Any Tips On Tunisia Or Money Saving Tips For Tunisia?

Luis

We found the water to be very reasonably priced - no probs there, but do check carefully to make sure it is unopened, as we got asked repeatedly for our empty bottles (to top up with tap water perhaps.....?). DO NOT DRINK THE TAP WATER under any circs - we both got the runs when we went, but I think that was more to do with the extreme heat.

Only saw people topless in the hotel grounds - and only one person at that. No-one on the beach was topless. When we were on the beach, our hotel had a private bit, and no-one bothered us at all, and we didn't have to pay or anything.

In town, it was OK to waer shorts and sleeveless t shirt etc, but definitely not your bikini top for example. If you are going into the souks cover up a bit more - you will only attract attention, and if you are going to a mosque etc, you must cover up shoulders and knees (and all the bits in between obviously lol).

The only thing we found that was good value was the leather.

tammy_3

hi- thanks for the tip- im a muslim too so the coverign up in a mosque is fine i know what to do, how people dress is up to them but what put me off turkey was where we couldnt go to the beach without seeing topless women everywhere and i think that is going a bit far.....i mean how can u take kids on a holiday to a resort where women are bearing nearly all......which is why i wanted to know as i wanted to prepare myself just incase although others whjo had been to tunis had said this was not hte case but each town may differ.......thanks for ur advice

suki1964

When I was there two years ago, women were topless around the pool area but discretly - ie not walking around or swimming topless. I didnt notice women on the beach topless.

The hotels usually have a "private beach" - a marked off area with sunbeds, chairs and sunshades. They are "free" for guests although its common to have to pay 50p a day for a mattress. You wont get any vendors on the "private" beach apart from the guy selling the day trips and the hotel waiters offering drinks service.

The public beach which is closer to the town centre is used by the Tunisians so there is no nudity at all. Although its sandy it is also not so clean and there are no sunbeds etc. You will also get vendors trying to sell. There is a cafe there thats very busy, clean and cheap so snacks and drinks are easily got.

Bottled water is widely available about 50 - 70 pence for a litre in the hotels, cheaper in the supermarkets

As for things to bring home, i got jars of harrissa paste (really hot), dates, nouget, fig jam etc. Plenty of supermarkets to browse for local specialities. leather goods are the best value, beautifull childrens sandels for a couple of pounds, handbags, belts, purses etc. And believe it or not - porcelin (sp?). right in the heart of the medina (same place as the butcher shops) theres a kitchen/lighting/household shop that sells the most amazing dinner/tea/coffee sets for a pittence

tammy_3

Sounds like a nice place........Did you find any coffee/tea shops that are worth visiting? In turkey we found a reasonable place overlooking the beach where the tea was about 40p and a slice of cake for £1.......not bad...i think its lovely going to open cafes and we dont really hav much of this in the uk, probably because of the weather! Also is it better to go on tourist trips by booking with your holiday rep/company or the slightly more cheaper dealers outside of the hotel? In turkey we did use the non-hotel dealers and found them to be much cheaper and we did enjoy the days out!

suki1964

We only used the one down at the public beach which was all Tunisian and one to the right of the Marharaba beach hotel - tourist - both were fine, We were half board so didnt eat out in the week we were there - as I posted before, the hotel food was excellent.

The trips sold by the reps can be bought locally for a couple of pound cheaper. I always go to the first day meeting to hear about the trips then go and find a local agent to book through if Im interested in going somewhere as I prefer not to line the pockets of the holiday companies more then I have to You can also do your own trips by train which are very cheap - make sure you buy first class/comfort class tickets

Louis post has just reminded me how expensive food and drinks are at the airport - really expensive. If you have a late afternoon flight and are on half board, your hotel may offer you lunch instead of evening meal so hopefully the children wont be too hungry. If you do think they will need feeding whilst at the airport, buy a packed lunch from your hotel and take bottles of water with you.

All this talk of Tunisia has tempted me into giving it another go and we fly out at the end of May

tammy_3

Which hotel did you stay in last time? We fly out tomorrow am! i cant wiat although been giving the other half a bit of stick for not organising certain things........pity you'f goign end of may, we coudl have met up there for a quick chat!

This time tomorrow .......aaaaaaaah i will be on a tunisian beach (well if there arent any delays.......)- Not sure how much money i should take......! How much do meals cost exl drinks? I dont want to take too much with me!

Thanks

suki1964

Stayed at the Maharaba Beach last time. Food was devine Actually there was so much to choose at breakfast we didnt bother with lunch, cereals, toast, rolls,cake, cooked breakfast, omlettes, pancakes (a must), cheese and meats, fruits - something for everyone. The dinners werent bad either

Spending money is all reletive as to what you want to do. We actually spent very little, mostly drinks, icecreams and tips(about £3 a day on tips) and a few souveners. Lunch out of the hotel shouldnt be more then £10 for 2 adults and 2 kids. I think a cornetto was about 60p at the hotel - cheaper outside. Take your cards as there are cash machines outside the shopping mall. Keep all reciepts when you change money as you can only change back 30%

Have a lovely holiday, dont forget you wont get the standards you get in Spain but seeing as you have been to Turkey you should find it all ok

epsilondraconis

Tunisia is the worst place I have ever been on holiday. Many people rave about it; however it seemed dirty, the street vendors were very pushy and the excursions weren't anything special.

Therefore to answer the question about how to save money - I wouldn't go. Hope you have a nice time anyway.

sloppychops

epsilondraconis wrote: »

Hope you have a nice time anyway.

Nearly 4 years to late :rolleyes: