Tunisia

has a varied landscape from the rocky north coast with its sandy beachies, the cork forests, large areas of arable land and orchards to mountains, salt pans and desert in the south. The north is typicaly Mediterranean on climate geology and vegetation, whereas the south is the Sahara.

Hostels and Student Accomodation

There are Youth Hostels only in the main tourist areas, but there are many camp sites. Most of the coastal area is good camping area and free, but permision should be got from the local police first.

Places To See

Tunis, the capital, is a bustling city. From the edge of Lake Tunis an easy walk takes you to the gate Bab el-Bahar, this is the entrance to the Medina, with its winding narrow alleys, mosques and its super souks. there are many architecural splendours here. the port La Goulette has a superb kasbah. Most of the beachside hotels have nightclubs

Djerba Island, The place where Ulysses was reputed to have found the lotus eaters has now become an international resort with prices to match, but with an average of 345 days per year of sunshine this is the place to be if you are a sun worshiper. It has a Jewish synagogue that dates back 2500 years also many handicraft centers.

The Coral Coast, this is the north coast Bizerte was an old Phoenician base. Utica once an ancient Punic port is now found 10KM inland, it has a 6th century cemetery , Roman baths and a hillside fortress. Tabarka is a modern beach resort famed for its king prawns and lobsters. From Tabarka inland to Ain Drahamare the cork and oak forests of the Kroumirie range, beyond these 64KM from Tabarka are the Roman and Christian ruins of Bulla Regia where people dug their houses underground.

Dougga, if you are interested in Roman ruins this is the place for you, it has a theatre built in 168 AD and is still in use today

Gabes, is an oasis town and the gateway to the Sahara. Its a small town but very highly skilled in amber, carpets, leather, silver, wicker and wood crafts. You can take a horse drawn carriage to nearby Chenini oasis, past huge forests of date palms, apricot, orange, peach,and pomegranate trees. It is reputed to be the only oasis in the world so near the sea.

Carthage, the famous Punic capital, founded in 815 BC now nothing more than a shell of its former glory, all that remains is the Roman baths of Antonius and Punic ports

Matmata, visit here to see the local people living in caves and below ground to keep cool in the strong Sahara sun. Some of the pit homes have been converted to inexpensive hotels.

The Sahel, is a stretch of coast containing 5 resorts, Sousse , with its Ribet fortress (9th century),a camel market and kasbah. Port el Kantaoui , which has a golf course and marina. Monastir with its Ribat fortress (8th century) also has a 9th-11th century great mosque. Mahdia is a small fishing port shadowed by a fortress, famous for its medinas and its varied crafts. Sfax , is a major port and Tunisias 2nd largest city, it has a huge medina and souks.

El Jem, situated on a plain about 65 km inland from Sfax, has a spectacular Roman Colosseum, it is in far better condition than the one in Rome and is the third largest in the world. this is a must see.