"The motionless waves shone around Carthage, for the moon was spreading her light at one upon the mountain-circled gulf and upon the Lake of Tunis, where flamingoes formed long rose coloured lines amid the banks of sand, while further on beneath the catacombs the great salt lagoon shimmered like a piece of silver".

Gustave Flaubert, in Salammbo

This three week Study Tour has an emphasis on the Roman monuments of Tunisia and Libya. We fly to Libya where we begin our program by exploring the superb ruins of Apollonia and Cyrene. Apollonia, on the coast, is famous for its beautiful natural setting and impressive Byzantine remains. At Cyrene we see the picturesque Roman Forum, agora and Temple of Apollo. We also see the wonderful site Museum and wonder at the stupendous Temple of Zeus, one of the largest temples from the ancient world. Our trip to Benghazi then takes us through the dramatic mountainous country of the Green Mountains. En route we see the picturesque remains of Ptolemais, a Hellenistic and Roman city on the coast.

We then fly to Tripoli, the modern capital of Libya. This will be our base as we explore the world class antiquities of the local region. We have two days touring Leptis Magna, a remarkably well preserved site famous for its theatre, Roman Baths, market place and port. We also tour the excellent site museum, with an excellent collection of Roman sculpture and visit the nearby Villa Sileen, a superb Roman residence with outstanding frescos and mosaics. During our stay in Tripoli we explore the National Museum and markets, and visit the picturesque Punic and Roman site of Sabratha with its stunning theatre, Forum and temples.

In Tunisia we wander through the mediaeval walled city of Tunis, visit the picturesque ruins of the ancient Punic city of Carthage and go shopping in the beautiful modern village of Sidi Bou Said. We spend a day exploring the spectacular Roman mosaics in the Bardo Museum and also visit Kerkouane, the best preserved Punic site in Tunisia. We then head west to discover the romantic Roman ruins of Dougga with its awe inspiring Temple of Jupiter and Roman theatre. We investigate the fabulous temples of Sufetula including the Temple of Minerva. In Kairouan we see the impressive fortifications and Grand Mosque before heading to Sousse. The tour ends with a visit to the awe-inspiring Roman theatre at El Jem.

Statue of Persephone from Cyrene

Day 1: Depart Australia
Our flight on Singapore Airlines leaves Australia with a short stop over (normally 1-2 hours) in Singapore.

Day 2: Arrive Cairo - Fly to Benghazi - bus to Susa
We arrive in Cairo in the early morning. Our connecting flight takes us to Benghazi in eastern Libya where we are met by our bus. A short drive takes us through the picturesque Gebel Akhdar (Green Mountains). We check into our hotel at Susa on the north coast of Cyrenaica.

Day 3: Apollonia - Cyrene Museum and Zeus Temple
In the morning we visit the picturesque ruins of Apollonia, ancient port of Cyrene. These include a theatre, baths and early Christian churches. In the afternoon we explore the site museum of Cyrene which contains an astonishing array of sculpture from the Archaic Greek period down to the late Roman Period, much of it in near perfect condition. We also see the magnificent temple of Zeus, rebuilt in the Second Century AD to replace the earlier Doric Temple.

Day 4: Cyrene
The day is spent exploring the stunningly beautiful classical site of Cyrene located on the slopes of the Gebel Akhdar Mountains with glorious views along the coast. We walk around the Roman Forum and Basilica, and see the attractive mosaics in the House of Jason Magnus. The old Greek Agora contains remarkable buildings and sculpture from the early days of the site. We have lunch in a nearby cafe and then see the picturesque temple of Apollo, the superb theatre and the Hadrianic baths. At the end of the day we explore some of the tombs for which the site is famous.

Day 5: Ptolemais - fly from Benghazi to Tripoli
Today we return to Benghazi through the rugged Green Mountains. On the way, we stop to see the attractive ruins of the Graeco-Roman city of Ptolemais. Highlights include the well preserved theatre, houses with mosaics and the Roman cisterns. We have a picnic lunch and visit the local museum of antiquities. In the late afternoon we fly from Benghazi to Tripoli, modern capital of Libya, and check into our hotel.

Day 6: Leptis Magna (Day 1)
The day is spent exploring the extensive ruins of Leptis Magna, undoubtedly one of the most spectacular Roman sites anywhere in the world. The city was founded by Phoenician traders and became a significant urban centre in the Roman period when a new Forum was added. We take the time to explore the main part of the city including the impressive Arch of Septimius Severus, the theatre, the Hadrianic baths, the Severan Forum and Basilica.

Day 7: Leptis Magna (Day 2) - Villa Sileen
A second day at Leptis Magna enables us to complete our survey of this remarkable site. In the morning we visit the superb site museum which contains an outstanding collection of Roman sculpture. After lunch we explore more of Leptis Magna including the harbour with its intact port and lighthouse, and the fantastic Roman amphitheatre. In the afternoon we see the remarkable Villa Sileen, an elite Roman residence with superb mosaics and frescos.

Day 8: Tripoli museum - Arch of Marcus Aurelius - walk in the medina
We spend the morning at the famous national museum in Tripoli, home to a breath taking collection of Roman period sculpture and mosaics. The museum is located in the old fort which guarded the medieval port. We also visit the arch of Marcus Aurelius, one of the few standing remains from Roman Tripoli. In the afternoon we have time for a rest and a walk in the markets of the Old City where we can do some shopping.


Day 9: Sabratha - afternoon rest
The morning is spent visiting the picturesque Roman site of Sabratha, located a short bus ride west of Tripoli. This ancient port city is very well preserved. Highlights include the superb Roman theatre dating to the late Second Century AD, and the dramatically located Temple of Isis overlooking the Mediterranean. The Forum, located on the sea shore, contains a number of well preserved temples, a bath complex and the Senate House. In the afternoon we return to Tripoli where we have time to relax and pack our bags.

