Tunisia It is undoubtedly one of the destinations that comes out the most if we are talking about value for money. It is good Because it is a country that is relatively close, but that is very different from the western world. It is beautiful because it hosts various architectural wonders and beautiful landscapes. Finally is cheap since it is the foreign destination that comes out the best price in relation to everything it offers.
Two hours by plane from Barcelona There is one of the most interesting North African countries to visit: Tunisia, the Europe of the poorest continent in the world. Every year thousands of people from very diverse places come here to appreciate its history, its culture and, above all, its way of understanding life, so different from ours. The accommodation is very interesting since 3 and 4 star hotels await you and full board.
The adventure begins with the arrival at the airport of Monastir and as soon as you cross the customs control you see that you are in another country: palm trees, vehicles, people, smells, weather ...
You don't have to worry about the language. In Tunisia, everyone who works with the public knows our language, and at least ten other languages. In addition, the savvy and open character of the Tunisians and the large satellite dishes that are seen in each house, mean that they do not miss any detail of our customs and do not have any problem understanding you. Tour the country from end to end
The first trip leaves you in Kairouan, inside the country. It is considered the fourth holy city of Islam. You will surely find the first stops of souvenirs, where it is probable that a seller will chase you insisting that you buy a necklace and before making the purchase you already wear it. There it is unforgivable not to visit the Kairouan Grand Mosque, one of the most important and one of the few where non-believers are allowed in. A very religious and very puritan atmosphere is breathed and, if you are attentive, you will be able to feel the calls of the religious leader to the believers so that they come to pray. It is said among the Muslim community that going to Kairouan seven times is equivalent to a visit to the Mecca.
At 12p.m it is very common that you have to go eat. In Kairouan is the Le Flore restaurant, where they serve indigenous cuisine and where you can try a species of spring rolls (but Muslim) made with vegetables, eggs and a little meat. You can also taste camel meat, very typical in the menus of the country. But undoubtedly the palm desserts take. The most common are a kind of sweet buns made with honey and date, fruit par excellence, which will be served throughout the trip.
After traveling about 350 kilometers to the south, you reach the city of Tozeur, where the predominant green landscape from before begins to change: we are approaching the desert area. In Tozeur the most important thing is to see your incredible oasis, considered the largest in the country. The most normal thing is to have free time to visit the town and to go shopping at the medinaThat is, the market where all the shops and stops are located, basically for tourists. Important: the buying technique is haggling. You have to take into account a series of basic rules such as patience and cunning, as they will always try to sell you at a high price.
If you like the oasis, a few kilometers from Tozeur you will find Nephtha, which has another large one. It is a small Muslim town, quiet and little used to the presence of tourists. The latter is noticeable only by taking a walk through its narrow streets and mixing with its citizens. If you meet a group of children, surely they will not hesitate to ask you for any alms such as candy, stylos (a pen), some currency, etc. You do not have the obligation to give them anything, because many times with a simple smile they are satisfied.
Live a berber party
Douz is the entrance to the desert, the last oasis before the march to Sahara, especially for some Bedouin who still practice this legendary nomadic custom. This factor gives rise to the possibility of carrying out some complementary activities, such as camel or 4 × 4 routes, to appreciate the desert in all its splendor and its magnificent sand dunes.
Another very interesting and recommended option is to go to a berber party in the middle of the desert. At dinner under haimes (a kind of autochthonous tents), you will taste the call tunisian soup, reddish in color and slightly spicy taste. As a second course they offer you the quintessential Muslim food: the couscous, accompanied with camel meat.
Where to buy?
If you want to buy very cheap and with variety, stop by Gabés Species Market, a city bathed by the Mediterranean Sea, before spending the night in Sfax. The latter is the economic capital of the country, a great city open to the world, where it is usual to see women without the usual veil and even wearing short skirts. Then you can see a great metropolitan movement and, above all, it is where you can see the great economic difference between the north and the south.
Ancient Rome and the Phoenician Empire
Transport yourself to the Rome of the Emperors through the great coliseum that you can enjoy in the city of The Djem, the best preserved in Africa and the third in world importance. It is in very good condition to visit it. He had a capacity to 45,000 viewers. On the way out, take the opportunity to do some shopping at the many shops and you will surely not be able to resist and take a nice stuffed camel.
To continue admiring the Roman legacy, you cannot miss a visit to Carthage, located in the north of the country, a few kilometers from the capital. Specifically, enjoy the panoramic view of the Punic ports and do not forget its amphitheater, the Antoni Pius Roman Baths, Damous Karita theater and Christian basilica.
Also take the opportunity to visit the small town of Sidi Bou Said, of great beauty, built with Andalusian art and known as the «City of painters», where the houses are all white with blue doors and windows. Do not hesitate to try the dates that you will find in the stops of the entire population and drink the typical Tunisian coffee on a terrace overlooking the sea.
The coin
They use the Tunisian dinar, which is divided into 1,000 millimeters (cents). The coins are 1 DT and 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5.
1 dinar equals 0.60 euros. You can exchange at the airport or at the hotel, but it will be cheaper to do so at a Tunisian bank.
Some arabic words
As-salaam-alaykum (Hi)
Ma’as-salama (goodbye)
Shukran (thanks)
Bikam? (How much is this worth?)
Min Fadilak (please)
TUNISIA - BEST OF TUNISIA (April 2024)
- deserts
- 1,230
