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Tunisia: Rocks and Sands
In Search of Ancient Meteorites

March 19 – 29, 2011

Tunisia is where great traders and warriors have walked over its marbled floors for centuries; it is the murmur of springs amidst date-palm oasis and the star-studded desert nights. It is Carthage, the setting of Virgil’s, “Aeneid”, with aged ruins near the turquoise blue sea.

And, it is the receiver of rocks from space. Join astronomy experts, Dave Eicher, editor, Astronomy magazine and Chris McKay, NASA Mars researcher as we explore the desert sands of Tunisia for meteorites.

Distinguished Lecturers

Join astronomy experts, Dave Eicher, editor, Astronomy magazine and Chris McKay, NASA Mars researcher as we explore the desert sands of Tunisia for meteorites.

Tour includes:

• Round-trip airfare from SFO/LAX via PARIS

• Four star accommodations throughout itinerary

• Meals: Breakfasts, Lunch, Dinner daily

• All entrance fees, porterage, and taxes for tours & sites visited

• Lecturers: Dave Eicher, Astronomy magazine and Chris McKay, NASA

• English speaking guide throughout tour

• Sightseeing:

• El Jem Coliseum

• Hammamet

• Sousse

• Tatahouine

• Tozeur

• Explore Berber villages & date-palm oasis

• Carthage ruins and Roman baths

• Bardo Museum

ITINERARY

Saturday/Sunday, March 19/20, 2011 —USA-Hammamet
Arrive at Tunis Carthage Airport. Met and assisted with transfer to the hotel. (D)

Monday, March 21, 2011 —Hammamet-Sfax
Hammamet is on the beautiful blue Mediterranean Sea where you will see castles and souks for shopping. Continue to Sousse, the Phoenician city of Hadrumatum. Enjoy the breeze from the harbor area, as you walk through the old medina, the Catacombs where the Romans buried their dead, and perhaps a local museum. Enjoy lunch at Monastir. Continue to El Jem, an impressive Roman coliseum surrounded by olive groves deep in the desert. (B/L/D)

Tuesday/Wednesday, March 22/23, 2011 —Tatahouine
After exploring the old city of Sfax, we head farther south and the desert outpost and real life setting of ‘planet Tatooine’ for two STAR WARS movies. The area is famous for its ksour (fortified Berber granaries) including the picturesque Ksar Ouled Soltane, Chenini and Douiret. On June 27 1931 a meteorite of the rare achondrite type impacted Tunisia, about 12 kg of fragments were found. The mineral of this meteorite was named Diogenite. (B/L/D)

Thursday, March 24, 2011 —Tatahouine - Matmata
Our journey continues to Matmata where we will see the troglodyte houses, where descendants of the Berbers still live as their ancestors did. (B/L/D)

Friday/Saturday, March 25/26, 2011 —Tozeur
Visit Kebil for lunch, and on to Tozeur, crossing to the Chott El Djerid to see the desert Berber villages of southeast Tunisia. Visit Tamerza and Nefta, with a carriage ride to the oasis. Return via the village market for the array of handicrafts. (B/L/D)

Sunday, March 27, 2011 —Kairouan – Tunis
After breakfast, visit the ancient Roman pools at Gafsa and then to Sbeitla to climb the Roman ruins. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Kairouan, an Islamic Holy City with several mosques. It is famous for its leather goods and carpets. (B/L/D)

Monday, March 28, 2011 —Tunis
After breakfast, we visit the famous Bardo Museum where we examine the largest Roman mosaics in the world, and the medina of Tunis for last minute bargain hunting. We will relax for lunch at a local seashore restaurant. In the afternoon we will visit the famous Carthaginian ruins and also stop at the typical medieval village of Sidi Bou Said. (B/L/D)

Tuesday, March 29, 2011 —Tunis – USA
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward journey. (B)

For a general interest form, and registration, please contact MWT Associates at tours@melitatrips.com or visit their website at www.melitatrips.com

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