I had always fancied going to Tunisia for a holiday - but for some reason i have never got around to it. Iv'e been all across the Med, the Canaries and obviously Britain, but Tunisia...well, I just don't know why. Then five years ago i took a Winter break in Hammamet with friends - just 7 days, but we took the opportunity to see a couple of other places too. One was Sousse, a big resort, quite bustling and lively in a traditional sense, but basically a bigger version of Hammammet and the other was PORT EL KANTAOUI.
Built around 20 years ago as a 'purpose made 'resort, Port El Kantaoui is centred around a very smart marina. Ringed with Bars, shops and Restaurants - it has very much a 'Riviera' feel to it. One thing we noticed too - especially after being in Hammamet and Sousse - you didn't have to haggle for anything. Everything was a set price, which made things a lot more relaxed. Some people like haggling. ..ok at first, but really gets on my t*ts after a while!
Well that brief visit set up the next year's fortnight break. We stayed in the Hotel Al Mouradi - three stars - and like most of the hotels right on the beach. You can hotel hop as much as you like, sampling the plentiful four and five star hotels in the resort. But, take it from me, there isn't a bad hotel in the resort. We spent most days on the fine, white sand beach, washed by warm clean waters. Or for a change we would sit by a pool - not neccesarily our hotel pool, but the one next door - or next to that. No problems, everything nice and relaxed.
The evenings - after eating in the hotel - were a bit limited. Entertainment is restricted to the hotel complexes, with one or two containing Discos - but Ibiza this ain't!. If you are looking for lively and raucous - go elsewhere. Tunisia as a country is laid back and fairly under-developped. The resort of Port el Kantaoui is a restful, classy, clean and modert place unlike the lookalike resorts you find all around the Med. I would highly recommend anywhere in this resort - for Sun, Sand and a bit of 'desert magic'.
We also went for a two day ride into the desert on jeep, but also got to stay in a bedouin Tent which was different. They also do a Medieval banquet, where you can eat and drink as much food and drink as you want. There is medieval dancing and knight fighting on horseback. So tunisia is ok for anybody who wants a different sort of holiday.
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Advantages: Good weather, good prices, Africa though not too far away, possible to pack a lot in because good organised trips Disadvantages: Pushy shopkeepers, sometimes lack of English, easy to be ripped offf
Advantages: Great Spring weather. Loads to see and not a mozzie in sight Disadvantages: Local dishes a bit thin on the ground and insipid international cuisine
Advantages: Great Spring weather. Loads to see and not a mozzie in sight Disadvantages: Local dishes a bit thin on the ground and insipid international cuisine
Advantages: Good weather, good prices, Africa though not too far away, possible to pack a lot in because good organised trips Disadvantages: Pushy shopkeepers, sometimes lack of English, easy to be ripped offf
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