Republic of Tunisia Travel Itinerary - Visa Application Document body { font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: #000000; color: #ffffff; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0; padding: 40px 20px; } .container { max-width: 1000px; margin: 0 auto; } header { text-align: center; margin-bottom: 40px; } h1, h2, h3, p, span, li, strong { color: #ffffff; } h1 { font-size: 2rem; margin-bottom: 5px; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; } .document-meta { font-size: 1rem; margin-bottom: 30px; } .itinerary-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 20px; } .day-box { background-color: #000000; border: 2px solid #000000; outline: 1px solid #333333; padding: 20px; page-break-inside: avoid; } .day-header { border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 15px; } .day-header h2 { margin: 0; font-size: 1.4rem; } .day-header .location { font-size: 1rem; font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; } .activity-list { list-style-type: none; padding: 0; margin: 0; } .activity-list li { margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 15px; position: relative; } .activity-list li::before { content: "-"; position: absolute; left: 0; top: 0; } .highlight { font-weight: bold; } footer { margin-top: 40px; padding-top: 20px; border-top: 1px solid #000000; } .tips-section { margin-bottom: 20px; } .tips-section h3 { font-size: 1.2rem; margin-bottom: 10px; text-transform: uppercase; } .tips-list { list-style-type: square; padding-left: 20px; font-size: 0.95rem; } .tips-list li { margin-bottom: 8px; } .official-note { text-align: center; font-size: 0.9rem; font-style: italic; margin-top: 30px; } @media print { body { background-color: #ffffff !important; color: #000000 !important; padding: 0; } h1, h2, h3, p, span, li, strong, .location { color: #000000 !important; } .day-box { background-color: #ffffff !important; border: 2px solid #000000 !important; outline: none !important; margin-bottom: 20px; box-shadow: none !important; } .day-header { border-bottom: 1px solid #000000 !important; } footer { border-top: 1px solid #000000 !important; } @page { margin: 2cm; } } Travel Itinerary Destination: Republic of Tunisia (Tunis, Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, Kairouan, El Jem, Monastir, Sousse, Hammamet) Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights Purpose of Travel: Tourism & Historical Heritage Day 1 - Arrival in Tunis & The Great Zitouna Mosque Arrival & Immigration: Depart from Dhaka (DAC) and arrive at Tunis–Carthage International Airport (TUN). Proceed through border control by presenting your pre-approved Tunisian traditional visa, return flight confirmation, and proof of accommodation. Transfer securely to your central hotel. The Medina of Tunis: Spend the afternoon navigating the Medina of Tunis, a sprawling, historic 9th-century UNESCO World Heritage site characterized by its winding alleyways, heavy wooden doors, and vibrant trade networks. Zitouna Mosque (Mosque of Olives): Visit the architectural and spiritual heart of the Medina. As the oldest mosque in the city, the Zitouna Mosque has historically served as one of the most prominent centers of Islamic science and scholarship in North Africa. Souq Exploration: Walk through the specialized artisanal markets branching off from the mosque. Observe the intricate Ottoman-era architecture and vaulted ceilings while exploring the Souq el-Attarine (historic Perfume Market) and the Souq el-Berka (the traditional jewelry market). Accommodation: Overnight stay in Tunis. Day 2 - Antiquity of Carthage & The Aesthetics of Sidi Bou Said Ruins of Carthage: Take a short coastal train (TGM) or taxi to the ancient ruins of Carthage. Explore the sprawling, monumental Antonine Baths (one of the largest bath complexes in the Roman Empire) and ascend Byrsa Hill for panoramic views over the Gulf of Tunis. Sidi Bou Said: Travel a short distance further north to the iconic, cliffside village of Sidi Bou Said, globally renowned for its meticulously preserved cobblestone streets, vibrant bougainvillea, and striking uniform blue-and-white Andalusian architecture. Sufi Heritage (Maqam of Sidi Bou Said): Visit the revered shrine and mausoleum (Maqam) of Abu Said al-Baji (Sidi Bou Said), the highly influential 13th-century Sufi scholar and patron saint for whom the picturesque village is named. Mediterranean Sunset: Conclude the day at the famous "Café des Délices," enjoying traditional mint tea with pine nuts while watching a spectacular sunset over the Mediterranean Sea. Accommodation: Overnight stay in Tunis. Day 3 - Kairouan: The Fourth Holiest City in Islam Transit to Kairouan: Depart the capital early in the morning for an overland drive (approximately 2 hours) southward into the arid interior plains to reach Kairouan, a city holding profound historical and spiritual significance in the Muslim world. Great Mosque of Kairouan (Mosque of Uqba): Visit the crown jewel of the city, founded in 670 CE. Recognized as the first mosque in the Islamic Maghreb, it is a formidable masterpiece of early Islamic architecture, featuring massive buttressed walls, a towering minaret, and ancient columns salvaged from Carthage. Sidi Sahbi Complex (The Barber’s Mosque): Explore this stunningly decorated mausoleum complex, famous for its magnificent courtyards covered in intricate Andalusian tilework (Zellige) and carved stucco. The site houses the remains of Abu Zama' al-Balawi, a revered companion of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Aghlabid Basins: Visit the massive, circular Aghlabid Basins. These 9th-century open-air reservoirs represent one of the most advanced and sophisticated water engineering and hydraulic marvels of the medieval Islamic world. Accommodation: Overnight stay in Kairouan. Day 4 - Arenas and Ribats (El Jem & Monastir) The Amphitheatre of El Jem: Travel eastward to the town of El Jem. Tour the colossal, UNESCO-listed Roman Amphitheatre. Capable of seating 35,000 spectators, it is the largest colosseum in North Africa