Beyond your dreams. Destınatıon. Tunısıa

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2 Destınatıon Tunısıa

3 Tunısıa Tunisia has long been a crossroads of different cultures from around the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. North Africa s smallest country contains as many historic landmarks as Greece, more than 875 miles of Mediterranean Sea coastline, and one of the world s most liberal Islamic societies. It may be but a slim wedge of North Africa s vast horizontal expanse, but Tunisia has enough history and diverse natural beauty to pack a country many times its size. With a balmy, sand-fringed Mediterranean coast, scented with jasmine and sea breezes, and where the fish on your plate is always fresh, Tunisia is prime territory for a straightforward sun-sand-andsea holiday. But beyond the beaches, it s a thrilling, underrated destination where distinct cultures and incredible extremes of landscape forested coastlines along the coast, Saharan sand seas in the south can be explored in just a few days. Sadly, there have been a number of terrorist attacks in Tunisia is recent years and most Western governments were advising against travel to the country at the time of writing.

4 How to get there? Tunisia s largest airport is named after both its national capital and the neighboring Ancient Roman city of Carthage to its east. The airport s 2010 passenger traffic figure exceeded the four-and-ah a l f m i l l i o n m a r k. Amenities within the airport s two terminals include 24-hour currency exchanges, ATMs, luxury shops, snack bars, and Tunisian restaurants. Passengers can even purchase local produce at the airport. The first floor of the departures area contains a tiny tourist office, while several hairdressers are stationed in the arrivals area.

5 What to do ın Tunısıa? Most of Tunisia s best activities are offered within its northern waters and southern deserts. The coral reefs and tropical fish beneath the Mediterranean Sea rival those found in more famous scuba diving destinations. Several WWII era shipwrecks also lie beneath the waters here. There are more than 25 sailing ports along the 875- mile coastline, while the island of Djerba is Tunisia s most popular windsurfing spot. Admire Tunisia s 250 ancient Roman landmarks Scuba dive in some of the Mediterranean Sea s most unspoiled waters Windsurf around the island of Djerba Hike along the longest Roman aqueduct on earth with the Zaghouan Mountain Range as an impressive backdrop Take a guided desert safari tour across the Sahara Barter with the merchants at the Tunis central market Gaze upon the biggest of the Sahara Desert s many salt pans, Chott El Jerid and its surrounding pink hills

6 Tunıs Maghrebi, Mediterranean and European: Tunis is at once complex, hybrid and cosmopolitan, yet remains curiously provincial, charmingly stuck in time. The laid-back capital of Tunis also has two distinct urban-planning personalities. The new city, created by French colonials in the 19th century, is an orderly European grid, with wrought-iron balconies, cafes and patisseries bordering the boulevards. Its main drag, palm-lined ave Habib Bourguiba, is prime territory for promenading, coffee drinking, gossiping and idly watching the passing human traffic.

7 Tunıs Medına No visit to Tunisia s national capital would be complete without exploring the city s old quarter, better known as Al-Madinah. Although this walled medina was first constructed in the 7th century AD, the golden era, when Tunis was one of the Islamic world s most prosperous and powerful cities, lasted between the 12th and 16th centuries. Visitors will see remnants of all of these eras while meandering through Al- Madinah s winding and narrow streets, where vendors sell much of the same exotic foods and handmade merchandise as their predecessors, centuries before.

8 Bardo Museum The splendid 13th century Hafsid palace, containing Tunisia s largest museum, is nearly as impressive as the museum s exhibits, which are divided into different eras of Tunisian history. Ornate ceilings rise above the ancient Roman mosaics, which are displayed alongside Ancient Greek and medieval-era artifacts.

9 Amphıtheatre of El Jem The impressive ruins of the largest colosseum in North Africa, a huge amphitheatre which could hold up to 35,000 spectators, are found in the small village of El Jem. This 3rd-century monument illustrates the grandeur and extent of Imperial Rome.

10 Douz The town of Douz has grown up around a large palm oasis that stands on the northern fringe of the Sahara. Surrounded by little other than desert and dry scrub land, historically it was an important stop on the trans-saharan caravan routes. Today tourists come in numbers, many on organized coach tours from the coastal resorts, to get a taste of the mighty Sahara for themselves.

11 Dessert safarı on camel The best way to explore the inland deserts is by guided four by four tours, which often include camel rides, go-kart journeys across the desert, and even dune skiing. Other guided tours focus on bird watching, golfing, or the 250 ancient Roman historic sites that are dotted throughout the country. The world s longest Roman aqueduct snakes across 85 miles near Zaghouan, Tunisia s most impressive mountain range.

12 Hammamet HammametHammamet has a wonderfully quaint location, snugly wrapping around a cove on the Cap Bon Peninsula. This is Tunisia's original tourism resort. With its sandy beaches and pretty, well-preserved Medina (Old Town), it's a gentle introduction to the culture and traditions of North Africa. Sightseeing here usually comes second to general lazing about in the sun, but if you find yourself itching to get off the beach, Hammamet is perfectly placed as a base to explore the rest of Cap Bon's tourist attractions.

