White crane travel guide to the countries of tunisia. My guide to tunisia. Shopping and stores

Tunisia is a mysterious country that embodies the customs of the West and the East, combining the ancient traditions of Africa and modern European ones, the nature of the coastal strip and the desert, attracting with endless beaches, gentle sea and the best thalassotherapy procedures in the world.

Tunisia has a very ancient history - accordingly, a rich excursion program. The country is washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, covers an area of ​​​​about 164 thousand square kilometers and is inhabited by almost 10.5 million inhabitants. The capital is the city of the same name Tunis.

Resorts of Tunisia

The most popular Tunisian resort is Hammamet. The name translates as ... "bath". Hammamet is the main health resort of the country - the best thalassotherapy salons are here. Moreover, recovery can be quite harmoniously combined with beach holidays and excursions. Entertainment lovers can visit various discos and clubs in this city, and those who prefer peace can contemplate the magnificent landscapes of eucalyptus and orange groves and the sea, the endless sea.

Great beach holiday in Sousse. Here you can stay both in a budget hotel and in a five-star one. The resort is distinguished by a fairly long coastal strip, well-developed infrastructure - many restaurants, cafes, entertainment not only for adult vacationers, but also for young tourists.

Monastir resort is a beach, thalassotherapy, cultural program.

The town of Mahdia is less crowded - here you can enjoy a relaxing beach holiday, professional thalassotherapy procedures, good diving, and unforgettable shopping.

You can relax on the Tunisian island of Djerba all year round. The air temperature on the coast of Djerba never drops below +20 degrees. There are many premium hotels on the island, conditions for golf, excursions and entertainment are created. It even has its own crocodile farm.

How to get to Tunisia

Air travel is the fastest way to be in Tunisia in a matter of hours.

Airplanes fly regularly from Moscow to Tunisia, in the summer season charters are possible from the same Moscow, Minsk or Kyiv.

Perhaps someone will choose a flight with a connection in Istanbul or Rome.

You can get to Tunisia by ferry from Italy and France.

If you contact the Spasibo Travel company, our experienced managers will select a travel option that is convenient for you.

You can find our contacts.

Climate of Tunisia

Tunisia is one of the few countries on the African continent that has a very comfortable climate for Belarusians - it does not take long to acclimatize here.

In summer, the temperature rises to +35, but dry air compensates for the heat. The swimming season in Tunisia is most comfortable from the last days of May to the last of October (the water in the sea at this time is never below +20). Swimming on the island of Djerba is permissible all year round.

The winter temperature in Tunisia can range from +10 to +21 depending on the area.

The beaches of Tunisia

The beaches of Tunisia are the pride of the country. Being in the department of the municipality, the beaches are kept clean, have free entrance and paid beach equipment (with the exception of 4 * and 5 * hotels).

The beach coverage of Tunisia is fine white sand. Almost everywhere there is a convenient entrance to the sea.

And almost everywhere - an unforgettable view of the setting sun, smoothly dipping into the sea!

The number of hotel stars in Tunisia is not always true and is lower than stated. The exception is hotels belonging to world famous chains. A big "plus" of hotels in Tunisia is their location on the coast and the presence of well-groomed territory. However, you can always find a decent three-star hotel with all-inclusive meals. In Tunisia, this food system is different from other countries, so before leaving, you should clarify what is included and what is not.

Almost everywhere you will be offered wellness treatments.

It is better for Europeans, of course, to choose a “higher” level of accommodation - local residents penetrate the territory in inexpensive hotels, which is not entirely comfortable.

The so-called charm hotels are popular - houses designed for 10-15 rooms with picturesque landscapes around. The owners of such hotels are usually local families, who create an authentic national atmosphere for guests and offer delicious local cuisine.

Banks, money, exchange offices

Dinar, in which 1000 millimeters, is the currency of Tunisia.

You can make an exchange at banks and "exchangers", at post offices, at the airport and in hotels. There are also ATMs on the streets of the country, in which the exchange rate is more favorable, but no more than 500 dinars per day can be withdrawn.

