Hear about journey to Tunis, Tunisia, because the Beginner Traveler talks to Jeff Ohlfs about his current go to to this arid Arab nation in North Africa.
Why must you go to Tunis?
Jeff says, “I don’t suppose lots of people suppose an excessive amount of about touring to Tunisia. It’s an unbelievable nation, pleasant folks. It’s an Arab nation. And all that goes with it, and it’s fairly cheap, and it’s good there off the boot of Italy.”
Day 1: Arrive in Tunis and Get Oriented
Jeff recommends staying in Tunis somewhat than hopping between cities. He favors small, characterful locations over massive worldwide chains, with guesthouses akin to Dar Ennassim in La Marsa for example of the sort of environment he enjoys. Spend your first afternoon getting your bearings:
Stroll alongside Habib Bourguiba Avenue to see trendy Tunis and its French colonial legacy.
Discover how the newer metropolis contrasts with the historic core.
For dinner, Jeff suggests beginning with simple Tunisian delicacies at an off-the-cuff native restaurant somewhat than searching for out one thing upscale.
Day 2: Medina of Tunis and the Bardo
Jeff strongly encourages starting your exploration within the Medina of Tunis to know town’s historical past and rhythm. Highlights embody:
Getting into by Bab el Bhar, the symbolic divide between previous and new Tunis.
Wandering the souks with no fastened agenda, observing every day life.
In search of conventional crafts such because the chechia, the distinctive felt hat nonetheless made regionally.
Within the afternoon, go to the Bardo Nationwide Museum:
Jeff calls this an important cease.
Focus particularly on the Roman mosaics, that are thought-about among the many best wherever.
The museum supplies essential historic context earlier than visiting Carthage.
Tunisia’s Phoenician previous, together with a dialogue of whether or not Phoenicians had reached the Caribbean.
For Lunch, Jeff recommends an off-the-cuff native restaurant akin to Dar Ellama Restaurant.
Day 3: Carthage and Sidi Bou Stated
Jeff treats Carthage and Sidi Bou Stated as a single, full day. In Carthage, he stresses that the location is unfold out and ought to be approached as a collection of associated places:
The Carthage Punic Ports, to know Carthage’s naval energy.
The Carthage tophet, devoted to the Phoenician deities Tanit and Baal
The Acropolium of Carthage, tied to later Christian historical past and related to Louis IX of France.
Views towards the Carthage Palace, exhibiting how trendy Tunisia overlaps with historic floor.
The Zaghouan Aqueduct, which as soon as provided water to Carthage, demonstrates Roman engineering on an enormous scale.
He additionally recommends the North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial for vacationers fascinated by World Battle II historical past. Within the afternoon, proceed to Sidi Bou Stated:
Stroll slowly by the village and benefit from the blue-and-white structure.
Go to Dar El Annabi to see a conventional home and study native customs.
For lunch, Jeff leans towards casual spots that mirror on a regular basis meals tradition, akin to locations within the spirit of Casse-croûte — Tunisian Desk.
Day 4: Roman-Period Day Journey
Jeff suggests including at the least one main Roman web site past Tunis.
Go to the Amphitheatre of El Jem, which he ranks among the many most spectacular Roman ruins in North Africa.
The vacation spot works nicely as an extended day journey with a driver or guided tour, akin to these organized by Excursions By Locals.
Themes Jeff Emphasizes All through
Throughout the itinerary, Jeff returns to a number of broader concepts:
Every single day, cultural particulars, from meals tradition like Hindi or “Sultan of all Fruits” (prickly pear cactus fruit)
Nature escapes near town, together with Boukornine Nationwide Park.
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Present Notes
Tunis
Guided Excursions by ToursByLocals
Maison d’Hôtes Dar Ennassim, La Marsa
Carthage
Acropolium of Carthage
Louis IX of France
Carthage Punic Ports
Carthage tophet
Zaghouan Aqueduct
Carthage Palace
North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial
Sidi Bou Stated
Dar El Annabi – Atlas Obscura
Bardo Nationwide Museum
Chemtou
Principle of Phoenician discovery of the Americas
Medina of Tunis
Chechia
Restaurant Ellema
Habib Bourguiba
Opuntia ficus-indica
Casse-croûte — Our Tunisian Desk
Bab el Bhar
Amphitheatre of El Jem
Boukornine Nationwide Park
Tunisian delicacies
Sousse
Neighborhood
Give me your suggestions on the present at AmateurTraveler.com/1000
Beginner Traveler Journeys
