Tunisia

Overview

Old and new, exotic and traditional, the captivating north-African country of Tunisia sits at the heart of the Mediterranean, caught in a cleft between Algeria and Libya, offering the world’s travellers some sumptuous modern seaside resorts set side by side with a treasure trove of ancient Roman, Arab, Berber and Phoenician sites.

Just a few miles north of the capital, Tunis, lie the remains of the legendary ancient city of Carthage, founded in the 8th century BC. By contrast Tunis is a hustling, bustling modern metropole where steel, glass and palm trees form the backdrop to streets filled with fast-moving yellow taxis. In the heart of this surprisingly pristine city, however, the centuries slip away in the medieval Medina, a haven for souvenir hunters with hundreds of narrow streets crammed with vendors of antiques, jewellery, pottery, carpets, perfumes, dried fruit, books, spices and many other delights. Also, no tourist should miss a visit to the Bardo Museum in the city for the joy of viewing one of the world’s greatest collections of Roman mosaics.

Tunisia has a thousand miles of coastline to the north, where luxurious resorts like Hammamet and Nabeul nestle amid citrus orchards. Vacationers relish the sandy beaches and crystalline waters along the waterfront, where the only alternative to lazy bronzing is to indulge in a round of golf or take the plunge with some watersports.

Capital: Tunis

Time: GMT +1

Population: 10 million (UN, 2005)

Electricity: 230 volts, 50Hz. European-style, round, two-pin plugs are used.

Language

The overwhelming majority speak Arabic and French. English is taught in all schools and is increasingly spoken especially by younger people. Some German and Italian are also spoken.

Health

No vaccinations are required for entry to Tunisia and no serious health risks exist. Travellers' diarrhoea and other parasitic infections may be contracted, but is unlikely in the modern seaside resorts. Visitors travelling outside these resorts should ensure they drink only boiled, purified water and eat well-cooked food. All medical costs must be paid for immediately after treatment in Tunisia, and costs can be quite high. The availability of medication is limited. Visitors should bring adequate supplies of their own medication. Health insurance is a necessity.

Tipping

Tipping is not a requirement but appreciated for good food and service in local establishments. Waiters in resort and hotel restaurants expect a tip of around 10%.

Safety

Tourist areas in Tunisia are regarded as being at risk of being targeted by international terrorism, but there have been no incidents since a car bomb attack on the offshore island of Djerba in 2002. Visitors should be vigilant and keep a check on official travel advice. There is little violent crime, but petty theft and pick-pocketing does occur. An increase in bag snatching has been noted in tourist areas and visitors are advised to keep bags close at all times. Travellers are advised to avoid the border areas with Algeria, and be extra cautious if travelling alone in the southern desert areas.

Customs

Tunisia is a Muslim country and visitors should respect the local sensibilities, especially during the month of Ramadan. Visitors, and women in particular, should dress modestly outside of the beach resorts. Homosexuality is illegal. Only married couples are allowed to share rooms.

Communications

The international dialling code for Tunisia is +216. The outgoing international code is 00. Tunisia also has city codes. The country is covered by two GSM 900 mobile networks. There is widespread internet coverage and internet cafes in the main cities and towns.

Duty Free

Travellers to Tunisia do not have to pay duty on the following items: 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 400g tobacco; alcohol beverages up to 1 bottle; a reasonable amount of perfume; gifts to the value of 10 Tunisian dinars.

Climate

Tunisia is a land of constant sunshine and warm water. The height of summer is a little too hot for most tastes, so July and August are regarded as 'off-season'. Between October and May is a more comfortable time to visit, with temperatures ranging between 54°F and 82°F (12°C and 28°C). Springtime (March to May) brings displays of wild flowers throughout the countryside.

Money

The unit of currency is the Tunisian dinar (TND). American Express, Visa and Thomas Cook travellers cheques are widely accepted, and the US dollar is recommended as the unit to use them in. ATMs are found in most towns and at all the tourist resorts; almost all will accept Visa cards and many will also accept Maestro (Switch) cards. Visa and MasterCard are accepted for payment in souvenir shops, upmarket hotels and restaurants, although Visa encounters fewer problems.