Sousse
Written: Jan 16 '04 (Updated Jan 27 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Like visiting the pages of a history book
Cons: HOT - VERY HOT
The Bottom Line: It is a unique place to travel with a lot of sun, great views, amazing day trips, and very beautiful people.
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| ashelykearsley's Full Review: Tunisia |
We traveled in the summer of 2002 to Sousse, Tunisia. We stayed at an amazing complex that had three hotels, two large pools, a disco club, several places to eat (even facing the Mediterranean Ocean), a couple of bars, a private beach directly in front of the hotel, and a great staff.
The rooms were basic but it was considered a 5* hotel. The location was about a 10 minute walk into the main part of town which had a port, international phones, souvenir shops, cafes, small markets, and the medina.
In regards to Tunisia itself, it is beautiful. In North Africa you will find Muslims and Arabic people - they are some of the most beautiful people in the world - we were overwhelmed with their beauty. It is hot - VERY HOT - hot enough to sit at the pool all day or sit in your room with the air conditioner on. We went in July - that was a bad idea - it was a good package deal though. We were burned to the point that we could not move - even with sunscreen on - BE CAREFUL!!!!
We traveled to Carthage - it seemed as if we stepped into a history book. The Mediterranean Ocean was sky blue and against the ruins - just picturesque. In and around Carthage there was a museum that housed all the discovered mosaics from around North Africa - especially Carthage. Make sure that you do not photograph the Palace - which is next to the ruins of Carthage - I got pulled aside by police with shotguns - they demanded to see the video I was taking - it was clean - thank goodness - and I was allowed to go.
Tunis, the Capital, has a very large medina(marketplace). We only spent a couple of hours there but the main city had a beautiful Cathedral, great cafes and pastry shops, and amazing architecture.
We did other day trips. You need to make sure that you make reservations with a respectable agent. Random agents will approach you to sell their products - don't get taken. If it sounds to good to be true it probably is! We did a camel ride that included and ethnic "wedding" so we could see what it was like years ago when people got married. The camels were adorable, they did not smell nor were they mean! We visited the Port of El Kantoui. The port was built for tourists. If you would like to stay there it is a beautiful complex - but it is not North Africa. If you are in North Africa - embrace it and experience it - you have come a long way to visit!
We recommend that you plan some day trips because once you see the main town - there is not much to do but lay out on the beach or at the pool. We were there for 10 days - this was a perfect length of time. If you are a Stars Wars buff you would want to take a trip to the southern part of Tunisia. This is a couple of days trip that you are required to stay in the desert and experience "nomadic" life. If you want to do this trip - make sure that you do not book your hotel for those nights - you won't be there.
The Mediterranean Ocean was beautiful and the beach is crowded - with mostly locals because it is so hot in their homes. Make sure that you smoke the "huba-li-bubly" (it is a large container set on the floor with two pipes coming our of it - this is not its real name but that is what we called it). You can order different flavors and sit at the cafe all day and smoke. Take a Ta-Kut (spelling may be off) - what an experience. It is a bit larger than a golf cart - no doors - going about 35-40 miles an hour on main roads. Another note - I wanted a massage so I got a "complete massage". I was not aware that this type of massage went everywhere on your body - even in places that you never thought it would go. Be careful - this is a normal massage in Sousse - just not in the USA.
We were impressed with Tunisia and would recommend the trip to those who would like to do something different and who don't mind the heat. It is similar to Morocco - if you have ever been.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Couples
Best Time to Travel Here: Mar - May
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Epinions.com ID:
ashelykearsley
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Reviews written: 7
Trusted by: 0 members
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