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COUSCOUS
Flavors of Tunisia
May 22 – June 1, 2008

A Feast for the Senses

Couscous is a food of Berber origin, consisting of spherical granules made from rolling and shaping moistened semolina wheat and then coating them with finely ground wheat flour. By itself, couscous does not have much taste, but it absorbs the succulent flavors of the meats and spices adorning it. What had been non-descript becomes out-of-this-world delicious strictly through association.

     It is not surprising then that couscous is one of the national dishes of Tunisia. For such a tiny country, the smallest in North Africa, Tunisia packs a lot of flavor, and much of it comes from association with foreign influences that have touched these shores over thousands of years. Older history is evident everywhere you look.

     The Phoenicians were a maritime trading culture that built countless harbor ports. The Southern Berbers dug their troglodyte pit houses deep into the ground, revealing a way of life little changed over the centuries. The Punics were nomadic traders that left behind numerous towns built around public squares. Evidence of the Romans can still be seen in the ruins of ornate amphitheatres and colonnaded structures at Carthage and El Djem. French Colonial buildings offer a marked contrast to the Arab minarets and mosques in Tunisia’s central cities. Finally, modern Tunisian architecture takes it cue from Art Nouveau with some of the most stylish new buildings to be found anywhere.

     Just as Tunisia’s colorful past has left it rich in historical remains, nature has been equally generous to Tunisia. The landscape varies from the cliffs of the north coast to the woodlands of the interior, from deep valleys of rich arable land to desert, and from towering mountains to salt pans lower than sea level. The southern reaches receive almost no rain, and the Sahara Desert comes right up to the back door of any habitable landscape. And there is “Blue Tunisia,” the swath of nearly 800 miles of Mediterranean coastline dotted with small islands and backed successively by pine-clad hills, lush pasture, orchards, vineyards and olive groves.

     While Western travelers are just getting wise to Tunisia, Hollywood filmmakers have been coming here for years for the diverse topography. Nearly 80% of the Oscar winner The English Patient (1996) was filmed here. The original Star Wars (1977) shot all exterior scenes set on the planet Tatooine in Matmata and the Sahara. Other movies filmed partly in Tunisia include Roman Polanski’s underrated Pirates (1986), The Little Prince (1974), Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Plenty (1985), and Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979).

     Tunisia is one of Africa’s most tourist-friendly destinations. While a Muslim culture, it is the most liberal in the Islamic world (alcohol is allowed here, unlike elsewhere). The country has a modern infrastructure, and first-class hotels mean you won’t have to rough it. The tour begins in the capital city of Tunis, traveling to the historical centers of Carthage, El Djem, and Matmata, the island of Jerba for some beach fun, the Sahara Desert, the salt pan Chott El Jerid, and the oasis town Tozeur.

     Join Toto Tours on our first-ever adventure in Tunisia, a little place with big surprises. Once you’ve sampled some of its unique flavors, you just might develop a taste for more.

Click here to view itinerary

2008 Couscous Information

ACCOMMODATIONS
(Click hotel name to read description)

Tunis (first 2 nights): Hotel Africa

Sfax (1 night): Mercure Hotel

Djerba (2 nights): Sofitel Palm Beach Djerba

Tozeur (2 nights): Sofitel Palm Beach Tozeur

Tunis (last 2 nights): Hotel Africa

TOUR PREPARATION

Entry Requirements—Citizens of the United States and Canada only need a valid passport to travel to Tunisia. Passports must be valid for a minimum of six months after the end of the tour.

Immunizations—No immunizations are compulsory, but an inoculation for typhoid and a tetanus booster are advised. Please consult your personal physician for advice and immunization planning.

Exit Requirements—There is no departure tax levied when leaving Tunisia.

WHAT TO BRING

Tunisia has a warm climate all year, with best travel times being in the spring and autumn. While we are here, temperature will be moderate, ranging from lows around 60 degrees F to 80 degrees F as highs. Sunglasses and sunscreen are essential due to the intensity of the sun.
Dress is casual and conservative, but you should respect the conventions of Islam, so leave any scanty or provocative attire at home. When visiting religious monuments, shoulders and legs should always be covered, so don’t wear tank tops & shorts on tour days. Outside tourist resorts, scanty beachwear should never be worn. Pack light and try to carry only two small suitcases. Pack any medications you require in a carry-on bag just in case your luggage doesn’t arrive when you do. Leave expensive jewelry at home.

