As I consider the highlights of our recent trip to Tunisia with Mosaic North Africa, the word “extraordinary” keeps coming to mind.

We began our journey with a warm greeting from our driver Hassan at the Tunis Airport. Adventure immediately found us as he wound his way carefully into Tunis Medina through the narrow streets until we arrived at our guesthouse, The Dar Ben Gacem.

This ancient former home in the medina wall was an extraordinary introduction to Tunisian culture. Although my husband and I felt as though we had just been transported back in time, we enjoyed all the comforts of the modern world. After a wonderful dinner of local fish and couscous, we were encouraged to explore the rooftop. Here we discovered an absolutely charming covered sitting area from which to view the stars. Within a few minutes, our server appeared delivering hot mint tea and a try of local sweets. This experience set the stage for an unforgettable two-week journey.

Our Mosaic NA guide in Tunis took great care to provide a rich educational experience in each of the sites we visited. The Bardo Museum continues to show the scars from their recent tragedy but the security of this World Heritage Site made us feel very safe. The Bardo showcases North African artifacts and stunning mosaics that have made this a world-class destination not to be missed.
Carthage, Dougga, and El Jem were absolutely breathtaking. Think Roman Coliseum without the hoards of tourists. The security at all of these sites is a strong indicator that the Tunisian people place a high value on their rich heritage and their guests.

As a Canadian, Kevin Dyck of Mosaic North Africa has an excellent understanding of the “tourist” but as a resident of North Africa, Kevin has an intimate knowledge of the local culture and off-the-beaten-path treasures. We enjoyed hot springs at the edge of the desert, were serenaded on ancient musical instruments by our camel trek guides, experienced the best of local food, slept in ancient Troglodyte homes, and explored several Star Wars sites. Kevin’s love of coffee also comes in handy when looking for the best coffee shops in many parts of the country!

Some of the best experiences on this trip have yet to be discovered by the “guide books”! This is truly an amazing part of the world and Mosaic North Africa made this an extraordinary trip of a lifetime.