Glorious Golden Beaches in Tunis

Glorious Golden Beaches in Tunis
By: Douglas Scott

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