Tunisia Culinary Journey

This morning, you’ll step into the heart of Tunis medina for an immersive cookery class. Guided by expert local chefs, you’ll learn the secrets of Tunisia’s spice-laden cuisine, preparing fragrant dishes before sitting down to savour your creations. After lunch, visit the famed Bardo Museum, where a world-class collection of brilliantly executed Roman mosaics and sculptures is displayed.

Begin your day with a visit to the ruins of ancient Carthage, where your guide will bring to life the dramatic rise and fall of this fabled city as you stroll through its monumental Roman and Punic sites. After lunch in a celebrated restaurant specialising in couscous, explore Sidi Bou Said, which is perched high above the cliffs overlooking the sea and is considered one of Tunisia’s most attractive villages.

Dinner this evening will be at Les Dunes, a stylish seaside restaurant where you can savour freshly caught fish and classic Tunisian specialities while enjoying views over the Mediterranean.

Heading inland this morning, drive to the Ben Ismaïl Estate, a family-run farm renowned for its award-winning olive oils. Here you’ll discover the art of olive oil production and learn how traditional goat’s cheese is made, before sitting down to a delicious farm lunch. In the afternoon, continue to the impressive Roman ruins of Dougga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its remarkably preserved theatre, temples, and forum. Later, travel onwards to El Kef, a picturesque historic hilltop town.

Today will start with a cookery class at Dar Boumakhlouf, a charming traditional residence, where you’ll learn how to prepare borzguen, a distinctive local speciality combining lamb, wheat, and dried fruits. Lunch will be the dish you have helped to create.

This afternoon, explore El Kef, where sightseeing will include a wander through the picturesque blue and white medina and the opportunity to take in the commanding views from the hilltop kasbah. You will also visit the mausoleum of Sidi Bou Makhlouf, the Jewish synagogue (from the outside), and the ruins of the Roman Baths.

This morning, drive via Maktar (ancient Mactaris), an archaeological site with well-preserved Roman ruins, to the holy city of Kairouan. In the afternoon, explore Kairouan’s historic medina, visiting its remarkable mosques and bustling souks. Pause at a local café to sample traditional sweets and pastries accompanied by mint tea or cardamom-spiced coffee. A highlight of the visit is Halima Berrak’s patisserie, renowned for its makroud pastries, where you can enjoy a hands-on tasting experience of this iconic Kairouan delicacy.

Begin today with the drive to El Djem to visit the magnificent Roman amphitheatre, a structure that is in a better state of preservation than the Colosseum in Rome. Next, see the fine mosaics in El Djem’s museum before continuing to the attractive coastal town of Mahdia. Discover Mahdia’s relaxed whitewashed lanes and other attractions on foot and then continue to Monastir later in the day.

This morning, drive the short distance along the coast to the medina town of Sousse. Enjoy a guided walking tour, where you can explore the atmospheric medina and discover a variety of spices, textiles, and local crafts for sale. Lunch offers the chance to savour fresh seafood, from octopus stew (kamounia) to grilled octopus and calamari. In the afternoon, continue to Hammamet, where you’ll spend the next two nights, with the option to extend your stay.

Today will begin with a hands-on harissa workshop, where you will learn how this iconic Tunisian chilli paste is crafted from fresh, local ingredients. Lunch is included as part of the experience, allowing you to savour the dishes you have prepared. In the afternoon, continue to Domaine Neferis. This small estate winery uses traditional methods in a region with a long history of winemaking dating back to Phoenician and Roman times. Enjoy a guided tour of the vineyard, followed by a tasting of their signature wines in a picturesque setting.

A private transfer will take you from your hotel on the coast to Tunis International Airport, where you will check in for your onward flight.