I was doing a search yesterday to see how much there was on Tunisia -- it's an easy, fast boat ride for me. I saw that Tony da Roma went not too long ago, so I guess this may be directed at him -- although anyone else who wants to jump in, feel free!
I noticed you said you went to Hamm....something...and stayed at a place that had a private beach. Before I saw the message I had already done a search on hotels in and around Tunis (where the port is) and saw many in the Hamm place, ranging from 2.5 stars up to 5. Most had private beaches. There was one, a club, Dar something (you'd think I woulda saved the pages, but I had so many windows open on my little 'puter and then someone wanted a receipt printed and when I opened the other program by computer went blammo, poor thing), that was only 50E a day (in September), had the private beach, etc., Turkish bath, buffets, yada yada yada.
Is it worth it to choose Tunisia? Is there lots to see to keep me busy, while also relaxing?
My mom was here and I asked furhter details. Unfortunately she does not speak English, so I have to summarize. She said that the best way to visit Tunisia is with a car, since you are already in Sicily and the ferry will take you there, there's no reason to rent one there. The northern part of Tunisia has some very interesting places and some too touristy and now spoiled places. The voast is nice but the sea is usually better in Sicily. The best sea area is Cap Bon peninsula, except in tis southeastern part where Hammamet got really too touristy, another place to skip is Djerba (unless you want to spend a couple luxury night). Tunis is an interesting place, a modern city but with charm. From there you can easily visit the Roman ruins in Carthage and Bizerte. Sidi Boud Said is very beautyful, it almost looks like Greece, withewashed houses and flower everywhere. The area of Sousse, Monastir and Moknine is nice and vorth passing by, but not exceptional, while central Tunisia is very intersting, with cultivated areas that blend into the lunar landscape of the desert. She absoluteny said to take a trip into the desert, which is gorgeous, but when you do first check the prices because they don't sell the trip for the same price to everyone (and do haggle!). She was there witha couple camel owners met at the market, ate with them from a communal plate scrubbed in sand, so you must adapt a bit. If you prefer there are fancier (and more comfortable) tours. A great trip (only if you have a GOOD car) is to cross the desert and the salt lake to Tozeur, but if you head to the desert, make sure you don't go too close to Algeria, because along the border it is pretty dangerous for us Europeans and Americans. also, do take a tour (or visit by yourself) an Oasis (she went to Douz). Matmata is touristy, but it is still interesting with its underground houses. Kairuan is a nice stop on the way to the desert, with a fortress to be visited. In Tunisi, vist the King's palace, and everywhere you are, check out the souks. If you happen to hit a marriage, stay and see it, because it is something very unusual and fascinating.
Things to be aware of. In first plac,e while Tunis and the main cities along he coast are pretty "westernized", if you go towards the center of the country make sure you have long skirts or long and wide trousers, and shirts that don't reveal much (a good idea is to have a long sleeved but lightweight shirt to pull on in case of need), since that's a Muslim country (in the countryside there are still a lot of women dressed in the traditional way). If you are headed to crowded places, don't bring too much money. Just some cash to pay with and your documents (in separate places). People are usually honest, but they are also very poor. Also, be aware that in touristy areas many people will approach you to sell something (she remebers lots of children and women selling jasmines) or just to ask for money.
Thanks Alice for the info. I'll be only in the area of Tunis, Carthage and Sidi. Won't have a car and won't rent one. This is just a quick, probably one week, vacation for me. Kim's going to drive to Palermo to pick me up on the way back, but is going to come a day early, hop the ferry over, and spend the final day and night there. That last night will be probably at the spa resort in ... I think it's in Carthage. It's like five star, has all these cool pools with jets, etc., etc. A one night pamper for us.
I won't be going "in country", unless there's a tour of sorts I can take from the hotel. I've been looking at a few places already with their prices, offerings, etc. I should be writing this stuff down before I make posts!
