Mums off to Tunisia

pennies2pounds_3

Evening all, my mums off to Tunisia for a holiday. She has asked me what is the best currency to take allthough your are not allowed to buy dinars and take them. I guess that just leaves travellers cheques, but which ones?

stormCat99

Been to Tunisia many times and not had any problems with any traveller's cheques so I wouldn't worry about which ones you take.

Yes dinars can not be taken out of the country so you'll be unable to get any until you arrive.

Always worth considering taking a small bottle of whisky or similar with you. Branded alcohol is prohibitively expensive to buy in bottles there, and the locals are always happy to take a small bottle off you in exchange for the trip you were wanting to go on.
It is worth far more to them than it is to you so a good money saving option!

stormCat99

Oh I just thought. You say in your post that your mum's going but don't mention anyone else. Is she going alone? Just that she should be prepared for lots of hassle from the locals. Anyone would get that as it's just their way, everywhere you go people are grabbing you and hassling you for something, but a female on their own is more unusual for them and she may feel uncomfortable outside of the hotel. Just a thought - so make sure she covers up to reduce the interest from the locals a little :-)

rchddap1

Tunisia is a lovely place. Yes some people can get a bit strong.

Changing currency is very easy. When we were there we did it at our hotel and had no problems.

A phrase: "la shukran" (no thank you), but most people speak half decent english, or french is their second language.

Be very careful of anyone offering you things. For example, a sweet little boy offering you a flower....and then charging you for it. A horde of blokes at the airport grabbing for bags to take to or from the transfer buses and then charge you for it(we landed in monastir and it was a matter of 200 yards). Particularly be aware of this on the way home as you won't have any dinars and they will expect to be paid in british notes! There are lots of these little 'scams', but always try to remember that they see us as being very rich and this is how they make their living. A simple (but very firm) no thank you usually does the trick before walking away.

Mind you OH had to grab out bags back of the man that tried to help us at the airport.

Carry a pen with you on the plane as when you get to Tunisia you will have to fill out a little form....and a pen is a very valuable commodity.

Covering up is a good point, as it is polite. This is particularly relevant if you go outside the main tourist areas on trips etc... Its the usual places, shoulders arms & knees. Most people don't bat an eyelid in the usual places. And there is no point trying to blend in....as it'll be obvious that your a tourist.

Taxis are very cheap, but always barter with the taxi man before you get in. They'll give you a high price to start, but you can batter them down. We stayed in Sousse and there was a little 'noddy train' that was great fun too.

If someone offers to take you somewhere nice be aware that you may end up locked in a carpet shop (or other family shop) until you buy something. Happened to one of our friends and whilst they didn't pay for a carpet they did have to pay for the gifts they were given when there.

Tipping is usual, but you don't need to go to extremes. Usually a dinar here or there is fine.

Some people do find Tunisia a bit 'grabby' and think they get too much hassle. Try to see through all that as simply people trying to make a living. If you don't feel up to visiting the Medina (market) there is always the government shop which has fixed prices and no hassle either. We found the medina a lovely place to walk once we got past the initial tourist bit (we found fruit and fish markets). Eventually the comments of the 'sales people' on the streets made us laugh!

If its a package holiday seriously consider the sahara explorer with 4x4s. It is an expensive trip, but was brilliant and worth every penny

rchddap1

And I'm sorry for the essay and tell them to have a wonderful time. We thought it was brilliant and would go again quite happily

savvysass

I love tunisia!!! apologies if it has already been covered but tell your mum travellers cheques are fine and as the tunisian governement set the exchange rate once per week I think it make no diff where she changes them - bank, hotel or airport

candygirl

im goin to tunisia too on sunday!!went last year and it was brill so i cant wait!i'm taking sterling travellers cheques, and a bit of english cash in case of emergencies!! :j :beer:

pennies2pounds_3

boots_babe wrote:

Oh I just thought. You say in your post that your mum's going but don't mention anyone else. Is she going alone? Just that she should be prepared for lots of hassle from the locals. Anyone would get that as it's just their way, everywhere you go people are grabbing you and hassling you for something, but a female on their own is more unusual for them and she may feel uncomfortable outside of the hotel. Just a thought - so make sure she covers up to reduce the interest from the locals a little :-)

She is travelling with my auntie so hopefully not too much will go wrong. I will certainly warn her tho! ta