6-Nights Sahara Splendour: Tunis, Tozeur, Douz & More

Djerba

Some people believe this island off the coast of southern Tunisia was the Island of the Lotus Eaters referred to in Homer's Odyssey. Today, it is a very popular tourist destination: Its northeastern coast is the most densely developed tourist zone in the country. Although the island has plenty of quiet spots and some interesting architecture and traditions, it's not the best place to go looking for an authentically Tunisian cultural experience. On the other hand, if you're looking for a nice beach resort and a base for exploring other areas in southern Tunisia, Jerba is a good choice.

Houmt Suq is the main town on the island. Sights, apart from a few mosques and an old fort, are not its strong point: Markets are the main attraction for most visitors. Houmt Suq also has a number of nicely restored funduqs (traditional courtyard hotels) and some good restaurants.

Jerba is home to one of the oldest Jewish communities in Africa, dating to the sixth century BC. Just south of the town of Hara Seghira is the El Ghriba synagogue. Although the present structure was built in the 1920s, it is nevertheless a beautiful building and contains an ancient Torah. (Only a few hundred Jews reside on Jerba today. Still, El Ghriba is the site of an annual pilgrimage for thousands of Jews every Passover.)

You can also take excursions to the mainland via the causeway. The ksour district and Matmata are popular day trips. Trips to Douz and Tozeur and treks into the desert require more than a day. Jerba is 205 mi/330 km southeast of Tunis.

Douz

Douz is located in central Tunisia. It is a common starting point for desert treks through the Sahara, often by camel or 4x4 vehicle. This gateway to the Sahara is also known as the “ultimate palm oasis,” due to the over 500,000 date palm trees in the area.

Tozeur

For a remote oasis town, Tozeur is bustling with activity. Most of the buildings in town are constructed of brick arranged in intricate patterns. The old quarter, called Ouled el-Hadef, is an interesting place for a stroll. The Dar Charait Museum has nice displays of pottery and decorative art, as well as rooms depicting scenes from Tunisian life. We also enjoyed taking a caleche (horse-drawn carriage) ride through the dirt lanes of the lush palmeraie, one of the largest oases in Tunisia.

There are several day-trip possibilities from Tozeur. Nefta, with its deep bowl-shaped oasis, white-domed shrines and ornamental brickwork, is a picturesque village west of Tozeur on the road to Algeria. The topography north of Tozeur is dramatic, with mountains, gorges and spring-fed waterfalls and pools. The oasis villages of Tamerza, Mides and Chebika are worth seeing on an organized four-wheel-drive tour. Tozeur is 280 mi/450 km southwest of Tunis.

Tunis

The coastal area of Tunisia's capital, Tunis, at the western end of Lake Tunis, includes the ruins of ancient Carthage and the picturesque suburb Sidi Bou Said. The main focus of its ville nouvelle (new city) is the wide, tree-lined Avenue Habib Bourguiba, which becomes Avenue de France and ends in Place de la Victoire and the entrance to the medina. The medina is a place where traditions can be observed and where visitors get a feel for the local way of life. It features most of the city's points of interest and souvenir shops. Bardo Museum, which is housed in an old palace, is renowned as the best in the country and features an impressive display of artifacts covering Carthaginian, Roman, Palaeo-Christian and Arab-Islamic eras. The Roman mosaics are one of the finest collections in the world. The 13th-century Kasbah Mosque stands on an enormous open square beautifully paved with local granite. One of the best beaches is found at La Marsa - one of the most exclusive residential suburbs, with upscale cafes and restaurants. Others are at Amilcar and La Goulette.