ROMAN AFRICA II: 2 Day Tour from Tunis  with an overnight in a charming B&B in El Kef.

Dougga, Bulla Regia, El Kef, Elles megalithic tomb fields & Mactar    

DAY 1:  TUNIS – DOUGGA – BULLA REGIA – LE KEF

A beautiful trip into the green interior – to the Medjerda River valley and the heart of Roman Africa. En route to Dougga we stop at the charming village of Testour, founded by Andalusian refugees in the 17th century. We see the Great Mosque with its tiled octagonal minaret – the only one in Tunisia with a clock – recalling the church bell towers of Aragon & Castile. We will also try to buy the local specialty, Testouri cheese for our picnic in Dougga.A short drive takes us to Dougga, the best-preserved Roman city in Tunisia, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The monumental Capitolium Temple stands in the main Forum, with breath-taking views over the surrounding plains. The theatre, baths, shops, stone paved streets and lavish villas are all testimony to the golden age of this North African city. We spend about 2 hours here (depending on your interest), exploring this magnificent site and walking through its ancient olive groves.

A one hour drive takes us to Bulla Regia - famous for its unique subterranean villas. These luxurious residences belonged to some of the wealthiest families of the Roman era, in which we can see some fine mosaics still in situ. We will descend into the luxurious mansions, including the House of Amphitrite, the House of the Hunt & House of the New Hunt.*  We also see the remnants of the ancient city, including the Julia Domna Baths & theater.  (NB: one or more of the villas  may be closed for restoration).

We continue to fortified town Le Kef (“the Rock”) located 800 m above sea level. Although settled since Neolithic times, its current form dates back to the days when it was an Ottoman bastion.  We stay in a charming B&B in a historic home in Le Kef: lovely rooms, warm hospitality and excellent home cooking – including bourzguene, a specialty of Le Kef.

Overnight in Dar Bou Makhlouf, Dar Alyssa, or Dar Sidi Abdallah, Le Kef.  Dinner included.

 DAY 2: OLD LE KEF – ELLES MEGALITHIC TOMB FIELDS – MACTAR - TUNIS

This morning we embark on a walking tour of the historic quarter of Le Kef and the Kasbah. (Please note that the Museum of Arts & Traditions is currently closed for renovation). If today is a Thursday, we can stop in at the colorful weekly market of Le Kef, where farmers from all over the region come to sell their fresh produce. Departing Le Kef, we take the scenic route, through some of the most beautiful rural landscapes in all of Tunisia.

A short drive takes us to Elles a prehistoric necropolis with over 72 Numidian megalithic tombs in Tunisia’s green hinterland. First evidence of such structures dates to the 3rd millennium BC, with the oldest megalithic structures at Malta and later, the nuraghes of Sardinia. Who the builders were of these impressive structures in North Africa remains a mystery. We may choose to have our picnic here or in Mactar.

We continue to Roman Mactar - an ancient Numidian / Roman / Byzantine city spectacularly situated 1000m/sea level in the mountains. We will see such monuments as the Arch of Trajan, the Vandal Basilica & Baptistery, the Southeast Baths (perhaps the best preserved in Tunisia), the Northwest Baths (converted into a church in the 5th century), the Schola and the necropolis of Mactar, with tombs dating from Numidian to Byzantine times.

Return to Tunis in the late afternoon.

Duration: 2 Full Days

Includes: Driving & guiding Services for the duration, Picnic Lunch both days, Transportation (Renault Symbol or similar, gas, parking), Pick up & Drop off at your hotel.

What’s Extra: Your Accommodation & dinner*, Entrance & photo fees to all sites and museums (approx.. 24 DT per person for all sites listed) , lunch, beverages, any personal expenses

**NB: I can book your room(s) at the hotel/B&B in El Kef for you by telephone. You can pay the hotel directly (in cash) upon arrival.