SAHARAN DESERT ESCAPES

Lying at Africa’s northernmost reaches, Tunisia enjoys a Mediterranean climate and is overwhelmingly rich in culture, history and natural beauty. Its landscape takes in deserts and mountains, lush forest and exquisite beaches, and fertile fields dotted with olive and date trees, while the country’s long and distinguished heritage is reflected in its age-old settlements and elegant architecture. Despite its small size, Tunisia is amazingly diverse: The capital, Tunis, is an interesting blend of ancient and contemporary, offering a range of chic, atmospheric hotels, cafes and restaurants scattered amidst its colonial and Arabic buildings; the Mediterranean coast is an idyllic stretch of white sand beaches, azure ocean and laid-back seaside towns; the south of the country is characterised by the vast open spaces of the Sahara Desert, peppered with life-giving oases; and the north is a beguiling mix of grassy valleys and Roman ruins.

Currency 

The currency of Tunisia is the Tunisian Dinar (TND; the symbol DT is also used commonly within Tunisia) = 1,000 millimes. Notes are in denominations of TND 50, 30, 20, 10 and 5 millimes. Coins are in denominations of TND 1, 5, 10 dinars, as well as 5, 10, 20, 50 and 500 millimes. The 10 and 5 millimes coins are not commonly used but are still legal tender. Please note that it is a criminal offence to import or export dinar.</p>

Banking

Banking hours: 08h30-11h00 in summer and from 08h30-11h00 and 14h00 and 16h00 in winter. During Ramadan (the Islamic holy month of fasting), banks open for shorter hours.

Credit and debit cards using the Visa network are accepted as payment in most larger tourist-orientated stores, and many midrange and luxury hotels, as well as at most car hire agencies and established travel agencies. Mastercard is also accepted but may sometimes have issues with authorization. American Express and Diners Club are only accepted in a few places in tourist areas and shouldn't be relied upon.

Officially traveller’s cheques should be able to be cashed at any bank or bureau de exchange. In reality, many banks (except larger branches in cities and tourist areas) will refuse to exchange them. You will be charged a commission on every exchange. If you do want to take traveller’s cheques the most convenient currencies are Euros and US Dollars. Traveller’s cheques are only accepted in some hotels.

The national airline TunisAir and their subsidiary airline TunisAir Express are the only airlines operating domestic routes within Tunisia. From their hub at Tunis-Carthage Airport, they have internal flights to Djerba, Monastir, Sfax, and Tozeur.

Prices are reasonable and services are normally heavily subscribed, so it is advisable to book ahead. However, the compact size of the country (Tunisia is the smallest in North Africa) means flying from A to B is rarely essential other than to save a few hours.

Tunisia has an extensive road network connecting all of the main towns and cities. Even smaller villages have some form of public transport which makes getting around the country using local transport reasonably easy.

There are two kinds of taxis in Tunisia. Private metered taxis are readily available within towns and cities and are reasonably priced. If you would like to hire the taxi for a half or full-day it's usually cheaper to negotiate a price rather than work by the meter.

Regular trains are run by SNCFT and connect Tunis with major towns. The main route is north-south between Tunis and Gabès, via Sousse and Sfax, with a branch line to Monastir and Mahdia. Other lines out of Tunis link the capital with Bizerte and other northern spots.

There are three classes (class comfort, first-class, and second class) all of which are air-conditioned on most routes. Some 'Express' trains are one class only. It's a good idea to book in advance for popular routes, particularly over the summer months, though passengers can only book within 3 days of departure time and the best approach is to visit a train station and pay for the tickets in cash.

Tunisian food combines Arabic, Berber, European and Middle Eastern elements. Dishes are cooked with olive oil, spiced with aniseed, coriander, cumin, caraway, cinnamon or saffron and flavoured with mint, orange blossom or rose water; many are accompanied by harissa, a spicy chilli and garlic condiment.

On the coast you'll find fresh seafood, while in the southern Sahara region menus often feature Berber specialities, most notably rustic, wholesome stews. Roast chicken and baked lamb dishes are popular throughout the country, as are dishes featuring couscous. Salads form an integral part of the diet all year-round, are simple and lightly dressed.

If you have a sweet tooth, you won't be disappointed in Tunisia. There is an array of Middle Eastern-style sweets and cakes to choose from, often containing plenty of nuts and drenched in honey or syrup. There are also delicious pastries left over from the years of French rule, so expect plenty of melt-in-the-mouth croissants and pains au chocolat.

Tipping is not a requirement, but waiters and taxi drivers are usually tipped a few coins; waiters in tourist restaurants are accustomed to 10%.

The areas of northern Tunisia that draw the most tourists have a typical Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, occasionally rainy winters. Along with destinations like Egypt and Turkey, Tunisia has claimed a good slice of the Mediterranean summer holiday market, making June to August a popular time for coastal resorts.

Spring and autumn both offer their own enticements though, both in terms of an appealing climate and a lessening of tourist traffic. This is the best time to visit the desert regions of the south and central Tunisia, as in summer the temperatures can climb to stifling heights, whilst in winter the Sahara can be bitterly cold at night.

Winter is low season in Tunisia and hotel prices often drop during the months of December to February. There are still plenty of sun-filled days but temperatures drop substantially once the sun has set and you need to come prepared for rain.

If you’re visiting Tunis, December to March are the rainy season so pack an umbrella with you. May is a lovely time to visit as temperatures averaging 21C (70F). July and August are dry but hot, averaging 28C (83F).

If you are travelling in summer, lightweight clothing made from natural fibres such as cotton and linen are best to cope with the heat. Unless you will be exclusively staying on a resort, pack some long-sleeved tops, and long trousers or skirts for off-the-beach wear. In winter you'll need a rain jacket and a warm pull over to put on for the evenings. It's a good idea to bring these if you're travelling in spring and autumn as well.

Tunisia has a high number of internet users, so email can be easily and cheaply accessed from Internet cafés in most towns and all resorts. Many hotels now also offer Wi-Fi for guest use. The connection is usually of a good standard.

Electrical sockets in the Republic of Tunisia are Type C (CEE 7/16 Europlug) and Type E (CEE 7/5 Schuko).  If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it's crucial to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for all types.

Electrical sockets in Tunisia upply electricity at 230 volts AC / 50 Hz frequency. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 230-volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. If your appliance isn’t compatible with 230 volts, a voltage converter will be necessary.