13 Medına The Hafsid Ottomans built the sandcastle Medina, with 2m-thick walls, on the site of a 9th-century Aghlabid structure. It was built between 1463 and 1474, and up to 1881 the medina was Hammamet - a fortified village of 300 inhabitants. The three gates were closed at night and for Friday prayer. Now, souvenir shops envelope the weblike old souqs, but the southern residential district is particularly well preserved.

14 Kaırouan Kairouan is the fourth most holy city of the Muslim faith and as such a major destination for pilgrimage, The history and Mosques in the city and the long history of Kairouan have seen it become a UNESCO World Heritage site. Funded by Arabs in around 670 AD the city quickly became a centre of religious teaching attracting muslims from around the world for Quranic and Islamic learning.

15 Carthage Byrsa Hill boasts the best view of the many Roman ruins that survive in Carthage. No Ancient Roman bathhouses outside of Rome were larger than Carthage s thermal Antoine Baths, and few Ancient Roman amphitheaters can rival the size of the one in Carthage. Many more unearthed Carthage ruins can be viewed at Byrsa Hill s Carthage Museum. Today, Carthage is a wealthy Tunis suburb containing the Tunisian presidential palace and the Dar El Hout Oceanographic Museum.

16 Sıdı Bou Saıd The entire town is simply beautiful, with flowers draped from almost every wall and doorway, and beautiful flowing vines hanging throughout the entire area. Sidi Bou Said is so beautiful, in fact, that many artists have taken up residence here.the town is also said to have inspired famous artist Paul Klee, and famous writer Andre Gide.

17 Monastır Rıbat One of Tunisia's most photogenic buildings with its bulky walls, the Ribat in Monastir looks out to the harbour. Originally part of a string of coastal forts, this Ribat is one of the few still standing and has been grandly preserved. But it is now a tourist attraction rather than the town's defence. This beautiful relic is a definite highlight for history lovers and a famed landmark that deserves to be on every Tunisia to-do list.

18 Sfax s Medına First built in 1306, the mammoth main gateway (known as Bab Diwan) into the Medina is one of Sfax's most prominent landmarks. It has been much altered during its long history, nearly completely destroyed by bombing in 1943 and subsequently rebuilt in its original form. Sfax's Medina is relatively small measuring only 400 m by 500 m and is enclosed by a well-preserved circuit of walls. The original mud brick walls were made by the Aghlabids in the 9th century and were strongly fortified in the 12th century. The Kasbah at the southwest corner of the walls was added in the 17th century.

19 Folk Museum (Dar Jelloulı) Sfax's excellent folk museum (Musée des Arts et Traditions Populaires) is housed in Dar Jellouli, a two-storey 18th century mansion that once belonged to a wealthy Andalusian family. It has a beautiful inner courtyard surrounded by horseshoe arches, and a delicately carved door and window frames of Gabès stone. The exhibits inside include a wide range of everyday objects, furniture, traditional costumes, jewellery and Arab calligraphy.

20 Sousse The Medina (Old Town) of Sousse is one of the finest examples of Arab architecture in Tunisia, preserved almost completely unchanged throughout the centuries. A visit here is a must on any Sousse trip. The warren of alleyways is surrounded by a 2 km circuit of walls, built in AD 859 with mammoth stone blocks recycled from ancient Roman sites. There were originally six gates, of which two survive: Bab el Khabli on the south side and Bab el Ghabi on the west. Beyond your journey

21 Oasıs of Tozeur This perfect desert oasis enchants all who visit. Tozeur is a world apart from coastal Tunisian resorts such as Sousse and Hammamet, with a Medina (old town) full of unique brick-pattern architecture and a rambling palm-grove that slices a sea of green through the desert sand. Would-be adventurers will find plenty of attractions and things to do in the surrounding countryside, be it dune-bashing, hot-spring soaking, salt-pan admiring and even visiting the crumbling and surreal remnants of a "Star Wars" movie set, just out of town. But however you choose to spend your time, don't miss a sightseeing trip to the oases of Tamerza, Chibeka and Midès, where you can appreciate some of the most stunning scenery Tunisia has to offer. Beyond your journey

22 Tunusıan Cuısıne Couscous, harissa, chili sauce, and tagines are the main staples of Tunisian cuisine. However, Tunisian tagines, unlike their Moroccan counterparts, are actually omelet- style meals baked in deep pie dishes. Lamb is the most commonly served meat, while roasted mechouia vegetable salad is a popular side dishes. A donut- like sugary fried cake called bambaloony stands alongside French pastries as one of the country s most common desserts. Many delicious meals are served at street stalls, which sell cheap shawerma sandwiches and local favorites. Alcohol sale is restricted, but not prohibited, in this predominantly Muslim country. It can be especially hard to find during Muslim holidays, but generally shops stock imported pilsner beers alongside the local favorite, CelEa, and its non- alcoholic equivalent, CelesEa. Tunisian wine is surprisingly good quality, while Tunisian coffee and cappuccinos are usually served strong in Eny cups. Mint tea is a popular drink aher meals. Brik, Couscous, Salad mechouia, Tunisian Salad, Kefta, Kbobz Mella, Lamb a la Gargoulette, Tunisian Tajine, Khobz Tabouna