Tunisia Cultural Trail

Day 1: Tunis

‘Aslema’ and ‘Marhaba’!

Settle into Tunis and ease into the start of your journey. After arriving at Tunis‑Carthage Airport, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel on Avenue Habib Bourguiba, a central location ideal for exploring the city’s cafés, landmarks and historic quarters.

Hotel: Carlton Hotel, Tunis

Day 2: Tunis – Carthage – Sidi Bou Said

Tunis Medina, Market & Carthage

Discover the heart of Tunis, beginning with the lively Central Market and the UNESCO‑listed medina. Join a hands‑on cooking class in a traditional home before heading to Carthage to explore Punic ports, Roman baths and Byrsa Hill. End the day in wandering the blue and white streets of Sidi Bou Said.

Hotel: Carlton Hotel, Tunis

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch

Day 3: Sousse – Monastir – El Jem – Sfax

Along the Roman coast

Travel along Tunisia’s coast, visiting the Sousse Archaeological Museum and its impressive Roman mosaics, followed by the medina’s historic streets. Continue to Monastir to explore its sea‑facing Ribat, then on to El Jem to stand inside one of the world’s best‑preserved Roman amphitheatres.

Hotel: Les Oliviers Palace, Sfax

Day 4: Matmata – Ksar Hadada

Following Amazigh footsteps

Head into the Dahar desert highlands to explore Matmata’s troglodyte homes and the famous Sidi Idriss underground hotel. Continue to Ksar Hadada, a traditional Berber granary known for its distinctive architecture and Star Wars filming history.

Hotel: Ksar Hadada, Tataouine 

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Dinner

Day 5: Douiret – Chenini – Guermessa

Hikes, cooking and sunsets in Southern Tunisia

Spend the day exploring the ancient hilltop villages of Douiret and Chenini, known for their granaries, narrow pathways and troglodyte dwellings. Continue to Guermessa in the late afternoon, where the views over the surrounding mountains and desert plains create a striking sunset scene.

Gen’s Suggested Highlight: Cook alongside local women in a traditional home, learning regional recipes and techniques passed down through generations.

Hotel: Ksar Hadada, Tataouine

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Dinner

Day 6: Douz – Tembaine

Desert Trails in the Sahara

Arrive in Douz, the gateway to the Sahara, and explore its traditional souk. Then travel by 4×4 deep into the desert, crossing dunes and rugged terrain on your way to Tembaine. Spend the night in an authentic desert camp surrounded by silence and sand.

Hotel: Camp Abdelmoula

Superior

Tunisia

Camp Abdelmoula

Camp Abdelmoula sits on the edge of the Sahara near Douz, offering a quiet desert experience...

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Dinner

Day 7: Tembaine – Douz – Chott Jerid – Tozeur

Salt Lake Crossing to Tozeur

Return across the dunes to Douz before crossing Chott El Jerid, a vast salt lake where mirages, shifting colours and wide open horizons create one of Tunisia’s most surreal desert landscapes. Continue to Tozeur and explore its distinctive medina, known for patterned brick exterior, palm‑wood doors and the traditional architecture that reflects centuries of oasis life.

Gen’s Suggested Highlight: Enjoy a guided tasting of fresh local dates and palm‑based products, offering a flavourful insight into oasis agriculture.

Hotel: Ras El Ain, Tozeur

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Dinner

Day 8: Tozeur

Through the Oases and Canyon Passes

Visit Dar Cheraït Museum, then travel by 4×4 to the mountain oases of Chebika, Tamerza and Mides; a landscape of canyons, waterfalls and palm groves. End the day at Ong Jmal and the Mos Espa Star Wars film set, where the sculpted desert formations and wide open sands create one of the region’s most iconic cinematic landscapes.

Hotel: Ras El Ain, Tozeur

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Dinner

Day 9: Tozeur – Kairouan

Kairouan’s Sacred Landmarks

Travel north to Kairouan, one of Islam’s most important cities. Visit the Great Mosque and explore the UNESCO‑listed medina, taking in its historic architecture, traditional craft workshops and the atmosphere of one of Tunisia’s oldest spiritual centres.

Gen’s Suggested Highlight: An optional makroudh‑making workshop offers a hands‑on introduction to Kairouan’s traditional pastry craft.

Hotel: Paul Klee, Kairouan 

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast

Day 10: Kairouan – Dougga – Mjez El Beb – Hammamet

Across Tunisia’s Roman Heartland to the Sea

Explore Dougga, one of North Africa’s best‑preserved Roman cities, with its temples, theatres and sweeping views over the surrounding olive groves. Continue through the countryside to Mjez El Beb before arriving in Hammamet for the evening.

Gen’s Suggested Highlight: Enjoy an olive oil tasting and lunch in Mjez El Beb, sampling locally produced oils and learning about traditional pressing methods.

Hotel: Al Hambra, Hammamet

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Day 11: Hammamet – Nabeul

Heritage of the Cap Bon Peninsula

Discover the medina of Hammamet before travelling to Nabeul, where you explore the town’s historic medina and its long‑established craft traditions. Visit local artisans and take part in a harissa‑making workshop, learning about the region’s spice heritage and production methods.

Gen’s Suggested Highlight: Join a pottery session in Nabeul, meeting local ceramic artisans and learning traditional shaping and decorating techniques.

Hotel: Al Hambra, Hammamet

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch

Day 12: Departure

Your journey comes to an end…

Following breakfast at your hotel, your driver will transfer you to the airport in good time before your flight home.