1
Discover Roman Africa
Tunisia has some of the most magnificent Roman monuments in the world. The former bread basket of Rome, Tunisia’s cities grew rich on the proceeds of their agriculture and acquired all the grand trappings of the Roman Empire. El Djem has an amphitheatre more complete than the coliseum in Rome; Dougga’s Capitol temple is amazingly complete; Mactar’s Arch of Trajan is magnificent; Sbeitla’s honey-coloured stones are particularly beautiful, and at Carthage are preserved the remains of one of the ancient world’s greatest cities.
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World Class Mosaics
The Roman mosaics of Tunisia are amongst the finest ever found and are known for their naturally occurring vivid colours. Made of tens of thousands of tiny limestone tesserae frequently combined with coloured glass and marble were used to depict a rich range of subjects from the Seasons, to the amphitheatre, and to mythical stories. Some of the finest Roman mosaics in Tunisia are to be found in the Bardo Museum in Tunis, and the museums of El Djem and Sousse, while a few wonderful examples have been left in situ at sites such as Bulla Regia and Utica.
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Medieval Souqs
Tunisia has some many wonderful, authentic, and atmospheric Arab-style souqs located within the walls of her medinas (old cities). The narrow lanes and alleys of the souqs (markets) throng with people and echo to the cries of shop keepers while at the same time give the visitor the exotic North African experience. Tunisia produces a rich range of handicrafts, and the country’s souqs offer some superb shopping opportunities including: leather goods; silverware; carpets; woodwork; colourful pottery; and textiles. Some of best traditional souqs are in Tunis, Sousse, Kairouan, and Bizerte.
4
Camping in the Sahara
The desolate Sahara is the largest desert on the planet and covers huge swathes of North Africa including the far south of Tunisia where the rippling sands and dunes of the ‘Grand Erg Oriental’ engulf the landscape. A night in the Sahara is magical and offers an opportunity to fully experience the romantic desert landscapes used for films such as the English Patient and Star Wars. Our favourite location for a desert experience is a comfortable fixed camp situated in a remote southern Tunisian oasis amidst of the dunes and swaying date palms. Proper beds are provided, tents are air-conditioned and the camp has a beautiful swimming pool.
5
Hiking the Mountain Oases
The Mountain Oases of Chebika, Tamerza and Mides in southern Tunisia provide some of the most striking scenery in the country with date palms surviving in rocky clefts, and small streams and waterfalls creating an Eden-like paradise amongst the arid mountains. Walking is the best way to get a real ‘feel’ for the area. An attractive 40 minute walk to the waterfall can be enjoyed at Chebika, while longer and more challenging guided hikes with picnic lunches between Tamerza and Mides (2 hours) and Chebika and Tamerza (3 hours) can also be arranged.
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Ride the Lezard Rouge Train
The Lezard Rouge is a tourist train running from Metlaoui in the pre-desert of southern Tunisia through a series of dramatic gorges to Seldja and back, a total journey lasting 1 hour, 45 minutes. The carriages were built in the 19th century and were originally owned by the Bey of Tunis. The Bey’s private carriage offers travel in some style but the rest of the train is rather ordinary. Seats aboard the Lézard Rouge train are allocated on a first come first served basis.
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Star Wars Sets and the Ksour
The fortified Berber settlements of south eastern Tunisia known as Ksour (singular Ksar) are so different to most known architectural styles that they look almost ‘alien’. This is perhaps why film director George Lucas was so taken with the area that he featured it in his Star Wars films as Luke Skywalker’s home planet. Ksar Heddada and Ksar Ouled Soltane both featured in The Phantom Menace as the settlement of Mos Espa, while a troglodytic house in Matmata was the location Luke Skywalker’s home at the beginning of Star Wars, and the Chott el Djerid desert and dunes near Nefta were used as the house’s exterior. Lucas also built several sets from scratch; an example is at Onk Jemel where Quin-ion and Darth Maul fought in The Phantom Menace.
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Relax by the Mediterranean
Tunisia has a glorious Mediterranean coastline and some beautiful golden sandy beaches. The coastal resorts of Hammamet, Sousse and the island of Djerba have the best accommodation. Here you can expect extensive modern facilities , swimming pools, thalassotherapy spas, direct beach access, and hours of sunshine on a year round basis. Swimming in the sea is at its best from June to early November when then sea temperatures are at their warmest, although outside these months some hotel have heated pools.
9
See Jewish Tunisia
Tunisia is home a dwindling but long established Jewish community. The heart of the Tunisian Jewish population lives on the southern island of Djerba where a Jewish presence is thought to have existed since the exile from Babylon in 587 BC. Testament to this is the Griba synagogue in Hara Sghira which stands on the ancient site where tradition claims a Holy Stone fell miraculously from the sky . The synagogue is a place of pilgrimage for Jews from all over North Africa on the festival of Lag beOmer, held 30 days after Passover. The nearby village of Hara Kebira is also home to several synagogues, while in the Djerban capital Houmt Souk are several Jewish businesses and traditional silversmiths.
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Dine Like a Pasha
An opportunity to discover the joys of Tunisian cuisine in the opulent oriental surroundings of a grand mansion exists in the heart of Tunis’ atmospheric medina. Here seamless service and a refined atmosphere are accompanied by fine dishes of Tunisian delicacies. Located behind a heavy traditional wooden door, the exquisite Dar el Jeld offers one of the finest dining experiences in Tunisia and must be booked weeks in advance. Other grand venues in the Tunis medina include the beautiful Essaraya (no alcohol served) and Dar Hammoud Pacha.
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Thalassotherapy & Spas
Tunisia is a mecca for thalassotherpy with several of the country’s best beach hotels having luxurious spas with a wide variety of spa treatments. Notable spas with thalassotherpy treatments include: The Residence hotel outside Tunis, The Radisson Blu and Hasdrubal Hotels in Djerba, the Movenpick Hotel in Sousse, and the Hasdrubal Hotel in Hammamet. In thalassotherapy trace elements of minerals found in the sea are thought to be absorbed through the skin. The therapy can be applied in various forms either as showers of warm sea water, the application of marine mud or of an algae paste, or the inhalation of a sea fog.
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Character ‘Hotels de Charme’
Tunisia offers a number of interesting accommodation options which have a real sense of place. These ‘Hotels de Charme’ range from a converted Beylical palace in the picture perfect village of Sidi Bou Said, to a mansion in Tunis’ medina; a design hotel and ecolodge on the edge of the Sahara; a medieval kasbah, and air-conditioned desert tents in a remote oasis. Tunisia’s character hotels are not luxurious but often are in incredible locations and can add immeasurably to your Tunisia holiday experience.
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Golf
Tunisia is a renowned world-class golfing destination, well established on the international circuit and enjoyed by professionals and amateurs alike. There are ten varied courses and ideal weather conditions prevail throughout the year. Many hotels will arrange pre-set tee-off times and provide complimentary transfers to and from courses. No membership is required and everything from clubs to caddies can be hired at very reasonable rates. Tunis, Hammamet, Sousse, and Djerba all have excellent golf courses.