Tunisia: From Roman Carthage to the Sahara

Tunisia is the smallest country in North Africa, but it packs an extraordinary range of experiences into a short drive. In one trip you can walk through Roman ruins, swim in the Mediterranean, wander a medieval medina, and sleep in a desert camp.

Begin in Tunis. The Bardo Museum has one of the finest collections of Roman mosaics in the world, and the nearby medina is a UNESCO-listed maze of souks, mosques, and historic palaces. The coastal suburb of Sidi Bou Saïd is famous for its blue-and-white houses, cliffside cafés, and views over the Gulf of Tunis.

A short train ride away, the ruins of Carthage sprawl across a series of hills and bays. The site is scattered, so rent a bike or hire a driver to link the main excavations. The Roman baths and the Punic ports are the highlights.

Head south to El Jem, home to the third-largest Roman amphitheatre in the world, then continue to Kairouan, Islam's fourth-holiest city, and the Great Mosque. Further south, the oasis towns of Tozeur and Douz mark the edge of the Sahara.

From Douz, take a camel trek or jeep excursion into the dunes of the Grand Erg Oriental. The salt flats of Chott el Djerid and the troglodyte homes of Matmata, used as a Star Wars filming location, add a surreal touch to the desert section.

Tunisia is easy to travel by train, louage shared taxis, and rental car. The best time is March to June and September to November, when the coast is warm and the desert is not unbearably hot. It is one of the most affordable North African destinations and a great introduction to the region.