Tourist safety

Tunisia is a country with a low crime rate, but still, standard security measures must be observed. All the most valuable - large cash, documents, expensive things - it is better to leave in the hotel safe.

In Muslim Tunisia, one should go out into public places, observing the culture in clothes - knees, chest, shoulders should be covered.

It is undesirable for women to walk the streets alone.

It is best to use bottled water for drinking.

Transport

Air traffic is well developed between the main cities of Tunisia.

The most common and convenient way to travel in Tunisia is the bus. You can get from one city to another quickly and for little money. In summer, due to the high air temperature, buses run at night.

Trains of three classes (depending on travel conditions) carry passengers between cities and to places of interest. The ticket price depends on the distance.

A kind of lightweight version of the metro connects Tunis, Carthage, Sousse, Monastir, Mahdia.
Buses and trams carry passengers within cities.

But tourists are better off using taxi services with a red stripe, the fare in which is better to negotiate in advance. Such a taxi starts moving when it is completely filled with passengers. Taxi with a blue stripe, accommodating five passengers, work on the same principle. Taxi with a yellow stripe is the most familiar form of transport for us. Payment here, oddly enough, is made according to the meter and after the trip (night travel will be more expensive).

Those who wish can rent a car, but be prepared for surprises on the roads - local drivers do not really respect the rules of the road.

Entertainment, excursions, sights of Tunisia

Tunisia attracts tourists from many countries with its rich history - there is a rather rich excursion program here - Carthage, Hammamet, the city of Dugga, which is under the auspices of UNESCO, the city-museum of Sidi Bou Said, Mecca, Medina and many other objects worthy of attention.
A separate point of stay in Tunisia is, of course, thalassotherapy, the services of which can be offered to you in any hotel and beyond.

Coral reefs are suitable for diving, the sea - for fishing.

Excursions to the Sahara desert are organized from the city of Douz.

Shopping and stores

Tunisia is famous for its handmade carpets made of silk, wool, cashmere. You can buy good leather products, but you have to buy them in specialized stores.

Silk dresses and stoles, as well as clothing made from natural fibers will please any fashionista, and also good quality ceramics, silver jewelry and olive oil, oriental sweets.

In local markets, bargaining is quite appropriate; prices in supermarkets are fixed.

Cuisine and restaurants

Tunisian cuisine is closest to European. The country has a large number of establishments for every taste and budget, where you will be served delicious food.

Be sure to taste Tunisian couscous, which is prepared in a certain way from vegetables, meat, fish or seafood and cereals. Very tasty sweet couscous - date-nut-sugar.

A popular ingredient in many dishes is tuna, which can be found in baked goods and salads.
The local analogue of cheburek stuffed with potatoes, tuna, egg and parsley is peculiar. Delicious chicken and potato omelet with onions and cheese.

Not a single Belarusian will pass by grilled seafood - squid, cuttlefish and octopus.

Those with a sweet tooth gobble up Tunisian baklava, sweet balls, walnut-date cookies on both cheeks, washing it all down with green tea infused with pine nuts.

Customs

You can import and export foreign money from Tunisia in unlimited quantities. In the case of import and export of more than 1000 US dollars per person, they must be declared.

Local dinars and cultural and historical values ​​are not subject to export from the country.

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Djerba is a picturesque island located in the south of Tunisia. Tunisia is always a couple of degrees higher than on the mainland. Beach holidays can be alternated with trips to the ancient Arab quarters, forts and pottery workshops. As soon as the list of attractions comes to an end, you can start exploring pink flamingos, picturesque rocky shores, in the bowels of which rich treasures are still hidden.
Jebra is known for its sandy coastline, cozy hotels, pleasant climate, clear sea water, as well as palm and olive groves. You can relax at the resort all year round, because no matter what month comes, the thermometer will confidently stay above 0 degrees. Jebra offers a typical island getaway, away from noisy, annoying cities.
The island combines several cultures: Muslims live in commonwealth with the Jewish people. The island capital has several cathedrals, each belonging to a different religion. The main attraction of the island is the ancient synanoga, which is almost 3,000 years old. Every year, pilgrims from all over the world come to the foot of the temple.

