Tunis takes you by surprise with its modern conference halls, hotels and banks, bright yellow taxis rushing passengers to a business lunch, all the hustle and bustle of a modern Mediterranean city. Steel and glass blend with the baroque, palm trees look down on chic boutiques, gardens and cafes.
Begin at the monument of November 7, which marks Tunisia's turn towards the future, stroll down shady tree lined Avenue Habib Bourguiba, with its flower stands , passing bookstores and galleries. Beyond the Cathedral and the statue of Ibn Khaldoun, looms the gateway to the ancient Medina.
As you enter the narrow streets , centuries slip away and, like Alice, step into the looking glass to another world. Small shops, their treasures of brass, olive wood, leather and brightly colored garments spill out into the street. Souvenirs, antiques, berber jewelry , carpets and pottery vie for your attention. Continue, if you can resist their lures, upwards towards the Mosque of the Olive Tree, Ez Zitouna, as old as the town itself and the heart of the Medina.
Popular Tunis resorts make Tunis tourism an important source of revenue. Sun, sea and sand are what draw most people to Tunisia: its long Mediterranean coast is lined with beaches and Tunis resorts. Venturing into the interior, you'll find the country has more to offer: Islamic architecture in medieval walled cities, Roman ruins, unusual underground dwellings, dramatic sand dunes and lush palm-tree-filled oases. Tunisia, its lesser known near neighbour, now offers a first class resort and spa near to ancient Carthage and the historic medina of Tunis.
Tunisia is a popular all year round destination due to the warm climate it enjoys and miles of sun drenched beaches. Tunisia is situated on the Mediterranean coast of Africa less than 150km from the coast of Sicily and has a population of approximately 10million people. The capital city Tunis is a wonderful blend of old and new, but can be extremely hot in July and August.
Located on the Mediterranean coast but lacking much in the way of beaches, Tunis has been spared the onslaught of package tourism in the resorts to the north and south. With a population of less than 700,000, the entire city feels small and compact. There isn't much in the way of must-see attractions, but Carthage is easily accessed from here and the souq is one of the most authentic and hassle-free in North Africa.
Well known seaside Tunis resorts are Sousse, Monastir, Hammamet and Nabeul, Djerba and Tabarka, which offer their visitors the finest sand beaches and crystalline water along with a dizzying choice of waterfront hotels featuring sun and sea sports as windsurfing and sailing, underwater sightseeing, fishing and short boat rides. Nearly Hotels are built with the visitor's comfort and enjoyment in mind and their restaurants feature both international as well as Tunisian Cuisine. Often an hours drive from these modern Tunis resorts will bring you to another Tunisia, one of ancient Roman, Arab, Berber or Phoenician sites.