This is a post written by Allison.
Tunisia holidays have long been a favoured destination for tourists getting away to soak up the year-round sunshine in a luxury inn or a villa rental of the coast, but to discover the real character of this magical North African land, you must go off the beaten track. Here are the top 5 things to do for adventurous travellers.
1. Trek into the Sahara Desert
Yep. That’s how good it looks
The Sahara truly is another world. The largest desert in the world is far from being just a flat expanse of sand; you will travel through diverse landscapes from rolling sand dunes and remote valleys to vibrant, green oases. Whether you travel by jeep tours, quad bike or camel, to trek through the Sahara is an unforgettable experience. When you stop for the night at a traditional Bedouin encampment, you will be awe-struck by the magnificence of the night sky: the stars really do seem closer here.
2. The caves of Matmata
Familiar to readers of this travel blog, the caves are home to thousands of Troglodytes (cave-dwellers).
You can stay here in an underground troglodyte hotel where you might be able to spot items such as vintage Oriental rugs. The caves are a popular destination for travelers, so get here early to avoid the crowds and enjoy the incredible atmosphere of this unusual community.
3. Tunis and Sidi Bou Said
A street in Sidi Bou Said
The contemporary city of Tunis includes the ancient area of Sidi Bou Said. Its cobbled streets, white-washed buildings, draped with bougainvillea, giant eucalyptus trees and constantly changing views of the glimmering blue Mediterranean will charm every visitor.
4. Carthage
Tunisia is rich in archaeological remains, and the city of Tunis contains the spectacular remnants of the legendary city of Carthage, the birthplace of Hannibal. Carthage was razed to the ground by the Romans, only to be rebuilt later by Julius Caesar. It then became one of the three most important cities of the Roman Empire.
5. Tozeur
This ancient, inland city was once the hub of the old caravan trading routes, and is still a fascinating place to visit. Here you can see the incredible irrigation system, thousands of years old, which is still used to water the date plantations. Tozeur is an excellent place to visit to get a real flavour of Tunisian culture; the Ouled el Hadef quarter, built of the characteristic local brick, dates back to the 14th century.
Bursting with character, history and intrigue, Tunisia is a place well worth exploring.
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