Experience some of Tunisia’s most important UNESCO historical and Islamic cultural site. Begin in Kairouan, the first Islamic city in North Africa and one of the holiest in the Islamic world. Visit the Aghlabite pools, built by Emir Ibrahim during the 9th century, and the great mosque Okba, built in 1670 by the conqueror Okba Ibn Nefaa, founder of the capital of Arab-Muslim Ifriquia and the holy city of Islam. See Zaouia Sidi Sahbi, known as the Barber’s Mausoleum. It contains the tomb of a companion of the prophet Mohammed. In addition to its historical and religious significance, Kairouan is a center for authentic, one-of-a-kind crafts, such as Kairouan carpets, which are famous all over the world. You’ll have time to shop or explore here before joining your fellow explorers for lunch at a nearby restaurant.

Continue your adventure in El Djem, the site of ancient Thydrus, one of the richest cities in Roman Africa. Visit its vast amphitheater, the sixth largest in the world. It was built in 230 AD by the Romans to show Berber insurgents that Rome was not in decline. Its three floors could accommodate more than 30,000 spectators. Stop in at a fascinating archaeological museum, then, return to Sousse where you can visit the old city with its colorful bazaars and enjoy free time for shopping or exploring at your leisure before returning to your ship.

Your tour starts with a pleasant drive to Le Bardo, a settlement four kilometers southwest of Tunis township, where you’ll visit the famous National Museum (Bardo Museum). It’s located in the former sultan’s palace, which was built in 1882. Along with the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, it is undoubtedly the most important museum in North Africa — a wonderful place to expand your understanding of how the Phoenicians, Romans and Arabs influenced the culture and history of Tunisia. The museum sports one of the largest collections of Roman mosaics in the world.

Your next stop is the Medina of Tunis where you’ll have the opportunity to shop for hand-crafted treasures or stroll through the picturesque, meandering streets. After a lunch consisting of local specialties, enjoy a folkloric show then resume your tour with a visit to the Punic and Roman remains of ancient city Carthage, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, once one of the most powerful cities in the Western Mediterranean. Stop at the Sanctuary of Tophet where over a period of 600 years so many children were sacrificed to Ball-Ammon and Tanit that the Carthaginians ran out of space for additional funereal urns.

Head to the coast to visit one of the largest of Roman baths: the Baths of Antonius Pius. Among the ancient remains are the ground floor with personal resting and heating rooms. Next to the baths is an open-air museum displaying Punic tombs, sarcophagi, mosaic floors and the remains of an early Christian basilica. Continuing to Byrsa Hill, view the entire site, with vestiges of Punic houses scattered on the slope. Your final stop here is the Museum of Carthage, with its superb collection of artifacts from the excavations. Your tour will then move on to Sidi-Bou-Saïd, a picturesque blue-and-white Tunisian village, overlooking the Bay of Tunis and famous for its handicrafts. You’ll have some time at your leisure or you can relax in one of the local houses with some refreshing mint tea before returning, through the residential district of Tunis, to the port and the ship.

Today you’ll travel to the archaeological site of Hippo Regius, the ancient city on which modern-day Annaba is built. Hippo was a Tyrian colony on the west coast of the bay called Hipponensis Sinus. It was first settled by the Phoenicians, probably in the 12th century B.C., and earned the surname Regius “of the king” because it was one of the places where the Numidian kings resided. A maritime city near the mouth of the river Ubus, it became a Roman “colonia,” grew prosperous and developed into a major city in Roman Africa.

It is perhaps most famous as the bishopric of the philosopher and theologian Augustine of Hippo. In the summer of 430, the Vandals were besieging the city of Hippo as the aged bishop lay dying within. Shortly after his death in August 28, 430, they captured the city under King Geiseric after an 18-month siege in 431 and made it the capital of the Vandal Kingdom in Northern Africa from 431 to 439.

This archaeological site is believed to have a surface area of around 60 hectares, but only 25 have been excavated thus far. Your guide will show you some of the site’s most interesting ruins, including the Forum (the largest in the Maghreb measuring an astounding 76 x 43 meters), the Baths, the Theatre, the Christian quarters with its large basilica, and what used to be the water’s edge, now covered with alluvial deposits. Notice the very large paving slabs; it is said that elephants were used to transport these massive pavers. See the remains of cisterns and aqueducts that brought water to the city from the nearby mountain range of Edough. At the end of your adventure board your coach for the return journey to the ship.

