LA GOULETTE, TUNISIA

Experience ancient ruins of Carthage and the whitewashed village of Sidi Bou Saïd.  

We begin our tour by driving to the pretty village of Sidi Bou Saïd, a picturesque, whitewashed village perched on a cliff overlooking the sea. The town has attracted generations of European artists and writers, and is today appreciated as a type of living museum.

We can enjoy some free time here to browse the local craft shops or admire the views. Re-boarding our tour coach, we then drive to Carthage, which was reputedly founded by Elissa (Queen Dido) from Phoenicia. Here we will find the Punic and Roman ruins of an ancient city that was one of the most powerful in the western Mediterranean.

We will visit the ancient ruins of the Antonine Baths – the third largest Roman baths, which were sadly destroyed and used as a quarry to build parts of Tunis and even Pisa Cathedral. Other points of interest that can be seen during our drive through Carthage include the Punic Ports and the Tophet, the site where human sacrifices were offered to the gods of Carthage.

Our next visit will be to Byrsa Hill, where we will view the vestiges of Punic houses scattered on the slope, and the Museum of Carthage, with its superb collection of artefacts from the excavations. Following our visit here, we return to our tour coach for the drive back to our awaiting ship.

TOUR NOTES: This tour involves approximately 1,000 metres (3,280 feet) of walking at Sidi Bou Saïd over hilly terrain, and approximately 850 metres (2,790 feet) at Carthage over uneven ground, plus 20 steps to negotiate. There is also some walking at the museum, and approximately 25 steps to negotiate. There is an approximate 15 minute uphill walk from the coach park to Sidi Bou Saïd, and vice versa. Unfortunately this tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. Please note that there is a charge of one Tunisian Dinar per person to use cameras at Carthage (price correct at the time of printing).

DESCRIPTION CORRECT FOR 2009 CANARIES & MEDITERRANEAN CRUISES