From the verdant north to the desert south - 15-day Land Rover trip

From the verdant north to the desert south – 15-day Land Rover trip

An invigorating holiday offering architectural explorations of the key cities and trips into the deser…

15 DAYS /14 NIGHTS

Description
In brief
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A la carte

Shortly after arriving in the blue village of Sidi Bou Saïd, set off with your guide to explore the well-preserved charms of the Medina of Tunis before reaching the unspoilt landscapes and the nature reserve in the region of Bizerte. Cap Bon is your home, and from “Dar Sabri” you’ll be able to view Nabeul and its craftsmanship in a different light. The mystical holy city of Kairouan reveals its history and you will be received like royalty at the Kasbah. As you travel south, aboard your Land Rover, take to the hills, travel on tarmac roads and let yourself be progressively amazed at the desert, the authenticity of the troglodyte dwellings and the generosity of the Berber inhabitants…

Day 1

Private transfer upon arrival at the airport and stay 2 nights at “La Villa Bleue” in Sidi Bou Saïd.

Day 2

After half a day exploring Tunis, you will follow our enthusiastic historian, author and urban architect to explore the secret establishments in the Medina and also the Art Nouveau Tunis. Enter the doors of 17th century palaces, roam the narrow, winding streets and discover the Tunis of days gone by. You can also take the pulse of the modern Tunis in the Central Market, a series of covered halls where all the locals come together to do their shopping amid the joyful shouts of the greengrocers, butchers, fishmongers, cheesemongers, and other traders…

Day 3

Depart towards Bizerte for El Alia and stay 2 nights in the heart of the countryside in the guest house “Henchir Dheb” (The Golden Farm). On the journey, enjoy the landscapes of the Tunisian countryside and visit the archaeological site of Utique (à la carte).

Day 4

A full day combining both Bizerte and the national park of Ichkeul, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In winter and spring, this is a paradise for nature-lovers, particularly for birdwatchers. Each year, this reserve, which is one of the most important in North Africa, is home to nearly 180 species of birds which can be seen on the site and in the site’s ecomuseum. Depending on the season, greylag geese, wild ducks, storks and pink flamingos can be seen, and also water buffalo, otters, foxes, wild boar and turtles. Your journey continues to the little Venice of North Africa, Bizerte, its old port and its medina.

Day 5

Depart for El Haouaria at the tip of the Cap Bon peninsula and stay 3 nights at the “Dar Enesma” guest house. You will cross one of the most beautiful regions in the country, Cap Bon, with its citrus crops, its sandy beaches and its unspoilt creek…

Day6

A day of boating and snorkelling in the creeks of El Haouaria. Explore the Cap Bon region from the sea aboard a motor boat chartered specially for you. Play at Robinson Crusoe in the still unspoilt creeks and bathe in a turquoise sea before enjoying a seafood picnic (grilled fish, sea urchins). A day of real relaxation.

Day 7

A walk in the mountain overlooking the sea, the jbel El Haouaria. Your day begins with a breakfast where you can try out some regional products before trekking along the paths of the El Haouaria mountain. Your nature guide will tell you about the ecological importance of the region. The scent of thyme, rosemary and heather fill the air and, depending on the season, you can observe the migrations of numerous species of birds.
Lunch takes place in a hut that is mostly open to the surrounding countryside. And the day ends delightfully with an exploration of a forest of centuries-old olive trees (à la carte).

Day 8

Depart for Nabeul and stay 2 nights at “Dar Sabri”. This guest house nestling in the heart of the Medina of Nabeul is a haven of peace, coolness and calmness for the passing visitor. The swimming pool, the solarium, the hammam and the wonderfully decorated bedrooms exude an aura of relaxation.

Day 9

During this day of discovery in Nabeul, your guide-historian will teach you a lot about the history of the town and the coexistence of its Jewish, Muslim and Christian communities. Meanwhile, the archaeological site of Néapolis, situated along the coast, and the archaeological museum of Nabeul testify to the Roman past.

Day 10

Depart for the historic city of Kairouan, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and stay at the hotel “La Kasbah”. This hotel, situated in the heart of the holy city of Kairouan and only a few metres from the historic El Okba mosque, is based on the Arab-Muslim architecture of the town. The hotel, which was constructed very recently, incorporates certain ancient wings which have been restored, such as the exceptionally beautiful Moorish café.

