Tunisia is a nation brimming with culture and history, sadly currently suffering from turbulent times. One for the intrepid traveller or for your future bucket list
Feature & photography by my friend Anna, who went on the trip.
With a proud people of Arab-Berber descent, Tunisia is a North African country blessed with a rich and diverse cultural heritage. Bordering Libya and Algeria, it once played a strategic role for the Romans, Arabs, Ottoman Turks and, more recently, the French, all exploiting its location close to key shipping routes across the Mediterranean Sea.
The ancient ruins of the city of Carthage
Remnants of its powerful legacy still stand today. The world famous ancient ruins of the city of Carthage are located to the east of the capital, Tunis.
Carthage was the centre of the ancient Carthaginian civilisation, an empire dominating the region in the first millennium BC. Carthage was destroyed by the Romans in 146 BC who then build Roman Carthage on its footprint which became a major city of the Roman Empire in the province of Africa. In 698 it was again occupied by the Muslim conquest of the Maghreb but became largely uninhabited by the Medieval period.
Excavations from the 1800s onwards began to reveal the true extent of its size and history. The layout of the city can still be clearly seen today with many foundations remaining intact. There is a museum on the site where some of the more valuable artefacts, including statues, fine pottery and intricate mosaics, have been carefully preserved and displayed.
Meeting some of the charming locals at the colourful street markets
The visit was part of a press trip organised by the Tunisian National Tourist Office who are keen to present a more positive view of Tunisia after recent terrorist attacks.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has lifted its previous warning to avoid travel to Tunisia. The main tourist areas areas are safe to visit, but still do not visit designated areas, mainly to the south and on the Algerian border.
Hand luggage restrictions means large phones, laptops and tablets are not allowed in the cabin on flights from Tunisia back to the UK. Many holiday insurance policies will not cover trips to Tunisia so double check before flying.
Information correct as of July 2017
The country has improved its security and embarked on a campaign to lure back visitors. Yet in the once bustling beach resorts, the hotels remain eerily quiet, many restaurants and bars are closed and the sandy shoreline is conspicuously empty as most tourists heed the warning of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advising against all but essential travel.
Those who venture in should do so with that warning resonating in their ear.
A visit to the International Festival of Dates in Kebili
Tunisiaās economy relies heavily on the export of dates. The date palm is considered to be the most ancient cultivated plant appearing simultaneously in Egypt and Mesopotamia more than 6,000 years ago.
Visiting the International Festival of Dates in Kebili, the group were treated to a display of how these plants are grown, harvested and the fruit prepared. It is an extraordinary vision to see a man effortlessly shin up a 50 foot palm using just his bare feet to anchor himself as his sickle slices down huge bunches of dates.
The press trip then travelled on to Matmata, a small Berber speaking town in southern Tunisia. Some of the local Berber population still live in traditional underground ātroglodyteā structures which are created by digging large pits into the ground to escape the burning, desert sun. Around the perimeter of the pit artificial caves are excavated to be used as rooms, often interconnected by trench like passage ways.
Traditional Berber homes carved out of the desert rock
Hotel Sidi Driss, a place of homage for Star Wars fans
The stunning desert landscape was featured in the Star Wars movie franchise. Hotel Sidi Driss, at Matama Ancienne, is a place of pilgrimage for Star Wars fans as it was the original film set of Luke Skywalker’s Tatooine home. The hotel has little changed since the film crew left and the walls boast a wealth of Star Wars memorabilia.
The Chekiba Oasis
Then on to a more mountainous landscape in search of the Chekiba oasis. This paradise surrounded by palm trees is known by the locals as the ālarge waterfall in the desertā. Here, one follows a gently sloping pathway into the heart of the arid mountains to discover a spectacular display of waterfalls, streams and lakes, making the immediate area lush and green.
Sidi Bou Said
The final stop was the exquisite town of Sidi Bou Said. It is famed for its artistic traditions and remains a haven for international artists today. Its beauty is that its walls are uniformly whitewashed and its doors and windows are all painted the exact same shade of blue. Rodolphe dāErlanger, a French painter and musicologist specialising in Arabic music, initiated the blue-white theme in the 1920s. His home, Ennejma Ezzahra, is now a museum.
Although this is a country having suffered in recent times, it is trying to emerge. Whether you chose to be intrepid and visit now or wait until the country moves into less turbulent times, this is a destination that you must keep on your bucket list.
Tunisair operates six flights per week in winter and one flight per day in summer from London Heathrow and Gatwick to Tunis, prices start from £250, including taxes. Internal flights with Tunisair Express operate three times a day from Tunis to Djerba prices start from £100, including taxes and one time a day from Tunis to Tozeur, prices start from £35, including taxes. For reservations call 020 85649597 or 0207 7347644 or go to www.tunisair.com
Fuss Free Flavours was the guest of the Tunisian Tourist Board. All opinions our own.
Kate | Veggie Desserts
It’s so incredibly sad that such a beautiful and historic country has had its tourism decimated by terrorism. Hopefully things will improve soon so others can see all these beautiful sights.
Helen
It is so sad, and it is the normal people who suffer. The Berber heritage and culture is so fascinating too.
kavey
Tunisia has been on my wish list for a long time. Carthage, of course, but also the Star Wars sights (yes, I’m that kind of geek) and the food too – love the sound of the date festival. Need to bring this higher up the To Visit list!
Helen
It sounds fascinating, I hope the country becomes more secure soon, the situation is so tragic for the population.
Laura
What an interesting article and beautiful pictures. I haven’t been and I am so sorry that the terrorist attack has impacted the tourism industry in Tunisia. It is definitely on my list to visit, in the meantime, I am enjoying the dates I received as a gift from one of our mason. What an amazing taste!
Thank you for sharing your story, I am pinning this on my favorite place to go !
Helen
The situation in Tunisia is dreadful, and tragic for the people of the country.
Debra C.
So amazing and the pictures are breathtaking! I love seeing how the dates are grown and harvested. One day it would be an amazing place to visit.
Helen
I’d love to go. The situation there is so sad.
Emily | Oat&Sesame
I just traveled to Morocco in January! This reminds me so much of my time there. Such an amazing culture + the people were so kind to tourists – I received so many little gifts along the way. The colors, the food and that Chekiba oasis looks beautiful! One day I’ll be back North Africa!!
Helen
i am just about to write about Morocco!