Carthage: It takes a day to visit the remains of the legendary Phoenician city of Carthage, which was founded in 814BC, destroyed and rebuilt by the Romans, and again left in ruins by the Arabs in AD692. The Musée National de Carthage (Carthage National Museum) houses some magnificent treasures and a stroll around the evocative site reveals the restored Theatre of Hadrian, the Antonine Baths and the Tophet, where the ashes of boys sacrificed by the Phoenicians in the 8th century BC were found. Carthage is 15km (9 miles) northeast of Tunis.

Sidi Bou Said: Tunisia's archetypal village has attracted and inspired many artists, some of whom still live here. The cobbled streets and the white and blue facades, the lovely cafés and art galleries attract large numbers of foreign and Tunisian visitors these days, but the village overlooking the bay has managed to retain its special charm. Sidi Bou Said is located 20km (12.5 miles) northeast of Tunis.