Holiday to Tunisia Advice

leo2moss

I stayed in the hotel next door last New Year. There is a bus stop opposite where you can get a local minibus for 1 dinar to the port area or 3 or 4 to Sousse. It's worth going into Sousse as the medina there is a genuine old fort town rather than a tourist one

I travelled as a lone female and got lots of attention (but having a male companion does cut that down a lot). Long linen trousers or, at the least shorts or a skirt that covers the knees is seen as respectable - also she might want to cover the upper arms and cleavage or there might be a problem. Please note - do NOT kiss in public. It's illegal, although kissing on the cheek is fine.

Alcohol is expensive and if you can find a proper supermarket (a lot of the tourist shops are called supermarkets although they're not really) they might have alcohol for sale. You will probably need to show your passport to show that you're a genuine traveller. There are bars and clubs but it's expensive - I now always go AI. Probably wise to take a bottle of something with you.

The dinar - you're not meant to leave with any although some loose change in your bag (if you plan to come back and want to have tip money handy) is probably ok. You can only change notes at the airport. And - despite it being illegal to take dinars out of the country - they DO accept them in the restaurant in the airport and in the payphones!!

And tipping is expected almost everywhere (except on buses and taxis - the buses are fixed price and the taxis you negotiate the price before getting in or you get ripped off) - hotel staff/waiters, etc are paid a pittance and get no sick pay so even a dinar or two makes a difference.

Personally I LOVE Tunisia and am only gutted that I couldn't afford to go this winter. It's somewhere that always provokes a strong reaction so I hope you'll love it too!

PompeyPete

If you want carry-out booze in Sousse the only place to buy it is at Magasin General supermarket. It's on the road running parallel to and immediately behind the seafront. Prices for wine and beer are very reasonable. Closed for booze on a Friday.
A great place for a pavement beer, and watching the world go by is the bar at the Claridge Hotel (opposite the Tourist Information) on Avenue Habib Bourguiba. A 30cl of Celtia beer costs TD1.800, about 65p. A75cl bottle of acceptable wine cost TD6.500, about £3. You'll pay a lot more at Port el Kantanoui(PeK), and also be careful at PeK as some of the cafes sell biere sans alcool (alcohol free).
3 doors up from the Claridge is the Caracas Cafe. No alcohol, but the meals are excellent and inexpensive.
If you aren't into haggling in the medina then there is a 4 storey 'fixed-price' shop just outside.

ScottyUK

Thanks for all the advice,
Returned from our holiday yesterday and had a brilliant time!
For anyone who is thinking about going its a great place and as long as you can have a laugh with the guys constantly trying to sell you stuff you will have a great time.
One thing i would say is that our reps and everyone at the hotel told us to get taxis everywhere.
Personally i would reccommend buses and trains, we got to Monastir and back for 4TD Each!! It would have cost us around 15 each if we were to get a taxi!

Thanks again for the advice

Scott

bcl999

What was the weather like?

bowlesbargain

I am off to the Rui Bellview in the morning can you tell me what the exchange rate was. Would you take Euro as well as £. or is just taking £ and a debit card ok.

Thanks

Dave

dzug1

bowlesbargain wrote: »

I am off to the Rui Bellview in the morning can you tell me what the exchange rate was. Would you take Euro as well as £. or is just taking £ and a debit card ok.

Thanks

Dave

If you already have the euros yes - but there's no point in paying commission/fees to get euros to take.

PompeyPete

ScottyUK wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice,
Returned from our holiday yesterday and had a brilliant time!

We had a few days in Sousse (as part of a d-i-y tour) in November, and went to PEK a couple of times. It was nicer than I expected, but don't think I'd fancy it in the summer - far too busy!

ScottyUK wrote: »

For anyone who is thinking about going its a great place and as long as you can have a laugh with the guys constantly trying to sell you stuff you will have a great time.

Well done, takes a bit of courage!
Anyone not used to haggling should do a bit of homework first, and read the advice in Lonely Planet or Rough Guide.
If you're going to Sousse/PEK there is a big (4 floors) 'fixed-price' shop just outside the medina, which will give you an idea of how much to pay if you then fancy a haggle.

ScottyUK wrote: »

One thing i would say is that our reps and everyone at the hotel told us to get taxis everywhere.
Personally i would reccommend buses and trains, we got to Monastir and back for 4TD Each!! It would have cost us around 15 each if we were to get a taxi!

The reps don't want you to know how easy it is to get around on your own. You did right, and from Sousse it's dead easy to get about because of the metro to Monastir and Mahdia, and also the main line train up to El Jem (magnificant Roman ampitheatre), Hammamet and Tunis.

moneypooh

El Jem is definitely worth a visit, 2nd largest ampitheatre still standing, after Rome IIRC.

August was literally basting, we went back a few years later in late September and it was hot but much more comfortable.

If you can - go diving, warm seas and fantastic clear water.

PompeyPete

moneypooh wrote: »

If you can - go diving, warm seas and fantastic clear water.

Swim in the pool if I were you.
Many people swim in the sea, but the Mediterranean isn't tidal. So where do the outfalls go? Yuk! :eek:
If you are a beach type then the sand bugs & flies can be a problem. Cellulitis can come from these which is a very nasty infection that can last years.:eek::eek:
So be careful!:T

zebbscat

hello, i worked in Monastir for a year with a holiday company: A great place for a holiday as long as you're not expecting it to be like going to some of the usual European destinations. Be open to the fact that attitudes, customs etc will be different and you'll have a fab time. I would advise your wife to dress v. modestly when not in the hotel. Unfortunately when women dress scantily it fuels the opinion that westen women are sluts, a rather unfortunate opinion that many Tunisian men have of us.
Getting money etc from cashpoints etc is easy, always ask for taxi's to be on the meter and whatever you do don't lose your passport!:jFrench is equally spoken if your arabic is rusty!!!!
Have a great time and don't be tempted to compare anything to what you would usually consider to be 'normal'!