Destinations in focus Tunisia

There are several reasons that Tunisia is a popular cruise destination: the 1,200 kilometres of beautiful coastline are a key reason as are the purpose-built seaside resorts which cater to the cruise passenger’s every need. Virtually every cruise to this North African country is guaranteed sunshine.

Those who love history and culture need not despair, the rich and complex history of Tunisia which has in its past been under the rule of the Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans and French and means there are a medley of different cultural traditions to explore as well as historical sites and artefacts in museums.

Most cruise companies ensure that their passengers are given the chance to visit Monastir, a seaside resort visited by hundreds of thousands every year, especially for the wide range of water sports offered there, with expert tuition, or just to lounge around on the long miles of sandy beach. There are other ports of call though, such as Djerba which is famous for its fantastic seafood cuisine which visitors can sample in the many seafood restaurants, its market selling local pottery and carpets and Roman sites that have been excavated to allow people to see villas and towns from the ancient past. Or perhaps the cruise company will visit the eastern coast, offering a port call to Sousse during July and August when the whole town is given over to an international festival of music and the arts.

Wherever you visit, the local cuisine will be good: meat dishes are generally lamb-based, and all meals will include locally grown spices. Many Tunisians speak some English but the second language of the country is French so brushing up on a few French phrases can really help you enjoy your cruise to this country.