Tunisia
Carthage and Roman Africa
Discover Carthage, the Bardo mosaics, Sbeitla’s remains and the amphitheatre of El Jem.
Carthage and Sicily — Rivals of the Ancient Mediterranean
15 days and 14 nights
Availability: Arrangements for 4–18 and 11–25 April 2027 · availability to be confirmed
Tunis, Tunisia
Palermo, Sicily — Italy
Overview
Carthage and Sicily bring together chapters of the ancient Mediterranean on a journey of 15 days and 14 nights. In Tunisia, the itinerary combines Carthage, the Bardo Museum, Kairouan, Sbeitla and the amphitheatre of El Jem with oases and a night in a desert tent at Ksar Ghilane. In Sicily, Palermo, Monreale, Syracuse, Segesta and the Valley of the Temples reveal different layers of the island’s history.
There are 7 nights in each country, with Day 8 shared between departure from Tunis and arrival in Palermo. Spanish-language services are planned for both April 2027 arrangements, subject to each sector’s conditions. The Tunis–Palermo flight is quoted separately, and the connection depends on compatible flight schedules, baggage arrangements and transfers.
Land price per person. The published price covers the land services described, according to the number of paying travellers. The proposal will itemise flights, local taxes, optional activities and any supplement required to confirm a 4-star hotel in Palermo.
Route overview
The journey’s route
From Roman Africa to Sicily’s temples, with seven nights in each country and a separately quoted flight connection.
Tunisia: Tunis → Kairouan → Sbeitla → Tozeur → Chott El Djerid → Douz → Matmata → Ksar Ghilane → Chenini → Metameur → Gabes → Sfax → El Jem → Monastir → Sousse → Tunis, Bardo, Carthage and Sidi Bou Said.
Sicily: Palermo and Monreale → Cefalù → Messina → Taormina and Etna area → Syracuse → Ragusa → Piazza Armerina → Agrigento → Selinunte area → Trapani → Erice → Segesta → Palermo.
- Land route
- Tunis–Palermo flight charged separately
Map reused from the approved document edition, based on Natural Earth public-domain data. Routes are illustrative: they do not represent roads, distances, travel times or a booked flight. Optional 4×4 oasis excursions are outside the included route. Sicily’s regional accommodation bases may vary by departure.
Memorable experiences
Journey highlights
History, heritage and landscapes linking the two shores of the Mediterranean.
Tunisia
Oases and a night in a desert tent
Cross the landscapes of Chott El Djerid, Douz and Matmata, with an overnight stay at a camp in Ksar Ghilane.
Sicily
Temples, mosaics and historic cities
Explore Segesta, the Valley of the Temples, Villa Romana del Casale, Syracuse and Palermo’s heritage.
Travel profile
Who this trip is for
For travellers who wish to explore Mediterranean history and cultures, combining ancient cities, museums, oasis landscapes and a comprehensive circuit of Sicily.
- History and archaeology
- Culture and architecture
- Mediterranean landscapes
- Two weeks of travel
The itinerary includes walking at archaeological sites and in historic centres, journeys between cities and one night in a desert tent. Please disclose mobility or accommodation requirements before requesting a quotation so that the suitability of the services can be checked.
What is included
- 14 nights: 7 in Tunisia, including 1 in a desert tent, and 7 in Sicily, at the planned accommodation or similar properties.
- 14 breakfasts, 12 lunches and 7 planned dinners; the first dinner depends on arrival time.
- Planned arrival and departure transfers in both countries on the programme dates.
- Transport and visits as specified, with Spanish-language services under each sector’s conditions.
- Tunisia: visits and admissions mentioned in the programme and 24-hour assistance in Spanish.
- Sicily: Palatine Chapel, Teatro Massimo, the Doric Temple of Segesta, Valley of the Temples, Villa Romana del Casale, Syracuse Archaeological Area and Syracuse Cathedral.
- Visits to Palermo and Monreale cathedrals and the required headsets are planned; tickets are not itemised individually. Italian VAT.
- At the six Sicilian lunches: ¼ of wine or a soft drink and ½ litre of mineral water per person per meal.
