Family Holidays: Tunisia family holidays

Take the Family holiday rating 3½ stars out of 5

Why

Tunisia is a wonderful family destination. An intriguing mix of Mediterranean beaches, ancient ruins and medinas, its list of attractions would do justice to a country twice its size. A family with older children would perhaps benefit more from a visit, unless of course you are happy to entertain infants on one of its Mediterranean resorts. Introduce the kids to an exotic past with a trip to the caves of Ali Baba or to Carthage, one of the most important cities of the ancient world. The food is fabulous, the people friendly, the weather hot most of the year, Tunisia can’t be recommended highly enough. One word of warning though, it’s a traditional Islamic country, cover up and be respectful and you will have the holiday of a lifetime.

Top left: El Gem
Top right: Camels in the Saharah

Bottom left: Tunisian spices
Bottom right: Beach life in Hammamet

When

The ideal time to visit is during Spring (March-May), before the summer heat kicks in, and temperatures are a pleasant 25°C. From June to September, temperatures along the coast hover around 27-30°C. Inland, summer temperatures can rocket, especially in the southern desert where they can reach a whopping 45°C. During these months you can expect a wonderful daily average of 12 hours of sunshine.

Stay

The most popular beach resorts in Tunisia are Hammamet and Sousse, which have a good range of hotels and apartments. Skanes, near Monastir, is also becoming more popular as a beach resort. The purpose-built Port el Kantaoui is Tunisia's answer to the posh marinas of the South of France. The nearby island of Jerba is quieter and a bit more down to earth. Check Tunisia deals with Thomson, Expedia and Powder Byrne.

Do

Sunbathe, sail, dive and fish off the 800 mile Mediterranean coast, try the resorts of the fertile Cap Bon peninsular. Visit ancient Phoenician ports or take a day trip to Carthage, to stand on the spot where Hannibal departed to take on the might of the Roman Empire. Go on an adventure to the Sahara Desert which makes up most of the Southern part of Tunisia, visit an oasis town or to where they filmed Star Wars and the English Patient. For those exhausted by all this travel and excitement, take a spa treatment. Tunisia is fast becoming known as a spa holiday destination, in particular Thalassotherapy which is very popular here. Go bird-watching to the National Heritage Park at Lake Ichkeul, where over 200,000 birds migrate to annually. Tunisia is full of unexpected attractions, go!

Eat

Tunisian food has been influenced by the influx of different inhabitants over the years. It remains essentially a mixture of Mediterranean (French, Spanish & Italian) and traditional Tunisian recipes, although the Jewish community has had an influence as well. Any meal will involve olives, fresh flat bread and harissa, a very hot sauce. Couscous is the national dish with vegetables, lamb, poultry or fish, you will also find ‘Agneau à la gargoulette’, another traditional dish, a delicious lamb stew slowly cooked in an earthenware jar over a charcoal fire. Grilled fish is also abundant due to the long coast line. International cuisine is also freely available in Tunisia.

Cost

There are a wide range of package deals to Tunisia. Expect to pay from about £450 per adult, for a week's half-board, in a mid range hotel, at a popular resort such as Hammamet in peak season. For a 5 star luxury hotel, you can expect to pay from £750 to £2000. Flight only deals to Tunis cost from around £200.