This is an exceptional journey into the dramatic and captivating world of Tunisia’s Classical past. Across a landscape of shimmering coastline, fertile plains and sweeping semi-desert, we encounter the powerful legacies of the Phoenicians, Romans and early Islamic world: civilisations that shaped the history of the Mediterranean. At Carthage, we stand amid the remains of the great Phoenician trading empire that once rivalled Rome, tracing its meteoric rise and catastrophic destruction in 146 BC. At El Jem, the vast amphitheatre, one of the grandest in the Roman world, brings vividly to life the spectacle and brutality of imperial entertainment on Africa’s shores. And at breathtaking Dougga, set high above a magnificent valley, we wander through temples, baths and theatres in one of the best-preserved Roman towns anywhere, imagining daily life in this prosperous provincial city. Throughout, outstanding museums enrich our understanding, above all the world-famous Bardo, whose extraordinary mosaics illuminate the colour, artistry and sophistication of Roman North Africa.

Poised between Africa and Europe, Tunisia has long been a crossroads of civilisations, its rich and varied landscapes matched by an equally layered cultural history. From the early Numidian kingdoms of the first millennium BC to the Tunisian Revolution of 2010 that ignited the Arab Spring, this small nation has repeatedly stood at the centre of Mediterranean history. Across its plains, coasts and desert fringes lie the traces of Phoenician merchants, Roman governors and Arab conquerors: each leaving an indelible mark on the language, architecture and identity of the land. Periods of immense prosperity alternated with dramatic upheaval: Carthage rose to dominate Mediterranean trade before its destruction by Rome; Roman Africa flourished in wealth and urban sophistication; the Arab Muslim conquest reshaped society, faith and skyline alike, replacing classical colonnades with soaring minarets and magnificent domed mosques. Tunisia’s strategic position made it a coveted prize, drawing Greeks, Phoenicians and Romans into fierce rivalry for control of its harbours and fertile hinterland. The result is a country of extraordinary historical depth, a living mosaic of cultures layered one upon another across more than three millennia.

Day 1: Arrival.
Fly from London to Tunis Carthage International Airport and transfer to our hotel. Welcome drink and introductory talk. Hotel in the Tunis area for three nights. (D).

Day 2: Carthage.
Spend the morning immersed in the dramatic history of Carthage, once a city of immense power and splendour. In the afternoon return to Tunis to visit the superb Bardo Museum, home to an outstanding collection of Punic, Hellenistic, Roman and Christian treasures and the largest collection of mosaics in the world. (B,L,D).

Day 3: Utica.
This morning take a short trip to atmospheric Utica, an ancient Punic city that became the first capital of the Roman province of Africa and a powerful centre in its own right. Its wealth is reflected in the grand houses of its patricians, including the remarkable House of the Cascades. Return to Tunis for lunch and spend the afternoon exploring the city’s finest sites on a walking tour of the centre. (B,L,D).

Day 4: Cape Bon.
Enjoy a relaxing day on the magnificent Cape Bon peninsula. Drive first to Kerkouane, an important Punic city destroyed during the First Punic War from 264 to 241 BC. Set above the churning Mediterranean, it offers superb coastal views as we continue to Nabeul, famed in Roman times for producing garum. Continue to Sousse, our base for the next three nights. (B,L,D).

Day 5: Kairouan.
Visit the excellent Museum of Islamic Art in Kairouan and explore the treasures that reflect one of the most significant cultural transformations in Tunisia’s history. In the afternoon wander the whitewashed streets of this ancient holy Muslim capital, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see the revered Great Mosque with the oldest minaret in the Muslim west. (B,L,D).

Day 6: Sousse and El Jem.
Drive to the colossal Amphitheatre of El Jem, among Tunisia’s most impressive Roman monuments and a powerful reminder of ancient spectacle. After lunch visit the Sousse Archaeological Museum, rich in vibrant mosaics and artefacts that illuminate life in classical times, then enjoy a walking tour of the ninth century Sousse Medina, an outstanding example of Aghlabid military architecture. (B,L,D).

Day 7: Dougga.
Travel through beautiful countryside to the breathtaking ruins of Dougga, one of the best preserved and most enthralling Roman sites in Africa. This UNESCO World Heritage Site stands proudly on a hillside with sweeping views, inviting exploration of its baths, villas and theatres. Wander its remarkable network of ancient streets and alleyways. Hotel in Dougga for one night. (B,L,D).

Day 8: Thurbabo Majis and Uthina.
Drive back to Tunis through the striking scenery of central Tunisia. Stop at Thurbabo Majis, originally a Punic settlement that prospered under Roman rule by taxing trade between plain and sea. Visit the well preserved Forum and civic and religious buildings, dominated by six fine fluted Corinthian columns. Continue to Uthina, whose mosaics are displayed in the Bardo Museum, and explore its theatre and impressive cisterns. (B,L,D).

Day 9: Home.
Transfer to Tunis Carthage International Airport for the flight back to London (or you may want to extend your stay in Tunisia). (B).