Day trips to the Pakleni Islands

After being picked up from your Tunis accommodation, set off for Kairouan. Start your tour with a visit to the last 2 9th-century Aghlabite Basins which were among the greatest waterworks of the Middle Ages. Witness the monuments from the top of the Tourist Information Building as you gain an introduction to the foundation of Kairouan and its glorious age. After this, continue the tour with a visit to the 7th-century Great Okba Mosque, the oldest mosque in North Africa. Appreciate the powerful and beautiful expression of faith inherent in the 9th-century architecture. Proceed to the nearby Sidi Sahbi, to visit the 17th-19th century building known for its minaret and beautiful courtyards lined with green-blue tile work and white plaster stucco. Then, arrive at the entrance to the Medina for a guided walk through the main street and up to the mystical "Bir Barrouta". Spend some free time strolling through the Medina and shopping. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant.  Finally, climb back into the vehicle and take a 1 hour and 15-minute transfer to the El Jem amphitheater - the main attraction of the tour and one of Tunisia's most visited sites.  Discover how this monumental amphitheater was built in the 3rd-century and is the largest Roman monument left in Africa, ranking 3rd in the Empire after those in Rome and Verona. Marvel at its architecture which was considered to be an improvement of the Colosseum in Rome, though it is a tiny bit smaller. At the end of the tour, begin your return journey to Tunis where you will be dropped off back at your accommodation.

Depart Hammamet for Sidi Bou Said, a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated on the Gulf of Tunis. Discover this world-famous location, said to reflect the delicacy of its inhabitants through its architecture.  The village boasts an almost-perfect balance between its two symbolic colors, blue and white. The small Bordj, which sheltered the Mourabitounes in the 9th century, has stretched over the centuries to be transformed into a village sheltering the noblemen of Tunisia. Discover the Palace nejma ezahra, the luxurious residence that Baron Rodolphe d'Erlanger built at the beginning of the 20th century. Between its paintings and musical instruments from the 20s and 30s, it is a masterpiece in the true sense of the word Visit Dar Alaïa; situated at the peak of the hill of the mythical village of Sidi Bou Saïd, it is an exhibition-tribute to the great Tunisian couturier Ezzedine alai. Depart then to visit Carthage and discover its exciting story through the ruins and a visit to the American Cemetery. The cemetery consists of a few acres of grass, flowers, and a wide variety of century-old trees that are the resting place of the 3,000 soldiers who gave their lives during the Second World War.

Set off to explore Tunis and its surroundings. The getaway will start with the Old Medina, the economic heart of the city, and a monument classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Stroll through the narrow alleys and discover the monuments, the history, and the unique architecture of this site. Visit the famous Zitouna mosque, the Medresas, and the Kasbah. Then, head to the Bardo Museum, the richest in the world in terms of the Roman mosaics collection. Meet Virgil, Neptune, and learn more about the civilizations that occupied Tunisia. In the afternoon, discover the ruins of Carthage, the Punic city invaded by the Romans. Admire these monuments and discover the hill of Byrsa, the Punic port, the Antonine Baths, and other UNESCO World Heritage sites. At the end of the day, take advantage of free time to stroll in the alleys of Sidi Bou Said, with its white walls and blue doors which dominate the bay of Tunis.

Depart from your centrally-located accommodation in Tunis and head to El Jem. Begin your visit with El Jem’s amphitheater, the main attraction and one of Tunisia’s most-visited sites. This monumental amphitheater, built in the mid-third century AD (230-240 AD), is the largest Roman monument left in Africa and ranks third in the Empire after those in Rome and Verona. One of the last large amphitheaters built during the Roman era, its architectural design is an improvement of that of Rome's Colosseum. Continue your tour with an authentic lunch at a local restaurant. Proceed to Monastir to visit the Ribat of Monastir, an Islamic defensive structure and the oldest ribat built by the Arab conquerors during the Muslim conquest of the Maghreb. It is also the most prominent monument in the city of Monastir. After the ribat, head to the Bourguiba Mausoleum, the final resting place of the first president of the Tunisian Republic. Explore at your own pace until it’s time to return to your hotel in Tunis.