Day 10: Morning flight to Tunis - afternoon walk around the Ville Nouvelle
In the morning we fly to Tunis, modern capital of Tunisia. We check into our hotel and go for a leisurely walk along the boulevards of the new city of Tunis (the so-called Ville Nouvelle). This part of Tunis was built by the French in the late 19th Century and is full of excellent cafes where we can stop to watch the passers by. The area is dominated by the impressive Cathedral of St Vincent de Paul.

Day 11: The Bardo Museum
The day is devoted to the magnificent Bardo Museum in Tunis, world-famous for its collection of Roman mosaics. These remarkable masterpieces, derived from a number of Tunisian sites, show many aspects of ancient life and religion. The collection is housed in a beautiful Ottoman Palace together with sculpture and art objects that are representative of Tunisian history. In the afternoon there is time to rest or take a walk.

Day 12: Morning walk in the Tunis Medina (Old City) - afternoon at leisure
This morning we take a walk in the Medina (the old city of Tunis) with its busy shopping district and Great Mosque, a wonderful mediaeval building reflecting the rich Islamic traditions of Tunis. We see the picturesque Tombs of the Beys, enjoy a coffee in the old suq (covered markets), and visit a three-storey merchant's house. There is free time in the afternoon to walk in the bazaar; the shopping opportunities are endless!


Day 13: Carthage - Sidi Bou Said
The morning is spent exploring the ruins of the ancient Punic and Roman city of Carthage which is located a short drive north of Tunis. We explore the Bursa Hill acropolis and houses, the Carthage Museum, the Roman amphitheatre, the old Punic port area and the Tophet Cemetery. In the afternoon we visit the photogenic suburb of Sidi Bou Said with its spectacular views of the Bay of Tunis. This area is well known for its blue painted doors and coffee shops. There is time for shopping and a rest.

Day 14: Daytrip to Kerkouane - Haouaria quarries
In the morning we travel by bus to see the ruins of Kerkouane which are located next to the sea on Cape Bon, a peninsula east of Tunis. This is the best preserved Punic city in the world and is justly famous for the preservation of Punic houses with some of the earliest mosaic floors in the Mediterranean. We also tour the local archaeological museum at Kerkouane. After lunch we head north to see the ancient Punic quarries near Haouaria.

Day 15: Dougga - travel to el Kef
In the morning we travel westward from Tunis through the green Medjerja River Valley. In the late morning we arrive at the ancient Roman site of Dougga where we explore the scenic ruins of the city. Here an entire Roman city is laid out before you with spectacular views over the valley. Highlights include the Capitol (Temple of Jupiter), the Roman theatre, the bath complex and numerous houses with mosaic floors. In the afternoon we travel the short distance to El Kef where we check into our hotel.

Day 16: El-Kef fortress - travel to Sbeitla
We spend the morning in the town of El Kef, a picturesque hill town with panoramic views of the local countryside. Here we see the old Roman baths, visit the Sufi school with its ethnographic collection of Berber artefacts and explore the Ottoman fortress. We have a picnic lunch. In the afternoon we travel south to Sbeitla, location of the ancient Roman city of Sufetula.

Day 17: Sufetula - afternoon at leisure
Today we explore the ruins of the fascinating ancient city of Sufetula which are spread over a wide area. One of the best preserved buildings is the awe inspiring Temple of Minerva in the Roman forum, still retaining its original architrave. Other highlights include the Roman baths, the Arch of Diocletian, a Roman bridge and house mosaics. In the afternoon there is free time to rest, swim in the hotel pool or go shopping in the small local bazaar.


Day 18: Bus to Sousse stopping at the mediaeval city of Kairouan
This day trip takes us eastwards to the coastal city of Sousse. We stop in the mediaeval city of Kairouan, an ancient walled city which was founded shortly after the Arab invasion in the 7th Century AD. The most impressive building is the Aghlabid Period Grand Mosque which incorporates numerous columns from dismantled classical buildings. In the afternoon we have lunch and take a walk in the Kairouan Medina before heading to Sousse on the coast.

Day 19: Day trip to El Jem - Museum and Roman Amphitheatre
Today we travel south by bus for an excursion to El Jem, location of the ancient city of Thysdrus. In the morning we see the superb Museum of El Jem which houses one of the world's best collections of Roman mosaics. A highlight is the reconstructed 'House of Africa' which enables us to walk through an ancient Roman Villa. In the afternoon we tour the awe inspiring El Jem amphitheatre which still retains its underground cells for animals and gladiators.

Day 20: Free day - walk in Sousse medina or visit the Museum
The day is free to rest or take a walk in the medina (fortified city) of Sousse. You can explore the Grand Mosque and the fortified ribat (school) with its impressive watch tower, or visit the Late Ottoman house of a rich merchant family. Not far away is the Sousse Museum located within the fortified Kasbah. It houses wonderful mosaics.

Day 21: Bus to Tunis - fly to Rome and return to Australia
In the early morning we check out of our hotel in Sousse and travel by bus to Tunis, passing through olive groves which have made North Africa rich since Roman times. We catch our morning flight to Rome where we connect for the onward flight to Australia.

Day 22: Arrive in Australia
Arrive back in Australia.

* Please note that the Company reserves the right to make alterations to the itinerary in the period up to 60 days prior to a tour departure. The itinerary may also be subject to minor re-arrangement due to the scheduling of the operators and availability of access. If this occurs, the Company will endeavour to provide a comparable alternative.

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