Douz - sometimes called the "Gate of the Desert", as it is the most "Saharan" oasis. This typical desert village is surrounded by real dunes and still zealously preserves the customs and traditions of its ancestors. Douz is known for its Thursday bazaar, handicrafts made of leather camel, Berber jewelry, the breeding of famous desert greyhound servants, and especially its Saharan Festival. The festival gathers in January the inhabitants of the Tunisian Sahara, which gives the observant traveler an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with entertainment, traditional weddings, Camel Battles, hunting with African greyhounds. Douz is the "Gate of the Desert", from where one-humped African camels start their journey and where Saharan safaris originate, whose participants climb the dunes, following the trails of gazelles. Since ancient times, the caravan route to Algeria passed through it. There are only five thousand inhabitants in the Douz oasis. Most are peasants.

Mahdia is an ancient Punic port. Many centuries ago, the capital of Tunisia was located here. The main feature of the resort, which, like a magnet, attracts tourists from all over the world is snow-white beaches with soft sand. At the same time, the number of tourists is not so great. If we compare Mahdia with other recreation areas of the country.
The resort of Mahdia is more suitable for lovers of peace, a measured, relaxing holiday. Mahdia will offer long walks along the sea coast, sightseeing tours and beach holidays. It is better not to come up with Mahdia for a family vacation. For children, a water park has even been built on the territory of the resort.
Among other things, Mahdia has one of the most prestigious thalassotherapy centers. It is worth noting that, compared to connecting Sousse, the tourist infrastructure in this city is not so well developed, and there are not so many hotels here. Today Mahdia is one of the most important ports in the country.
The city is famous for silk and skillful painting on fabric. Surprisingly, the city managed to preserve the features of antiquity. In the center of the resort, you can still hear the sounds of machines spinning silk threads. The basis of the resort's economy is fishing. Locals sell fresh seafood daily in markets and bazaars.

Sousse Tunis (Sousse) - the so-called "pearl" of Tunisian tourism - is an extremely popular, noisy and truly youthful resort. There are a great many hotels here, without exaggeration - from urban modest "kopeck pieces" at a price from the category below there are no, to luxurious and expensive "five" with famous modern thalassotherapy centers. From entertainment in Sousse - daring night discos, a colorful port for pleasure boats and giant golf courses.
Rest in Sousse also attracts a large number of tourists who love history and archaeological antiquities, and all this is due to the unique sights available here. After all, it is generally accepted that Suss is still much older than Carthage!
Sousse is the third largest city in the country after Tunisia and Sfax. At the same time, Sousse is divided into three parts: the historical part - the medieval medina, the central part with numerous residential buildings, and the northern part, where the tourist zone is located. And about 10 km north of Sousse is the resort suburb of Sousse - Port el Kantaoui. The center of the Cecc district is a walking place and only remotely reminiscent of Montmartre or Old Arbat, with numerous Square Sessa built a musical fountain, which always gathers a lot of tourists.

Tauzar is the capital of Djerida. But this is not a sea mole, but a desert one! The town is located in the heart of the most famous oasis on the entire globe. In ancient times, the settlement had a different name - Tuzuros. The Romans stopped in the city during the great campaigns. Today Tauzar is a major supplier of dates.
At the same time, about 40,000 people live in a small area. Despite the small area, the resort has a lot of interesting places. From many hills there are magnificent views of the city surroundings, in which numerous springs previously hit, which gradually dried up and turned into artesian wells.
Previously, there was a sandy desert on the site of Tauzar, where caravaners crossing the Saharka were actively trading. Today, in the vicinity of Tauzar, there are several villages with ancient monuments.
For example, Bled el-Khader is ready to show tourists the ancient ruins that remained after the Romans or mosques dating back to the 11th century. And in the garden called "Paradise" grows a large number of flowers and plants. Walking in the park is a pleasure, because on the way travelers will meet ancient arches, squares and cathedrals.

