Tunis and the Magical Island of Djerba
27 October to 2 November, 2014
7 days (6 nights) including Shabbat in Djerba.
Book Your Place Now !!!
The Ghriba Synagogue - Djerba
Overview:
Tunisia sits strategically on the border between the eastern and western basins of the Mediterranean Sea. Jews have lived here for centuries: in Tunis – the capital, in the Holy City of Kairouan, which at one time was an important centre of Torah learning, and on the remote Island of Djerba – which claims to have the oldest continually functioning synagogue in the world. These sites, and many more, will be included in our itinerary.
For me, the most interesting part of the trip is the visit to Djerba. Djerba is located in a remote corner of Tunisia, miles away from Tunis. To get there you travel across country, through cities and towns, small Berber villages and markets, until suddenly you reach Djerba where you find Mezuzahs on doors, where you can speak Hebrew to the people, and where there are Kosher shops!
The Jewish community in Djerba is one of the oldest in the world. It is also one of the few Jewish communities left which I would call an ‘organic’ Jewish community where people live a traditional Jewish lives relatively untouched by modernity. I frequently find myself saying ‘people used to do this’, or ‘people used to follow that custom’ – but in Djerba – the community is still there – together with its synagogues, schools and Yeshivas. It is all quite remarkable.
Visiting the community in Djerba on Shabbat poses some logistical difficulties. The Jewish neighbourhoods in Djerba are not near usual tourist sites– and therefore not near tourist class hotels. To spend Shabbat with the community in Djerba means staying at a local Tunisian Hotel – clean and with ensuite facilities – but not the 4 and 5 star standard we are used to. However, the experience of spending Shabbat with this community outweighs the inconvenience – and I invite you to join me for it.
Dates:
27 October - 2 November, 2014. (Monday – Sunday)
Cost:
£770 p/p in double room. Single Supplement: £135.
This does not include flights – which you will need to book separately.
Itinerary:
(subject to change):
Monday: Arrive in Tunis. Opening session and transfer to Hotel (Overnight: Tunis)
Tuesday: The Grand Synagogue of Tunis, Cartharge, Bardo Museum, Sidi Bu Said. (Overnight: Tunis)
Wednesday: Departure to Kairouan. The Holy City of Kairouan – The great Mosque. (Overnight in the beautiful Kasba Hotel 5 * boutique hotel in the Medina of Kairouan)
Thursday: El Jem (A Remarkably well preserved Roman Amphitheatre). The spice market in the oasis town of Gebes, Mamata. (Overnight Matmata)
Friday: Djerba – including El Ghriba - the oldest synagogue in the world, which also hosts the world’s oldest Sefer Torah. (Overnight Hamat Souk).
Shabbat: With the Jewish community. At the end of Shabbat we will transfer hotel. (Overnight Djerba)
Sunday: Transfer to Djerba airport for connecting flight, via Tunis to London. You are invited to extend you stay either at the beautiful beach resort in Djerba, or in Tunis.
Flight Information:
Direct flights from London are offered by Tunisair. The flight schedules for November have not yet been published for most airlines. The trip has been planned around the normal flights schedule – but is subject to change depending on the actual flight schedules from London. As a guideline, return flights from London generally cost in the area of £180 - £250. The trip involves an internal flight from Djerba to Tunis, which you will need to book separately. This flight will only be available to book from mid-August and should cost around £50. This flight can be booked online at: www.sevenair.com.tn.
Registration:
Registration for these trips has now commenced. To reserve a place you will need to complete the registration form and send a £75 deposit (non-refundable) per person. to Register CLICK HERE.
Further options:
You may wish to extend your stay in Tunisia either before or after the main trip. Djerba is a popular tourist resort known for its pristine beaches. It is a good place to start a tour of the Sahara region of Tunisia. I am happy to arrange you extra nights for you.
Further Information:
If you have any questions, please contact me directly on:
[email protected].
Please forward details of the trip to any of your friends who might be interested.
