Inside Tunisia - World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth

HOTELS
Tunis: Golden Tulip 5★
Located in the suburbs of Tunis, some 20 minutes from the heart of the city, the
Golden Tulip is a deluxe hotel with beautiful interiors, spacious rooms, several
restaurants, fitness club and architecturally, very attractive. Near the ocean and
many nice suburban dining areas, the hotel is not on the water, but on a hill overlooking the sea, five minutes from the ocean.
http://www.goldentulip.com/PropertyInformation.aspx?PropCode=GT;29563&Sho
wLanguage=EN
Ain Draham: La Foret 4★
A modern hotel built within mountains and cork forest region of Ain Draham.
Classified as a 4★ hotel, the rooms and facilities are certainly fine for a night. The
setting makes the hotel well worthwhile.
http://www.hotellaforet.com.tn/hotel.htm
Kairouan: La Kasbah 5★
Beautiful interiors both in the common areas and within the spacious guest rooms,
utilizing Tunisian tile work and native handicrafts. Located within the heart
of Kairouan with architecture that borrows one of the historic walls of the city.
http://www.goldenyasmin.com/la-kasbah/fr/region.htm
Sousse: Hasdrubal in Port el Kantoui 5★
Seaside resort hotel. Among the primarily mega size hotels in Sousse, this is one
of the medium size hotels run by a very good Tunisian company.
http://www.hasdrubal-hotel.com/english/kantaoui/presentation.asp
Tozeur: Dar Cherait 5★
For Tunisian standards, on the smaller size, relative to the Tunisian tendency to
have LARGE hotels. Beautiful architecture, tiled walls and interiors that reflect
Tunisian design and handicrafts. Nice pool and Turkish bath are among the amenities.
Very nice buffet restaurant. Great location.
http://www.darcherait.com.tn/acceuil.htm
Jerba: Radisson 5★
Opened in 2006, the Radisson brings another option for those wanting a deluxe
hotel in Tunisia. With wireless Internet, spa facilities, spacious rooms and numerous
dining options along the seashore, the Radisson is a welcome addition to the island
of Jerba.
www.djerba.radissonsas.com
Tunis: Abou Nawas Tunis 5★
Five star hotel in central Tunis. Similar in size and standards to a nice Marriott hotel
in the U.S., albeit with an Oriental flavor. This is often the hotel of choice for U.S.
diplomats and for international conferences.
http://www.abounawas.com.tn/site/fr/article.php?id_article=26
Inside Tunisia:
April 22 – May 4, 2008
Brochure photography by Julie Lafair Miller and Jerry Sorkin.
Trip price: $4,400 based upon double occupancy and a minimum group size of 15 travelers. Single supplement: $695. Roundtrip airfare from east coast
approx. $1,000. Since participants will use a variety of U.S. gateways, we do not have a “group” flight. However, we can make recommendations and individual
transfers are included for trip members. WAC and its agents will help provide the best fares possible at time of booking. Included: Double occupancy in deluxe
hotels, all sightseeing, cultural activities and meals, as noted. Not Included: Trip cancellation, lost baggage or medical insurance. Cancellations: up to
December 16, $600 penalty; between December 17 and February 16, 50% trip cost; after February 17, no refund. Notes: No visa required for US citizens. Should
a speaker cancel or an event change, we will attempt to find a replacement of a similar caliber. No refunds for such changes.
Contact Us: World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, One South Broad St., Suite 2M, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-561-4700 or 800-942-5004 x 217
Reservation form for Inside Tunisia
Please return with a $600 per person deposit to:
World Affairs Council of Philadelphia
One South Broad Street, Suite 2M, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Or call: 215-561-4700
Outside Philadelphia area call: 800-942-5004 ext. 209 or 217
E-mail: travel@wacphila.org Fax: 215-561-5660
Name:___________________________________________ Day Phone:__________________ Evening Phone:___________________
Address:__________________________________________ City:_______________________ State:__________ Zip:_____________
Email:___________________________________ Single____ Twin____ Roommate*____ Enclosed: my deposit for $__________________
Check__ OR Visa__ MC__ Account #_______________________________________ Exp.____________ 3 digit security code____________
FINAL PAYMENT BY CHECK ONLY – Checks payable to WAC of Phila and due February 17
I am a member of the_________________ Council.
*(We will try and find a roommate, however, if we cannot you must pay the single supplement.)
Join Jim Falk, Dallas/Ft. Worth Council on World Affairs President
& Tunisia aficionado on a journey to the undiscovered Pearl of the Mediterranean!