The city of Tunis - fabulous, full of east and mysteries - is the capital of the country of the same name. Surprisingly, Arab, African, Mediterranean and European culture are intertwined in the city and peacefully exist. At the same time, Tunisia is both a provincial and a modern city that cannot decide whether it belongs to the Eastern or European world.
In a few hours, Tunisia is able to spin newly arrived tourists in the bustle of crowded markets and charm with calls to prayer that come from all sides of the city. Architecture lovers will be delighted with the French-style buildings, minarets, mosques, cathedrals and spacious squares.
The city is located in the northeastern part of Tunisia. The coast is adorned with a bay. Today, Tunisia is developing rapidly, continuing to gain momentum and develop tourism infrastructure. The city is very ancient, throughout history it experienced several heydays, the brightest of which occurred in the 13th century. The locals called Tunisia the “Perfumed Bride of the Maghreb” due to its snow-white facades of buildings and rich green gardens and squares.

Hammamet Tunisia (the word "hammamet" in translation from the Turkic languages ​​means "a place for bathing", the term is also the same root as the name of the traditional Turkish bath - hammam) is a luxurious resort town known throughout the world for its excellent sandy beaches, delightful and well-preserved the old quarter - Medina, modern upscale thalassotherapy centers with healing mineral baths, as well as luxury hotels. Hammamet is immersed in green flowering plantations of orange and olive trees, a dense ring surrounding the city.
Hammamet has long been known as a great place to relax. However, today Hammamet has already become a European-class resort, and one of the most respectable in all of Tunisia. The coast of Hammamet is a single tourist complex. Quiet relaxation here is harmoniously combined with the best active nightlife in the country: the resort has a lot of cool discos, pleasant bars and high-quality restaurants. Most of the guests come here to combine a measured rest with intensive rejuvenating and wellness treatments. Celebrities preferred to rest here - from Bernano to Shirley MacLaine, from Paul Clé to Edmond de Rothschild, from Winston Churchill to Andre Gide.

People go to Tunisia to relax in first class spa, bargain at the oriental bazaar, ride a camel through the largest desert in the world and, of course, it’s wonderful to relax in hotels by the sea. Holidays in Tunisia have become a good substitute for holidays in Egyptian resorts: tours here are cheap, service in hotels is decent, and there is enough sand in the Sahara and ancient ruins for everyone.

Visa

Visa to Tunisia for Russian citizens need not. All you need to visit Tunisia is to pay for a hotel, fly to one of the airports and fill out a short questionnaire.

Tours in Tunisia

Prices for tours for 2 people for 7 nights with departure from Moscow

Weather

If you are planning a beach holiday in Tunisia, then remember that the swimming season begins from the end of May to the end of October. For trips, it is better to choose the off-season - late autumn or mid-spring.

In the resort areas of Tunisia, there are many hotels that literally dot the entire coast. Those that are on the first line have a large area, their own beach area, garden and pools. Usually these are hotels of well-known international chains, but there are also local brands whose service is just as good. The most common category hotels 4 or 5 stars. We recommend choosing food by type "all inclusive".

Round trip flights to Tunisia

Ticket prices shown are for 1 person departing from Berlin

First of all, of course, it is worth planning a visit to, to the famous one - without visiting him, a trip to Tunisia will be incomplete. It will also be interesting to see the dwellings of troglodytes and the places where Star Wars episodes were filmed. You should definitely wander around the capital's medina, look at and take fantastic pictures in the blue and white city, feed the giraffe at the Phrygia Zoo.

Currency

Currency of Tunisia - Tunisian dinar. One Tunisian dinar is divided into 1000 millimeters and is equal to approximately 50 cents.

What to bring

The three most popular souvenirs from Tunisia - olive oil, ceramics and desert rose.

Olive oil has been produced in Tunisia for a very long time; endless olive plantations can be seen along the roads. Several varieties of olives grow in the country, so all kinds of oil are sold. It is only important to pay attention to acidity - it should not be lower than 1%.

"Desert Rose" is a beautiful souvenir that can only be found in the countries of North Africa. These are sand, salt and gypsum pressed by the wind, which form amusing shapes that look like flowers. The average price for one "rose" - one dinar, but you can bargain and get a bunch for a piglet.

