ALGERIA & TUNISIA

Day 1 | Monday 26 January
Arrive Algiers
Passengers will arrive into the historic city of Algiers at various times. Academy Travel will organise individual or group transfers from the airport to the hotel. The afternoon is at leisure before meeting your tour leader at the hotel bar for a pre-dinner drink and introductions. After time to meet your fellow travellers, we make our way to a local restaurant for our welcome dinner. Overnight Algiers (D)

Day 2 | Tuesday 27 January
Atmospheric Algiers
Algiers has a rich and complex history that spans over a millennium. Originally founded by the Phoenicians and later developed by the Romans as Icosium, the city gained prominence in the 10th century when the Berber Zirid dynasty established it as a significant port. More recently colonised by the French, until gaining independence in 1962, today this vibrant city offers a blend of old-world charm and modern development. We start our adventure this morning in the centuries-old Casbah, built on the ruins of Icosium on a steep hill overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Now a UNESCO World-Heritage site, its labyrinth of streets house a wonderful collection of old mosques and Ottoman-style palaces and gardens. We then continue into Downtown Algiers, which stands in striking contrast to the Casbah. Developed extensively during French colonial rule, its grand boulevards and elegant 19th-century buildings reflect a blend of Haussmannian urban planning and Moorish revival architecture. After exploring the port and promenade,
the afternoon and evening are at leisure. Overnight Algiers (B)

Day 3 | Wednesday 28 January
Enchanting Kabylia
Just east of Algiers we find the region of Kabylia, where lush mountains meet Mediterranean shores. Known for its hospitable local communities who take pride in their Berber heritage, we spend today exploring the charming towns and villages to be found here, each with their own unique character. We begin in the main city of Kabylia, Tizi Ouzou, nestled in the valley of the Assif N Sébaou River and surrounded by the Djurdjura Mountains. Here we explore the local markets selling traditional Berber jewellery, Kabyle textiles and beautifully painted ceramics, along with a fascinating Regional Museum. After a lunch of traditional Kabyle dishes, our journey back to Algiers takes in the terraced villages dotted across the mountains – each fascinating examples of traditional Berber architecture. The evening is. at leisure on arrival to our hotel. Overnight Algiers (B, L)

Day 4 | Thursday 29 January
Art, Gardens & Antiquities
Inaugurated in 1930 during the centenary of French colonisation, Algiers’ National Museum of Fine Arts houses one of the most important art collections on the continent. The museum’s layout allows for a chronological and thematic journey through painting, sculpture, drawing and decorative arts and our tour through the 35 painting rooms this morning will highlight works by many celebrated French artists, including Degas, Monet, Pissarro and Renoir. Algerian artists are also well-represented, with notable pieces by the painter Mohammed Khadda – considered one of the founding fathers of modern art in Algeria. Adjacent to the museum we find the renowned Jardin d’Essai botanical gardens, where we enjoy a leisurely stroll before lunch together amidst its lush greenery. Our afternoon is then spent at the Bardo Museum of Prehistory & Ethnography, housed in an elegant 18th-century Moorish villa, before concluding our day in the National Museum of Antiquities, featuring exquisite floor mosaics from the Roman cities of Tipasa, Cherchell and Timgad. Overnight Algiers (B, L)

Day 5 | Friday 30 January
Between the Mountains and the Sea
Northern Algeria was a vital region of the Roman Empire and the legacy of this Roman rule is still visible in its spectacular archaeological sites that reveal the empire’s urban planning, engineering and cultural life. Today we explore the rich and varied monuments in the land between the mountains and the sea, starting with a visit to the Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania. This striking monumental tomb is located near the ancient city of Tipasa and is said to be where the Berber King Juba II and Queen Cleopatra Selene II (daughter of the famous Queen Cleopatra and Mark Antony) were buried.
We continue to Tipasa, one of the most beautiful sites on the Algerian coast, with impressive remains from the Roman Empire and the early Christian period. After exploring the scenic ruins, including the large amphitheatre overlooking the sea, we enjoy lunch together in a nearby restuarant and continue along the coast to Cherchell. This once illustrious city known as ‘Caesarea’ allows us to travel back in time to the height of the Roman Empire and appreciate the wealth of treasures and human experiences this lively Mediterranean port holds. We return to our hotel in the late afternoon, with an evening at leisure. Overnight Algiers (B, L)