BOOK NOW
I look forward to welcoming you on my next Jewish Journey to Tunisia.
All trips are subject to our Standard Terms and Conditions.
Tunisia sits strategically on the border between the eastern and western basins of the Mediterranean Sea. Jews have lived here for centuries: in Tunis – the capital, in the Holy City of Kairouan, which at one time was an important centre of Torah learning, and on the remote Island of Djerba – which claims to have the oldest continually functioning synagogue in the world. These sites, and many more, will be included in our itinerary.
For me, the most interesting part of the trip is the visit to Djerba. Djerba is located in a remote corner of Tunisia, miles away from Tunis. To get there you travel across country, through cities and towns, small Berber villages and markets, until suddenly you reach Djerba where you find Mezuzahs on doors, where you can speak Hebrew to the people, and where there are Kosher shops!
The Jewish community in Djerba is one of the oldest in the world. It is also one of the few Jewish communities left which I would call an ‘organic’ Jewish community where people live a traditional Jewish lives relatively untouched by modernity. I frequently find myself saying ‘people used to do this’, or ‘people used to follow that custom’ – but in Djerba – the community is still there – together with its synagogues, schools and Yeshivas. It is all quite remarkable.
Visiting the community in Djerba on Shabbat poses some logistical difficulties. The Jewish neighbourhoods in Djerba are not near usual tourist sites– and therefore not near tourist class hotels. To spend Shabbat with the community in Djerba means staying at a local Tunisian Hotel – clean and with ensuite facilities – but not the 4 and 5 star standard we are used to. However, the experience of spending Shabbat with this community outweighs the inconvenience – and I invite you to join me for it.
Dates:
27 October - 2 November, 2014. (Monday – Sunday)
Cost:
£770 p/p in double room. Single Supplement: £135.
This does not include flights – which you will need to book separately.
Itinerary:
(subject to change):
Monday: Arrive in Tunis. Opening session and transfer to Hotel (Overnight: Tunis)
Tuesday: The Grand Synagogue of Tunis, Cartharge, Bardo Museum, Sidi Bu Said. (Overnight: Tunis)
Wednesday: Departure to Kairouan. The Holy City of Kairouan – The great Mosque. (Overnight in the beautiful Kasba Hotel 5 * boutique hotel in the Medina of Kairouan)
Thursday: El Jem (A Remarkably well preserved Roman Amphitheatre). The spice market in the oasis town of Gebes, Mamata. (Overnight Matmata)
Friday: Djerba – including El Ghriba - the oldest synagogue in the world, which also hosts the world’s oldest Sefer Torah. (Overnight Hamat Souk).
Shabbat: With the Jewish community. At the end of Shabbat we will transfer hotel. (Overnight Djerba)
Sunday: Transfer to Djerba airport for connecting flight, via Tunis to London. You are invited to extend you stay either at the beautiful beach resort in Djerba, or in Tunis.
Flight Information:
Direct flights from London are offered by Tunisair. The flight schedules for November have not yet been published for most airlines. The trip has been planned around the normal flights schedule – but is subject to change depending on the actual flight schedules from London. As a guideline, return flights from London generally cost in the area of £180 - £250. The trip involves an internal flight from Djerba to Tunis, which you will need to book separately. This flight will only be available to book from mid-August and should cost around £50. This flight can be booked online at: www.sevenair.com.tn.
Registration:
Registration for these trips has now commenced. To reserve a place you will need to complete the registration form and send a £75 deposit (non-refundable) per person. to Register CLICK HERE.
Further options:
You may wish to extend your stay in Tunisia either before or after the main trip. Djerba is a popular tourist resort known for its pristine beaches. It is a good place to start a tour of the Sahara region of Tunisia. I am happy to arrange you extra nights for you.
Further Information:
If you have any questions, please contact me directly on:
[email protected].
Please forward details of the trip to any of your friends who might be interested.
BOOK NOW
I look forward to welcoming you on my next Jewish Journey to Tunisia.
All trips are subject to our Standard Terms and Conditions.
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