dilemma

I have a dilemma. I have a large sunken tub. The sheetrock box around it is covered with (4.5) in porcelin tile which has a matte finish. The deck on top and 12in of the walls around the tub are tiled with this as well. I was going to retile this area with tumbled travertine. The problem is that the old porcelin tile is bonded so well that I will not be able to remove it without completely destroying the sheetrock underneath. I do not wish to remove and replace all of this sheetrock as I would probably have to remove the tub. With that being said- Can I lay the tumbled travertine over the old porcelin tile? How would I have to prepare the surface? And what type bonding would I use to adhere the tile? I wouldn't want the tiles to fall off over time.

The way to do it would be to remove the wall tile drywall-and-all. Replace the drywall and start over.

If you wish to install new tile over the old you can do that but you will likely have edges to deal with. Got a plan for that problem?

You would need to scuff the surface of the old tile and then use a modified thinset to install the new tile.

The deck however is a different story and would require you to cut around the tub - maybe that's OK with you.

I was thinking that I could use some 2x12 bullnose or similar type of trim to cover the the edges. I don't think cutting the tiles for the deck will be too difficult as the tub is rectangular in shape and has about a (1.25)" lip. Should I maybe just remove the drywall on the walls surrounding the tub and tile over the rest?

Should I maybe just remove the drywall on the walls surrounding the tub and tile over the rest?

Not being there to see what you have my thoughts are that would be the way to go. The only "bullnose" that would work would be a "mud-cap" type bullnose and those things are available only in limited colors these days and don't usually match todays more popular tiles and certainly wouldn't be compatible with stone.

Thanks for your advise.
Your opinion helped me to decide what to do.