Day 6 | Saturday 31 January
Trajan’s Timgad
Our expedition continues today as we depart Algiers by flight to Batna, transferring to the neabry UNESCO World-Heritage archaeological site of Timgad on arrival. Founded by Emperor Trajan around 100 CE as a military colony, it is one of the best-preserved Roman grid cities in the world and a stunning example of Roman urban planning in Africa. Our time here is spent exploring the remains of Timgad’s forum, which includes a 4th-century library, a theatre capable of holding 4,000 people and an extraordinarily large number of public baths. Lunch is then enjoyed in a local restaurant before continuing north to the picturesque plateau city of Constantine, our base for two nights. There is time to freshen up at our hotel on arrival, reconvening this evening for dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Constantine (B, L, D)

Day 7 | Sunday 1 February
Constantine - ‘The City of Bridges’
Situated on an outcrop of rock in a deep gorge carved out by the Oued Rhumel, the city of Constantine has been a natural fortress since Neolithic times. The Numidians made it their capital and, after Julius Caesar defeated their army, it remained the capital of Roman Numidia. After a rebellion in 311 CE, the city was destroyed, and remained so until the Emperor Constantine gave orders for it to be rebuilt – and renamed, using his name. We begin our day exploring this dramatic city, including the iconic Sidi M’Cid Bridge, perched 175 metres above the canyon floor, and the interesting archaeological museum, dedicated to the history of Constantine during the Roman era. We then venture to the ruins of Tiddis, some 30km from Constantine. Settled by the Neolithic Berbers and developed by the Romans, it is perhaps the most impressively situated of all of Algeria’s Roman sites. On return to our hotel, we stop for lunch in a traditional Algerian restaurant. The afternoon is at leisure, meeting again tonight for dinner. Overnight Constantine (B, L, D)

Day 8 | Monday 2 February
Djémila - Roman Power & African Beauty
Departing Constantine this morning, we journey west to the site of Djémila, meaning ‘Beautiful’ in Arabic. Situated on a narrow plateau, 900m above sea level, this city was once described as ‘one of the most perfect expressions of the meeting of Roman power and African beauty’. Despite the mountainous terrain, its builders futilely tried to conform to Roman grid planning standards, resulting in an interesting and unusual layout. This, along with the city’s great state of preservation, was one of the reasons the site was granted UNESCO World-Heritage status. After exploring the picturesque ruins, we pause for lunch before continuing to the town of Setif, where we spend our next two nights. Dinner this evening is in a local restaurant. Overnight Setif (B, L, D)

Day 9 | Tuesday 3 February
Setif & Roman Mosaics
The Archaeological Museum of Setif is renowned for its plethora of Roman mosaics, which are among the finest in North Africa. Our morning is spent marvelling at these exquisitely detailed works, including the ‘Triumph of Dionysus’, featuring the only known Roman-period depiction of a giraffe, the ‘Birth of Venus’, depicting the goddess Venus emerging from the sea, and the ‘Triumph of Venus’, illustrating Venus seated in a shell, surrounded by cherubs and mythical creatures. After a leisurely lunch together, we then stroll through the ancient town and take in the vestiges of Roman ruins before unwinding with an evening at leisure. Overnight Setif (B, L)

Day 10 | Wednesday 4 February
To Algiers
Bidding farewell to Setif today, we embark on our journey back to Algiers, taking in the changing landscapes along the way. We pause to enjoy a delightful lunch together en route, arriving back at our first hotel in the afternoon. The remainder of the day is yours to explore Algiers at your own pace or simply relax by the hotel pool. Overnight Algiers (B, L)