1 South Broad Street, 2M • Philadelphia, PA 19107 • 1-800-942-5004 • e-mail: travel@wacphila.org • www.wacphila.org
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An invitation from Jim Falk
At age 15, I moved with my parents to Tunisia for what we all thought was
going to be one year of study abroad. What occurred was a life long love
of a country and the start of an international career. While living in Tunis,
whenever possible, I traveled on my Vespa from our home north to the
archaeological and World War II sites and south to the Island of Djerba
known as the Island of the Lotus Eaters. Returning to the States for
college and graduate school, I continued to study and teach others about
Tunisia's unique position in the Arab world. Currently, I am President of
the Dallas/Ft. Worth Council on World Affairs, an officer with the national
association, and formerly was at the Middle East Institute as press officer
and director of education. Please join me to explore this wonderful country.
Day 1- Tuesday, April 22 – Departure from the USA
Departures from the US on international flights, with Wednesday morning flight
connections in Europe for the short flight to Tunis.
Day 2- Wednesday, April 23 – Tunis
Arrive in Tunis and transfer to hotel along the seacoast of Tunis, where a light
lunch will be served. Rest and relaxation from flight. Welcoming dinner in
a former mansion within the medina, now operating as a restaurant, where
you will have your introduction to Tunisian cuisine and meet your fellow WAC
travelers. Overnight in Tunis. (D)
R
A
R
often serves as a base for hunters who comes to this mountainous region
to hunt wild boar. Dinner and overnight in Ain Draham region. (B,L,D)
Day 5- Saturday, April 26 – Chemtou/Dougga
Today you continue touring the Roman heartland of Tunisia. Your first stop is
Chemtou, with its more recently uncovered remains. From Chemtou, you head
south and east, arriving to Dougga, Tunisia's largest Roman site. Dougga,
covering some sixty acres, was known as the city of temples and its existence
is thought to date back to the 4th century B.C.
From Dougga, you drive southeast to Kairouan, Tunisia’s holy city and site
of the first mosque in Africa. Dinner and overnight in Kairouan. (B,L,D)
Day 6- Sunday, April 27 – Kairouan
This morning you explore Kairouan. During medieval times, Kairouan rose to
become an important center for trade and crafts, due to its presence on the
route of pilgrims going from Andalusia and other North African points, en route
to Mecca.
From Kairouan, you head east to the coastal city of Sousse. You will have an
opportunity to browse through historic Sousse, within the walls of the ribat.
You then drive to your seaside base for the night in the Sousse area of Kantoui.
This evening we will be joined by academics from the University of Sousse who
will discuss varying perspectives within Tunisia of foreign policies pertaining
to the Mediterranean region. Overnight in Sousse. (B,L,D)
Day 7- Monday, April 28 – El Jem/Sousse
This morning you drive south to El Jem, known in Roman times as Thysdrus
and noted for its amphitheater, which is similar to the coliseum of Rome and
the largest, single structure in Roman Africa. You will also visit the museum
of El Jem, with its expansive collection of mosaics.
Day 3- Thursday, April 24 – Tunis
Morning orientation of the capital, with your first stop being Carthage, the most
famous (though by no means the largest) of Tunisia's ruins. Seeing Carthage
will help one understand the strategic importance of Tunisia within the
Mediterranean region to the Phoenicians, the Romans and the numerous subsequent settlers who wanted to rule this ancient land. From Carthage, you drive
to the Bardo Museum. Housed in a former palace of the Ottoman Bey, the
Bardo is home to a world-class collection of mosaics. From the Bardo, you
drive to the historic heart of Tunis, the medina, where you will have a walking
tour of this city whose architecture dates back to the 7th century. Dinner this
evening will be in the charming village of Sidi Bou Said, where we will be joined
by guests who will be able to talk about Tunisia’s current role within the political arena of the Middle East/North Africa and the West. Overnight in Tunis.
(B,L,D)
TUNISIA
Following El Jem, you
travel eastward to the
coast, where you will
have the opportunity to
visit the historic site of
Thapsus. The site is still
undergoing excavation,
with interesting finds
being uncovered. Thapsus
was the site of the
famous Battle of Thapsus
which marked a turning
point in the history of
both Rome and North
Africa. From Thapsus,
you return to Sousse
area, where the rest of
the afternoon is free for
you to enjoy as you
choose. Lunch will be
somewhere in the region.
Dinner tonight is independent, providing you
the opportunity to
explore Sousse’s many
dining options. Overnight
in Sousse. (B,L)
Day 8- Tuesday, April
29 – Sbeitla/Tozeur
This morning you drive
to Sbeitla. Sbeitla is an
impressive antiquity site,
known in Roman times as Sufetula. Among the ruins are Tunisia’s most expansive collection of early Christian remains.
