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peskie
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03-01-2007 09:48 AM
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Joined: 01 Jan 2007
Posts: 6
| Thinking of booking here for me, wife and two kids 8 + 11 in April for 7 nights this year. Anyone have info on:
1. Sea temperature for swimming
2. Food at hotel all inclusive
3. Weather in general this time of year
4. Things to do
5. How bad are the flies
6. Do shopkeepers pull women and children into the shop
7. Who best to book with - thinking first choice
8. Any tips/advice at all
:)
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Jan.C
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03-01-2007 12:41 PM
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Joined: 08 Jan 2004
Posts: 2368
My Profile
| Hiya
We stayed here in June last year, the sea temp in June was like bathwater, so warm, dont know about April but cannot be that bad,
The food is fabulous, really good choice, and at lunchtime there is a grill near the pool bar that does roast chicken, salads, and the most delicious pancakes.
Weather again we went in June so I suggest you have a look through a search engine for April weather in Tunisia.
Lots for the kids to do, the animation team keep them occupied all day long, :).
The flies were bad in June but shouldnt be as bad in April. DO Take mozzy repellant.
Shopkeepers are very pushy but if you are stern with them they will leave you alone.I wouldnt let your wife go shopping alone in the evenings. just my opinion.
We booked with Panorama online.
We loved the hotel and the staff were just fantastic right from waiters all the way to the animation team. The rooms are clean and tidy and plenty big enough.
Tips.Be very careful if you intend to buy gold out there as lots of it is stamped but NOT gold.
If you use a taxi, tell them where you want to go and agree a price before you get in the car. Do not say ( want to go shopping ) or you will end up in his brothers carpet shop. Tell them Port el kantaoui or Sousse.
Tip the bar staff on your first day or two, then you get extra special service the rest of your holiday.
Save some Dinar for the airport lounge in case you need to use a phone.
Please read all the reviews here.
http://www.holidaywatchdog.com/8325-Port_El_Kantaoui-Allegro_Abou_Sofiane_Hotel-Holiday-Review.html
I hope all this helps.
Jan
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My Latest Review: Aug 2008 Norton Lodge Hotel & Conference Centre, Norton Disney (10/10)
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peskie
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05-01-2007 12:31 PM
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Joined: 01 Jan 2007
Posts: 6
| Cheers Jan - Booked it today!! All set for 8th April for a week. How does all inclusive work, do we wear wrist bands? I also see that the alcohol gets bad press, is the local beer OK and how about red+white wines? Seems it's the spirits that aren't so good. What is there for the kids to drink, fresh/fizzy/cordial? Tons of questions for you!! If the kids don't fancy the food on offer to them, can they eat from the adult menu/buffet?
Can't wait...................Still got nmore questions, but I'll filter them slowly!!..........
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Jan.C
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05-01-2007 05:07 PM
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Joined: 08 Jan 2004
Posts: 2368
My Profile
| Hiya
I will try to answer all your questions, The local beer is fine but ask for a PINT , or you will get small glasses, Tip the barman at the beginning of your holiday and you will get personal service, just a couple of dinar works wonders. The spirits will be alot better once your mates with the barstaff :).
The choice of drinks for kids is amazing they do their own line in kids cocktails, very sweet but MMMMMMM... I had a few of those, They also do adult cocktails,, try them all !!!.
The kids have no set special buffet but there is a wide variety of choice and they have someone cooking spaggetti bolognese fresh to your own taste at every meal time. The pool bar does pizza, chips salad and roast chicken every lunch time,and it is open in the evenings for snacks. The animation team are fantastic with the kids and they will be kept occupied all the time. The shows they put on at nights are brilliant and worth watching. We keep in touch with a waiter called ( Ali ) hes lovely as are all of the staff.You will have a brilliant time, :).any more questions just please ask If I can help I will.
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My Latest Review: Aug 2008 Norton Lodge Hotel & Conference Centre, Norton Disney (10/10)
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peskie
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06-01-2007 08:27 AM
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Joined: 01 Jan 2007
Posts: 6
| Sounds great - some of the reviews mention a hotel next door. Is that open for us to eat there too as the feedback sounds good as well, especially the Italian food.
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Jan.C
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06-01-2007 09:46 AM
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Joined: 08 Jan 2004
Posts: 2368
My Profile
| The hotel next door is the Riviera and you can use their facilities but not their ordinary restaraunts,also there is 2 al a cart restaraunts that you can eat at, the Italian and a Tunisian,you have to book these at reception, try and book on your first day there as they get booked up quickly. The Italian is fabulous we really enjoyed our meal there .The Riviera is a BIG hotel but their guests seemed to spend most of their time in our hotel.The shows are in a theatre within the Riviera grounds and we had no problem using their bars for drinks.
OH at the abou sofiane there is a lovely beach bar and they also do food at lunch times, the beach is just beautiful fine white sand, lots of water sports available in front of the hotel. including paragliding.. NO I DIDNT HAVE A GO...... :)
Jan
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My Latest Review: Aug 2008 Norton Lodge Hotel & Conference Centre, Norton Disney (10/10)
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Jan.C
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06-01-2007 10:55 PM
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Joined: 08 Jan 2004
Posts: 2368
My Profile
| When we stayed there we had a morning of beach games,, our hotel V the Riviera hotel, I have not laughed as much for years,, all of our team were daubed with red face paint,, including my teenage daughter who is always VERY CAREFUL about her appearance
( chavvy ) and after the games had ended one of the animation team threw a bucket of sea water over her, she was stood there with big wide staring eyes her hair plastered over her face with red paint running down her face,, ( she looked like Carrie off the horror film....)which made me laugh even more, she saw the funny side eventually after repairing her make-up and re-straightning her hair..
Join in the games at the poolside, its all good fun. :)
Kids club is run by Ali and Midow and even when the kids club isnt on they still go and round them up to play with them.They go all out for the kids entertainment and make sure they are well looked after. I have nothing but praise for the hotel staff .
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My Latest Review: Aug 2008 Norton Lodge Hotel & Conference Centre, Norton Disney (10/10)
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peskie
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07-01-2007 04:21 PM
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Joined: 01 Jan 2007
Posts: 6
| It's sounding good - I'm assuming that the post on Dec 2005 who seems not impressed with the staff is maybe because it was out of season and different/skeleton staff.
How did you get on with the local water?
Either way, the reviews look too good to be true, we're all looking forward to it. Do you know of any dail excursions? We did intend to hire a car but are now thinking of public transport and excursions. Any ideas?
Can we just come and go at the Riviera whenever we want and is there extra charge for the a la carte restaurants?
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