Archaeological Round trip 7 Nights 8Days

Day 1 : Arrival in Nabeul

Arrival at the airport of TunisCarthage, welcome and transfer to the hotel in Nabeul Dinner and overnight.

Day 2 : NABEUL Breakfast, visit of the National Museum of Nabeul Museum (Phoenician, Roman). Discovery of the Medina of Nabeul with its different souks. Lunch and then visit of The archaeological site of Neapolis Nabeul

Continuation to visit centre of pottery

Back to the hotel, dinner and overnight.

The Nabeul Museum Housed in a modest house in the centre of town, the museum has just been totally refurbished so that it can now attractively display one of the finest collections of objects coming from the various sites on Cape Bon. Essentially, the collection comprises objects originating from either the necropolises, or vestiges of ruined houses. Therefore, funerary furnishings constitute most of the ordinary or ceremonial objects to be found in the showcases. The mosaic pavements are the most eloquent in evoking the beliefs, but also the lifestyle prevailing during Roman times in this Beautiful Promontory The repertory of mosaics is rich and varied and includes rare specimens with themes based on mythology from Antiquity. There are also some outstanding marble sculptures dating to the Roman period, as well as a collection of terracotta objects from a sanctuary dedicated to the Punic gods Baal Hammon and Tanit, attesting to a complex syncretism and that are of exceptional size for terracotta artefacts.

The archaeological site of Neapolis Nabeul Nowadays part of the town of Nabeuls urban fabric, in the tourist area, the ancient site of Neapolis was discovered by chance in 1965 during terracing work. Salvage excavations led to the discovery of a unique complex: a proper industrial installation dating to Roman times for the production of garum and salting of fish. These are unquestionably the remains of a factory producing this condiment that was so popular with the Romans on a large scale, no doubt exporting a large part to other Mediterranean countries where the Romans had spread its use. The complex consists of large basins where the fish guts and small fry were placed to macerate to produce a sauce resembling the Asian nuoc mam. One can see the remains of rows of fish, dried in this case, to preserve them over a long period of time. Not far, on the same site, a residential quarter has been partially excavated along an outstanding paved road, revealing vestiges of luxurious villas, most paved with superb mosaics, some of which are conserved in situ, and others are exhibited in the Nabeul museum.

Day 3 : Hamammet Breakfast and departure for Hamammet. Visit of The archaeological site of Pupput Visit the Medina of Hamammet.

Lunch
Continuation for The fort of Hammamet

Back to the hotel. dinner and overnight at the hotel.

The archaeological site of Pupput Pupput is an ancient city lying about three kilometers to the north-west of the medina of Hammamet and that today is submerged by the tourist zone built over the major part of the archaeological site. It was probably a satellite town of its neighbour Neapolis. Pupput was mentioned for the first time in 168 when it was promoted to municipium governed by an elected council. It seems to have gained some importance during the II and IIIrd centuries when it spread considerably and acquired a great many public monuments. During the Middle ages, the city was defended by a Byzantine citadel. After the Arab conquest, the city took the name of Qasr Zaid before being taken and ravaged in 1303 by Catalan pirates. This signalled the end of the city over whose ruins the charcoal burners from neighbouring Hammamet came to settle. Salvage excavations carried out by archaeologists after chance discoveries made during terracing work revealed a part of a necropolis and a large residential quarter including houses, baths and waterworks. Funerary furnishings and architectural decorative elements were excavated, in particular mosaic pavements indicating a refined lifestyle.

The fort of Hammamet This fort is one of the many military fortifications scattered along the Tunisian coast to defend the coastline. The borj bastion was built in 893. In around 1463 it was considerably extended to serve as the residence of the city governor as well. At the end of the XVI th century, it was substantially modified and adapted to accommodate firearms. The monument was turned into barracks after the establishment of the French protectorate over Tunisian in 1881. As it stands, the citadel is a deformed square of 50m with a salient at each corner. A single door leads into it through a double elbowed corridor. The courtyard is bordered with cells that were used as prisons and storerooms; Sidi Boualis mausoleum, a late XV th century warrior-monk, stands in the middle. .

Day 4 : CAP BON Breakfast and departure for Kelibia ( Clupea) Visit of The fort of Kelibia Continuation to Karkouane Visit of The archaeological site of Karkouane and the archaeological Museum Lunch and then visit of The archaeological Grottes of Haouaria

Back to the hotel. dinner and overnight at the hotel.

The Fort of Kelibia his citadel was built at the top of a 150m high rocky promontory overlooking the sea on the northeastern side of Cape Bon. The oldest parts of the fort comprise Roman components, but the main part of the building dates to the XV Ith century. Subsequently, it underwent several modifications. The massive, squat building is surrounded by a thick wall with square towers. The entrance is defended by a barbican. A ramp passing under a fortified hall leads to the centre of the fort which is surrounded by various spaces dating to different periods, including, probably a Byzantine chapel with three aisles where various documents and plans relating to the fort are displayed, as well as the remains of military installations, an oratory and basins dating to Ottoman times. A lighthouse stands in the bastions southern corner from where an splendid panorama going as far as the Italian island of Pantellaria can be admired. From the wall walk the view overlooks the town of Kelibia and the surrounding countryside. .

