Couscous
Flavors of Tunisia
May 22 – June 1, 2008

A FEAST FOR THE SENSES

Couscous is a food of Berber origin, consisting of spherical granules made from rolling and shaping moistened semolina wheat and then coating them with finely ground wheat flour. By itself, couscous does not have much taste, but it absorbs the succulent flavors of the meats and spices adorning it. What had been non-descript becomes out-of-this-world delicious strictly through association.
     It is not surprising then that couscous is one of the national dishes of Tunisia. For such a tiny country, the smallest in North Africa, Tunisia packs a lot of flavor, and much of it comes from association with foreign influences that have touched these shores over thousands of years. Older history is evident everywhere you look.
     The Phoenicians were a maritime trading culture that built countless harbor ports. The Southern Berbers dug their troglodyte pit houses deep into the ground, revealing a way of life little changed over the centuries. The Punics were nomadic traders that left behind numerous towns built around public squares. Evidence of the Romans can still be seen in the ruins of ornate amphitheatres and colonnaded structures at Carthage and El Djem. French Colonial buildings offer a marked contrast to the Arab minarets and mosques in Tunisia’s central cities. Finally, modern Tunisian architecture takes it cue from Art Nouveau with some of the most stylish new buildings to be found anywhere.
     Just as Tunisia’s colorful past has left it rich in historical remains, nature has been equally generous to Tunisia. The landscape varies from the cliffs of the north coast to the woodlands of the interior, from deep valleys of rich arable land to desert, and from towering mountains to salt pans lower than sea level. The southern reaches receive almost no rain, and the Sahara Desert comes right up to the back door of any habitable landscape. And there is “Blue Tunisia,” the swath of nearly 800 miles of Mediterranean coastline dotted with small islands and backed successively by pine-clad hills, lush pasture, orchards, vineyards and olive groves.
     While Western travelers are just getting wise to Tunisia, Hollywood filmmakers have been coming here for years for the diverse topography. Nearly 80% of the Oscar winner The English Patient (1996) was filmed here. The original Star Wars (1977) shot all exterior scenes set on the planet Tatooine in Matmata and the Sahara. Other movies filmed partly in Tunisia include Roman Polanski’s underrated Pirates (1986), The Little Prince (1974), Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Plenty (1985), and Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979).
     Tunisia is one of Africa’s most tourist-friendly destinations. While a Muslim culture, it is the most liberal in the Islamic world (alcohol is allowed here, unlike elsewhere). The country has a modern infrastructure, and first-class hotels mean you won’t have to rough it. The tour begins in the capital city of Tunis, traveling to the historical centers of Carthage, El Djem, and Matmata, the island of Jerba for some beach fun, the Sahara Desert, the salt pan Chott El Jerid, and the oasis town Tozeur.
     Join Toto Tours on our first-ever adventure in Tunisia, a little place with big surprises. Once you’ve sampled some of its unique flavors, you just might develop a taste for more.

ITINERARY

Thursday, May 22, 2008
Depart U.S. / Travel Day

Today is a travel day. Depart the United States on an overnight flight, arriving in Tunis, Tunisia (airport code: TUN), sometime tomorrow morning or afternoon. If you cannot arrive before 5pm tomorrow, we recommend that you plan on arriving a day early. We can easily extend your reservation at our group hotel.

Friday, May 23, 2008
Arrive in Tunis

Arrive at the Tunis International Airport this afternoon. One group transfer from the airport to the hotel will be arranged to accommodate the greatest number of arrivals. If your flight arrives at a different time, we can arrange a private transfer for you (optional) or you can take a taxi to the hotel. Once at the hotel, the afternoon is free to rest up from jet lag and enjoy the amenities of our beautiful property. This evening Toto Tours hosts a tasty introduction to Tunisian cuisine with a Welcome Dinner at the Dar El Djeld Restaurant.     (Welcome Dinner)

