I'm desperate to go back to the Dar Khayam next year. Just got a price for Oct 09 but not sure what the weather's like in October cos we usually go in May?

Hi Haddy, You could, of course, start with flowers. After that you could remind her of the sunshine, beaches, shopping (lovely pashminas for about 10 dinars, all colours in 80% cashmire/20% silk and of course the jewellery) - the list is endless.

viksnco - the weather in October should be lovely. I usually go around that time and hope to get out there again this October but prices are coming up much higher at present than in the past so will leave booking until nearer the time.

Thanks for that Aslemma, think we've decided that we cant really afford to go then unfortunately. Does the price usually come down a lot nearer the time? We found that a week in October was almost as much as 2 weeks in May!
We'll defo go back in May though as usual instead, cant wait!

It's a bit of a gamble Viksnco. I've been going out there twice a year for some time now, usually in spring and around October, and the prices have simply shot up this year, mainly because of the cost of flights I think, though hotels are also coming up a lot dearer at present. As I travel alone I'm fairly flexible so will wait and see what I can get nearer the time. I'm already spending far too muich time on the net looking at flight prices but will also keep an eye on package deals, as if they are cheap enough I'll even consider an a.o.a. and book into a hotel separately when I get there if I don't like what's allocated. I've got so many Sousse hotel phone numbers on my Tunisiana SIM card that I know I'll be able to sort out somewhere to sleep.

Suppose i could take the mother in law on a one way ticket if the wife won't go Or if your free aslemma could take you

I might just take you up on that Haddy. On the other hand, if you take your m.i.l. you may be able to trade her in for a few camels, whereas most of the locals know me too well.

Need help we have been going Tunisia for the last 5 years always around Sousse and now the Husbands looking at America

I don't think flowers will work on him maybe a promise of a season ticket might

Have booked for August next year already got a very good deal for two adults and 2 children 1 week All Incl for 1 week going to Thalassa Village Skanes
Read all the good reviews prior to booking up to May this year and a very bad one has appeared from someone who has come back, will take with a pinch of salt has this hotel has very good reviews

me and my partner and 4 members of our family have booked to go to royal kenz on 10yh may 2009 looking forward to it been to dar kayham but never royal kenz

My partner and I are booked up to go to the Dar Kayham next September

Im looking for a Good small hotel in a good spot in or beside one of the towns. Preferably PEK.

Come back please. Colin B Northern Ireland

If you're looking for a small hotel, a few people I know have enjoyed the Kaiser in Sousse though I haven't stayed there myself. It is owned and run by a Tunisian family and certainly isn't luxurious but I'm told it is clean and comfortable and the staff are said to be very friendly. It is almost opposite the Tej Marhaba (a much bigger and more luxurious hotel, where you can go in the evening for the entertainment if you like). It isn't right on the beach but only a short walk from there, and it's also an easy walk down to the centre of Sousse and the Medina. You can pick up a taxi to PEK quite cheaply or use the 'noddy train' or tuktuks!!

I might be going next July to the abou sofiane

Andrea, I hope you like waiting in line, it's more like Butlins. They have some very smartly dressed
waiters at the bar's ! who will collected your glasses (1/2 pint) but cannot bring you a fresh drink though. And don't get me started on the water token for your room, wait in one line and then over to the bar and another line. you do tire of it in the end.

Back To The Orangers Hotel Hammamet for a relaxing time.

Kev

Hi, we'll at the moment its between Ibiza (already been twice) or Tunisia. As we have to go main summer hols just a bit concerned it might be a little too hot for the kids, but looking at Occidental Allegro Abou Sofiane, Hotel Thalassa Souse, Hounda Golf & Beach Club or Hotel Sahara Beach, as these are all inclusive and just about in our budget range. Kids will be 10, 15 and 16 and most of these hotels list lots of activities and have slides in the pools which would keep them happy.

Reading lots of reviews which seem to state you only get drinks, sunbeds etc.. if you tip all the time. Is this just the normal thing you are expected to do in Tunisia? and if so, what amounts are we taking about? (never know how much you should be giving when tipping)

Reading with interest where other people are off to, especially if they have kids the same sort of ages

Hia Marie, we went to Ibiza cuple of years ago, and I personally thought the prices had really shot up, me and son went to Tunisia last year, and it is the cheapest holiday I have ever had. I was also a bit confused over the tipping, a guy would reserve our sunbeds of a morning, and for this I paid 2 dinars, and gave him 1 or 2 dinar tip (1 diner is about 40p, please someone correct me if me wrong ) some people just got up early to reserve a sunbed, so therefore didn't have to tip the guy saving the sunbeds.
Weather wise, yes it is hot, but we found, it isn't an unbearable hot, just a quick dip in the pool and we soon cooled off
Last year we stayed at the Marhaba Club, in Sousse, and my son was 14, on Sunday we are flying back out and staying at the Tour Khalef.
From what I had read before we booked to go to Tunisia, it is a place you either love or hate, "personally I prefer Tunisia", to Spain

Roo

hi marie,

I can approve of the Houda hotel. Cheap (depending which time of year you go), loads to do and all the staff are very friendly.

anyway thats my addvuce.
hope it helped
v xxx

Tips go a long way in Tunisia.I have worked here for some years and sometimes I can't believe how mean people are. I always make a point of saying that tipping is a way of life here in Tunisia, and can make all the difference to someone's income.

A couple of dinars here or there is not going to make a major difference to tourists on holiday. When you think that it is the equiivalent to less than a pound, but to some of the Tunisians it can buy them a sandwich for their dinner.

Of course if you don't feel that a service has been carried out well, then by all means don't tip, but most of the tunisians will go out of their way to help you and make your holiday more comfortable.

I would say a good rule of thumb is 10% on any service. And at the end of your holiday when you are left with a few notes, maids, waiters, porters, coach drivers etc are more than deserving and extremely grateful for anything you hand their way

Woohoo!
We booked our holiday to the Abou Sofiane today!
Really excited now!
Don't go til July but it will soon come round!