A day in Tunis

Doing everything you can in a wonderful city like Tunis in one day is not all that possible, but you can at least fit in some of the most essential items on the agenda. It all depends on what is important to you. Some people may find that a cruise on the Mediterranean is a must and others would prefer to skip that and rather soak up some of the history in one of the smaller villages.

A lot of people think of this country as being placed right in the middle of the Sahara, and whilst that is partly true, you will also have a chance to sample the beautiful Mediterranean. One of the ways to do this is with a cruise. Of course, this will take up a chunk of your day, so just keep that in mind. You can have a snack at one of the villages or restaurants overlooking the spectacular coast and soak in some of the atmosphere.

A View from Sidi Bou Said near Tunis

Getting around the area by car is your best bet if you don’t have all that much time. There are many villages that you can explore, but you have to find out what it is you are after. www.experienceintunisia.com can help. Some of these will attract shoppers and others are more historical. Sidi Bou Said is a beautiful village worth visiting and it is close to the remains of a Roman aqueduct system. You may be reminded of Greece when you visit this village, with its blue shutters contrasting with the whitewashed houses.

The Tunis Medina is the old walled city and it is definitely worth exploring. Even if you are not a born shopper, you will appreciate the atmosphere and the experience of a souk (or souq), which is an enclosed shopping area that is composed of many different shops. You may want to pick something up like a handmade rug or Tunisian leather bag, which you will struggle to find at home for the kind of price they are selling it for.

The Bardo National Museum holds the largest collection of Roman mosaics in the world. It is interesting to note the change in style as you go through the ages. At some point in time, pagan gods and symbols were not allowed to be included in the work.

Tours in Tunisia mostly start in Tunis for a day or two, but you really need 8 to 10 days to explore the best of Tunisia.