Saturday, May 24, 2008
Carthage

After a hot buffet breakfast at our hotel, we board a motorcoach and drive 13 miles to tour the quaint town of Sidi Bou Said, often described as Tunisia’s prettiest village with cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, light blue window grilles, and doors with studded ornamentation. A number of the town’s 300-year-old mansions are open to visitors. We visit one of them, Dar El Annabi, also known as the Arts and Popular Tradition House.
     We continue on a few miles to Carthage, one of the most powerful cities of the ancient world. Founded in 814 B.C. by Phoenician colonizers, it was conquered over the years by Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, and finally Arabs, falling into ruins by the 7th century A.D. We take time to tour the archaeological site before returning to Tunis.
     This afternoon enjoy a brief orientation tour of Tunis, followed by entrance to the Bardo Museum which houses one of the world’s greatest collections of Roman mosaics. Dinner is included at our hotel tonight, and we overnight in Tunis.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Sunday, May 25, 2008
Hammamet / Sousse / Monastir / Sfax

Depart early for a very full day of travel, visiting several incredible places along the way to our final destination. Our first stop is at Hammamet, situated on a beautiful bay. We stop to visit its 15th century fortress.
     Next we pass through the coastal resort Port El Kantaoui constructed around a picturesque marina fringed with shops and restaurants. As this resort city was built specifically for tourism and doesn’t have a lot of historical interest, we give it a cursory look and continue on.
     Just a few miles down the road we arrive at Sousse, Tunisia’s third largest city, packed with atmosphere and hundreds of years of history. We take a half-day sightseeing tour of the town, including the Great Mosque, and the Medina (Old Town), as well as a glimpse of the Ribat (seaside fortress). UNESCO declared the medina of Sousse a World Heritage Site in 1988, citing among other things its near perfect preservation.
     After lunch in Sousse we continue on to the quaint resort town of Monastir for a panoramic driving tour of the city, and then to El-Djem, where we visit the 30,000-seat Roman Amphitheatre. Only slightly smaller than Rome’s Colosseum, it is better preserved and much more imposingly situated at the end of a street of modern houses.
     One more brief ride of an hour brings us to our destination for the day—the town of Sfax. We check in and enjoy dinner together at a local restaurant, with the remainder of the evening free for independent exploration.     (All Meals)

Monday, May 26, 2008
Gabes / Matmata / Djerba

This morning we travel to the seaside town of Gabes, known as the world’s only seaside oasis, and also as the winter nesting grounds for thousand of species of migratory birds. We visit the oasis briefly, then continue on to Matmata, world-famous because George Lucas filmed the opening scene of the original Star Wars movie (1977) in the troglodyte cave houses dating back to the 4th century B.C. We enjoy a half day sightseeing tour with lunch, including entrance to one of the cave houses and a visit an ancient ksar (fortified granary).
     Our final destination today is the island of Djerba, connected to the mainland by a causeway. According to myth, Odysseus landed here on his ocean voyage and nearly lost his crew to the amnesia-inducing food of the resident lotus-eaters.
     An island of ten thousand palm trees rising from the sea like a mirage, this “Polynesia of the Mediterranean” is ringed by miles of fine sandy beaches and luxury hotels, and will be our oasis of pleasure for two nights. Buffet dinner is included at our resort.     (All Meals)

Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Djerba Free Day for Beach / Sightseeing

Today is entirely free to enjoy the amenities of our seaside resort with its wide sandy beach and beautiful outdoor pool. Our resort also has a fitness center and sauna. For active guys, Djerba offers thremendous diversity in optional activities. There are a variety of sea sports, Roman sites, a pirates castle, the ancient synagogue of the Ghriba, fortress-like mosques, potters and silversmiths still faithful to the art of their craft, and the bustle of the open air markets. Your choice of activities will create a perfect mix of excitement and relaxation, as you please. Buffet dinner is included at our resort.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Douz / Salt Lake / Tozeur

Before leaving Djerba this morning we make a photo stop at La Ghriba Synagogue and visit Houmt Souk, the main town on the north side of Djerba. We cross back to the mainland and make the drive to Douz, making comfort stops along the way as needed to stretch our legs. We arrive in Douz in time to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant followed by an orientation tour of this lush oasis.
     Douz is sometimes called the “Gateway to the Sahara,” and a short drive takes us to Chott El Jerid, the largest of a series of large salt lakes forming inland seas. A thousand years ago it was part of the Mediterranean Sea, and today it offers amazing optical effects as the play of sun and heat on the highly reflective surface conjures up mirages.
     Our destination this evening is Tozeur, one of the many resort towns that have sprung up around the salt lake. Upon arrival in the late afternoon, enjoy some free time to relax and explore, then share a buffet dinner together at the hotel.     (All Meals)

