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TUNISIA

For a small country, Tunisia has much to boast about. Architectural remnants of the ancient Roman Empire - as well as those of Carthage, birthplace of the great warrior Hannibal who was the scourge of Rome. Walled cities dating back to its Arabic era. And colonial boulevards inspired by the French. Tunisia also features inviting beaches along its Mediterranean coast, the Sahara Desert, and dramatic Berber architecture that has appeared in Star Wars and the English Patient.

Tunis

Dating back to the 7th century, the old hill town of Tunis is one of the Mediterranean’s best-kept secrets. Wander the honeycomb of narrow lanes and passageways of Medina – a UNESCO World Heritage site. If the walls of the medina could talk, they would tell tales of one conquest after another - Berber, Phoenician, Roman, Arab, Turkish and French -dating back to the 2nd millennium BC. Modern-day Tunis is a lively melding of its culturally rich past, complete with Roman ruins, charming colonial-era architecture and a boisterous central bazaar.

Attractions

  • Zitouna or the Great Mosque, the 9th-century main mosque of Tunis at the heart of the medieval medina. Zitouna means "olive tree," a tribute to its founder's favourite gathering place for studying the Koran. View the exterior of this local treasure, as visitors are not allowed inside the mosque.
  • Bardo Museum, a cultural gem outside Tunis but well worth a visit, as it houses one of the world’s finest collections of Roman mosaics.
  • The magnificent Roman ruins of Carthage, just northeast of the city. Carthage’s most famous son is Hannibal, one of the most talented military commanders in history and the ‘scourge of Rome.’
  • Café M'Rabet for a truly authentic Tunisian experience. Built over the tombs of three holy men and an institution in the medina of Tunis for over a hundred years, the café features one of the city's most exclusive restaurants. Belly-dancing and live music accompany the food.
  • The souk, or bazaar, in the centre of Tunis – this vast conglomeration of tailors, weavers, carpet sellers, gold merchants, spice shops, bakeries and olive vendors captures the city's essence, right down to its thickly intoxicating air. Who knows what treasures you might unearth.
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