During your travels, we will also have an opportunity to stop and visit one of
the many rural business projects in Tunisia involving women entrepreneurs.
From Sbeitla, we continue southwest, through a rather undeveloped area of the
country, where the topography leaves the green of the northern half of Tunisia
and enters the more barren tones of the south, eventually arriving to Tozeur by
late afternoon. Evening tour of the Dar Cheraiat Museum. Dinner and
overnight in Tozeur. (B,L,D)
Day 9- Wednesday, April 30 – Tozeur and oasis region
Morning visit via 4-wheel drive vehicles to the mountain oases of Tamerza and
Chebika, with the exotic contrasts of barren hills juxtaposed with waterfalls and
Day 4- Friday, April 25 – Northern Tunisia/Bulla Regia/Ain Draham
This morning, you depart Tunis for the northwest part of the country. Taking
scenic country roads, you head north and then west, with stops in Utica to see
the remains of this historic site. En route, we will have lunch in a beautiful
private home on a farm along the northern coast. We will have the opportunity
to hear from a Tunisian speaker about the changes in Tunisia over the last generations. You continue on via scenic country roads of this northern and rather
undeveloped part of Tunisia, eventually arriving to Bulla Regia, one of the
major Roman sites in Tunisia.
Following your tour of Bulla Regia, you proceed into the cork forests, where
the topography and architecture of the region is unlike anywhere else in
Tunisia. Your base for the night will be the small town of Ain Draham, where
you will stay in a hotel that is more reminiscient of a hunting lodge and in fact,
Y
palm groves. Afternoon return to Tozeur, where you will tour the oasis of
Tozeur and the historic part of Tozeur. The remainder of the afternoon is at
your leisure to relax by the pool or explore more of Tozeur's old town. Dinner
and overnight in Tozeur. (B,L,D)
Day 10- Thursday, May 1 – Chott el Jerid/Douz/Matmata
This morning, you depart early for further exploration of Tunisia’s south. You
travel eastward via the Chott-el-Jerid, Tunisia’s salt lake and then stop in Douz,
a small town that appears to be plopped down amidst the dunes. Thursday
morning is “market day” in Douz, one of Tunisia’s most colorful market days.
Traders come from various areas of the south to trade wares of all types,
including camels. You will also have an opportunity to go on a brief camel ride
within the dunes, if you wish.
From Douz, you continue east eventually arriving to the region of Matmata. This
region’s crater like topography is dotted with troglodyte dwellings. Its exotic
settings provided one of the film locations for the movie, Star Wars. You will
have an opportunity to explore some of these dwellings and the region, as well
as have lunch in a troglodyte restaurant. You depart in the late afternoon,
heading east to the coast, for the ferry crossing to the island of Jerba. You
arrive at your seaside hotel around dinner time. Overnight in Jerba. (B,L,D)
Day 11- Friday, May 2 – Jerba
Morning tour of the island (sometimes spelled: Djerba), which was a port of
call to the Phoenicians and a port where Ulysses and his men were detained on
their return from Troy. Jerba's island location has always provided its people
a simple and peaceful lifestyle, which continues today. Jerba is also the home
of one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world. You will visit the Ghriba
synagogue, as well as having an intimate opportunity to meet members of this
ancient, yet vibrant Jewish community, a community unique within the Arab
world, today! The afternoon is at your leisure to enjoy the easy going pace of
the island. You may choose to spend time exploring the souks (markets) and
having a leisurely lunch on your own, at one of the towns many seafood restaurants. For dinner tonight, you will have an opportunity hear about the changes
in Jerban, island life, as well as the long and continuous interaction between
the Muslim and Jewish communities of Jerba. Dinner and overnight in Jerba.
(B,D)
Day 12- Saturday, May 3 – Jerba/Tunis
You take a late morning flight back to Tunis, where upon arrival, you will be
transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is free to enjoy lunch
and do any last minute exploring of the capital, shopping in the souk or simply
relaxing. Your farewell dinner will be in a very special restaurant. Overnight
in Tunis. (B,D)
Day 13- Sunday, May 4 – Tunis/USA
Morning departure to the US via European gateway, arriving late the same day. (B)
Tour participants will meet Tunisians in various parts of the country and from
various walks of life, including Tunisia’s policy makers, business elites, academics,
as well as members of Tunisia’s ancient Jewish community, resulting in a very special
Bougainvillea and interesting doors in Sidi Bou Said.
people-to-people experience.