Thursday, May 29, 2008
Tozeur / Nefta

Enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of Tozeur this morning, including entrance to the Dar Cheraiat Museum Complex, devoted to southern Tunisia’s history and everyday life. One of this morning’s activities involves a half-hour camel ride in the desert.
     After the ride we make a short journey to the Oasis of Nefta, one of Tunisia’s holiest sites because it once housed more than 100 sacred tombs. Today, filmmakers frequently come here for the unique scenery of canyon walls, palm-covered hillsides and ancient houses. See La Corbeille (basket) of the palms growing on the slopes of the green valley, and visit some of the marabouts, the scattered graves of holy ones.
     Return to Tozeur via a route that provides panoramic vistas of the canyons in the area. A buffet dinner is included at the hotel this evening.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Friday, May 30, 2008
Sbeitla / Kaitrouan / Tunis

We return to Tunis today, completing our circuit tour of the country. The first of several stops along the way is at Sbeitla, site of the particularly well-preserved ruins of the 3rd century Roman town of Sufetula. We visit the ruins and enjoy lunch at a restaurant there.
     A short drive brings us to Kairouan, the holiest of all sites within Tunisia. The main site is the Great Mosque, but the town has so many other points of interest that UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site. We make a photo stop at the Great Mosque; view the 4-mile fortified city walls; and visit the Old Medina and the enormous cisterns of the Aghlabid Basins. Continuing on, we return to our original hotel in Tunis in the late afternoon. A buffet dinner is included at the hotel this evening.     (All Meals)

Saturday, May 31, 2008
Free Day / Farewell Dinner

Our last full day is entirely free to savor Tunis as you like it. You may choose to relax and enjoy the amenities of our hotel, or do some last minute exploration and souvenir shopping. This evening Toto Tours hosts a very special Farewell Dinner at the Dar Bel Hadj Restaurant to mark the conclusion of our spicy and delectable adventures in Tunisia.     (Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)

Sunday, June 1, 2008
Departure

The tour officially ends after breakfast this morning. You may make your flight reservations to depart any time today. One group transfer from the hotel to the airport will be scheduled to accommodate the greatest number of departing participants. Most morning flights will get you back to the U.S. later this same day. Let us know if you would like us to extend your stay at our hotel in Tunis.     (Breakfast)

ACCOMMODATIONS
(Click hotel name to read description)

Tunis (first 2 nights):  Hotel Africa

Sfax (1 night):  Mercure Hotel

Djerba (2 nights):  Sofitel Palm Beach Djerba

Tozeur (2 nights):  Sofitel Palm Beach Tozeur

Tunis (last 2 nights):  Hotel Africa

TOUR PREPARATION

Entry Requirements—Citizens of the United States and Canada only need a valid passport to travel to Tunisia. Passports must be valid for a minimum of six months after the end of the tour.

Immunizations—No immunizations are compulsory, but an inoculation for typhoid and a tetanus booster are advised. Please consult your personal physician for advice and immunization planning.

Exit Requirements—There is no departure tax levied when leaving Tunisia.

WHAT TO BRING

Tunisia has a warm climate all year, with best travel times being in the spring and autumn. While we are here, temperature will be moderate, ranging from lows around 60 degrees F to 80 degrees F as highs. Sunglasses and sunscreen are essential due to the intensity of the sun.
     Dress is casual and conservative, but you should respect the conventions of Islam, so leave any scanty or provocative attire at home. When visiting religious monuments, shoulders and legs should always be covered, so don’t wear tank tops & shorts on tour days. Outside tourist resorts, scanty beachwear should never be worn. Pack light and try to carry only two small suitcases. Pack any medications you require in a carry-on bag just in case your luggage doesn’t arrive when you do. Leave expensive jewelry at home.

