Reasons To Visit Tunisia
Kairouan is one of the holiest cities in Islam and the Great Mosque in the town's medina is a place of beauty and tranquility. Turkish influence can also be seen in the family homes of the Tunis medina and in the intricate palace buildings of the Bardo Museum.
The villages in southern Tunisia are home to some ingenious local architecture. The village of Matmata features troglodyte dwellings, where rooms are several metres below ground level, whilst the ksours such as at Tataouine were used for storage, as defensive positions and for habitation.
The Carthaginian and Roman ruins in Tunisia often play second fiddle to the superb beaches, which is a great shame. The grand amphitheatre of El Jem and other impressive sites such as Kerkouane, Bulla Regia, Sbeitla and Dougga really are remarkable attractions, fully deserving of a place on your itinerary.
To many visitors from Europe, Tunisia's countryside is surprisingly green, and its Roman sites are an absolute delight in the spring months when the wildflowers are in bloom. The freshwater lakes and salt-flats are stopping-off points for migratory birds and offer excellent opportunities for birdwatching.
In the deep south west of the country are the edges of the Sahara Desert, a landscape of dunes, camels and stark mountains and canyons. The desert requires an investment of time and effort to explore, but will reward you with solitude and stunning scenery.
The medinas of Tunisia are the walled hearts of the towns, where the oldest souqs, mosques, streets and traditional houses are to be found. Their whitewashed walls and ornate doors and windows offer perfect opportunities for the keen photographer, while the shady streets and covered souqs give respite from the North African sun.
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North Africa & the Middle East
Kairouan is broadly considered the holiest city of Tunisia, being the oldest Islamic settlement, having the oldest mosque in North Africa and the world’s oldest minaret.
An olive farm in Tunisia’s countryside, Ksar Ezzit in Kairouan offers comfortable, spacious accommodation in a rural setting, allowing a real insight into life in this region.
La Kasbah is set in a corner of Kairouan’s medina, converted from an old barracks, offers atmospheric accommodation in Tunisia’s holiest city.
8 days from £1,725pp
13 days from £2,735pp
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Further reading:TunisiaWhen to GoHighlightsItinerary IdeasPlaces to GoThings to DoAccommodationAbout TunisiaCountry Guides
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