tunisia for a holiday?

Question

has anyone been on a all inclusive holiday in tunisia, if so can you share your experience with me, im booking up this week, but unsure of where to go on holiday.

Answer 1

I am an American living in Tunisia and I love Tunisia very much! The country is so full of history (has been under the rule of Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Berbers, Ottomans, Beys, and French; played a significant part in WWII, was the center of the ancient world with Carthage as the capitol, etc) and it has so many beautiful places to visit! It is unlike any other Arab country in that is has a lot of greenery. There are also many historical ruins in just about every part of the country you go to.

The people are so warm and hospitable. They instantly welcome you as one of their own and treat you like family. Tunisia is also a very safe place. There are not many places in this world where a women can walk the streets alone in the middle of the night without fear. Yet I often take late night walks and have never had any problems and have never felt fearful.

Tunisia on a whole is a very safe country. I have lived in Tunis and Monastir and have visited other parts of the country without any problem. I do advise normal safety rules that are applicatable elsewhere, such as not dressing provocatively and to be aware of your surroundings.

Depending on what city you go to will depend on what you will be able to do. Three of the most common cities for tourists are Hammamet, Sousse, and Tunis.


Hammamet is a great touristic town that is divided into two parts: The old city, and the new touristic city (called Yassmine Hammamet). The old city has it's charm because it has a nice medina and the city itself is wonderful to explore. But for vacation purposes, Yassmine Hammamet would be the place to go. That is where the major hotels are located, and there is an amusement park, resteraunts and golf courses there as well. Here is a website that you may find useful:
http://www.yasmine.com.tn/anglais/Welcome.html






There are many fascinating places in Tunis. There is:

THE BARDO MUSEUM. 4 km/2.5mi west of Tunis is the suburb of Le Bardo, famed for the Bardo National Museum, which has the world's largest collection of Roman mosaics and other antiquities of interest from Ancient Greece, Carthage and from the Arab period, and it ranks with the Egyptian Museum in Cairo as one of the two great museums of North Africa.

CARTHAGE. It is the famed capitol of the ancient world and is located on the eastern side of Lake Tunis across from the center of modern Tunis. Now there is a museum there where you can view the ruins and ancient artifacts.

SIDI BOU SAID. The town is a tourist attraction because it is known for the extensive use of blue and white colors (the traditional colors of Tunisia) all over the town. All kinds of souvenirs can be bought in the main street. There is the traditional High Coffee there which is worth a look. My favorite is a coffee that overlooks the marina. It has fantastic views and a wonderful ambiance.

THE MEDINA. Just going there you can feel the history come to life. The streets are buzzing with shoppers and sellers. The medina itself contains around 700 monuments, including palaces, mosques, mausoleums, madrasas and fountains dating from the Almohads and the Hafsids periods.

DAR BEN ABDALLAH. A small but interesting museum within an 18th-century palace in the medina, covering the everyday life of a rich merchant in the Ottoman era.

ZITOUNA MOSQUE. The largest mosque in Tunisia. This Aghlabite mosque dates back to the 9th century. Modest dress is essential, and non-Muslims can only enter the courtyard, not the mosque itself.

PORT DE FRANCE. It is comprised of architecture and decoration from many different styles and periods and is believed to stand on the remains of a Roman theatre as well as the tenth century palace of Ziadib-Allah II al Aghlab.

CATHEDRAL OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL. It is located in downtown Tunis. It is a grand church situated in between shops and coffees.

DOWNTOWN TUNIS ITSELF. Here you can see the French infuence on Tunisia as many of these old buildings are built in French style. It also is home to a beautiful giant clock tower that is illuminated at night.

LA MARSA. It is a coastal town not far from Tunis. It is a popular vacation spot for many middle class Tunisians, being one of the only accessable beaches in the capitol.

BIZERTE. I know it's not in Tunis, but it's only about a 45 minutes to an hours ddrive away, and it is gorgeous! This is where many of the residents of Tunis come for their summer escape to the beach. It is the northern most point of Africa and because of that, the majority of the city is boardered by the Sea. The beaches are pristine, and it offers some great resteraunts and peaceful moments.




Sousse is one of the older cities in Tunisia, and possesses an authentic medina, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.

GREAT MOSQUE. It is a surprisingly tranquil place despite its location in the middle of the city. Built around 850 AD, the mosque is simple and done in the Aghlabite style; no decoration whatsoever aside from a string of angular Arabic and curved arches. Even the prayer room is covered in reed mats instead of the usual carpet. You must be properly dressed to enter, but green wraps can be rented for a token fee to cover up.

MOSAIC MUSEUM. Located in the gently crumbling old kasbah on the edge of the medina.

THE TRADITIONAL TUNISIAN HOUSE. This charming little museum is located within the old city walls some 200 yards north of the main bus terminal is the home of a long standing Tunisian family that has now become a museum with the passing of the last family member. The property centers on a open courtyard from which access to all the rooms can be gained, including bedrooms for the first and second wife and, in turn, to the children's rooms. All are delightfully fully furnished, with some curtains dating back 200 years, and with German clocks imported from the 1800's. The house is complete with a tower, orginally used to watch the stars fror the onset of Ramadan, from which views over Sousse can be gained.