Day 11 | Thursday 5 February
Onwards, to Tunisia
Today is a transit day, as we depart Algeria for Tunisia and take a short flight to the sprawling capital, Tunis. We transfer to our hotel on arrival, situated along the Mediterranean coastline overlooking the Gulf of Tunis. This resort-style hotel will serve as a relaxing base for our next few days of touring. Dinner tonight is in a local restaurant before our adventures begins again in the morning. Overnight Tunis (B, D)

Day 12 | Friday 6 February
Tragic Carthage - The fabled city of Dido
Carthage was founded by the strong and courageous Princess Alyssa, who in ancient texts is known as Dido ‘The Wanderer’. A century later, Carthage would be reborn from its ashes and rebuilt in Rome’s image. This morning we explore this famed city, starting at its founding place, the hilltop of Byrsa. The hilltop is crowned by an enormous esplanade, where the forum and principal official buildings were located and was home to the Punic area, known as District Hannibal. Afterwards we stroll between the stelae in the enigmatic Tophet, the Punic sanctuary dedicated to the deities Tanit and Baal Hammon, and tour the remains of the impressive ‘Cothon’ – the inner harbour of the port of Carthage. We then continue into the city of Tunis to visit the National Bardo Museum. Housed in a former 19th-century Beylic palace, the museum holds a staggering number of ancient mosaics that grace its walls and floors. Unearthed from sites across Tunisia, the exceptionally well-preserved mosaics occupy more than half of the museum’s display space and encompass the world’s largest collection of Roman mosaics, including a famous mosaic representing Virgil, the poet. Lunch is then enjoyed in a nearby restaurant, before our afternoon is spent at the Baths of Antoninus, some of the most remarkable of the Roman world due to their opulence and size. On return to our hotel, the evening is at leisure. Overnight Tunis (B, L)

Day 13 | Saturday 7 February
Thuburbo Majus - Splendor among wheat fields
Nestled among glittering wheat fields and olive groves – like those that made its fortune – Thuburbo Majus exudes a sense of prosperity even in its ruined state. In the 2nd century, this Roman colony for war veterans was home to around 10,000 inhabitants, wealthy enough to boast impressive public buildings, temples, baths and richly decorated private homes adorned with intricate mosaics. En route to Thuburbo Majus this morning, we stop to examine a section of the aqueduct that linked ancient Carthage to the water sources of Mount Zaghouan. Constructed in the 1st century under Emperor Hadrian’s reign, this extraordinary feat of engineering stretched over 130 kilometres and carried 32 million litres of water per day. Lunch is enjoyed nearby before we spend the afternoon exploring the well-preserved ruins of Thuburbo Majus, offering a fascinating glimpse into Roman urban life in North Africa. On return to our hotel, the evening is at leisure. Overnight Tunis (B, L)

Day 14 | Sunday 8 February
Beautiful Kerkouane
Travelling along the beautiful coastline of the Cap Bon peninsula this morning, we arrive at Kerkouane – considered to be the best-preserved Punic town in Africa. Discovered in 1952, extensive excavations have revealed a semi-circular layout, enclosed by a low rampart. Burned and deserted in the 3rd century BCE, the ruins reveal intact evidence relating to the Carthaginians’ way of life. Here we see a very early form of the mosaic, known as the opus signinum featuring the ‘Sign of Tanit’, a powerful talisman protecting the early inhabitants of the Punic house. We then continue along the Cap Bon to the coastal town of Kelibia, where we have lunch together overlooking its beautiful beaches, considered some of the finest in the Mediterranean. Returning to Tunis in the afternoon, dinner tonight is in a local restaurant. Overnight Tunis (B, L, D)

Day 15 | Monday 9 February
Notorious Bulla Regia
Departing Tunis this morning, our destination is Teboursouk. Our first stop en route is Majaz al Bab, home to the Commonwealth War Memorial that commemorates the almost 2,000 men of the British First Army who died during operations in Algeria and Tunisia. We then continue to Bulla Regia, a rare site that contains complete, superbly preserved, subterranean Roman houses. Most of the mosaics remain in situ, so we can view them in their original context. In antiquity, the city developed a scandalous reputation and in the 4th-century, St. Augustine preached a famous sermon here, berating the citizens for their loose and immoral ways! After lunch in a local cafe, we continue our journey to Teboursouk, with time to freshen up on arrival before we meet again for dinner in the hotel. Overnight Teboursouk (B, L, D)