and one of the best-preserved in the entire world, featuring fully intact subterranean gladiator chambers. Transit to the Coast: Continue the overland journey northward to the breezy coastal resort city of Monastir, heavily fortified during the early Islamic conquests. The Ribat of Monastir: Explore the imposing Ribat, founded in 796 CE. This ancient Islamic defensive fortress, characterized by its high watchtowers and labyrinthine corridors, was utilized by devout soldier-monks (Murabitun) for both military defense against seaborne invasions and intense spiritual retreat. Mausoleum of Habib Bourguiba: Visit the monumental resting place of Tunisia’s first post-independence president. The complex is an architectural marvel featuring twin minarets, stunning golden domes, and highly intricate Carrara marble craftsmanship. Accommodation: Overnight stay in Monastir or neighboring Sousse. Day 5 - Medinas and Seaside Kasbahs (Sousse & Hammamet) Sousse Medina & Great Mosque: Begin the morning exploring the UNESCO-listed Medina of Sousse. Visit the austere, fortress-like Great Mosque of Sousse (which notably lacks a traditional minaret) and walk the formidable stone ramparts of the Kasbah overlooking the harbor. Transit to Hammamet: Drive north along the coastline toward the popular resort town of Hammamet, famous for its citrus groves, clear waters, and relaxed atmosphere. Hammamet Kasbah & Old Town: Walk through the meticulously clean, white-washed streets of the old town enclosed within the 15th-century Kasbah walls, offering sweeping views of the sandy beaches and fishing boats below. Villa Sebastian: Spend the late afternoon visiting Villa Sebastian (The International Cultural Center). Built in the 1920s by a Romanian millionaire, its elegant Moorish-Deco architecture and lush botanical gardens represent a pinnacle of interwar coastal elegance. Accommodation: Overnight stay in Hammamet. Day 6 - Mosaics and Palatial Craftsmanship (Tunis) Return to the Capital: Undertake a morning drive back to Tunis to finalize the cultural exploration of the country's northern heartland. Bardo National Museum: Dedicate the late morning to the Bardo Museum, housed within an opulent 19th-century Beylic palace. The museum is globally celebrated for containing the largest, most significant, and breathtaking collection of Roman mosaics in the world. La Marsa & Palais Ennejma Ezzahra: Head to the upscale coastal district of La Marsa for a seaside lunch. Afterward, visit the Palais Ennejma Ezzahra. Built by Baron d'Erlanger, this stunning palace serves as the Center for Arab and Mediterranean Music and showcases the absolute finest examples of traditional North African woodwork, plaster carving, and tile craftsmanship. Farewell Gastronomy: Enjoy a final, authentic Tunisian dinner. Highly recommended is the crispy, egg-filled "Brik" pastry followed by the national staple, "Couscous aux Poissons" (spiced fish couscous). Accommodation: Overnight stay in Tunis. Day 7 - Historic Mansions, Souvenirs & Departure Dar Lasram: Spend your final morning back in the Tunis Medina visiting Dar Lasram, a beautifully preserved 19th-century aristocratic mansion that provides deep insight into the opulent domestic lifestyle of the traditional Tunisian elite. Souq es-Sabbaghine (Dyers' Market): Walk through the Dyers' Market to observe vivid skeins of wool and cotton hanging overhead. This is the ideal location to purchase authentic, hand-dyed textiles. Final Souvenir Acquisitions: Complete your shopping by acquiring premium Tunisian exports: hand-painted Nabeul ceramics, intricately woven desert carpets (Klims/Kilims), and high-quality, cold-pressed local olive oil. Airport Transfer & Departure: Transfer securely to Tunis–Carthage International Airport (TUN). Complete all customs declarations (including surrendering all remaining Tunisian Dinars) and exit immigration procedures before boarding your return flight to Dhaka (DAC). Essential Travel Notes & Embassy Tips Visa & Entry Requirements: Citizens of Bangladesh are required to obtain a traditional tourist visa prior to departure. Applications must be submitted to the nearest Tunisian embassy or consulate with a valid passport, proof of confirmed hotel accommodation, onward/return flight tickets, and bank statements. Strict Closed Currency (Tunisian Dinar): The Tunisian Dinar (TND) is a closed currency. It is strictly illegal to import or export Tunisian Dinars. Foreign currency exceeding the equivalent of 5,000 TND must be declared upon arrival at customs. Keep all bank or official exchange bureau receipts; you must present these receipts at the airport to convert any leftover Dinars back into foreign currency before departing. Mandatory Tourist/Hotel Tax: Tunisia enforces a state tourist accommodation tax, payable directly to the hotel upon check-in. The fee is 12 TND per person, per night for 4-star and 5-star hotels, and 8 TND for 3-star hotels. This tax is capped at a maximum of 10 consecutive nights (children under 12 are exempt). Cultural Modesty & Mosque Etiquette: While coastal resort towns like Hammamet and Sousse have very relaxed dress codes, traditional Medina areas and interior cities like Kairouan remain conservative. When visiting mosques or shrines, both men and women must dress modestly, ensuring shoulders and knees are fully covered. Women should carry a light scarf to cover their hair when entering religious complexes. Photography Restrictions: It is strictly forbidden to photograph government buildings, military installations, or police personnel. Ensure you ask for permission before photographing local residents in the Medinas, as many prefer not to be captured on camera. Drones & Prohibited Items: The importation and operation of aerial drones by tourists are strictly prohibited without an explicit, pre-approved permit from the Tunisian Ministry of Interior. Drones brought without permits will be immediately confiscated by airport customs. This document is prepared for visa application, immigration clearance, and comprehensive travel planning.