NO MARMITE IN TUNISIA

DAYS OUT AWAY FROM THE BEACH

We know that we can have a great night out under the Tunisian stars, but what about during the daytime?  What is there to do for those of us who haven't yet acquired the continental habit of taking a siesta in the afternoon and would like to do something a little different? 

If any readers have any suggestions or comments please email them to  nomarmiteintunisia@yahoo.fr or discuss in the online guestbook. 

Below is a list of several towns worth a visit, that may satisfy any parents out there who thought that six weeks school summer holiday was long enough in the UK, whilst Tunisian children have from the end of June to the second week in September!!

TRAVELLING OFF THE BEATEN TRACK IN THE CAP BON

The area around Nabeul and Hammamet is sometimes called the Garden Resort of Tunisia and travelling just a little further away from the main seaside resorts, it is not hard to see why!  Take time to explore traditional towns such as Beni Khiar, (which is now becoming home to quite a few besotted Brits!) or visit nearby Maamoura, still very undeveloped and excellent for 'getting away from it all' type holidays!  Even further along the coast, travelling through stunning countryside, lies Korba, with its pristine, white sandy beaches and home to the magnificent (and my all time favourite) hotel the Africa Jade!

No Marmite in Tunisia wishes to thank Bassam Bounenni, himself an expat, but a Tunisian expat, living in Qatar, who works as a journalist for the television satellite station Al Jazeera, for sending us some photographs showing the Cap Bon countryside. 

Originally from Menzel-Temime, Bassam has sent us a photograph of Tabarka, which is further down the page in the article on Tabarka and the following three photographs of the area heading towards Menzel-Temime, the little nearby village of Wakyan and the impressive fortress town of Kelibia!

P.S.  Anybody, who knows anything about the story of the ancient inhabitants of Kelibia, being red-haired, blue-eyed English folk, who landed there stranded, following a shipwreck....please write in!

Kelibia

Driving towards Menzel-Temime

Wakyan

PORT EL KANTAOUI

Stunningly Beautiful!

I never tire of paying a visit to this lovely little marina! 

Cobbled walkways, white-washed residences, trees, flowers and fountains, lying beside the picturesque boats and yachts bobbing up and down on the sparkling, blue waters!

So popular with the British, everywhere you go English can be heard spoken, as tourists flock to visit this little gem!  Even the waiters, shop and stall sellers or guys offering one of the many available boat rides will shout after you in English first instead of the customary French!

 

 

Those of you who have chosen to make your home in Port El Kantaoui, tell of being able to spend many a pleasant summer night amongst the lively atmosphere of the many terraces of the cafe bars and restaurants lining the water's edge.

Sam's Review Of Port El Kantaoui

Sam, who is currently counting down the days before her 'big move' in the Autumn of 2008 to Sousse, has sent in her thoughts also on Port El Kantaoui.

If you have an opportunity to visit Port El Kantaoui (and I would strongly recommend that you do if you have the chance), you will find it situated approximately 10km from Sousse. 

You will be bowled over by the beauty of the modern marina with its Moorish architectural influence (built in approximately 1979 as a tourist attraction), whilst leisurely wandering around on a warm, summer, evening, looking at the boats and yachts (of which the marina can accommodate up to 300.)

Visit the boutiques, cafes and restaurants and take a stroll down cobble stoned streets sweeping out to the ever-blue sea on which daily water sports take place from the golden, sandy stretch of beach; stopping to have a glass of mint tea by the lighthouses in one of the popular ice cream parlours and listening to the gentle lap of the sea.

If all this is not enough to tempt you, how about the two 18 hole golf courses; Aqua Palace Water Park; quad biking; family fun fair or dinner in one of the many family-oriented restaurants which offer a wide variety of fresh local caught fish!

NABEUL

The Town That Comes Alive Every Friday
Nabeul is famous amongst tourists for its Friday market.  Every Friday the town is buzzing as tourists fill the streets snapping up ceramics, glassware, carpets or many other souvenirs lining the streets.  If you are experiencing that very common expat feeling of homesickness and longing to see some European faces, then this really is the place to be!

Nabeul whose name is from the Roman "Neapolis" (Naples) is quite a large town, with many shops and boutiques, supermarkets, cafes and pizzerias.  It has several hotels and a large main beach.  It is an extremely pleasant, lively and very attractive town, with the tree-lined Avenue Habib Bourguiba and its famous tree in a ceramic pot, being its showpiece.   

    

  

HAMMAMET

Views That You Never Tire Of!
Again, like Nabeul, a very lively town, with plenty of souvenir shops, hotels, and restaurants, catering for every tourist's whim; although for everyday living, one British resident in Hammamet has mentioned that there is only one supermarket (Magasin General) which is very small with limited stock.

But for those of you lucky enough to be living in Hammamet and able to wake up to views of its town centre with tree-lined boulevards, 12th century kasbah, medina, or miles of sandy beaches, you could be living in one of the most beautiful places on earth!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If anybody would like to tell us about the town they live in, please email me nomarmiteintunisia@yahoo.fr 

I would love to hear from expats in Sousse, Hammamet Yasmine, Monastir, Tunis, La Marsa and Carthage or from towns in the north or south of Tunisia

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TUNIS AND ITS SURROUNDINGS

Easily accessible by air-conditioned coach or train is Tunis the capital city of Tunisia.  Wander around tree-lined avenues, shop in its boutiques or get lost in the endless maze of streets in its medina.

Alternatively catch the tram and visit the gorgeous Sidi Bou Said for lunch perhaps, or give the kids a history lesson by showing them the ruins of Carthage.

 

CARTHAGE

 

 

MEDINA IN TUNIS

 

 

 

SIDI BOU SAID          

                                                       

 

 

TUNIS CATHEDRAL                            

                                                                                          

 

 

For many more ideas on what to do, where to go and all about Tunisia in general, for example culture, shopping, getting around, history and sightseeing, religious festivals etc, the following is a website absolutely packed with information.
http://www.cometotunisia.co.uk/

Place your cursor on any town on this website's interactive map and discover information and history about towns in Tunisia away from the tourist resorts that you may not of even heard of.

http://www.lexicorient.com/tunisia/

 

TABARKA

Tabarka is a town in the north of Tunisia and is a mountainous region surrounded by a rocky coastline and towering forests.  The annual jazz festival is held there.  35 miles from its coast are La Galite islands, where if you enjoy diving there is a well preserved shipwreck, and it is also home to a colony of monk seals in its nature reserve.   

Photo of Tabarka : Bassam Bounenni - Al Jazeera Satellite Television

KORBOUS

This is a place to be visited at least "twice!!"  The town is in a dramatic setting, and to get to it one must drive along rugged mountainside roads with breathtaking views.  Once there you feel like you are in a completely different country.  The air is so pure and the place so quiet and traffic-free you could hear a pin drop.

This is a spa town where hot thermal springs gush out from the mountain sides.  Bathe in these, or simply swim in the clear, blue waters of the sea itself, or picnic on the cliffs, taking in your stunning surroundings.

  

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you William for your lovely photographs from your holiday in Monastir. 

Monastir is the town famous for many things.  It has the beautiful beach and marina.  It is the birth place of the former president Habib Bourguiba as well as his final resting place inside the magnificent mausoleum.  It has also been used as a location for films such as Life of Brian and Life of Christ.

Easy to reach from neighbouring Sousse, just hop into a louage from the main louage station, which will take you there in around 10 minutes for just over a couple of dinars (2007 prices.)

Any expats living in or near to Monastir who would like to write a review about life in this town, please email me on nomarmiteintunisia@yahoo.fr