What is there to see? - Tunisia Discussion Forum, Holiday Forums

What is there to see?

Presto2

2008-12-28 18:04:52

Hi

As long time fans of Pafos Cyprus we are trying to find somewhere else for a future holiday that wont cost is a fortune but will give us a nice hotel by a nice beach and with plenty of site seeing for when we need a rest from the sun bathing. Love ancient sites etc so we usually go to Italy, greece or Cyprus. Have toyed with Egypt but aren't sure if we can cope with the heat and / or tummy upsets as we have to go mid August.

We are thinking of Hammamet or PEK --- can any of you Tunisian experts please help re ideas of things to do and / or a good quality hotel.

The last time hubby went he hated the place so much he was desperate to come home --- help me to convince him!

Thanks folks

kevinrbeech

2008-12-28 18:31:49

Re: What is there to see?

Have toyed with Egypt but aren't sure if we can cope with the heat and / or tummy upsets as we have to go mid August

Do you think Tunisia will be a lot cooler then?

There are plenty of historic sights to see within a day trip from where you are thinking of going;

El jem - colliseum, said to be as impressive as the one in Rome (I've never been to Rome)

Dougga - fantastic ruins, mosaics, etc.

there are more but I've not seen them so would not wish to comment.

As well as this you have the old medina's, unfortunately hubby probably won't like them because of the vendors trying to entice you into their shops, and of course there is always the desert to see.

I can reccommend my site as a place to get some ideas, http://www.4x4-travel.co.uk and http://lexicorient.com/tunisia/ as somewhere for a lot of excellent pics.

Dougga:

Kevin

Presto2

2008-12-28 18:43:29

Re: What is there to see?

Thanks for that - will have a look now! :tup

re the heat - have been in Cyprus mid August and visited Egypt then for a few days so I dont mind the heat too much at all - am a green house flower! If we went to Egypt for 2 weeks though we'd be stuck on the Nile and probably in Luxor for a week mid August. Someone on HT has suggested that it would be incredibly hot???

I thought that Tunisia would be a bit cooler if we were by the sea ??????????? :think

Re the tummy upsets ---- dont hear of people getting Phaoroah's revenge in Tunisia ---- we've usually avoided being ill by being paranoid re hand washing, loads of bottled water and not having the AC too high! (That was after the first year when we were ill and learned from our mistakes!!

Anyway, off to look at the pics

:wave:

Aslemma

2008-12-30 00:49:50

Re: What is there to see?

El Djem is certainly well worth a visit, as is Carthage if you like historical ruins. If you have time, a visit to the Sahara, including the cave houses at Matmata, is very interesting though tiring, especially in the heat. Sidi Bou Said is beautiful in a slightly chocolate-boxy way. The Bardo Museum near Tunis has some lovely things; at Monastir the Mausoleum of the previous president is absolutely wonderful and the souks and medinas are fascinating. See the Sound & Light Show, Medinat Alzhara, near Sousse if you are in that area. There is certainly plenty to see and do in Tunisia, as well as lovely beaches and friendly people, and in all the years I've been visiting I've never had a dose of Montezuma's Revenge out there, though I admit not everyone is as lucky. :tup

Presto2

2008-12-30 10:46:38

Re: What is there to see?

That lots sounds great! A real mixture !

We are looking at either PEK or Hammamet but have no idea where they are really in relation to anything. Can look at a map but it doesnt mean much until you get somewhere -

Thanks

Aslemma

2008-12-30 11:49:42

Re: What is there to see?

Both Hammamet and PEK have their devotees, but if you want to explore independently, rather than via your tour operator, I would suggest PEK, which is nearer to Sousse from where you can get a train/metro/bus or louage to many places. Sousse itself is almost my 'home from home' but I know some prefer PEK.

Sorry I can't do nice neat little links but the following may give you a better idea of where the various places are.

http://www.holidaymaps.de/afrika/tunesien/region%20monastir.html

Kiltman HT Mod

2008-12-30 11:55:53

Re: What is there to see?

Hi Presto2

I must agree there is plenty to see and do in Tunisia and the locals are very friendly.

We stayed in PEK and loved it, very clean with lovely beaches and nice places to eat, we also travelled out several times and managed to see some of the country.

Here are some of my pictures of just a few of the sites and locations you can visit -

PEK - http://travel.webshots.com/album/568540283GrfKwP?vhost=travel

Sousse (Medina) - http://travel.webshots.com/album/568537253lfPcdz?vhost=travel

El Djem - http://good-times.webshots.com/album/568539136PABBJj?vhost=good-times

Monastir - http://travel.webshots.com/album/568536148rhanXG?vhost=travel

Kairouan - http://travel.webshots.com/album/568539142bPlkAY?vhost=travel

I wouldn't hesitate in recommending going to Tunisia I am sure you would love it.

Graham

Presto2

2008-12-30 12:04:20

Re: What is there to see?

Oooooooooo thanks both !

:cheers

I was just be enticed away from the Christmas 'break' to do some paper work (groan) so these pictures have put me back on the right track again ..

Holiday hunting!

