Is there anything i need to know before travelling?

Question

My mum-in-law mentioned about the e111 forms/cards, but because i am travelling out of europe i am not entitled. I'm off to tunisia in october. Wondering if there is anything else i need to know.

Answer 1

Tunisia is a beautiful country that is saturated with a fascinating history and a rich culture.

Your experience in Tunisia will depend greatly on where you go and what activities you like to do.

In October the mountain region becoes really beautiful as the weather has started to change. The views are fantastic, and the pace is slow and calming.

Because October is when the weather starts changing, this is also the month that many Tunisians start to slow down their involvement with swimming in the Sea, as the water is starting to get cold. Be aware of that if you are planning a beach resort. Of course, while the water is cold for locals, we still see many tourists swimming.

The inner cities and the Sahara are good tourist attractions at that time of year because the weather has cooled down enough to be enjoyable. If you choose this route, there are many historical sites that you will be able to see.

Arabic is the offical language. French is their second official language and almost everyone you come across will speak it. English is also very common because it is the international laqnguage of business. In the touristic areas you can find people who also speak Spanish, Italian, and German.

Food and drink in Tunisia is reasonable. If you are staying at a hotel, I suggest you venture out into the city to eat because hotel food and beverage prices are always inflated, and their portions are smaller. A coke in a normal resteraunt will run you about 1 Dinar. Food depends on how fancy a rsteraunt you go to. But it is safe to say you can go to most resteraunts and get food and drink for 4 people for around 20 Dinars.

Travelers’ checks and credit cards are accepted at some establishments in Tunisia, mainly in urban or tourist areas. The Tunisian dinar is not yet a fully convertible currency. Tunisian law prohibits the export or import of Tunisian bank notes or coins. Tunisian law permits the export of foreign currency declared when entering Tunisia. Tourists are expected to make foreign exchange transactions at authorized banks or dealers and to retain receipts for dinars obtained. Under foreign currency regulations, a tourist can reconvert to foreign currency 30 percent of what has been exchanged into dinars, up to a maximum of 79 Euro. Declaring foreign currency on entering Tunisia and obtaining a receipt for dinars purchased thereafter will facilitate reconverting dinars to Euro. Keep all receipts of monetary transactions for presentation when leaving the country.

Now that the government part is over, there are cash points (ATMs) all over Tunisia, mainly in touristicy areas, and at banks.

I personally wouldn't bring travelers cheques as it will take a long time for them to process it when you check out because not many people use them. Really the only place that they are valuable at is a bank.

And because Tunisia is still a developing country, most places aren't set up to accept cresit cards or debit cards. You'll find that only you're major stores, such as Carefour (in Tunis), and Monoprix, and Magasin General, plus a few major resteraunts are equiped to handle that. Most major hotels can handle them as well, but not your smaller local ones.

My best suggestion to you is to bring the amount of money you want to have and change it when you get to the airport in Tunisia. Or bring a credit/debit card and use it at the ATMs when you need money. There is a fee for using the ATMs though, and that varied from bank to bank. Mostly the fee is between 1,500dinars and 2 dinars. Your bank will also tack on an exta fee for having to convert your normal currency into the Tunisian currency. So for a transaction of 20 Dinars, you actually wind up spending about 25-27 Euros. Which ever way you go, keep only the necessary cash on you, and the rest in your hotel room.

The EHIC replaces the E111, which has ot been valid since 31 December 2005 and is only valid for EU nations. Tunisia is not in the EU, therefore it would not be valid. Have no worries though, the healthcare in Tunisia is very affordable. A trip to the Emergency room will only cost you 10 Dinars, and doctor visits themselves are 15-20 dinars. The only thing that could get pricey is medication. Check with a travel agaent or your company healthcare. Most will offer special coverage for travel.

If you tell me where you are planning on going, I can help give you some tips on where to visit. Take a look at my photo albums to get a better feel for Tunisia if you like: http://photos.yaho.com/jamie_hassen And if you have any other questions, feel free to contact me.

Answer 2

I write for Tunisia/hotels in this country. See my website www.mwitham.com and go the page called Tunisian Delight.

I write independantly and am not paid for the reports posted on this site, I give a fair honest opinion of the places I have been to.

You don't say where you are travelling from (country) but assuming you are flying from the UK the flight from Gatwick is about 2 hr 35 mins. Email me from the link on my website for further info as I will be working in Tunisia in September/October/November and December. My base Hotel is the Sahara Beach Hotel, Skanes, Monastir, Tunisia also featured on this website.

Recommended vacines are Tetanus, Hepititis, and Yellow fever(ONLY IF YOU ARE TRAVELLING FROM A YELLOW FEVER AREA) these are only recommended but not compulsory - se your GP NOW in case the list has changed.

Given the current exchange rate (again if you are from the UK) buy US dollars as this will give you more TND (Tunisian dinars) than using pure sterling over there. YOU CANNOT BRING ANY OF THIS MONEY BACK OUT, GET CAUGHT TRYING TO AND YOU WILL EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY AT THE LOCAL PRISON AT LA FACULTE! 100 TND is the maximum you are allowed to exchange back into sterling so spend it before you leave.

Travel insurance is highly recommended as you pay for any medicines required any europe cover will do as Tunisia is on the Mediterranean Seaboard like all other North African countries. come over we'd like to see ya. (resting my feet in my home country at the moment England)

Answer 3

I was in Tunisia 2 years ago for summer vacation.Dont miss the opportunity to go and visit the desert.Was once in a life time occasion. Carefull when you go to Medina (that is the center of city and is also an open market) the salesman have a tendency to touch specially if your hair is blond.
Have fun

Answer 4

A couple of other responders mentioned getting travel medical insurance. GOOD IDEA! You never know what might happen. Go to http://www.wavehelp.com/travel-medical/index.htm and click on the little red phone booth to read about "Worldwide Health" insurance from the industry leader. It will cover you everywhere outside your home country.
Best wishes.

Answer 5

you just need to know yourself. What is in your heart, why you are going, and never ever be frightened. Sometimes other people are frightend of you....we are all human But, what you really need to know. is that you are an ambassador for your country, the u.k. Behave as you would as if you are on camera. Respect yourself, and the indiginouse (cannot spell pissed ) sorry, but look just go travel and do not listen to scared people and propaganda, because it is all true, jealousy and propoganda, when you get anywhere in the world. If you are true to yourself, and others, they ARE THE SAME. love, Ros. xxhappy trails, or did I say trials.

Answer 6

If you suffer from mosquito bites like i do make sure to take some really good repellent, the weather will be changing so will not be as bad, but i get bitten alive all the time when i am there the suckers just love my skin x

Answer 7

Check out the good advice on the British Foreign Office website - I've pasted the link below.

Answer 8

Have never travelled in Europe, but here in the US you eliminate headaches by getting there early~ as in hours early before your flight.

Answer 9

yes. check out if there are terrorist bases were you are going. you might not know what may happen there. a friend got to lebanon in the morning, the fight started in the evening and he was out by night time. see what i mean?

Answer 10

Just make sure you get some travel insurance. Insure and go are good.