Suggested Packing List:

____ Passport

____ Sturdy walking shoes / cool sandals

____ 4 pairs long pants, lightweight cotton or khaki trousers for dinners

____ 1 pair sturdy denim jeans for riding camels

____ 1 pair cargo pants that zip off at the knees to become shorts for hot desert excursions.

____ T-shirts (6 - 8).

____ Socks and underwear for 10 days

____ Daypack & fanny pack (you will want to carry water at all times)

____ Sunscreen / sunglasses / sun hat

____ Lip balm / insect repellent

____ Personal toiletries

____ Swimsuits

____ Jacket or sweater for cooler nights and mornings.

____ Camera / film / digital memory / extra batteries

____ A good book for the plane.

MONEY MATTERS

The unit of currency is the Tunisia Dinar (TND). Notes are in denominations of TND 30, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of TND1, and 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 millimes. All banks change money, as do most hotels. American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. There are ATMs in every large town and tourist destination. Be sure to notify your bank before departure that you will be traveling in Tunisia so they do not red-flag your transactions as possible fraud and shut down your card.

Tipping—In Tunisia, it is customary to leave a tip. In cafes this need be no more than some small change. More upscale restaurant and bars expect a minimum of 10% of your tab. We will offer group tips to our guide and driver.

Shopping—Always be prepared to haggle in a souk. You can often purchase items for half the price originally quoted by the vendor. Beware of cheap handicrafts in medinas; authentic handicrafts are usually sold in shops.

RESERVATIONS

To reserve a place on this tour, click on the “Reservations” link above. Type in the information requested in each field, print the form, then sign and mail it to Toto Tours with your $500 deposit check. You also have the option to pay for your tour deposit with a Visa or MasterCard. The remaining balance is due 80 days prior to departure (by March 3, 2008). Tour registration is not complete until we have received both the signed reservation form and your deposit check or credit card authorization.
Toto Tours does not accept credit cards as a form of payment except for the amount of the tour deposit ($500 maximum can be charged per tour). An installment plan is possible. Our mailing address is: Toto Tours, 1326 W. Albion Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60626-4753. Make checks payable to: Toto Tours, Ltd.

LIABILITIES / DISCLAIMERS

Making a reservation with a deposit shall be deemed to be consent to these conditions: Toto Tours does not accept responsibility in whole or in part for any delay, loss, accidents, personal injury, sickness, medical expenses, or property damage occasioned by fault of any person from whatever cause. All participants are required to sign a standard liability form.
     We strongly encourage you purchase Travel Insurance to cover all aspects of your travel in Tunisia! We will provide the necessary forms upon receipt of your deposit, or you can apply online by following the link at the bottom of this page. You can also book your travel insurance with a phone call to Toto Tours.
     The tour operators reserve the right to accept or decline any person as a member of the tour at any time and to make whatever changes become necessary with or without notice. Guaranteed departure with a minimum of ten participants.
     Toto Tours is not responsible for airline cancellation or change penalties incurred by individual tour participants for air tickets purchased prior to notification that the tour is a confirmed departure.

THE TOTO SPIRIT

Toto Tours provides Adventure Travel Experiences as differentiated from tours in the traditional sense. Adventure Travel allows (even encourages) you to be an active participant. Adventurers can be identified by certain traits. They are:

fun-loving optimists who have a sense of humor and accentuate the positive;
good natured realists who are willing to accept situations as they exist;
undaunted by the unexpected, like occasional delays or bad weather;
willing to forego some of the amenities we normally take for granted;
eager to try new things & test limits;
punctual;
not whiners!

Whet your appetite for a sumptuous feast of experiences in the savory North African country of Tunisia! If you have any questions, please call toll-free: 800-565-1241.

THE BOTTOM LINE
(tour prices per person)

Price: $2,495 double occupancy

Private Room: $500 extra, if available. (Not required. Toto Tours will try to match you with a roommate if you are traveling alone and prefer to share a room.)

Deposit: $500 (Due at time of registration for the tour. May be paid with a credit card.)

Remaining Balance: $1,995 double / $2,495 single
(Assumes $500 deposit has already been made)

Remaining Balance Due: March 3, 2008
(Full payment required with reservation form if enrolling after this date.)

Included: Nine nights hotel accommodations; all guided excursions except those listed as “optional”; meals and accommodations as listed in the itinerary; fully guided and escorted tour.

Not Included: Round-trip airfare to/from Tunis, Tunisia; optional excursions, meals and other items not specifically covered in the itinerary; insurance; beverages at “included” meals: alcoholic beverages; soft drinks; bottled water; laundry; telephone calls; internet; faxes; or any other expenses of a personal nature. Tips to drivers / guides are not included. We give a collective tip to our guide at the Farewell Dinner.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We recommend you purchase travel insurance with AIG Travel Guard to cover for unforseen events prior to and during your trip. Please follow the link below or call us for more information.