Tunisia

[SARAHW]

I would really appreciate some advice before sunday as i hav booked a holiday in tunisia (sousse) to depart on sunday.
i hadnt even considered a holiday in tunisia but the travel agent assusred us it would be a great holiday destination for me and my boyfriend but since reading up re tunisia on the internet it doesnt sound like such a great place afterall!
i keep reading everywhere about the high threat of terroisum and am quite worried (my brother was caught up in the recent Eygypt bombs and it put us all off going abroad as he was hurt and it was really scary at the time).
also im really worried about inadvertently offending someone by wearing the wrong clothes etc.
ALSO the travel agent said there were no immunisations required or needed but it seems hep A and typhoid is reccomended which is a bit late to find out now as we go on sunday!
please can someone reasure me i am just overreacting or am i right to b worrying about all this? xx
p.s please excuse spelling as i am coming to the end of a night shift and everything is a bit blurry now!!

[anet]

hi we have recently returned from a holiday in tunisia. Dont worry about the vaccinations they are only recommended, as it is up to you as an individual to decide whether or not you want them, to be honest i think quite a high percentage of people that go to tunisia do not bother having them, we certainly didnt.

With regards to being a safe place, its like any other country really dont go down a quiet street on your own carrying loads of cash and dripping in gold there may be a risk of getting mugged, although our rep did tell us that the crime rate is pretty low as the punishments are very harsh.

Also about clothing, on the beach and at the hotel you will be fine, most people were going topless and walking around in bikini's. If you go to a shopping town where there will be lots of locals then it is advised to cover up a little, not too much but maybe a knee length skirt or longer shorts, and perhaps a t shirt with cap sleeves or you could wear a shawl. I made the mistake of walking of the beach (in my bikini top and short skirt) on to the road that leads to the hotel and even though i was with my boyfriend and my son i still had men shouting out of car windows at me, staring, and i even had a very young boy come up to me and tell me i was very nice.

i wouldnt worry about the holiday im sure you will have a great time and the end of the day it depends on what you feel comfortable with.

Shopping can be a bit of a nightmare, shop keepers are very pushy some accept a polite no whereas others do not. i felt that i couldnt even look at things without being asked to go in the shop. We did stick to the fixed price shops and these were a dream, no hassle and still very reasonably priced.

Anyway i hope you have a great holiday, and the weather should be fantastic.

[Chelsea Blue]

Hi SarahW. I have been going to Tunisia now for over twenty years and have never had any innoculations and have not heard of anyone going down with any major illness whilst out there. As far as terrorism goes I think you are more likely to get caught up in something in UK. Of course nowhere in the world is 100% safe these days but there is usually good security at all the hotels, in regards to the fact that they do not allow locals to roam around the grounds and in some not even the taxis are allowed in. In the Medinas and shopping markets there is a lot of "cheeky" hassling but there is never any intent to harm anyone. Relax and give them as much banter as they give you. Also don't forget that whichever hotel you are based in you are free to use the facilities of most other hotels. And when using the taxis which are very cheap ALWAYS insist they put the meter on. They will if you tell them -- although to be fair 90% of them do anyway. Have a great holiday.

[Louisa]

Hi Sara W

I went to Tunisia 2 yrs ago 6 month preganant without immunisations and were toally fine - they are only a reccomendation and there for guidance. I always advise it is best to speak with your doctor on immunisations as each individual is different in any case. If immunisations were compulsory the travel agent by law would have to give you that informaiton.

I loved Tunisia - locals very nice - very clean in Hammamet where I was. Beaches fantastic and water so clear!!!

Terrorism I don;t think is a threat in Tunisia (yes its a Muslim coutnry but that doesn't necessarily go hand in hadn does it??) We are prob more at risk at home to be fair! Obviously where ever you travel to the way the World is at current day you are never 100% safe - but you can't live your life without holidays because of this.......

You will have a great time! What Hotel are you going to???

[SARAHW]

Im going to the dreams beach hotel in sousse. glad to have such positive feedback will definatley feel more relaxed there now. xx

[HW Jan.C]

The sousa centre in Sousse is all inside ( very cool ) and most are fixed price shops so no hassle. Shopping can be like running the gauntlet and not for the timid, I am used to haggling in Turkey and love to shop but hated shopping in Tunisia it is a different ball game and not the best holiday experience I have had.

[cloudy]

"The sousa centre in Sousse is all inside ( very cool ) and most are fixed price shops so no hassle. Shopping can be like running the gauntlet and not for the timid, I am used to haggling in Turkey and love to shop but hated shopping in Tunisia it is a different ball game and not the best holiday experience I have had." --- Jan.C


I am with you on that one Jan.c. I too am used to Turkey but Tunisia was something else.
My first trip to the shops was a nightmare they are very persistant and nice. It is the nice bit that gets you because it makes it difficult to say no. I did manage to barter quite well though but it is so much effort.
We decided that we would not be going back and we would be best to go on the Sahara trip while we were there.
It was good because when people tried to sell you trips you could tell them that you would not be there because you were going to the desert.
However by the time we left I had refusal with a smile down to fine art and I might go back one day.