TUNISIA May 9 to 21, 2022 On this in-depth exploration of Tunisia, visit seven UNESCO World Heritage sites, covering the Phoenician, Roman and Islamic periods. Medinas, mosques and more. Walk through the Old Town of Tunis, Tunisia’s capital, with its mosques, palaces and lively bazaars and the ornate necropolis of former Ottoman rulers. Awesome oases. Explore the utterly stunning mountain oases of Chebika, Tamerza and Mides in the Djebel el Negueb hills along the Algerian border. Locals only. Meet local journalists and cultural experts for insiders’ views on Berber culture as well as the Jasmine Revolution, when a Tunisian street vendor’s death in December 2010—and the uprising that followed—sparked the Arab Spring. FACULTY LEADER Grant Parker GRANT PARKER, chair of Stanford’s department of classics, is also courtesy faculty in the department of comparative literature and an affiliate of the Center for African Studies and the Stanford Archaeology Center. He has been a resident fellow in Toyon Hall for more than 10 years. He has written on the literature and cultural history of the ancient Roman world, typically bringing monuments, maps and histories of collecting into his research. At Stanford he teaches Latin literature and a variety of topics in the comparative global humanities. Travel literature in ancient and modern times has been an ongoing focus (Mediterranean Passages: Readings from Dido to Derrida, co-edited with miriam cooke and Erdag Göknar). During our program his lecture series “History, Memory and Heritage in Tunisia” will focus on places, objects and biographies that will provide insight into the rich pasts we’ll be sampling. — Joined Stanford Department of Classics in 2006, department chair since 2015 — Richard E. Guggenhime Faculty Scholar, Stanford University, since 2016 — formerly held faculty positions at the University of Michigan and Duke University — BA and MA, Princeton University; PhD, University of Cape Town — Publications include The Making of Roman India (2008), as author, and South Africa, Greece, Rome: Classical Confrontations (2018), as editor. ITINERARY MONDAY, MAY 9 TUNIS, TUNISIA Arrive in Tunis and enjoy a welcome reception and dinner of local specialties at our hotel. DAR EL JELD HOTEL (D) TUESDAY, MAY 10 TUNIS / CARTHAGE / SIDI BOU SAID / LE BARDO This morning tour the extensive archaeological digs around legendary Carthage. Next visit the lovely whitewashed village of Sidi Bou Said, overlooking the Gulf of Tunis, a source of inspiration to generations of artists. Also stop at the former palace of Baron d’Erlanger, a showcase of Moorish architecture with an acclaimed collection of North African musical instruments. After lunch head to the immense National Bardo Museum, situated in a former palace of the Bey of Tunis in the suburb of Le Bardo and world-renowned for its archaeological and Islamic collections, including exceptional Roman mosaics. DAR EL JELD HOTEL (B,L) STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY | (650) 725-1093 | [email protected] FRANCES C. ARRILLAGA ALUMNI CENTER | 326 GALVEZ STREET | STANFORD, CA 94305 TUNISIA May 9 to 21, 2022 WEDNESDAY, MAY 11 TUNIS / DOUGGA / BULLA REGIA Archaeology dominates the day as we head west to the hillside town of Dougga, Tunisia’s prime Roman site, complete with temples, theaters, baths, residential quarters, warehouses, cisterns and even restrooms. After lunch continue to the ruined city of Bulla Regia, known for its unique underground Roman villas, whose recently uncovered mosaics are the finest in situ mosaics to be found anywhere. DAR EL JELD HOTEL (B,L) THURSDAY, MAY 12 TUNIS This morning walk through the Old Town of the capital. After a lunch of local specialties, the remainder of the afternoon is free. This evening we’ll meet a local journalist, who will share firsthand experiences of the Jasmine Revolution and discuss the revolution’s origins and its effect on today’s Tunisian society. Dinner tonight is at a converted palace in the medina. DAR EL JELD HOTEL (B,D) FRIDAY, MAY 13 TUNIS / DJERBA / HOUMT SOUK Transfer early this morning to the Tunis airport for our flight to the idyllic isle of Djerba. Visit the synagogue of Hara Sghira, one of the oldest, holiest Jewish monuments in North Africa and today a site of a major annual pilgrimage. Continue to Guellala, the cradle of pottery on the island, and see the fashioning of terra cotta wares at a local workshop. Also visit the Djerba Traditional Heritage Museum, which showcases arts and traditions found throughout the country. Then drive to the island’s main town of Houmt Souk in time for its weekly outdoor market. Also visit the superbly designed, informative Djerba Traditional Heritage Museum, which showcases arts and traditions found throughout the country. RADISSON BLU PALACE RESORT & THALASSO (B,L,D) SATURDAY, MAY 14 FOUM TATAOUINE Today’s excursion takes us to the region of Foum Tataouine to see the unique ghorfa Berber settlements, fortified granaries built atop outcrops of rock. Highlights include Chenini, the south’s most picturesque ruins and the nearby Seven Sleepers mosque; Ksar Ouled Soltane, the restored ruins of a 15th-century ksar (fortress) once featured in a Star Wars film; and the 11th-century Ksar Kedim, with its mysterious geometrical bas-reliefs. RADISSON BLU PALACE RESORT & THALASSO (B,L,D) SUNDAY, MAY 15 HOUMT SOUK / MATMATA / TOZEUR Return to the mainland by ferry and head to the hilly region of Matmata, with its dozens of giant wells used as dwellings by local Berbers, who dug them ages ago to escape the desert’s heat. From here we cross the great salt lake Chott el Djerid, an immense flat stretch of white that gives rise to desert mirages. In the early afternoon arrive at the south’s capital of Tozeur, where a horse and buggy ride takes us to its oasis, Tunisia’s largest. Enjoy lunch accompanied by a performance of typical southern folklore, then visit the desert zoo, featuring all the fauna found in Saharan regions. ANANTARA TOZEUR RESORT (B,L,D) MONDAY, MAY 16 MOUNTAIN OASES STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY | (650) 725-1093 | [email protected] FRANCES C. ARRILLAGA ALUMNI CENTER | 326 GALVEZ STREET | STANFORD, CA 94305 TUNISIA May 9 to 21, 2022 This morning explore the unique mountain oases of Chebika, Tamerza and Mides in the Djebel el Negueb hills along the Algerian border. Midday return to Tozeur, where we take a stroll through the Old Town and admire its unique adobe-brick construction. ANANTARA TOZEUR RESORT (B,L,D) TUESDAY, MAY 17 TOZEUR / SBEITLA / KAIROUAN Head north to the ruins of Sbeitla, an impressive forum, temples and Byzantine churches. The Byzantines turned this former Roman town into one of their main strongholds. Its fall to the Arabs signaled the end of the Byzantine Empire’s hold on North Africa. From here continue north to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Kairouan, formerly the Arab capital of all Northern Africa and still one of Islam’s most sacred sites. Take a stroll through the medina, stopping at the camel-driven Barrouta Well, the city’s oldest, dug in 796 CE. Also see the 9th-century Aghlabite cisterns, one of the most astounding hydraulic systems in the Islamic world. GOLDEN YASMIN LA KASBAH (B,L,D) WEDNESDAY, MAY 18 EL DJEM / SOUSSE Venture to the well-preserved 3rd-century Roman Amphitheatre of El Djem, the largest amphitheater in Northern Africa and comparable to the Roman Colosseum. Then head to the archaeological museum in Sousse, famed for its superb collection of mosaics, some from Roman tombs, followed by a tour of the town’s lively medina. GOLDEN YASMIN LA KASBAH (B,L,D) THURSDAY, MAY 19 KAIROUAN / KERKOUANE / TUNIS This morning visit Kairouan's great mosque, the oldest religious monument still in use in North Africa, adn the Barber's Mausoleum, an example of Andalusian architecture. Next head northeast to the Bou Argoub region, the country’s foremost viticulture center, for a private tasting of prime crus followed by lunch. From there drive up Cape Bon, the African continent’s northernmost point, to Kerkouane, a UNESCO World Heritage site and Africa’s only ruins of a Phoenician city. Continue our picturesque drive through the Cape’s hinterland back to Tunis and the seaside suburb of Gammarth. FOUR SEASONS HOTEL TUNIS (B,L) FRIDAY, MAY 20 TUNIS Today is reserved for special meetings with local political figures and NGO officials. This evening enjoy our farewell reception and dinner at a former palace in the medina. FOUR SEASONS HOTEL TUNIS (B,D) SATURDAY, MAY 21 TUNIS / HOME Transfer to the Tunis airport for flights home. (B) INFORMATION Covid-19 and Travel With travel requirements and local Covid-19 conditions changing weekly, travel protocols for specific destinations will be shared with confirmed travelers closer to departure. To read more about Travel/Study’s approach to ensuring traveler health and safety, visit our Covid-19 Travel page. STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY | (650) 725-1093 | [email protected] FRANCES C. ARRILLAGA ALUMNI CENTER | 326 GALVEZ STREET | STANFORD, CA 94305 TUNISIA May 9 to 21, 2022 Size This trip requires a minimum of 20 participants and is limited to 26. Travel/Study is committed to providing a low-density experience on all programs and will implement protocols to do so, including social distancing on transportation as well as during lectures, meals and excursions. Single accommodations are limited. Cost* $7,795 per person, double occupancy $8,895 per person, single occupancy *Stanford Alumni Association nonmembers add $300 per person Included ● 12 nights of deluxe hotel accommodations