Tunisia: the jewel of the Mediterranean

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From Tunisia's list of attractions, you would expect a country many times its size. Full of surprises and amazing contrasts, Tunisia offers superb beaches, spectacular desert scenery and a wealth of historical sites.

The combination of Islamic culture and European approach makes Tunisia a very popular North-African holiday destination. With a climate that rarely dips under 20ºC, it's a real hotspot all year round.

Regions & Cities

A land of surprising contrasts, Tunisia's regions and cities vary as wildly in their landscape as their culture.

To explore magical forests, enchanting mountains and fertile plains, visit the north and northwest; to marvel at the historic Roman and Arabic remains, travel to the centre of the country; to give in to the seductive charms of some of the Mediterranean's most beautiful beaches, head for the east coast and Djerba, the Sahel and Cap Bon peninsula; and for exhilarating adventures in the Sahara, make your way to the south.

Hotspots

Tunis
Home to cosmopolitan cafes, bustling souks and a myriad of archaeological vestiges, not to mention what is arguably the world's finest collection of Roman mosaics, Tunisia's capital is an ideal year-round short break destination.

Sousse
The lively city of Sousse was built by the Phoenicians in the ninth century BC. A town that was Punic, Roman and then Muslim, Sousse has retained a great deal of its original character. Surrounded by authentic ramparts, it is dominated on one side by the Great Mosque and an elegant ribat, Sousse's other great early Islamic monument. This was designed to protect the town from land attacks and was manned by religious soldiers. If you climb the tower, you are rewarded with a magnificent view across the Medina, the port and the Great Mosque.

Carthage
Carthage is a great city of antiquity approximately 15km (9 miles) from Tunis. Though it is now simply a wealthy suburb, it is also home to one of the greatest archaeological sites ever discovered. Dido was the legendary founder and queen of Carthage, and the city was probably established as a trading post around 814BC by the Phoenicians.

Monastir
Originally built as a trading post by the Phoenicians and then taken over by the Romans under the mane of Ruspina, Monastir became important again in the eight century with the establishment of its fortified ribat, an imposing defence against seafaring invaders.

What to do

Beaches
From the delightfully secluded beaches of the ruggedly picturesque northern coast, like Raf Raf and Sidi Ali El Mekki, to stunning palm-fringed sands that slope gently into the warm waters of the Mediterranean around the idyllic Isle of Djerba, Tunisia's beaches are some of the most beautiful in the Mediterranean.

Spas
Tunisia has a variety of hotels ranging from Dars and boutique hotel properties, to 5-star hotels, nearly 40 of which offer thalassotherapy centres.

Eating out
With a choice ranging from top quality European-style restaurants to street-side stalls offering traditional Tunisian cuisine, the food in Tunisia is excellent. And there is a good number of ‘3 Fourchette' (5-star quality) restaurants in and around each resort.

Family
There can be more to a Tunisian holiday than simply a beach vacation - you and your family can look forward to exciting activities such as jet skiing or cycling. Nature lovers will enjoy the range of National Parks on offer, while thrill-seekers will find adventure at the water and theme parks.

Adventure
The Sahara isn't all shifting sands and endless dunes. Feel the exhilaration of sand-yachting, 4x4 adventures, camel treks or horse riding. Climb aboard the Red Lizard train passing through the canyons and over brooks before watching the seductive sunset in the mystifying backdrop.

History
Once the heartland of Roman Africa, it's no surprise that Tunisia is home to some of the world's finest Roman sites and ruins. Today, evidence of Tunisia's rich heritage can be seen in the fascinating sites of Phoenician and Roman Carthage, the ruins of the Punic town of Kerkouane and the medinas of Tunis and Sousse, both UNESCO World Heritage sites and home of magnificent Islamic architecture. 

Shopping
If you love to haggle, you'll adore the souks. The medinas or old towns, which are home to the souks, are real living places where craftsmen can still be found practising their trade on the streets, and where each street represents a different craft. The nobler trades, such as jewelers, silk merchants, perfumers and booksellers are normally located centrally around the mosque, and the practical trades, such as pottery, can be found towards the outskirts of the town. The best way to shop in this entertaining maze is to wander through at leisure.

Golf
Tunisia is a renowned world-class golfing destination, well established on the international circuit and enjoyed by professionals and amateurs alike. There are 10 varied courses and ideal weather conditions prevail throughout the year.

For more holiday inspiration and information on Tunisia, visit www.cometotunisia.co.uk.

06 August 2009