El Kala, Algeria

Algeria’s National Park of El Kala is located just 10 miles from the Tunisian border and is home to several lakes (including Lake Tonga) as well as a unique ecosystem in the Mediterranean basin. It was created in 1983 and was recognized as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1990.

Embark on a wildlife tour with your expert local guide to view this diverse eco-system, explore its flora and fauna, and visit the Eco-Museum and mini-zoo to learn more about the endemic and threatened species in this unique habitat.

During the late 2nd millennium B.C., in the Bronze Age, a unique type of defensive structure known as nuraghi developed on the island of Sardinia. These beehive-like communities consist of circular defensive towers in the form of truncated cones built of dressed stone, with corbel-vaulted internal chambers.

Drive to Su Nuraxi di Barumini, an important nuraghic archaeological site as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Extended and reinforced in the first half of the 1st millennium under Carthaginian pressure, it is the finest and most complete example of this remarkable form of prehistoric architecture. Explore the site with your knowledgeable local guide, visit Casa Zapata, a noble house with a small Nuraghe, and take a panoramic tour of charming Cagliari before heading back to your ship.

Travel by motorcoach from Arbatax to Tortolì where you’ll explore this important regional center. Tour an attractive 18th century Baroque-style church, the Spanish Tower and the Tower of San Gemiliano, built in the XVI century by the Spanish as a defense against raids from pirates. You’ll have some free time to stroll the town before heading into the mountains to take in the splendid views and trek ‘off road’ in search of flora and fauna.

We’ll stop at a local restaurant where you can sample some delectable regional specialties, including olives, mushrooms, ricotta, a variety of breads and wine. Head out to beautiful Santa Maria Navarrese, located on the southern coast of the island, where crystal-clear waters reflect a 12-century church, olive trees (one of which is as old as the church!), and a collection of ancient buildings. Enjoy your free time here and then board your zodiac, which will transport you to your ship. (Zodiac landing or touring)

One of Europe's most spectacular roads, the Amalfi Drive is an amazing experience. It threads the high, rocky sea cliffs of the Amalfi coast, passing several picturesque villages clinging precariously to the steep coastline with a view of beautiful Positano in the distance. The views of the Italian Riviera and Bay of Naples are breathtaking. This time of the year the landscape is blanketed with bright-hued wildflowers, and the coastal air is fresh and tinged with the pleasant aroma of the sea. En route we’ll stop to take in the wonderful views and briefly stretch in the pretty town of Sorrento.

At the end of your scenic drive, you’ll reach Pompeii. Pompeii is considered to be the world's finest example of an ancient Roman town. Upon arrival, you will see the huge forum and great temples, and have an opportunity to peer inside homes and shops suspended in time by the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. After visiting the excavations, enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, before driving back to Amalfi for a second, panoramic view of the Amalfi Coast.

Enjoy a beautiful drive into the provincial center of Campania, to visit the Royal Palace of Caserta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monumental complex at Caserta was created by the Bourbon king, Charles III in the mid-18th century to rival Versailles and the Royal Palace in Madrid. It’s exceptional for the way it brings together a magnificent palace with its park and gardens, as well as a forest, hunting lodges and a silk factory.

Take a guided tour of the palace, an architectural masterpiece designed by Luigi Vanvitelli. It boasts 1,200 rooms connected by 34 staircases and is illuminated by 1,970 windows. Transfer by shuttle to visit the palace park. With its artificial fountains and cascades, the park is a typical example of the baroque extension of formal vistas. As you stroll through the grounds, admire the marble statues and enjoy the calming sound of the fountains’ cascading water. The short shuttle ride will then take you to your coach for the drive to a local restaurant for lunch before your return drive to Gaeta.

Ponziane Islands, Italy      June 22, 2010

Wander around a sleepy Italian fishing village with colorful houses set amongst white cliffs and sandy beaches. Sample the local seafood and wine.

Disembark or continue your journey with the next voyage.