NO MARMITE IN TUNISIA

Hammamet Yasmine is a modern resort!  Not to be found are old, white-washed, domed houses, elderly, veiled ladies making their way to the local market, school children laughing and playing as they make their way to school, or farmers with their donkey and cart laden with vegetables!  What can be found are 4 or 5 star luxury hotels, many with a rolled, red carpet outside their door and restaurants and boutiques, located along the attractive, tree-lined promenade as well as a host of other attractions.

Hammamet Yasmine's marina is one of the largest in Europe.  Attractive walkways with many trees, plants and flowers can be found near to the water's edge, as well as coffee houses, pizza parlours, and restaurants where one can sit, relax and take in the breath-taking views of the many yachts situated there.

Behind the marina is a man-made canal overlooked by luxury apartments and villas, a desirable place to live or own a holiday home and itself a very attractive sight!

Hammamet Yasmine's long, sandy, beach is stunning!  It is clean,  and well maintained and offers the usual attractions of watersports and paragliding.  You are spoilt for choice with the many restaurants and eateries found on the beach, as well as also across the road, nestling amongst the many tourist shops offering Tunisian specialities such as ceramics, leather goods, carpets or jewellery. 

One such cafe bar, where you will receive a warm welcome, is run by British-born Kate.  Named "The View," and found near to the Hotel Mouradi, Kate offers refreshments of all kinds, including real "English tea," and delicious huge-sized portions, from her menu, which includes favourites such as Jacket Potatoes, Egg, Sausage and Chips, Crepes or Pizzas.  A bar, terrace, pool table and big screen to watch all the important football matches are also to be found!

As well as Tunisia's only ice-skating rink, Blue Ice, a casino and the theme park Carthage Land, Hammamet Yasmine's other major attraction is its medina.  Although built only recently it is built in an old style with cobbled streets, old-style buildings and ancient lamp-posts, and is packed with shops bursting with souvenirs, and again, many places to eat and drink.

The medina tends to come alive at night.  The restaurants and pavement cafes become full, the shops and stalls are packed and the atmosphere is buzzing!  There is a nightclub based there, as well as many displays and cabaret acts to entertain the crowds.  This must be one of the most pleasant places in the whole of Tunisia to spent a hot, summer's evening!

Taking place until the 26th August 2007, in the middle of the medina, clearly signposted, is a craft exhibition with workshops and many stalls displaying all of Tunisia's traditional crafts.  We visited this, one afternoon, but need to emphasise that due to many Tunisians taking their traditional siestas, it is probably best visited in the evening to make sure that you manage to see all of the exhibits!  Entrance is free.

Carthage Land is situated next door to the medina, an obvious choice for the children and is the first theme park ever opened in Africa!  It is a mini city built on ancient times, offering the children the chance to get to know famous characters such as Hannibal, Hannon and Barberousse, experience the Punic Wars, the conquest of Rome through the Alps, a journey through Africa and the adventures of a famous Tunisian pirate as well as the many different rides and restaurants.   http://www.carthageland.com/

Hammamet Yasmine's luxury hotels also offer bars and restaurants and some offer massages or health treatments such as thlassotherapy.  Many of the hotels are designed so elaborately, with domes, pillars and carved ceilings, it is worth it alone, just to walk into the hotel to gaze in awe at how much time and effort has been put into the architecture of these magnificent buildings!

Hammamet Yasmine can be reached by bus from central Hamamet or Nabeul, or by taking a louage to a town called Barraket Essahel to connect with a metered or shared taxi to take you into the centre of Hammamet Yasmine.