Kitchen

Tunisia has long been under the rule of France, and this has left a big imprint on the national cuisine. For example, they still serve the freshest and most delicious baguette for breakfast and they know how to make croissants very well. Chefs are also good at dishes from cereals and legumes- for example, chickpeas or couscous. But with meat, everything is much sadder. Mainly mutton, cooked in the oven and generously flavored with spices so that it is almost impossible to recognize lamb.

Boiled vegetables (also with spices) are at a premium here. What Tunisians have no equal in is sweets. Nuts in honey, baklava, Turkish delight, nougat - you can’t list everything!

Transport

developed in Tunisia bus and train service as well as a taxi service. You can travel between cities by bus or train. The national carrier that controls the electric trains offers cars of varying degrees of comfort. Tickets are quite expensive - from 9 to 20 dinars. An amazing metro runs in the capital, like two drops of water similar to interconnected trams - almost all lines are ground, there are no transfers between them.

In resort towns, it is best to move from point A to point B by Taxi. It is very important to know a few rules in order not to end up on the outskirts of the city without money. First, remember that getting into a taxi is paid (about 250 millimeters). Secondly, always ask to reset and turn on the counter. Thirdly, be prepared for a rather dashing driving style. At night, a taxi rises in price by 50% - from 21:00 to 5:00 there is a special tariff. In general, traveling by taxi is convenient and very inexpensive, if you follow all the rules. A trip from to, for example, will cost about 4 dinars, and from a coastal hotel to the city center, to the medina - 2-3 dinars.

How to get there

Tunisia is a country in northern Africa, neighboring Libya and Algeria. Its shores are washed by the gentle waters of the Mediterranean Sea. About a third of the country's territory is occupied by the Atlas Mountains, and in the south of the country it begins.

There are 9 airports in Tunisia, but Russian tourists land at 4 of them. Capital (Tunisia-Carthage) accepts regular flights. New Enfidha airport c accepts charters from Moscow, St. Petersburg and Russian cities (Perm, Tyumen, Kazan and others). The transfer will take approximately 45 minutes.

Charters with Russian tourists also land at Habib Bourguiba Airport in Monastir. Before

Safety

In 2015, another revolution shook Tunisia and the unrest has not yet passed. On excursions you can see fortified police and military vehicles. From time to time, local radicals arrange clashes, most often this happens in the capital, in resort towns such a rarity. After the sad case of a terrorist attack on a hotel, the resort administration has stepped up security - the territories are equipped with video cameras, the hotels are guarded by people in uniform.

Good to know

  • Time in Tunisia is two hours behind Moscow.
  • Sockets in Tunisia do not differ from Russian ones, no adapter is needed.
  • The jellyfish season on the coast begins in August and lasts until early September.
  • Large shops are open until 19:00, small shops - until 23:00.
  • It is better for women not to appear in places that are not too crowded without an accompanying man and not to go alone to coffee shops with a male audience.

Even despite the fact that the holiday season is in full swing, it is not always possible to plan a long-awaited vacation in advance. You were still going to work a little, and then the authorities send you off for a day off. This is the time to turn to burning tours. And if Turkey and Egypt have already been traveled far and wide, and tickets to the Crimea are sold out in a patriotic frenzy, it's time to discover Tunisia. This small African country with the familiar Mediterranean Sea in the north and the endless mysterious sands of the Sahara in the south. The rich history and convenient location of Tunisia will satisfy both the need for a beach holiday and the thirst for knowledge. The famous city of Carthage, the Roman and then the Ottoman Empire left here a rich historical heritage that has survived to this day despite all the efforts of the barbarians. For those who go on vacation not only for new experiences, but also for health, there have long been thalassotherapy centers that Tunisians are especially proud of. Well, for fans of the space saga of George Lucas "Star Wars" Tunisia is a must to visit. It was here that the famous director filmed the desert landscapes of the homeland of Enikin and Luke Skywalker - the planet Tatooine. But first things first.

