Anyone been to Tunisia recently?

[RCOR]

Hi everyone

We are planning a short holiday with teens 15/17 in September. The first ever trip abroad for the younger two (twins). We have an offer for Tunisia but I've never been before. Any experiences and advice welcome.

Many thanks

Are you planning on taking a year 10/11 and a year 12/13 out of school for this?

I went years ago and had a lovely holiday but this was before the beach bombings and I don't know how that has impacted tourism. We did an overnight trip whilst there visiting the Roman amphitheatre in Carthage, the Sahara in Douz, an Oasis, a salt lake, watched the sunrise in the mountains on the boarder and visited the Star Wars set / cave houses in Matmata. Its not a place where you'd hire a car and do that yourself though.

Currently in Tunisia. I think the key is to pick a resort, with a big company - we are here in a Tui hotel, lots of Brits / Germans / Algerian / French in the hotel. Staff are lovely, its clean and the beach is great and there is security.
We did go out to a market and it is clear the country is definitely struggling more than it was pre attacks. By avoiding visiting the poverty worsens,and there's risk in all travel. There's no advice to not travel to the tourist areas, just to avoid mountains and border regions.

www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/tunisia

I went years ago and hated every minute.

Bonus😁

Just got back from Tunisia today. We loved it. We stayed in a resort in Hammamet. Went to a few different market shops and also went to the Carthage ruins and Sidi Bou Said. It all seemed safe and everyone was friendly. I went with my DH and two kids, 5 and 3.
Hotel wasn't great tbh but staff were friendly. Lots of French, Italian, Spanish and some British nationals at the hotel.

How is that relevant?

It sounds like the Dominican Republic which has armed guards outside all the hotels and you wouldn't leave your hotel grounds to go wandering. Lots of poverty.

It isn't relevant to the country they are visiting but taking DC out of school during GCSE and A level years isn't a great idea.

Which is irrelevant to a thread about the suitability or otherwise of Tunisia as a family holiday destination.
It’s also none of your business.

Sorry it's taken me so long to come back to this thread. We've booked Majorca instead☺️

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts. It was good to hear everyone's experiences good and bad.

Have a great time @RCOR .
Mallorca is a great place for a holiday.

Thank you @PearlClutzsche. It's our first family holiday out of the country in 17 year and my twins first ever time to leave the country. So we are very excited. Just hoping and praying the weather is still nice when we are away🙏🤞

We've booked Tunisian and all the reviews for our hotel are outstanding

Hi, do you have number/email of private driver?

Hi, did you do all the excursions by yourself? Hired car or private guided tour? Did you go to Sousse medina? What is the best way to go there - I.e. taxi, car hire, public transport elect? Our resort is in Sousse too

Most unsafe I've felt on holiday. Left the hotel once (staff advised against it) and went to the local town. Walked over to the shops, turned around and got back in the same taxi.
If it's just a sun/pool holiday, there are plenty of safer locations I'd pick.

Hi, when did you go?

It regularly wins the worst holiday experience ever threads so I wouldn't go anywhere near it!

I'd stick to Spain, Portugal, Greece...

I went this year for a week in May- me (F) and 2 DDs (3 & 5).
Yasmin Hammamet.
Was plenty to do, felt safe at all times to the extent I am really shocked by some earlier posts. We jumped in taxis, on a public bus and walked. Went round the market and don't remember any hassle - the prices in tourist shops were pretty cheap. I have the impression that people respect families.

The people selling photos with iguanas or parrots were expensive (by local standards) and hard hagglers but I didn't feel ripped off.

Stunning beaches, amazing value for money, good flight times. Can't think of anything I'd improve. We definitley want to go back

We went to Skanes.

When we went to Sousse couple of years ago we went with tour guy from the hotel. It was great. Your hotel will have some associated tours, drivers etc.
No hassle, as pp said "no thank you" was enough, bargain like hell, turn around your hotel bracelet so name is not visible was the advjce from tour guy to prevent people claiming they work there or their family to try to get you buy from them. We went out as well for meals sometimes and it was absolutely fine and safe. Went to cafe for live music and shisha not far from hotel, amazing atmosphere.
Really nice holidays, we were just out of season so it was quiet.

My dad was offered 30 camels and a goat (30 years ago).

I enjoyed my visit to Tunisia. We rode camels, went on a tour of local interest places, played on the beach and it was lovely. Has it really gone downhill since then?