:tup

Kath

2008-12-30 12:52:52

Re: What is there to see?

i have stayed in sousse and pek, which i prefer.

Presto2

2008-12-30 17:36:10

Re: What is there to see?

Hi folks - dont suppose you could let me know which hotels you'd recommend (is this off topic or am I ok to ask here?) -- hubby has been once and loathed the place because he ended up at what he called an horrific hotel that he just wanted to escape from within minutes. That was years ago so wont name it as it may not be a true relection of what it is like now.

Hope you dont mind me being a pain Kath --- knowing your love of all things Paphos -- and knowing that you dont think that it could be beaten -- do you think that a holiday in PEK would offer a lot of the things you know we enjoy from our Cypriot holidays ? (If that makes sense!)

Must admit, I quite fancy giving it a go ------ as long as we get a good hotel ! :think

Thanks again everyone - your help is very much appreciated

:cheers

Kath

2008-12-30 17:52:02

Re: What is there to see?

hi prestos, each country has different things to offer. there are trips you can go on and walking round the marina are at pek is lovely, and its very interesting visiting the soukks.

whenever i have holidayed in tunisia i have only been for a week and i personally found it enough. i have had some good holidays there and would def go back. have always found the staff in the hotels very friendly and helpful.

you need to go with an open mind and not compare with paphos. tunisia has better beaches for a start - they are stunning!

i think you have to try even if its only to say, i have been there and loved it, or i wouldnt go back.

kath x

Presto2

2008-12-30 17:57:57

Re: What is there to see?

Must admit am tempted ---- we were thinking of going back to Pafos but am aware that if we keep going back to the same place too many times we may miss out on the places we've never been to and then regret it! We werent sure about Cyprus when we first went and were more than worried about Lapland ------------ and have fell in love with both!

Well, off to look for a hotel now!

While I'm on here --- many, many thanks for the photo links above Graham --- they are fabulous!

Us Prestos

:wave:

Kiltman HT Mod

2008-12-31 00:52:42

Re: What is there to see?

Presto2 we were the same when we went to PEK, it is a little different from the normal destination but is really very nice and interesting and the locals are very friendly and welcoming.

I am glad you liked the pictures, they show just some of the sights and things that you can do in Tunisia, we found that PEK was an excellent base with easy access to other areas.

Don't try to compare it with Paphos as it will be slighly different, as Kath says go with an open mind and I am sure you will love it.

Presto2

2008-12-31 11:11:14

Re: What is there to see?

Hi, to be honest we aren't expecting too much -- if you know what I mea. re things like hotels we're thinking that the star ratings over there don't match up with some destinations like the UK or Cyprus so are taking them with a pinch of salt.

We're pretty easy going so take things as we find them .... I just don't want the UK with sun --- want some history and some of the local culture (re street traders -- in small doses as they did my head in in Egypt!) Don't want the experience hubby had either --- his was a 2 week nightmare ! :yikes

Can I ask where you stayed ----- the more review sites there are the more confusing it gets !!!

Cheers and have a good New Year's Eve

:tup

Kiltman HT Mod

2008-12-31 13:05:37

Re: What is there to see?

Hi Presto2

re street traders -- in small doses as they did my head in in Egypt!

To be honest we didn't find the traders nearly as bad as in Egypt and they were much more friendly and had a sense of humor.

We stayed in the Abou Sofiane, which was nice but had a few minor problems, however I believe it is closed at present for refurbishment which should make a big difference.
The location was good about 15 mins stroll in to PEK marina and directly on a lovely stretch of beach.

Reviews of the hotel here- http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/reviews/tunisia/port-el-kantaoui/abou-sofiane-hotel/

More

pictures of the hotel http://family.webshots.com/album/568524044KRULeu?vhost=family

All the very best for 2009

Presto2

2008-12-31 13:26:08

Re: What is there to see?

Same to you --- am guessing that the 'kilt' may mean that you'll be celebrating big time up in Scotland tonight?!

:glynis

Aslemma

2008-12-31 15:02:55

Re: What is there to see?

Happy Hogmany Graham. :glynis

I loved your pictures and they brought back many happy memories of the Medina at Sousse. I discovered an area not far from the Marina in PEK this year which has appartments set around little squares with dove-cotes in them - very attractive.

Kiltman HT Mod

2008-12-31 17:04:34

Re: What is there to see?

am guessing that the 'kilt' may mean that you'll be celebrating big time up in Scotland tonight?

Yes indeed Presto2, my Kilt is already and waiting

I discovered an area not far from the Marina in PEK this year which has appartments set around little squares with dove-cotes in them - very attractive

They sound lovely, I don't suppose you remember the name of them?

Happy Hogmany Graham

Thank you aslemma and A Guid Ne'erday to yin an' aw :tup

Graham

Aslemma

2009-01-02 16:39:38

Re: What is there to see?

Sorry Graham, I found it quite by chance whilst wandering somewhat lost. :roll:

It is not far from the Marina. I had cut through from the port and just came upon it so sat down on one of the little marble seats in the square there and watched the birds. It is surprising how many odd corners I seem to find even now after all the times I've been there. I'm back in April so will try and find it again and take note of exactly where it is.

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