First, some background information. Tunisia is located in the north of the African continent and is washed by the Mediterranean Sea, which forms the climate in most of the country. The flight from Moscow takes 4 hours. In the west, Tunisia borders on Algeria, in the south on Libya. In that part, the sands of the Sahara already reign, so the climate there is drier. The population is small, just over 10 million people. Previously, Tunisia was a French colony, therefore, along with the Tunisian dialect of Arabic, the second common language here is French, English and German are slightly less popular. Most of the staff in the tourist area speak these languages, but more and more you can meet those who can speak Russian. Well, the universal sign language is known everywhere. The national currency is the Tunisian dinar. At the time of writing, one US dollar was worth 1.8 dinars. The course is the same everywhere, so there is not much point in looking for a better course - you can change it at the airport, or you can change it at the hotel. Just in case, save the receipt from the exchanger. If at the end of the tour you have dinars left, upon presentation of a receipt, they can be exchanged back. It is forbidden to take Tunisian dinars out of the country.

WHERE TO RELAX

One of the most popular resorts in Tunisia, the city of Hammamet. From the beginning of the 20th century, this place began to gain popularity among European bohemia. Here is the Yasmine tourist area with the largest “marina” for yachts and an entertainment complex stylized as a medieval Arab medina (historic city center) with bazaars, cafes and the opportunity to rent a yacht for a boat trip or fishing. In addition to the new medina, there is also an old one. With a mosque built in the XIII century, a noisy oriental bazaar. After passing through the Sea Gate, you can find yourself on a sandy beach.

Families and lovers of peace and quiet will love the city of Monastir. This is the birthplace of the first president of the country, Habib Bourguiba, who, after the liberation of Tunisia from the colonial past, carried out large-scale secular reforms in the country. Here is a calm unhurried life, good beaches and an ancient medina, located in the center of the Kasbah fortress, built in the 8th century. If you go up to the observation terrace, then you can see a beautiful view of the sea from there - a good place to watch the sunset. Next is the ancient cemetery of Kubba. Near its borders, the most expensive real estate. In Tunisia, it is customary to consider such a neighborhood prestigious, they say, no one will definitely bother. The city has a large number of various cafes, but some of them are intended only for men. There they gather to discuss what men usually discuss - sports, politics, work. And it's not a matter of discrimination, it's just that women in the East are not accepted to devote to these matters, let them, they say, take care of the house and children.

The second city, suitable for a non-party family vacation, is the former capital of the country, Mahdia. The beaches here are almost the best in Tunisia. The port is full of fishermen who can be hired to go to sea for fish, and in the city center there are shops and workshops of merchants and artisans. Here you can buy fantastic silk products for ridiculous money. Right there, at the hotel "Mahdia Palace THALASSO" is one of the major centers of thalassotherapy. A Russian-speaking doctor will diagnose and prescribe exactly the procedures that you need.

The word thalassotherapy comes from the Greek. thalassa - sea and therapia - treatment. This is a branch of clinical medicine that studies the properties of the coastal climate, sea water, algae, mud and the mechanisms of their action on the body during therapeutic and prophylactic use. Wellness practices here, I must say, turned out to be unexpectedly accessible. Accustomed to watching pensioners from the eurozone at the resorts, it was gratifying to notice that among the visitors to the center there are many of our compatriots who are recovering on a well-deserved rest. And not somewhere in the usual resorts of the Caucasus, but on the Mediterranean coast of Africa.

For the life of a big city, with everything due: discos, noisy shopping streets, resort cafes - go to the city of Sousse. Like many cities in Tunisia, it is divided into two parts - the old and the new. Old Sousse is considered by some to be older than Carthage. There are really a lot of historical buildings there - these are ancient fortresses and monasteries, the watch tower Nador, from where a magnificent panorama of the city and the sea opens, the Grand Mosque with outstanding minarets of stone lace decoration. One of the liveliest and cheapest markets is located here, where you can buy the most delicious fruits that you will not be served even in the most star hotel. There are fish and nuts right there - your eyes run wide and you want to buy absolutely everything. Do not forget to bargain - you can bring down the price by half, or even more! New Sousse is restaurants and cafes, discos and parks. In the tourist area of ​​Port El Kantaoui, you should take a walk along the picturesque promenade, and then go to one of the coastal cafes and order a fish dish for dinner. Be sure to try the Sea Wolf, this very tasty fish was nicknamed by local fishermen for its cunning disposition - each time it must be caught in a different way.

