Tunisian Sahara two-day tour of Hollywood film hotspots

Imagine a place where the sands of the desert have been touched by the magic of Hollywood stardust. You've found it with this two-day tour, which'll show you some of Tunisia's most famous film locations. You'll visit a Roman amphitheatre, explore underground cave houses, cross a vast salt lake and discover a secluded oasis at the fringes of the Sahara. Hamdi, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Between Matmata and Douz, there are endless “ergs” – sand dunes – in the restless desert. This desert is not a dead entity, it's even cultivated in places by those who inhabit it. The sands come alive according to the seasons.'

Embark on your sandy adventure at El Jem Colosseum. This ancient Roman theatre would seat an audience of 35,000, entertained by gladiatorial fights and chariot races. You'll then head to Matmata, where you'll have lunch and visit the rock-cut cave homes that starred in two Star Wars films. Finish the day in the oasis town of Douz – surrounded with date palms – for an overnight stay. This is a great spot to take an optional camel or carriage ride in the desert.

After breakfast, you'll cross Chott el Djerid, a mirage-filled salt lake, before jumping into a 4x4 for a ride to Onk Jemal, where you'll discover the film set city built for Star Wars. After lunch in Gafsa, you'll round off the tour with a photo stop in Kairouan, a great place to take lots of Instagram-worthy pictures of the intricately decorated Islamic architecture that the town is known for.