What is not included
- International arrival and departure flights and the Tunis–Palermo flight; flight tickets and baggage not specified.
- Any supplement to guarantee a 4-star hotel in Palermo, to be confirmed before booking.
- Tunisian hotel taxes and Sicilian municipal taxes, payable locally.
- Optional 4×4 excursion to the mountain oases, Ong Jmel and Mos Espa; camel or quad ride in Douz.
- Access to Etna’s summit, cable car, 4×4 ascent and other unspecified extensions.
- Taormina’s Greek Theatre, the theatre at Segesta, Selinunte Archaeological Park and other admissions not itemised.
- Insurance, visas and documentation where applicable; meals and drinks not expressly included.
- Tips, porters, personal expenses and additional services not included.
Before you travel
Frequently asked questions about this trip
What dates are planned?
This edition presents two possible arrangements: 4–18 April 2027 and 11–25 April 2027. Dates are on request and do not confirm flights, hotels, places or transfers. Both retain seven nights in each country.
Is the Tunis–Palermo flight included?
No. It is quoted separately, as are the international arrival and departure flights. The Day 8 connection requires compatible schedules, baggage arrangements and transfers. No airline, flight time or additional overnight stay is guaranteed.
Are the visits in Portuguese?
The planned services in both arrangements in this edition are in Spanish. Each sector has its own conditions for local guides, panoramic tours and driver-guides. The bilingual Sicilian departure on 25 April 2027 depends on renewal or confirmation of the Tunisian validity conditions to form another combined trip; it is not a third departure in this edition.
How does the accommodation work?
Tunisia combines 4- and 5-star hotels with one night in a desert tent; no star rating is assigned to the camp. Sicily uses the planned regular accommodation or similar properties. A 4-star hotel in Palermo is a requirement to be confirmed, with any supplement still separate from the base price. Sicily’s regional bases may vary by departure.
Is the table price the full trip total?
No. It is the land base per adult in a double/twin room or for a confirmed third adult, according to the reservation’s total number of paying travellers. Flights, local taxes, optional activities and any Palermo 4-star supplement are separate. The complete total will be itemised in the proposal.
Is there a single price or a discount for the third adult?
Single accommodation and solo travel are on request; the circuit requires at least two paying travellers. The third adult has the same per-person base, subject to acceptance and bed configuration at every hotel and the camp. Children and complimentary places also require a specific quotation.
Are the 4×4 excursions and the theatres of Taormina and Segesta included?
No. The 4×4 excursion to the mountain oases and Ong Jmel is optional. Taormina’s Greek Theatre, the theatre at Segesta and Selinunte Archaeological Park are not among the itemised admissions. At Etna, the planned visit travels by bus to Rifugio Sapienza and the Silvestri craters, weather permitting; the summit, cable car and 4×4 are outside the base price.
How do escorting and visits work?
Tunisia has a Spanish-speaking national guide and, on the specified sections, a driver-guide. In Sicily, groups of fewer than seven participants may operate with a driver-guide. Palermo/Monreale, Agrigento, Piazza Armerina and Syracuse have local guides; other visits are panoramic, and Taormina has free time without a local guide. Regular Sicilian escorting does not apply on the arrival, Palermo/Monreale and departure days; Palermo/Monreale uses a local guide.
Which documents must I present?
Passport, entry, visa and insurance requirements must be checked according to each traveller’s nationality and circumstances before booking. This edition does not assume visa exemption or guarantee permission to enter.
Memphis curation
Content checked by the Memphis Turismo team on , according to the April 2027 commercial edition. Dates, flights, accommodation and the trip total are subject to confirmation in the proposal.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Tunis
Meet and greet at Tunis-Carthage Airport and transfer to the hotel in the Tunis area. Time to settle in before the circuit. The planned dinner depends on arrival and hotel check-in time.
