Discovering Tunisia and one easy way to do that is by embarking on a four-day journey of discovery Djerba to Tunis.
After a quick tour of Djerba island with its Jewish synagogue and golden beaches, the journey starts towards Tozeur, the largest oasis with hundreds of thousands of palm trees. The dates grown here have always been exported through the Sahara in caravans. Tusuros was an important Roman outpost. Here it’s possible to take a ride in a horse drawn carriage.
Continue on to Douz and visit Dar Cherait Museum, built in traditional style, exhibiting a fine collection of local costumes and replicas of Tunisian life.
Continue to Chak Wak Park, a creation of a three-dimensional liberal education on evolution, history and religion. Within high walls reminiscent of King Kong films is a circuit which takes you from real-sized replicas of dinosaurs to one of Noah’s Ark with models of animals lined up two by two while a sound system pipes in rain effects.
Even the Biblical parting of the red sea is represented here with walls of papier-mâché Ocean. Other exhibits are truly worth seeing and include an excellent history of Hannibal and the Carthaginian wars.
Next day discover the important city of Kairouan being the fourth holy city of Islam and Tunisia’s spiritual capital. The Great Mosque is the most ancient religious building in the Muslim West.
It is also important to visit the Aghlabid Pools, built in the IX century to supply the city with drinking water. Next stop is at the amphitheatre at El Jem where gladiator shows and chariot races used to take place in the days of the Romans.
Proceed towards Sousse, and visit its Medina which includes open and covered bazaars and a ribat (castle). The surrounding walls and fortifications are of historical interest. Continue to Port El Kantaoui, a very popular tourist resort
Next pass through the coastal town of Hammamet with its new marina and continue to Tunis; the capital and largest city of Tunisia. Visit the Medina; travel back in time while walking along a maze of shadows and light, to the historic heart of the city.
Also important is a visit to the Bardo Museum which contains a major collection of Roman mosaics and other antiquities of interest from Ancient Greece, Tunisia, and the Arab period.
And then on to the legendary city of Carthage, the political and economic capital of the ancient world, listed today as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Finally some relaxation while tasting original mint tea in the quaint little village of Sidi Bou Said, beyond doubt one of the most beautiful Tunisian villages and one that is known for the extensive use of blue and white colours.