Take a Stroll through Tunisia’s Rich Culture

Tunisia’s Mediterranean climate is hot, hot, hot, so if you are a real beach lover, looking for and booking cheap Tunisia holidays might be just the ticket for you. But Tunisia offers much more – if you go during the cooler months, you’ll be able to fully explore Tunisia and get a real feel for the place, before the heat of July and August really kick in.

Tunisia has been inhabited by many different cultures since the Berber tribe called it home thousands of years ago. Romans, Arab Muslims, French colonists and more have made a base in Tunisia and these cultures have left an indelible mark on the country, evidenced in the food, architecture and music of the North African region.

The Tunis Medina

Tunisia’s capital city has a thriving market (medina) on Fridays, where people can buy fresh foods, alongside handicrafts, pottery, leatherwear and materials. The market is where Tunisians come to socialise and sort out their business deals – it’s full of noise, colour and scent and a great place to immerse yourself in Tunisian culture.

Pottery in Nabeul

Pottery is big business in Tunisia, with the district of Nabeul being a favourite. Whether you are looking for something to take home or just want to watch the potters at work, it’s a lovely way to pass a few hours. There are lots of souvenir shops in the Nabeul, and the potters have a pride in their work, with many of the potteries being family run for generations. Nabeul is a must-see tourist spot.

The International Festival Of Symphony Music, El Djem

Renowned as one of the most fascinating festivals on the musical calendar, The International Festival of Symphony Music, El Djem, is a heady combination of arts, symphonic performances for visitors of all ages. El Djem attracts world renowned classical artists, who perform in the majestic Tunisian Coliseum, built in 200AD. The majority of visitors are there purely for the exceptional music scene, but history lovers will relish the experience of being seated in one of the most iconic buildings in Tunisia. Usually identified as a Roman design, the Coliseum in Tunisia is a perfect backdrop to this prestigious music festival.

Tunisia offers so much more than a stunning climate. Take a trip out to Tunisia and see some of the countries treasures for a great holiday experience.

Sousse Resort Tunisia

Sousse is known as “The Pearl of the Sahel”. Located on the eastern coast of Tunisia, it has a stunning coastline and a temperate climate. Sousse hotels can be found in all price ranges, so you can easily find accommodation that suits your holiday budget.

If you appreciate sun, sea and sand, there are beautiful beaches along the coast. Local boats operate a variety of short excursions which include luncheon and a swim in the local coves.  For those seeking an adrenaline rush, try the water parachutes and dune buggy hire vehicles. The infamous Tuk-Tuk Taxi cabs offer thrill seekers a nail biting,  speedy drive through the town. Travelling around Sousse is straightforward so you can see the whole area by bus or hire car.

Inside information on Sousse

Nearby Medina, has shops brimming with jewellery, hand made carpets, copper pots and silver wear is a thriving shopping district.  The Tunisian shop owners enjoy noisy banter and expect bartering, so be prepared to throw yourself into shopping “Tunis style” if you go to the Souk.

Tunisian men are far from shy and have a different understanding of personal space to many Europeans. Be polite but firm when dealing with over keen traders and shop keepers and you’ll be able to negotiate your way through your holiday in Sousse with ease.

Tunisian food is fragrant and delicious –  the local flavouring, called Harissa, can be stingingly hot. Harissa is a red coloured paste usually made from ground chillies, garlic, pepper, caraway,  paprika and oil. It’s used as a marinade or added to couscous, soups and stews for that extra culinary kick!

There are several fine museums and sites of cultural interest in Sousse.

Arabs, Byzantines and Turks all moved into the area, leaving a diverse legacy of architecture, art and culture – archaeological finds are rich and rare.

Nightlife offers everything from quiet local restaurants to a buzzing club scene – just choose what suits you.

There are a couple of local well known festivals too  – the Sousse International Festival which takes place in July-August, and the Mediterranean Olive Festival in nearby Kalaa Debira in December.

Sousse is a terrific holiday destination. If you are looking for a warm and bustling environment, look out for holidays in Sousse Resort, Tunisia and enjoy a week in the sun!

Holidays in Tunisia

The popular resort of Skanes is a suburb of the port town of Monastir on the Tunisian Mediterranean. Tunisia is the smallest country in North Africa but has everything from golden beaches stretching for 875 miles to the Sahara desert to fertile lands. It is one of the most liberal of the Islamic Arab-Berber nations where rights for women were established which are unmatched by any other Arab country.

There are six National Parks, and one of these is one of the two in the world which is a UNESCO-protected Biosphere Reserve. The diverse economy includes agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and now quite a large amount of tourism, which increases its fortunes.

The reference to “The Life of Brian” refers to the Monty Python movie which featured Skanes’ ancient 8th-century rebuilt fort. This fort was also used in a TV series about Jesus of Nazareth and in the movies “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “The English Patient”. It houses The Museum of Islamic Arts with ancient Islamic artifacts and manuscripts, exquisite textiles, glassware, miniatures, and pottery.

The historic city of Skanes retains its ancient designation as Tunisia’s holiest place, which was also used by Julius Caesar as a stronghold. It is surrounded by a wall and battlements with small towers.

Luxury Hotels

There is a stretch of luxurious hotels along the coast in Skanes with magnificent architecture, beautifully manicured gardens, and located on their own well-maintained sandy beaches. The weather is warm all year round; and various water sports are available such as fishing, diving, snorkeling, wind surfing, and paragliding.

Much of the dining, dancing, and live entertainment is in the hotel restaurants, but if you want to have the adventure of eating locally, you can try the specialty dishes served with unleavened bread at a very reasonable price. Fish plays a major part in the traditional Tunisian diet along with its national dish of couscous which is a delicious combination of semolina, vegetables, spices, and meat or fish. Since Tunisia only gained independence from France in 1956, that is reflected in French cuisine along with the Arab spicy delicacies.

Tunisia Tourist Attractions

For tourist attractions there is the Bourguiba Mausoleum of the first president of Tunisia with a spectacular twin-towered gilded gold dome, the modern architecture Bourguiba Mosque, or a camel safari through the countryside to explore a desert oasis with hot pools, old Roman ruins, and ending with a Beduoin feast and belly dancers. You might choose a cruise in a sailing ship, a boat excursion, watching dolphins that swim alongside, or a choice of the Flamingo or Palm Links 18-hole golf courses. These attractions make Tunisia a first class destination for family holidays.

This is a tourist mecca with many souvenir shops as well as vendors selling their wares by parading through the streets.

In nearby Sousse, Tunisia’s third largest city, is one of Tunisia’s largest casinos and a bustling market area where jewelry, leather goods, carpets, antiques, and perfume are especially featured for purchase. Sousse has a busy fishing harbor, and if you get there early in the morning, you can see the catch from the night before being unloaded from small boats. The Kasbah Museum has a collection of third and fourth century mosaics. As in much of Tunisia, there are hundreds of years of history that can be explored since Sousee was one of the great coastal cities of the Phoenicians.