Day 11

Depart for the region of Matmata, known for its troglodyte dwellings. On the way, admire the desert landscapes.
Stay a single night in a troglodyte guest house called “Trait d’Union”.

Day 12

Depart for the island of Djerba and stay 3 nights at “Dar Bibine”. This accommodation is a magnificently renovated house combining traditional Djerban architecture and sleek design.

Day 13

A day filled with art, accompanied by the painter Zied. Immerse yourselves as a family in a world of watercolours and sketches and let your imagination run free (à la carte). Explore the charming village of Erriadh and visit Djerbahood, its open-air urban art museum. There are around a hundred paintings by famous international artists portraying the architecture of the village. Erriadh is also home to the oldest synagogue in Africa, the Ghriba. Evidence of the coexistence of the communities on the island of Djerba, the Ghriba attracts thousands of pilgrims in May each year. This is an opportunity for the Jews on the island, who represent one of the last communities in the Arab world, to attend numerous joyful celebrations.

Day 14

Tour the island of Djerba at your own pace.
Djerba must-sees: the museum of arts and tradition of Houmt-Souk, Djerba Explore and its Crocod’îles animal park, the souks of Houmt-Souk, the island’s defensive borjs, or small forts, the Borj Mustapha Ghazi at Houmt-Souk, the potters’ village of Guellala, and much more…

JOUR 15

Private transfer to the airport and return flight.

15 days/14 nights – flights not included

Budget includes

Transfer for each stage by Land Rover with chauffeur.
Bed and breakfast accommodation at “La Villa Bleue”, at “Dar Sabri”, at the hotel “La Kasbah” and at “Dar Bibine”
Half-board at the guest houses “Henchir Dheb”, “Dar Enesma” and “Trait d’Union”
Accompanied tour of the Medina of Tunis and modern Tunis.
Day excursion to the national park of Ichkeul and Bizerte.
A day of boating and snorkelling in the creeks of El Haouaria.
Accompanied tour of Nabeul.

The coastal towns with their wealth of history and their sandy beaches
the holy and historic city of Kairouan, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Exploring Tunis, Carthage, Sidi Bou Saïd, Nabeul and the authentic region of Cap Bon…

Lunch meeting with a Tunisian personality

As the initiator of the “Arab spring”, Tunisia was the impetus for the revolutions in the region. The country has always differentiated itself through its openness and its aspiration for democracy. In this exceptional politico-historical context, we can organise for you a lunch or dinner with Tunisians who are at the heart of the current changes: artists, intellectuals, campaigners, business leaders or mere employees who also happen to be players in civil society. You will have an amazing opportunity to exchange views with them and gain a better understanding of the challenges facing Tunisian society, away from the clichés and closer to the facts. This meeting will also allow you to find out more about the traditions, the cuisine and the local culture.

Exploration of the archaeological site of Utique

Founded by the Phoenicians in the 12th century BC. Utique is one of the oldest towns in the Western Mediterranean. It’s hard to imagine that the city, an essential forum for Mediterranean trade, was once beside the Mediterranean sea. Today, Utique is inland and is where sediment from the river Medjerda is deposited which has caused the city to become isolated. Thanks to the Punic necropolis, the Roman villas and also the jewels, amphorae, headstones and sarcophagi on display at the museum, you will be able to acquaint yourself with the richness of this ancient city.

Indulgent nature hike at El Haouaria

Dinner: the flavours of “Dar Bibine”

Tunisian cuisine contains the blend of peoples that constitute its history: from Berber semolina to Jewish tagines, Andalusian pastries delicately flavoured with flower water and subtly spiced Spanish stews. We invite you to discover this reinvented and refined cuisine at a meal at “Dar Bibine”.

Travel journal in Erriadh

A day filled with art, accompanied by the painter Zied. Immerse yourself in a world of watercolours and sketches and let your imagination run free. Explore the charming village of Erriadh which is home to the Ghriba, the oldest synagogue in Africa, and visit Djerbahood, its open-air museum of urban art. There are around a hundred paintings by international artists depicting the architecture of Erriadh.
Evidence of the coexistence of the communities on the island of Djerba, the Ghriba attracts thousands of pilgrims in May each year. This is an opportunity for the Jews on the island, who represent one of the last communities in the Arab world, to attend numerous joyful celebrations.