WHAT TO SEE

Rest on the sea and by the pool is, of course, good. But when the hotel gets bored, you have to go on excursions. Fortunately, in Tunisia there is something to see. For example, to make a historical tour of the ruins of Carthage, the destruction of which every time the Roman commander Cato insisted, ending any of his speeches with the phrase “Carthage must be destroyed.” During the Third Punic War, the Romans nevertheless defeated the city that vexed them and wiped it off the face of the earth.

After wandering through the ruins of the baths, the barracks and visiting the museum with various mosaics and marble statues, you can go to the town of Sidi Bou Said. This is one of the most romantic places in Tunisia. Almost all the houses here are white, and their doors and windows are deep blue. The Mediterranean architectural landscape with narrow cobbled streets and a leisurely pace of life sets you in a completely relaxed mood. In the local popular cafe overlooking the Gulf of Tunis, the recipe for green tea with pine nuts was born, which later became traditional for the rest of Tunisia. Due to its picturesqueness, Sidi Bou Said became a place of pilgrimage for writers and artists of the Silver Age, where they came for inspiration. He has remained so to this day. Nowadays, many episodes for films and TV series, including Russian ones, have been filmed here. There is also a historical house-museum where you can see the life of wealthy Tunisians from the time of the Ottoman Empire. Divided into two parts (male and female), the main house, passing through which you find yourself in a very cozy courtyard with a beautiful garden, a well and a home school for children.

The largest market with the largest selection of various souvenirs is located in the medina of the capital of the state - Tunisia. Having passed through a real oriental flea market among shop windows and collapses, you can suddenly turn into the most ordinary door and get into a chic restaurant. An old house from the reign of the Ottomans sets you up for a measured oriental meal. Here you will be offered very tasty couscous and fantastic desserts. It is worth taking a walk around Tunisia to understand what a metropolis in an Arab country is like.

One of the most worthwhile places to visit in Tunisia is the Roman Colosseum in El Jem. The sixth largest in the Roman Empire, it was built in the 3rd century AD. and was designed for 35 thousand spectators. Here, going down to the underground catacombs, where there were gladiator rooms, you can feel like a real fighter of those times. And having risen to the upper tiers - Caesar, well, or a citizen of the great Rome. The Colosseum has reached our days in a very good condition, but in some places it, nevertheless, was subjected to restoration. Every year a festival of symphonic music is held here. Classical works in such surroundings and with natural perfect acoustics sound especially bewitching here.

For lovers of sweets, I recommend visiting the ancient city of Kairouan, which is the fourth holiest site in the Muslim world. Here is the very first mosque of the African continent, built in 670 AD. Pilgrims who do not have to make the Hajj to Mecca go here. Here they prepare an incredible amount of oriental sweets. Be sure to try makrud - wedding cookies made from semolina, jam, dates and nuts.

The trip to the Sahara leaves the strongest impressions from a trip to Tunisia. If you have a couple of unoccupied days - take a two-day excursion to the most famous desert. Guaranteed to get a lot of impressions and emotions. And for Star Wars fans, this tour is a must. It was in the Tunisian part of the desert that many episodes of the cult space saga were filmed. On the first day, you will visit Matmata, located in the foothills of the Atlas Range. Having ascended the observation deck, you can stand for a long time, contemplating the lunar landscapes. Here Lucas filmed the famous car races taking place on the planet Tatooine. Continuing along the serpentine, you can see dugouts located near the road. These are the dwellings of the Berbers, who honor their traditions, including in architecture. In houses that are located closer to the road, as a rule, you can visit and look at the life of the desert natives. They welcome guests. No one will bother you to take pictures and they will even treat you to very strong and sweet tea with homemade cakes. They can offer you a traditional Berber treat - a dish filled with olive oil, at the bottom of which is honey. The taste is very interesting. For hospitality, it is customary to put as much as you feel sorry for in a special jug at the entrance.