Dinner subject to arrival · Overnight in the Tunis area
Day 2 Kairouan, Sbeitla and Tozeur
After breakfast, depart for Kairouan. Visit the Great Mosque, Sidi Sahbi Mausoleum and historic reservoirs, as well as the medina and craft workshops. After lunch, continue to Sbeitla and its Roman-Byzantine remains, particularly the Capitoline temples. The journey continues via Gafsa to Tozeur.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner · Overnight in Tozeur
Day 3 Tozeur and the mountain oases
Free morning or an optional 4×4 excursion to the Chebika, Tamerza and Mides oases, the Ong Jmel area and the Mos Espa film sets. This excursion is quoted separately. Lunch is planned at Castilia restaurant. In the afternoon, the programme includes Tozeur’s palm grove, the old quarter with brick façades and free time in the souk.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner · Second night in Tozeur
Day 4 Chott El Djerid, Douz, Matmata and Ksar Ghilane
Depart through the Chott El Djerid salt-lake area towards Douz. A camel or quad ride is optional and at the traveller’s own expense. Continue to Matmata, visit a troglodyte house and have lunch. The route continues to Ksar Ghilane for dinner and a night in a desert tent at the planned camp. Depending on the group, the section after Matmata operates with a Spanish-speaking driver-guide.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner · Overnight in a desert tent in Ksar Ghilane
Day 5 Chenini, Metameur, Gabes and Sfax
After breakfast, depart Ksar Ghilane for Chenini-Tataouine and Metameur, with the planned visits to the region’s traditional buildings. Arrive in Gabes for lunch and a panoramic visit to the coastal oasis. Continue to Sfax, home to a walled medina. Up to Gabes, escorting may be provided by a Spanish-speaking driver-guide, depending on the group’s operation.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner · Overnight in Sfax
Day 6 El Jem, Monastir, Sousse and Tunis
Visit the Roman amphitheatre of El Jem. Continue to Monastir for Habib Bourguiba’s Mausoleum, lunch and a visit to the ribat. Then spend time in Sousse’s medina before returning to the Tunis area. The sequence brings together heritage from different periods without adding visits beyond those planned.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner · Overnight in the Tunis area
Day 7 Tunis, Bardo, Carthage and Sidi Bou Said
Visit Tunis’s medina and the Bardo Museum with its mosaic collection. After lunch, visit the Punic and Roman remains of Carthage specified in the programme. Continue to Sidi Bou Said, with its white and blue streets and views of the gulf, before returning to the hotel.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner · Third night in the Tunis area
Day 8 Tunis and Palermo
Breakfast and transfer to Tunis-Carthage Airport. The flight to Palermo is quoted separately. On arrival in Sicily, the planned shared transfer takes you to the hotel, where you meet the other participants. A same-day connection depends on compatible flights, baggage arrangements and transfers; no flight time, airline or additional overnight stay is guaranteed.
Breakfast · Overnight in Palermo
Day 9 Palermo and Monreale
Walk through Palermo’s historic centre, passing the principal planned monuments, including the Palatine Chapel, Cathedral, Piazza Pretoria and Quattro Canti. Visit the interior of Teatro Massimo. After lunch at a local restaurant, depart for Monreale and visit the Cathedral. The mandatory headsets at the cathedrals form part of the programme; the itemised admission list appears in the services section.
Breakfast and lunch · Second night in Palermo
Day 10 Cefalù, Messina and the Taormina area
Depart for Cefalù and have time to explore its streets and historic landmarks. After lunch, continue to Messina for a panoramic tour with views of the strait. Continue to the Taormina area. Accommodation may be in Taormina, Letojanni or Giardini Naxos and, on some departures, in the Catania area.
Breakfast and lunch · Overnight in the Taormina area or planned alternative
Day 11 Etna and Taormina
Weather permitting, depart for Etna, travelling by bus to Rifugio Sapienza and visiting the Silvestri craters. Lunch at a local restaurant. Continue to Taormina, with free time to stroll through its streets and discover the town independently. Admission to the Greek Theatre is not among the circuit’s included admissions. Return to the regional hotel.
Breakfast and lunch · Second night in the Taormina area or planned alternative
Day 12 Syracuse and Ragusa
Depart for Syracuse, where the programme combines the archaeological area with Ortigia’s heritage. Admission to the Archaeological Area and Cathedral is expressly included. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Ragusa and take a panoramic tour of Ragusa Ibla. Accommodation in the area specified for the departure.
