Ancient and Galactic Empires Tour
13 Days * 12 Nightsitinerary Summary
Why stop at Star Wars? Come see the remnants of some of greatest empires the world has known, including Roman and Vandal empires. Begin your vacation taking in history from the past without missing any of the sites George Lucas made famous in the Star Wars epic! Let us take you on a once-in-a-lifetime trip into the past and the future!
- Slave Quarters
- Lars Homestead
- Mos Espa
- Yardangs
- Chalmun’s Cantina
- Obi-Wan’s Home
- Historical & Cultural Museums
- Coliseum in El Jem
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Arrival in Tunis
If you have an early arrival, you will explore the historic Tunis medina which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. You will make your way through narrow lanes and alleyways stumbling upon local artisans such as copper, leather and wool workers and intricately designed carpets. The famous Zitouna Mosque, spice market, and the gold souk (market) are sites you don’t want to miss. Dinner will be at the hotel.
Hotel Options: 3, 4 & 5 hotels
Bardo – Carthage – Sidi Bou Said
After lunch, we visit the ancient archaeological site of Carthage, once the largest ancient city in northern Africa. This site holds ruins from many eras of history: the Punics, Romans, Vandals, and Byzantines all made claim to this area at some point. We then continue to the quaint village of Sidi Bou Said, built on and around several hills overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. We will explore its beautifully paved lanes and spectacular sea views.
Hotel Options: 3, 4 & 5 hotels
Tunis – Dougga – Bulla Regia – El Kef
Continue north to Bulla Regia where you will find some of the best-preserved Roman villas that were built underground. You will also visit a basicila and an amphitheater with a large mosaic of a bear within. St. Augustine of Hippo once visited Bulla Regia in 399 and stood in this amphitheater to reproach the citizens for their lack of faith.
After your visit, travel to El Kef for the night.
Hotel Options: 3 hotel or guesthouse
El Kef – Makthar – Sbeitla – Kairouan
Your next visit will be the archaeological site of Sbeitla. As you explore this site you will see numerous ancient church sites along with intricately designed baptisteries, temples, baths, and the Arch of Diocletian. Sbeitla also has a museum which contains a variety of mosaics and other objects found at the site.
Afterward, you will depart for the famous and important Islamic city of Kairouan. You will have time to relax in the evening.
Hotel Options: 5 hotel only
Kairouan – Tozeur
Afterward, you may be interested in a visit to a carpet-making workshop where you can observe, admire, and learn about this incredible artisan work. There is an ancient medina with winding streets, which makes for a nice place to have lunch. When you have completed your visits, travel to the Tozeur for dinner and night.
Hotel Options: 3, 4 & 5 hotels
Kairouan – Tozeur
Return back to Nefta and travel to the Mos Espa film site beautifully located amongst the Sahara dunes. Here you will find the Pod-racing arena, the Mos Espa streets, Watto’s shop, market, and Sebulba’s Café. East of the set you will find the Yardangs, where the Jedi fight between Qui-Gon and Darth Maul in Episode I was filmed. It was also the location of the Queen’s Royal Starship.
Close by is Ong Jemel ‘the neck of the camel’ where Darth Maul arrives on Tatooine and releases the Sith Probes. After finding Anakin and Qui-Gon, Darth Maul is seen flying over the cliffs. Return back to Tozeur for dinner and night.
Hotel Options: 3, 4 & 5 hotels
Tozeur – Sidi Bouhlel – Chott El Jerid – Douz – Matmata
Afterward, travel across the Chott el Jerid, the largest salt flat in Tunisia, and across barren lands until you reach Douz. You may want to take lunch here before traveling to Matmata. Here you will visit Hotel Sidi Driss, which was used as the interior for the Lars Homestead, the home of Luke Skywalker in Episode IV: A New Hope. In 2002, the filmmakers returned to this set where the site was featured again in Attack of the Clones.
Hotel Options: 3 & 4 hotels
Day Eight
Matmata – Ksar Hadada – Ksar Ouled Soltane – Ksar Medenine – Djerba
Today will be a full day of site visits and travel so you will have an early start. Begin the day by traveling through Tatouine (an actual city in Tunisia). Although the movie was not filmed here, it was an inspiration for naming the desert planet. Continue to Ksar Hadada, one of two confirmed sites for Slave Quarters Row in Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Next, visit Ksar Ouled Soltane, the best-preserved Ksar in southern Tunisia; it is disputed and unlikely to have been featured in the films.
Lastly, visit Ksar Ommarsia (Medenine), which is the
second film location for Slave Quarters Row, Anakin and Shmi’s home. Afterward, you will travel over the Roman Causeway connecting the mainland to Djerba Island where you will have dinner and spend the night.
Hotel Options: 3, 4 & 5 hotels
Djerba Island
In the afternoon, take a tour of Djerba Island visiting the famous pottery town of Guellela, Ghriba Synagogue (oldest Synagogue in North Africa), and Houmt Souk. Dinner will be at the hotel.
Hotel Options: 3, 4 & 5 hotels
Djerba – El Jem – Sousse
Travel to Sousse and if time remains in the day, perhaps you would like to see the archeological museum, kasbah, and medina. Dinner will be at the hotel.
Hotel Options: 4 & 5 hotels
Sousse – Thuburbo Majus – Zaghouan – Hammamet
After lunch, you will depart for Thuburbo Majus, a Roman site that has a small coliseum, baths, and various Roman houses allowing one to imagine life in a quintessential Roman African city.
Next continue to the mountainside Roman site of Zaghouan, where you will find a temple of the ‘water god’. When you are ready, finish the day in Hammamet.
Hotel Options: 4 & 5 hotels
Hammamet – Cap Bon – Tunis
Afterward, explore the picturesque peninsula Cap Bon. Your first stop here will be at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kerkouane, an ancient Punic city of importance.
Next, you will also see the Roman Grottoes of “Ghar el Kébir” in El Haouaria (the tip of Cap Bon). Here you will see ancient quarries that were once used by prisoners and slaves to supply red and yellow sandstone for the construction of Carthage and ancient tombs. Huge blocks of stones were extracted from the lower rocks, hauled out of the shafts, and shipped to Carthage as building material.
You will visit the site of Korbous, a town built on a mountainside in Cap Bon. This town is known for its natural hot spring which has temperatures reaching over 50°C (over 122°F). When you are ready, return to Tunis for the night.
Hotel Options: 3, 4 & 5 hotels
Departure from Tunis
Included in Your Tour
- All Entrance Fees
- Breakfasts
- Dinners
- English-Speaking Tour Guide
- Hotels
- Private Vehicle & Driver
NOT Included
- Drinks
- Gratuities
- International Airfare
- Lunches
- Personal Spending
- Travel Insurance
- Visas