Suggested Packing List:

____ Passport

____ Sturdy walking shoes / cool sandals

____ 4 pairs long pants, lightweight cotton or khaki trousers for dinners

____ 1 pair sturdy denim jeans for riding camels

____ 1 pair cargo pants that zip off at the knees to become shorts for hot desert excursions.

____ T-shirts (6 - 8).

____ Socks and underwear for 10 days

____ Daypack & fanny pack (you will want to carry water at all times)

____ Sunscreen / sunglasses / sun hat

____ Lip balm / insect repellent

____ Personal toiletries

____ Swimsuits

____ Jacket or sweater for cooler nights and mornings.

____ Camera / film / digital memory / extra batteries

____ A good book for the plane.

MONEY MATTERS

The unit of currency is the Tunisia Dinar (TND). Notes are in denominations of TND 30, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of TND1, and 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 millimes. All banks change money, as do most hotels. American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. There are ATMs in every large town and tourist destination. Be sure to notify your bank before departure that you will be traveling in Tunisia so they do not red-flag your transactions as possible fraud and shut down your card.

Tipping—In Tunisia, it is customary to leave a tip. In cafes this need be no more than some small change. More upscale restaurant and bars expect a minimum of 10% of your tab. We will offer group tips to our guide and driver.

Shopping—Always be prepared to haggle in a souk. You can often purchase items for half the price originally quoted by the vendor. Beware of cheap handicrafts in medinas; authentic handicrafts are usually sold in shops.

RESERVATIONS

To reserve a place on this tour, click on the “Reservations” link above. Type in the information requested in each field, print the form, then sign and mail it to Toto Tours with your $500 deposit check. You also have the option to pay for your tour deposit with a Visa or MasterCard. The remaining balance is due 80 days prior to departure (by March 3, 2008). Tour registration is not complete until we have received both the signed reservation form and your deposit check or credit card authorization.
     Toto Tours does not accept credit cards as a form of payment except for the amount of the tour deposit ($500 maximum can be charged per tour). An installment plan is possible. Our mailing address is: Toto Tours, 1326 W. Albion Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60626-4753. Make checks payable to: Toto Tours, Ltd.

LIABILITIES / DISCLAIMERS

Making a reservation with a deposit shall be deemed to be consent to these conditions: Toto Tours does not accept responsibility in whole or in part for any delay, loss, accidents, personal injury, sickness, medical expenses, or property damage occasioned by fault of any person from whatever cause. All participants are required to sign a standard liability form.
     We strongly encourage you purchase Travel Insurance to cover all aspects of your travel in Tunisia! We will provide the necessary forms upon receipt of your deposit, or you can apply online by following the link at the bottom of this page. You can also book your travel insurance with a phone call to Toto Tours.
     The tour operators reserve the right to accept or decline any person as a member of the tour at any time and to make whatever changes become necessary with or without notice. Guaranteed departure with a minimum of ten participants.
     Toto Tours is not responsible for airline cancellation or change penalties incurred by individual tour participants for air tickets purchased prior to notification that the tour is a confirmed departure.

• fun-loving optimists who have a sense of humor and accentuate the positive;
• good natured realists who are willing to accept situations as they exist;
• undaunted by the unexpected, like occasional delays or bad weather;
• willing to forego some of the amenities we normally take for granted;
• eager to try new things & test limits;
• punctual;
• not whiners!

Whet your appetite for a sumptuous feast of experiences in the savory North African country of Tunisia! If you have any questions, please call toll-free: 800-565-1241.

THE BOTTOM LINE
(tour prices per person)

Price:  $2,495 double occupancy

Private Room:  $500 extra, if available. (Not required. Toto Tours will try to match you with a roommate if you are traveling alone and prefer to share a room.)

Deposit:  $500 (Due at time of registration for the tour. May be paid with a credit card.)

Remaining Balance:  $1,995 double / $2,495 single
(Assumes $500 deposit has already been made)

Remaining Balance Due:  March 3, 2008
(Full payment required with reservation form if enrolling after this date.)

Included:  Nine nights hotel accommodations; all guided excursions except those listed as “optional”; meals and accommodations as listed in the itinerary; fully guided and escorted tour.

Not Included:  Round-trip airfare to/from Tunis, Tunisia; optional excursions, meals and other items not specifically covered in the itinerary; insurance; beverages at “included” meals: alcoholic beverages; soft drinks; bottled water; laundry; telephone calls; internet; faxes; or any other expenses of a personal nature. Tips to drivers / guides are not included. We give a collective tip to our guide at the Farewell Dinner.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We recommend you purchase travel insurance with AIG Travel Guard to cover for unforseen events prior to and during your trip. Please follow the link below or call us for more information.