Breakfast and lunch · Overnight in Ragusa, Marina di Ragusa or the Syracuse area
Day 13 Piazza Armerina, Agrigento and Selinunte
Visit Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina and its mosaics. Continue to Agrigento for lunch and a visit to the Valley of the Temples. Continue to the Selinunte area for accommodation. Agrigento is a visit along the route; Selinunte Archaeological Park is not added to the programme.
Breakfast and lunch · Overnight in the Selinunte area
Day 14 Trapani, Erice, Segesta and Palermo
Panoramic visit to Trapani’s salt pans and a visit to the village of Erice. After lunch, continue to Segesta to see the Doric Temple, with admission included. Return to Palermo for the final night. The theatre at Segesta is not among the included admissions.
Breakfast and lunch · Third night in Palermo
Day 15 Departure from Palermo
Breakfast and shared departure transfer from the hotel to Palermo’s airport, station, hotel or port, according to the reservation. End of services.
Breakfast · End of services
The operator may adjust or reverse the order of visits while preserving the booked services. At Etna, the bus travels to Rifugio Sapienza and the Silvestri craters when weather permits; the summit, cable car and 4×4 ascent are not included. Taormina is visited independently. Accommodation bases in the Taormina and Ragusa areas may vary by departure.
Prices and hotels
April 2027 dates on request
Possible arrangements, without confirmation of flights, hotels, places or transfers. Both have planned Spanish-language services and retain seven nights in each country.
| Start in Tunis | Connection to Palermo | End in Palermo |
|---|---|---|
| 04/04/2027 | 11/04/2027 | 18/04/2027 |
| 11/04/2027 | 18/04/2027 | 25/04/2027 |
The Tunisian services in both arrangements finish within the table’s validity ending on 23 April 2027. This date is not a new commercial validity period for the entire combined trip. The bilingual Sicilian option on 25 April 2027 requires renewal or confirmation of the Tunisian validity rule and is not part of this edition.
Land base per adult in double or triple accommodation
Reference prices per adult, originally in US dollars (USD). Conversions to other currencies are indicative estimates, not payment quotations. Combination: Selection category in Tunisia and Classic category in Sicily. The base is subject to confirmation of a 4-star hotel in Palermo and any supplement; flights, local taxes and optional activities are separate.
| Paying travellers in the reservation | Base per adult in double/twin or confirmed triple accommodation |
|---|---|
| 2 | US$ 4.159,66 per adult |
| 3 | US$ 4.102,68 per adult |
| 4 | US$ 4.047,24 per adult |
| 5 | US$ 3.993,28 per adult |
| 6 | US$ 3.940,73 per adult |
| 7 | US$ 3.889,55 per adult |
| 8 | US$ 3.839,69 per adult |
| 9 | US$ 3.791,08 per adult |
| 10 | US$ 3.743,70 per adult |
| 11 | US$ 3.697,48 per adult |
| 12 | US$ 3.652,39 per adult |
| 13 | US$ 3.608,38 per adult |
| 14 | US$ 3.565,42 per adult |
| 15 | US$ 3.523,48 per adult |
| 16 | US$ 3.482,51 per adult |
| 17 | US$ 3.442,48 per adult |
| 18 | US$ 3.403,36 per adult |
| 19 | US$ 3.365,12 per adult |
| 20 or more | US$ 3.327,73 per adult |
Minimum 2 paying travellers. The band reflects the reservation’s total number of paying travellers across all room occupancies, not regular coach capacity or the number of rooms. For 20 or more, the last row applies, subject to capacity and confirmation of both sectors.
Land price, subject to service availability. The proposal itemises flights, taxes, optional activities and any Palermo 4-star supplement. Single accommodation, children, complimentary places and solo travel are on request. No reduction for the third adult, subject to acceptance at all hotels and the camp.