As for the dress, yep -- I'm an old lady, and know about all that stuff I'm one of those people that make it known to the american military here that their form of dress is most often quite rude to the people here (leaving their hats on in the restaurant, often backwards, leaving their 'hood rags on their heads in the restaurant, etc., and generally looking just ridiculously sloppy and dirty while out in town and eating). So, since I'm not into the "sexy shirt" craze (the ones that show the belly, which shouldn't, in my own personal opinion, be worn by anyone over 25 anyway), and the pants worn down to the .... okay, well anyway! I don't have to worry about Muslim dress culture -- I have way too man y years of European experience
I'll have to look into the camel excursion. My mom did one way back when, when she went to Egypt. I remember she always said I should do that. Egypt's another place I've always wanted to go too.
On to the planning.......oh well, that's if I actually get the time off
quote:Originally posted by MariaV: As for the dress, yep -- I'm an old lady, and know about all that stuff I'm one of those people that make it known to the american military here that their form of dress is most often quite rude to the people here[...]
Well, you don't need to be an American military. I have seen Italian women topless sunbathing no more than 200 meters from a Greek country village and church or trying to enter an Orthodox monastry in miniskirt and bare midriff (often enough sagging). A little reminder for future readers of the thread, IMHO, is always a good thing.
As for the camel trip, if you find a tour departing, or meet someone who is interested in one too and get your own guides, absolutely do it. It's the thing that my mom liked the most of that trip. Especially the night out, sleeping under the stars.
Hammemat is resort town. It is a mjor project of the Tunisian government. The project started in 1995 and is scheduled to be completed next year. They have/are building dozens and dozens of hotels, restaurants, shops, casinos, and even a fake medina. I would only go 4 or 5 star. You might as well have as much luxury as possible, especially when it is so cheap.
From Hammemat it is easy to do day trips to following cities/towns: Tunis, Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, Sousse, Monastir. If you are interested, I can try to put you in touch with the guides that we had while we were there. For anywhere from 30-45 euros a person they offer a private sedan and driver for 12 hours to do day trips. Lunch was even included into the price the one day. They also offered a multi day excursion into the desert. It is not possible to do it in one day because of the distance. Unfortunately, we were not able to go because we were only there for 3 nights.
Tony, thanks -- any help would be appreciated. This may be more of a chore than I bargained for, as I'm having major difficulties coordinating getting to Trapani for port departure time. I even checked into flying over there, but the silly plane has to go to Rome first! Talk about backtracking. Train would be perfect of course, but I can't coordinate it with port departure. I may have to boat it up to Napoli and then catch the ferry to Tunis from there. Obviously I live on the wrong side of the island
Maria and Tony - Now you have me thinking of a week in Tunisia next spring! I've always wanted to go there (mostly for the historical sites), but I never realized it was so close to southern Italy. I've been reading through a small guidebook on Tunisia, and have to say that the only thing that gives me pause is that the PLO is headquartered in Tunis. I'm not sure that's enough to keep me away, but worth noting.
I'll already be in Taormina in March 2005 for Shannon's Birthday Blowout, so I'll have to explore travel options from that part of Sicily.
Here's a Tunisia tourism site I found. (Note that several pages haven't been updated since 2001 or earlier.)
Don't take it personally, Maria! The arrangements so far consist of choosing dates (around Shannon's birthday) and renting a villa ... As the date gets closer no doubt you'll be hearing plans for a GTG.
Topic Closed
I'm one of those people that make it known to the american military here that their form of dress is most often quite rude to the people here (leaving their hats on in the restaurant, often backwards, leaving their 'hood rags on their heads in the restaurant, etc., and generally looking just ridiculously sloppy and dirty while out in town and eating). So, since I'm not into the "sexy shirt" craze (the ones that show the belly, which shouldn't, in my own personal opinion, be worn by anyone over 25 anyway), and the pants worn down to the .... okay, well anyway! I don't have to worry about Muslim dress culture -- I have way too man y years of European experience 
Train would be perfect of course, but I can't coordinate it with port departure. I may have to boat it up to Napoli and then catch the ferry to Tunis from there. Obviously I live on the wrong side of the island 
I need a graemlin with major tears running down its face 
