My husband and I are travelling to Tunisia over Christmas & New Years.
We plan to spend a couple of days in Tunis before heading south.
Are there any 'must sees', 'must dos' or 'must knows'? Any accomodation suggestions?
We would love to hear from you if you do. Many thanks

I spent a week and a half in Tunisia last year, and loved it. It doesn't sound very adventurous, but when you're backpacking it actually can be. We went to Tunis, Matmata & around, the Sahara (around Ksar Ghilane), Tozeur, Le Kef, Dougga, Bizerte and Sidi Bou Said. You definitely have to go into the Sahara, and I thought the landscape and villages south of Matmata were very impressive as well. Le Kef was my favourite city.

In Tunis, we stayed at the youth hostel (fairly similar to youth hostels in Europe) and at the Hotel Qatar, which was incredibly cheap (10 dinars for a double room with shower), yet clean and safe. If you want adresses or more details or if you want to know where we stayed elsewhere, let me know.

I have some pics I took on the trip at http://photos.yahoo.com/seraphimkarlien/

Spent 2 weeks in Tunisia in June 2000. Highlights:

Tunis: Must see Le Musee Bardo. Its a bit out of the central part of the city but the rail line goes nearby and is very cheap. Also use the rail line to get out to the old Carthage sites. In Tunis I stayed at Hotel Salambo, adequate, friendly, cheap, and good location for transport.

Le Kef: This city is a day south and west from Tunis. There is an old fort towering over the town, great place to wander. Stayed in Hotel Medina, would recommend it. Met some great people here who kept me occuppied for hours with stories about growing up here. On road between here and Tunis are the Roman ruins of Dougga. Great views from here, set aside at least three hours to give it justice.

Tozeur: Amazing architecture in this town, and a huge date plantation to wander around in. Only downer is that every tourist in Tunisia comes here, and the tourist buses roar up and down the main avenues all day.

Douz: Excellent spot on the edge of the Sahara proper. Again, the tourist buses get a bit old, but the town is completely separate from the big tourist hotels so you can pretend they don't exist. Skip the camel rides and just hang out on the dunes south of town. Stayed in the simple Hotel 20 mars, very quiet and peaceful at night.

Used Nabeul as a base to see the Phonincian ruins of Kerkouenne (northeast corner of Tunisia). The ruins are small but the setting is fantastic on the edge of the sea. In Nabeul stayed at Pension Mustapha, great value.

Hope that helps out, good luck.

Hi, Seraphim,

I will visit Tunisia in coming April for about 1 month.

Could you please inform me the more hotel details that you have stayed at Matama & Tozeur and Sahara
Besides, could you also recommend some reliable tour agency at Sourthern part, such as Douz, Tozeur. Did you join a camel-riding there for your trip ?

Thanks

Elaine
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