Occupancy, taxes and separately quoted services
| Item | Condition |
|---|---|
| Double/twin | Base per adult according to the total paying travellers; double bed or twin beds as confirmed. |
| Third adult | Same per-person base, subject to an extra bed and acceptance on all sectors. |
| Single accommodation | Total on request within a reservation with at least two paying travellers; no estimated supplement. |
| Palermo 4-star hotel | A requirement of the combination, with availability and any supplement to be confirmed before booking. |
| Local taxes | Tunisian hotel taxes and Sicilian municipal taxes payable locally. Applicability, amounts, currency and exemptions will be confirmed for the actual hotels and dates. |
| Tunis–Palermo flight | Separate quotation, checking airports, schedules, baggage and transfer compatibility on Day 8. |
| Optional activities | 4×4 in Tozeur, camel/quad in Douz, Etna extensions and admissions not itemised: prices and operation on request. |
| Admissions and drinks | Reference Sicilian admissions dated 1 June 2026 may be adjusted as advised in the quotation. Drinks in Sicily are limited to those specified at the six lunches; other drinks must be reconfirmed. |
International payment conditions
| Method or deadline | Condition |
|---|---|
| Deposit and balance | 25% deposit upon confirmation, with the balance paid by 40 days before travel. Bookings made 40 days or fewer before travel require full payment upon confirmation. |
| Full upfront payment | 3% discount on the eligible package when paid in full upfront through Wise; taxes and charges are excluded from the discount. When combined with an applicable promotion, discounts are applied successively, not added together. This is an alternative to the deposit arrangement. |
| International payment | Payments are received in our Wise account, following the instructions and proposal. |
| Currency display | Base prices are in USD. Conversions to other currencies are indicative estimates, not payment quotations. |
The specific proposal identifies travellers, dates, room occupancies, hotels, services, the single-accommodation total when requested, any Palermo supplement and the payment schedule. Changes and cancellations follow the proposal and applicable contractual documentation; this edition does not create a joint refund policy. Early-booking discounts are not incorporated automatically.
Planned hotels or similar properties
Tunisia: Selection category, with 4- and 5-star hotels and one night in a desert tent. Sicily: Classic category, with a 4-star hotel in Palermo subject to confirmation and any supplement. Alternatives do not represent additional nights.
| City and nights | Planned hotel or similar | Rating | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tunis area · 3 nights | Golden Carthage Tunis Official website ↗ |
5 stars | Gammarth / La Marsa |
| Tozeur · 2 nights | Ksar Rouge Official website ↗ |
4 stars | Tozeur |
| Ksar Ghilane · 1 night | Pansy Camp Official website ↗ |
Desert tent; no star rating assigned | Ksar Ghilane oasis |
| Sfax · 1 night | Les Oliviers Palace Official website ↗ |
5 stars | Central Sfax |
| Palermo · 3 nights | Cristal Hotel Palermo Official website ↗ |
4 stars, to be confirmed | Central Palermo |
| Palermo · alternative | Mercure Palermo Centro Official website ↗ |
4 stars, to be confirmed | Central Palermo |
| Taormina area · 2 nights | Hellenia Yachting Official website ↗ |
4 stars | Giardini Naxos |
| Ragusa · 1 regional night | Mediterraneo Palace Official website ↗ |
4 stars | Ragusa |
| Syracuse · regional alternative | Mercure Siracusa Prometeo Official website ↗ |
4 stars | Syracuse |
| Selinunte area · 1 night | Hotel Admeto Official website ↗ |
4 stars | Marinella di Selinunte |
The final Sicilian hotel list is communicated approximately 14 days before arrival. Regional accommodation for Taormina may be in Taormina, Letojanni, Giardini Naxos or, on some departures, the Catania area. The Ragusa night may be in Ragusa, Marina di Ragusa or the Syracuse area.
The list is indicative and does not allow unrestricted choice of any property at the same price. Beds, rooms, views, spa access and upgrades depend on confirmation. At the desert tent camp, layout and facilities, including a private bathroom and air conditioning, are not guaranteed without specific confirmation.
Confirm a 4-star hotel in Palermo and any supplement before finalising the proposal. All services and the connection between countries require reconfirmation.