Picture this…you’re sitting at a rustic wooden table on a hillside bearing whitewashed taverns, nibbling plump olives and overripe tomatoes with juice dripping down the side of your mouth. The searing hot sun is freckling your shoulders and bouncing off the azure Mediterranean waters dancing diamonds across your shades. Muted background babble of happy go lucky kids bronzed as bronzed can be as they dart about chasing each other and their shadows with glee. A scene from any Mediterranean village? Perhaps yes, but perhaps Tunisia and its ability to cast a spell with its abundance of simple pleasures. And that’s what Tunisia is all about, the simple life, offered up with warm heart and open arms to those who make the time to linger.
This is Arabia at its most relaxed. Alcohol is available as you’d expect in other seaside resorts and women’s liberty is not restrained in the same way as it is in other Arabian countries.
Tunisia is to most those glossy brochure images of a carpet of deep inviting sand fringing never ending Mediterranean coastline. It is true that the beaches are a big draw card and there is a plethora to choose from ranging from quiet and secluded, to package holiday mecca with the ubiquitous parasol and sun lounger dutifully occupying every square inch of sand. Banishing the winter blues in Tunisia is as easy as leaving your overcoat at the door when faced with daily overdoses of vitamin C from the hours of sunshine. Team with a poolside cocktail and your cares will drift a thousand miles away.
Then, as you put down your summer bestseller, close your eyes and imagine a Tunisia of centuries old. Roman eras of proud coliseums and amphitheatres, later followed by lazy hours of communal bathing in architecturally beautiful Turkish baths, not to mention early day Berber settlements carved into the hillsides. The surprising element to the daydream? It’s still all there today for you to discover at your ease in the beautiful Tunisian countryside, desert and towns.
It is well worth taking a trip to see the remains of the great ancient civilization Carthage, founded by the Phoenicians in around 800BC, later destroyed and rebuilt by the Romans into the third largest city in the Roman Empire, before it was again destroyed by the Arabs 200 years later. The ruins alone evoke the proud architecture that once existed in a world where status and power was everything.
Continuing the Roman theme, prepare to be awe struck by the rich collection of Roman mosaics at the Bardo museum. The collection is one of the worlds’ largest and transports you to a bygone time where the skill and beauty of the floor beneath one’s feet was as much revered as the imposing arches above and the elaborate decorations adorning the great Roman architecture.
Then compare with the later and much more humble Berber abodes. Not known for their grandeur, the Berbers preferred a simple existence where shelter from the sun was far more important than empires of grandiose proportion. No matter the simplicity, consider the ingenuity of the cave complexes called Troglodyte abodes, burrowed into the earth like human rabbit warrens, to ward off the burning sun. No wonder the Berbers survive to the present day and continue their ancient ways of living, this erudite tribe well and truly cracked the problem of living in high temperatures by taking a pragmatic approach rather than attempts to maintain their egos! Applause to the Berbers! The best place to visit these robust underground complexes is at Matmata where some of the Troglodyte houses are still inhabited and a small number have been converted to hotels.
Take time to explore the mediaeval walled cities, known as medinas. Test out your haggling mettle in the souks, but always do so with a smile on your face, it’s supposed to be fun for all involved! Let yourself be tempted by the myriad of exotic spices, scents and colourful carpets. Be mesmerized by the melodic calls to prayer, even though the mosques themselves are closed to non-Muslims.
Now fast forward to present day. Something for movie buffs and adventure fans. Does the mere mention of Star Wars or Indiana Jones send you a quiver? If so, you’re not on your own and Tunisia is about to put a big smile on your face! Yes indeed, Tunisia was the place of choice for filming much of the weird and wonderful landscape of Star Wars (think the planet of Tatooine) and also for the action scenes of ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’. Live the dream – visit Luke Skywalker’s house and get ready for some serious light sabre action! Not forgetting that the award winning movie ‘The English Patient’ was largely shot in the Tunisian desert.
When it’s time to retreat back to the coolness of the water’s edge, exercise those little used desk bound muscles with all kinds of fun and exciting activities such as windsurfing, diving, sailing or fishing – you might even catch dinner to accompany the sundowners. If not, don’t worry, there are oodles of places waiting to serve up both local and international cuisine.
Most of all though, do as the locals do – smile, relax, take time to chat, meander at a snail’s pace, take 3 hour lunches and watch the world go lazily by. Oh beautiful Tunisia, a pace of its own, a life of its own.
Getting there and around
There are 5 international airports in Tunisia, making access by air very easy, particularly from Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Another popular option is to arrive by ferry from France or Italy. For those already travelling in neighbouring countries, it is difficult but possible to cross the border overland by shared taxi from Algeria.
Once in the country, getting around is relatively simple and transport could take the form of anything from a bicycle, to a taxi, to local buses or trains, a car rental or even a hired mule! A good local tram network is also in existence.
Fast Facts
Full Name: Republic of Tunisia
Population: Approximately 10,000,000
Currency: Dinar
Official Languages spoken: Arabic
Time Zone: GMT +1