Posted January 9, 2011 by BookingBuddy
Camel rides through the desert. Beaches along the Mediterranean Sea. Arabian culture intermingled with Ottoman and colonial influences. Tunisia is a feast for all the senses. Whether you join a guided tour or take the country on yourself, you'll find delights wherever you look.
Eat
Situated in a former palace restored to its past glories, Dar Hamouda Pacha in Tunis celebrates fine cuisine and tea. Spice is what lures travelers here, with authentic Tunisian lamb and seafood dishes highlighting the menu, as well as Mediterranean flavors. The tea house specializes in Turkish coffees and varieties of tea from around the world, plus shishas (water pipes), should you care to smoke.
Stay
The Residence Sultana, just outside Zarzis, is a Mediterranean resort with both standard guest accommodations and apartment-style lodgings is ideal for any holiday in Tunisia. Rooms have terraces overlooking the sea or gardens, air conditioning, satellite television, and high-speed Internet access. On site, you'll find a swimming pool, a restaurant, and a private beach. The staff can coordinate horseback outings as well as guided tours of nearby attractions. Double rooms start at €60 per person, including breakfast.
Shop
The Medina of Tunis, a World Heritage Site, is the can't-miss place to wander and browse on your holiday. Packed with historic architecture and artwork, the medina may be Tunisia's most important public space. Catering to both tourists and locals, the medina's historic suuq, or market, features food, spices, artwork, and local finds such as handcrafted silver jewelry, carpets, and pottery. The narrow streets surrounding the square teem with merchants selling specialty books, textiles, and more. Yes, some of the proprietors may be pushy, but a sporting attitude toward haggling will make all the difference. Be prepared to bargain, refuse a sale, and have all five senses assaulted. You'll likely walk away with more than a few treasures.
Posted October 6, 2009 by BookingBuddy
Escape to this beautiful, historic city on the shores of the Mediterranean the next time you need a short break. The capital city of Tunisia, Tunis is an intriguing mix of antiquity and modernity, and African and European cultures. The streets signs are in French and Arabic, and shining skyscrapers tower over bustling souks where citizens still gather to conduct their day-to-day business.
SeeCarthage – The ancient city of Carthage is now a quiet residential suburb in Tunis. The ruins of the old city have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, and these days, you’re more likely to find swarms of tourists rather than fearless warriors wandering about the place. For a reminder of Carthage’s bloody history, take a walk through the Tophet – its peaceful, shady calmness belying its past as a supposed necropolis for the victims of child sacrifices. The complex also boasts a museum, and the carefully restored Cathedral of St. Louis has been turned into a cultural centre.
StayDar El Medina – You’ll find this 12-room hotel right in the Medina – Tunis’ centuries-old inner city. Housed in an elegant former family home that is nearly 200-years old, it makes a great base to explore the maze-like Medina. The rooms are airy, with cool marble floors to help beat the heat, and are individually decorated in dramatic rugs and artwork. Make your way up to the terrace during sunset for a stunning view of the city’s rooftops. Guests are offered a large, satisfyingly filling complimentary breakfast – eggs cooked to order, plenty of pastries, spreads, juices, and coffee or tea. Room rates start from around £150.
Eat Café M’rabet – This medieval-style café and restaurant is an institution within the Medina. Said to be built over the tombs of three holy men, the café offers a respite from the heat and crowds outside. Take your shoes off before you enter, and rest yourself on platforms covered with tatties, beside imposing pillars painted in rock candy stripes of red and green. A cup of mint tea will quickly revive your spirits, and you may want to indulge your sweet tooth with treats such as baklava. For a more filling meal, head to the restaurant upstairs, for generous portions of steaming lamb couscous.
Check here for flights to Tunis.
(Photo: planetware.com)
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