PORT EL KANTAOUI is a tourist complex 10 kilometers north od Sousse. it is home to a modern marina equipped for over 300 boats and several golf courses, as well and a full array of other sporting activities from water skiing to paragliding. The 36-hole PGA approved championship course makes Port El Kantaoui a popular destination for golfing. The architecture, although modern and dazzlingly white, has been modelled on the more traditional buildings in Tunisia, complete with narrow streets and arches. The hotels that line the beachfront extend from Sousse itself along miles of sparkling clean sea to Port El Kantaoui.

HANNIBAL PARK. It's an amusement park that has a famous roller coaster and has many souviner shops.

HERGLA KARTING PARK. It is another amusement pak and offers lots of fun. There is one ride on there that is extremely fun, but not for the faint of heart! I've been on it - it takes you high in the air, and turns you every which way, and even stops and let you dangle for a bit.

CATACOMBS. Nice to visit if you like history. I do, so I found them very interesting and enjoyed them very much.

Sousse also has great nightlife with many resteraunt, discos, cafés, and plenty of shopping! The coast has good beaches and a clear turquoise sea - perfect for swimming, although the weather is getting cold now and that probably won't be advisable. You can also take carriage rides throught the city which is always a fun way to sight-see!

That's just to name a few of the highlights. Once you get to the city yourself I'm sure that you will find many things that fascinate you. Tunisia is a land filled with much culture and history. And keep in mind that what interests one person, may not interest another, so everyone gains a different experience.


If you have any more questions, or need further assistance, please feel free to contact me!

Answer 2

Hi Babydoll !..Hi every body..!
In fact we can't decide choosing your next holiday destination.
You'll have different point of view, that's human been.
For some reason you are almost decided about the destination as mentioned Tunisia.
So you'll see in the answers,some are positives some others less.
Meantime,I appreciate all the information and tips that Hassen gave you.She's living there and her experience is much more actual.
May I add my point of view as a Tourism&Travel consultant for more than 36 year, that Tunisia is a good valu as a holiday destination in many aspects.
Enjoy your holiday,and welcome to Tunisia if you decide so .

Answer 3

I have just returned from Tunisia ( Christmas holidays..) , my first visit of the African Continent and i must say , it must be the "most European-like" African country.

In my point of view, looking back at the experience , it is a unique one. The natural beauty of the whole country is amazing, but that's about it.

Apart from the Northen part of Tunisia , ( i did a whole tour of the country , also named as the oasis-tour.) , people are very poor and the 2 girls that mention that sometimes it seams like u r surrounded by beggers it's true. I didn't like that, but to be honest they r friendly and mean no harm. It's just that , I'm European , from Greece actually, and we are not used to that , but the whole point of visiting those countries is the difference.

Try the safari in the desert and the camels. ( very dirty for me.. but u might like it.)
All the places Hassen recommended are the places the group visited.
the experience hopefully will leave u with a sweet feeling..

Njoy yrself and yr holidays!**

Next stop Greece, but Summer in Greece!!*

Answer 4

i would definitely advise port el kantaoui over sousse, been to both and PEK is far nicer. Sousse is nice to spend a day r two in but thats about it. everyone advises dont wear short skirts/ low cut tops outside hotels but its grand we went out (2 twenty yr olds) in real revealing summer wear and we did attract whistles and shouts but n more they never overstep the boundry only with some of their comments but thats what their used to so u will get used to it too. bring a credit card cause the shopping is great!

Answer 5

If you like...
- Roman ruins;
- Nice beaches;
- Interesting arhcitecture;
- Carpe diem lifestyle;
- spicy food;
- Fish;
- Mint tea;
- Fresh vegetables & fruits
- very friendly people ...though a bit sneaky if your boast being a clueless tourist (show them taht you're in control);

then, you might want to go to Tunisia.
Reccomend staying close to the Village of Sidi Bou Said, and study your route from there...
If you need extra help with the booking of accomodations, then, try www.promotunisia.com (tell Mohamed that Yan reccomend you)

Answer 6

I went there 3 times. Lovely country, welcoming people and safe place. All inclusive packages are great, food as much as you want. Nice beaches, relaxing cities (Hammamet, Monastir, Sousse...) and authentic villages. Have a nice trip.

Answer 7

I have been to Tunisia and simply hated it. I was first in a so-called 4 star hotel in town, the bathroom tub was so dirty i refused to step in it, and when i asked to be changed room, the management simply told me that all the bathroom were the same.. i called the agency and complain, they changed me to a nicer area 20km out of town and closer to the beach, a nice leisure hotel, but the service was terrible. The invoicing was changing all the times, it was a total rip-off. and on top of all, i suspect they were simply racist, to see a rich black woman enjoying her money and her holiday was above everything they could imagine! i hated it, and i am definitely not going back there. there are some other pleasant destinations.. Mauritius is one of them...

Answer 8

i cant do that much but i can tell you that i know someone that went about 6 months ago as a (very) big family and they loved it so much that they are booking to go back very soon

Answer 9

From a female point of view, if you go with a guy or your family it's an amazing place. I wouldn't advise travelling alone or with one other girl as the men can be VERY pushy and it can be uncomfortable.

Answer 10

I went to Tunisia a few years ago and I hated it. The place was filthy and full of deformed beggers. I'd never advise anyone to go there.