| A delightful exotic Tunisian, a little French | | | | breathtaking some are tiny, others cover a |
| panache and a treasure trove of history makes | | | | complete floor, but all are superb in their |
| this a wonderful area to visit. Luxurious | | | | detail and sheer artistry. No holiday is |
| hotels set amidst sub tropical gardens | | | | complete without a visit to the Medina in |
| running down to the turquoise sea rival any | | | | Tunis. |
| in the world for cuisine and style. | | | | |
| | | | Craft shops, selling everything from leather |
| Whilst in Tunis you can veritably shop till | | | | jackets to intricate silverware, local |
| you drop in the elegant shops on the broad | | | | brightly painted pottery, carpets and rugs. |
| boulevards or hunt for souvenirs. Visit the | | | | Above all haggle its the done thing. Stop in |
| ruins of Carthage, walk the winding hill to | | | | a cafe and sip a refreshing cup of Tunisian |
| the top of Sidi Bou Said for an incomparable | | | | mint tea, or try some of the local delicacies |
| view over the bay below. | | | | perhaps gateaux or a bowl of a spicy chick |
| | | | pea soup. |
| Its main attractions are the glorious golden | | | | |
| beaches warmed by the languid waters of the | | | | The Great Mosque often called The Olive Tree |
| Mediterranean Sea, the panache of its French | | | | Mosque is second only in importance to the |
| colonial past and sophistication of the | | | | Holy Sidi Oqba Mosque in Kairouan in Tunisia. |
| capital Tunis. | | | | Originally built in 732 but reconstructed in |
| | | | 864 by the Aghlabids the architecture is |
| There is more to this coastline than just | | | | impressive and elegant. |
| beaches and cities. Take a tour to the | | | | |
| stunning Blue White Artisan Village of Sidi | | | | Unfortunately, only the courtyard is open to |
| Bou, with its winding cobbled street passing | | | | non Muslims but for the energetic its well |
| a myriad of shops selling leather goods, | | | | worth a climb up the winding stairs to the |
| local pottery and of course the ubiquitous | | | | rooftop terraces of the local cafes to see |
| stuffed camel. Walk to the top for a | | | | the full splendour of the Mosque from afar. |
| marvellous view over the Bay below. Finally | | | | |
| sacked after rivalling Rome and later | | | | Other places of interest to visit include in |
| rebuilt, the ruins are worth seeing if only | | | | stark contrast to the Mosque the distinctive |
| to glimpse the sheer wealth and grandeur of a | | | | Cathedral of St. Vincent de Paul echoing the |
| bygone age. | | | | past French colonial era, for an excellent |
| | | | selection of local crafts then relax in one |
| If time is short the Bardo Museum in Tunis is | | | | of the numerous popular cafes close by. |
| a must see. The mosaics are truly | | | | |