Kerkouane his is one of Tunisias most precious archaeological sites because so far it is unique. It was founded during the Punic period perhaps in the Vth century BC and was never rebuilt by the Romans after the third Punic war that resulted in the annexation of Africa to the Roman Empire, thereby ensuring that the urban fabric of this small, as yet unidentified city remained typically Punic. Apparently abandoned at the end of the war with Rome before being discovered in the 50s of the last century, the city had more or less been levelled to the ground. Yet today, the vestiges clearly reveal the plan of a typically Punic city, with the houses neatly outlined and equipped with every facility (bathtubs and ovens included) decorated with primitive mosaic pavements, one of which figures the Punic goddess Tanit. As a coastal city, Kerkouane had a port, some parts of which have survived. It must have engaged in trade with other Mediterranean ports to which it exported agricultural produce as well as craft products, such as purple dyed cloth, as attested by the dyeing installations discovered near the coast as well as the shops also found in a commercial quarter. A museum, housing some of the objects discovered, is to be found at the entrance of the site.

The Kerkouane Museum This small museum was built at the entrance of the Punic archaeological site of Kerkouane. The particularity of the museum is due to the site, for it is the only known Punic city not to have been rebuilt after its destruction in the III rd century BC and consequently it provide a unique picture of a Punic city. If the site reflects the picture of a Punic city, the museum reveals many aspects of everyday life, of economic and commercial activities, and of spiritual life, thanks to the numerous objects found buried under the remains or placed in tombs. The collections are, of course, mainly Punic. But there are also objects on display originating from several Mediterranean countries, in particular Greece for decorative objects (vases, lamps etc) and Egypt for religious objects (seals, amulets, figurines etc.) that attest to the intense maritime activity of Carthaginian sailors.

Day 6 : Nabeul Day off (on half-board). Relax (visit of Nabeul, centre of pottery)

1 Option : Tunis/ Bardo/ Medina of Tunis/ Carthago /Sidi Bou Said (35 EUR / Per person)

Breakfast, visit of the National Museum Bardo (Phoenician, Roman, Muslim-Arabic department, etc.). Discovery of the Medina of Tunis with its different souks. Lunch and then visit of Carthago (Phoenician port, ruins of the Thermal Baths of Antoninus, Coliseum, the hill of Byrsa,). Stroll through the picturesque village of Sidi Bou Sad. Back to the hotel,.

Day 7 : Nabeul Day off (on half-board).

Option : Kairouan / El Jem / Monastir Breakfast and then departure for Kairouan First stop of this excursion is Kairouan , the 4 th holy city of Islam and Tunisia 's spiritual capital. You will visit the Great Mosque, the most ancient religious building in the Muslim West . Subsequently, you will discover the Barber's Mausoleum and have spare time to stroll through the Medina . You will also have the chance to visit the Aghlabid Pools, built in the IX century to supply the city of Kairouan with drinking water. Continuation to the town of El Jem, the ancient city of Thysdrus, one of the most prosperous of Roman Africa, for the visit of its Amphitheatre. Last leg of this excursion is the town of Monastir , the ancient - first Punic then Roman - city of Ruspina . You will visit the Mausoleum of Bourguiba and the Ribat, where visitors are allowed access to its tower to enjoy a beautiful view of the whole monument and the bay of Monastir . Back to the hotel. (37 EUR / Per person )

Day 8 :NABEUL - AIRPORT TUNIS CARTHAGE Breakfast Transfer from the hotel to the Tunis Carthage Airport for departure. AND OF SERVICES

our prices: 1. 322 EUR Hotel 3 *** / Per person Single Supplement 70 EURO 2. 398 Euro Hotel 4 **** / Per person Single Supplement 105 EURO

Included in our prices: Transport by air conditioned coaches Accommodation in the hotels in Half Pension (breakfast+ dinner) following our programme All entrances following our programme Escort with professional guide Not included in our prices: Optional tours - personal expenses - Customary tips to guide and drivers - all international flights - early check in and late check out at hotels - visa fee - things not mentioned in the itinerary SUPPLEMENTS : CHRISTMAS Dinner (24/12/12) & SYLVESTER Dinner (31/12/12) are obligatory and with supplement (will inform you when you send the period of your trip )

TUNISIE PRIVILEGE VOYAGES

1, Rue de la Justice 8000 NABEUL TUNISIE Tel: + 216 72 232 479 Fax : + 216 72 232 288 Email: tpv@tunisieprivilegevoyages.com Email: events@tunisieprivilegevoyages.com

Contact: Isabel ESCALA Tel: + 216 98 338 536 Email: isabel@tunisieprivilegevoyages.com

Moez EL BENNA Tel: + 216 98 309 141 Email: moez@tunisieprivilegevoyages.com