tunisia

An ancient and mysterious land, Tunisia is located at the very northern tip of Africa and looks out over the Gulf of Sicily and the Mediterranean. It is now one of the regions most popular holiday destinations. Although modest in size, Tunisia boasts a rich and beautiful natural diversity from long, sandy beaches to a hinterland of forests, mountains and some of the most spellbinding and accessible parts of the Sahara anywhere in North Africa. Ideal for a pure and simple sun and sand holiday, there is so much more to discover here, and whilst most of the country's hospitality tends to be directed through a series of holiday resorts along the coastal strip including popular resorts such as Hammamet, Port El Kantaoui, Sousse and Djerba there is still plenty to discover inland.

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Over its long and legendary history, Tunisia has witnessed some of the world's most famous and most powerful empires compete for control of the region. In the distant past Tunisia was home to the Phoenicians and the Carthaginian Empire. Hannibal's Carthage, the empire's capital, was an ancient political, commercial and military powerhouse, enabling the Phoenicians to rule the Mediterranean for more than 1000 years. This was a continual thorn in the side of the neighbouring and ultra expansionist Romans, who after the three Punic wars eventually razed the city to the ground in 146BC. The Romans returned to rebuild it with great theatres, magnificent villas and baths, making it their administrative capital for Africa until the empire's collapse in the 5th Century. The remnants of ancient Carthage now lie15km north of the capital Tunis and are well worth a visit.

After the Romans, Vandals, Arabs and Turks all conquered the land until eventually the French made Tunisia a French Protectorate. Tunisia was ruled by the French from 1881 until its independence in 1956. The legacy of their rule is still clearly evident with most educated Tunisians able to speak French despite it having no official status.

Background

Tunisia enjoys a pleasant Mediterranean climate. For the most part summers are hot and reliably sunny and dry. Winters are mild and wet. The combination great weather and fabulous beaches makes it a winning holiday location.

Hammamet, Tunisia's first resort town is still a hugely popular destination. With a ribbon of hotels along the coast opening out onto clean sandy beaches, the area is particularly popular with tourists who come to swim and enjoy the watersports. Famed for the scent of citrus trees and jasmine, the resort also known as Yasmine Hammamet is reputedly the summer holiday destination of the Tunisian president and was a favourite of Sofia Loren and Winston Churchill, who spent time there writing his memoirs.

Further along the coast to the south are Port El Kantaoui, a purpose built holiday centre built in 1979. It hosts a large artificial harbour great for all types of water sports activities from water skiing to paragliding. For those of a golfing persuasion there's also a 36-hole PGA approved championship golf course to enjoy.

Sousse, 10km south, is one of Tunisia's older cities and hosts an UNESCO heritage medina - the traditional old city. Care free, car free, colourful and teeming with life the, medina in Sousse is the perfect place to spend an afternoon exploring and discovering hidden North African treasures and delicacies. For something a little more relaxing, Sousse has many resorts with its magnificent sandy beaches backed by citrus and olive groves.

A little cheaper and consequently a little better value than other competing Mediterranean destinations, Tunisia has a great deal to offer whatever your tastes.

Things to do
  • Make sure you engage in a haggle or two (the chances are you won't be able to avoid it!). The locals have developed it into an art form. Pit your wits and see what you come away with.
  • Play golf. There are two courses in Monastir and the PGA approved course in Port El Kantaoui
  • Take a bus to Tunis and explore this relaxed and hospitable capital.
  • Take a train from Tunis to visit the ancient remains and museum at Carthage
  • Visit Djerba to check out the location for Mos Eisley space port from Star Wars
  • Drink delicious sweet Tunisian tea
  • Enjoy the delicious local seafood
  • Pay a visit to the museum and a splendid ribat (fortified monastery) at Monastir south of Sousse
  • Visit the amazing Roman Amphitheatre at El Jem. Declared a World Heritage site in 1979, it was used in the Oscar winning film Gladiator.
  • Take a trip out into the Sahara and Lizard Rouge train the Gorges of Selja.
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