Another hour of travel and you are on the outskirts of the desert in the city of Duuz. Every year at the end of December, an international festival is held here - camel racing. The owners of the running ships of the desert come here from all over the Maghreb. But if you come here in the summer, you still won't be bored. You can rent a buggy or an ATV and drive along the dunes or dress in a Bedouin costume and, as part of a caravan on camels and horses, go deep into the desert for an hour. And you can fly around the edge of the Sahara in a light aircraft, at the helm of which is a retired French pilot of civil aviation, who even piloting such a small plane does not take off his uniform shirt with shoulder straps of the aircraft commander.

In the evening you will be transferred to your hotel to go to breakfast in a real oasis in the morning. After having breakfast in the shade of date palms and taking a tour of the production of everything that can be made from dates located here, you will go deep into the desert on off-road vehicles. Next stop is the planet Tatooine! The road itself through the sand dunes is already an adventure. If you ask, the driver will arrange a real roller coaster for you. Buckle up and go to the sands!

As a result, you are brought to the Star Wars set, which was built by the Dorge Lucas film crew here a very long time ago. They were repeatedly covered with sandstorms, but for the sake of the tourist flow they were dug up again and again. Fans of the saga will recognize the hometown of Anakin and Luke Skywalker at first sight - Mos Espa on the planet Tatooine. Actually, Lucas gave the name of the planet in honor of the real city of Tatauina located here. By the way, thanks to satellite images of these scenery, scientists were able to determine the speed of sand movement.

You can tell a lot more interesting things about Tunisia, but as they say, it’s better to see once. Therefore, if you have the desire and the opportunity to go somewhere, but still have not decided where - go to Tunisia, you will not regret it.

The author expresses his deep gratitude to the travel company "Transaero Tour" and the Ministry of Tourism of Tunisia for organizing the trip to Tunisia.

If they say your honey. insurance is not valid until you buy a tour - this is not true. Medical insurance begins to operate from the moment of entry into a foreign country. If they say that the bus to the airport will not come for you or they will not let you board the plane, this is also not true. Transfer to the airport and flight are already paid for by you when buying a tour package. So you don't have to buy excursions if you don't want to. Be carefull!

Take a closer look at the Aegean Sea, this is another part of Turkey. Although the hotels are small and not as pompous as in Antalya, you will definitely like Marmaris or Bodrum. And the Aegean Sea will certainly be remembered for a long time. If the name Turkey still makes you sick, then take a look at Tunisia. The best beach holidays and spas can be found right here and at no extra cost. Fine white sand, sandy flat bottom of the Mediterranean Sea is somewhat reminiscent of the beaches of the Dominican Republic or Sri Lanka.

In any of the hotels in the world there are certain rules, i. opening hours of the restaurant, bar, when you can use the pool. And here very often hotel employees have problems with customers. Because tourists staying at the hotel try to swim in the pool at any time, as soon as the desire to do so arose. But! Dear tourists! fear and risk.

The Internet in Tunisia is not very fast, but tolerable for mail and navigation.
In most hotels in Tunisia, Wi-Fi is available in the hotel lobby.
If it is more convenient for you to use the Internet in your room or outside the hotel, you can buy a SIM card at the airport. In particular, in Hammamet - almost as soon as you leave with your luggage, in the last hall before going out into the street there are 2 counters of two different providers and an exchange office right there. I bought a SIM card from the provider with the shortest queue (TUNISIE TELECOM, 3G++ card), it cost me $5 (the exchange office is located there). I used the Internet for 8 days (only mail and Internet navigation), did not even spend half of the volume paid on the card.
The purchased card can be activated immediately on the spot, but they do not speak Russian, so it may take some time until they sort out your device (phone or tablet). If you have a group transfer to the hotel, try not to linger at the airport for a long time, in the best (for you) case, the whole bus will be waiting for you, and in the worst case, the bus may not wait for you.