kef, we drive towards the countryside near Dougga, well placed to explore the ruins tomorrow.

We head to Dougga, one of North Africa’s best–preserved Roman towns and a UNESCO World Heritage site – we explore its theatre, temples and streets for a vivid insight into provincial life. From here we drive through farmland to a nearby olive–growing estate for an olive oil tasting, learning how it is produced and how to recognise its flavours. We then enjoy a simple farm–to–table Tunisian lunch made with fresh local ingredients before returning by road to Tunis for the night.

You have free time in Tunis – unwind or take a gentle stroll near the hotel to soak up the atmosphere at your own pace. When it is time to depart, we transfer you to Tunis–Carthage Airport in good time, offering a final glimpse of the city en route. You check in for your onward or homeward flight as we bid farewell after a journey rich in history and culture.