Day 16 | Tuesday 10 February
Stunning Dougga
Perched high on the hill above fertile olive groves just outside Teboursouk, Dougga is one of the oldest towns in Tunisia and began life as a Numidian walled citadel, which was later built over by the Romans. Its native ancestry and hillside location resulted in a winding street plan rather than the typical Roman grid, providing Dougga with a unique character. Today Dougga is considered the best preserved example of an Africo-Roman town in North Africa, offering an exceptional illustration of what daily life was like in Antiquity. Our day begins exploring this magnificent UNSECO site, including the restored theatre, whose 19 tiers could accommodate an audience of 3,500. Leaving Dougga and Teboursouk behind, we then continue to the vibrant coastal city of Sousse, our base for our final four nights on tour. We break the journey with lunch in the charming town of Testour and have an afternoon at leisure on arrival to our hotel. Dinner tonight is in a local restaurant. Overnight Sousse (B, L, D)

Day 17 | Wednesday 11 February
Charming Sousse
Once an early Phoenician trading-post en route from Tyre to the West, the port at Sousee was used by Hannibal in his campaign against Scipio at the end of the Second Punic War, and also by Caesar in 47 BCE. The city later became an important commercial and military port during the 9th century, with a vibrant Medina at its heart. Surrounded by well-preserved ramparts, it houses an exceptional collection of austerely beautiful monuments such as the Ribat, the Great Mosque and the Kasbah – where our morning begins. We first visit the Sousse Archaeological Museum, featuring an extensive collection of Roman mosaics and artifacts, before a guided tour takes us through the narrow streets and souks of the Medina. We then break for lunch, with the remainder of the day at leisure to rest, swim or explore as desired. Overnight Sousse (B)

Day 18 | Thursday 12 February
The Amphitheatre of El Jem
The city of El Jem, once the ancient village of Thysdrus, is home to one of the most remarkable Roman monuments in Africa: the El Jem Amphitheatre. Often compared to Rome’s Colosseum, this grand structure was built in 238 CE and features seating for up to 35,000 spectators, reaching 36m in height. Our time here this morning will allow us to climb to the upper seating levels and gaze down on the arena. It’s also possible to venture into the two long underground passageways where gladiators, animals and other unfortunates waited before being thrust into the arena to provide entertainment for the masses. Our tour of the Amphitheatre is followed by lunch in a nearby restaurant and an afternoon spent exploring the exceptional collection of El Jem’s Archaeological Museum, including an array Roman mosaics depicitng scenes that once unfolded in the very arena we’ve just toured. At the rear of the museum we also find the House of Africa, a Roman villa from the heart of El Jem that was excavated in the 1990s and transferred here for display. On our return to Sousse, the evening is at leisure. Overnight Sousse (B, L)

Day 19 | Friday 13 February
Kairouan - The Centre of Learning
Today we set forth on a pilgrimage to Kairouan, the fourth holiest city of Islam. Founded in 670, Kairouan became the Aghlabid capital and centre of learning. Over the centuries it has never lost its ancient esteem and it is still a place of holy pilgrimage. This morning we visit the Aghlabid pools, reservoirs built on the outskirts of the city in the 9th century, which at one time were considered to be a great wonder and were often mentioned by Arab geographers for their grandeur. We also stop to admire the Great Mosque, one of the major monuments of Islam and an architectural masterpiece, constructed using hundreds of Roman and Byzantine pillars, including many from Carthage. In the afternoon we explore the Kairouan Souk, with its network of winding streets, shops and courtyard houses, before returning to Sousse for our farewell dinner in one of the city’s fine restaurants. Overnight Sousse (B, D)

Day 20 | Saturday 14 February
Depart to Tunis
Our final morning sees us depart Sousse for Tunis-Carthage International Airport, where we say our goodbyes and depart on individual flights in the afternoon. (B)