To holiday in Tunisia

[PinkyU]

Finances have been very tight this year for unavoidable reasons which lead us to thinking that we wouldn’t be able to afford a family holiday this year. However thanks to some jiggery pokery with our outgoings we have around £2000 for a holiday abroad for 2 adults and 2 children.

Whilst this saving was quite a feat for us, it’s pretty flimsy in terms of a holiday budget that meets our small yet non negotiable criteria:

• within 3 hour flight from UK
• within 30 minute airport transfer to hotel
• all inclusive/full board (3 meals, not fussed with drinks)

After weeks of searching it seems a strong contender that meets the above criteria is Tunisia. But on reading, the country is under significant terror alert. This in itself, while a concern, isn’t necessarily putting me off, as I don’t see it as being vastly different to living in any large uk city.

Am I being deluded? Would you consider holidaying there? If not, any recommendations greatly appreciated .

Not at the moment no -

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

I would have a look at TripAdvisor reviews to make a decision. I was contemplating going to Tunisia in September but I now need a new car so holiday will have to wait until next year.

Regardless of the terror threat I wouldn’t go back to Tunisia, especially with children as I found the local men quite rude - they’d stare at and comment on your outfit/body all the time even when my husband was stood right next to me. They were especially rude to another (better looking!) guest and followed her around the resort. Perhaps it was bad luck with the area but I’d never go back. As soon as your left the hotel grounds there would be locals constantly asking for money, too.

We went the year before the terrorist attack, there were armed guards and police everywhere and we were advised not to leave the complex. One night we got a taxi into town to have a meal and the taxi driver wouldn't leave us. He waited outside the restaurant for 2 hours and then took us straight back to the hotel. We've holidayed in Turkey many times but I've never felt so unsafe as I did in Tunisia, I didn't research it before we went. Never again!

Been twice and really loved it ( before the attacks). Also lived in some "unsafe -ish" countries so not unadventurous.
However I wouldn't go to Tunisia now. I've considered it for the same reasons as you, but on balance I think there are too many factors too ignore, including the official travel advice, which isn't just drawn up on a whim!

Yeah cause no-one ever gets murdered by terrorists in Spain.

When do you want to go there are some cheap All in holidays on First Choice for June time. Places like Spain, much better and shorter flight.

How old are your DC OP?

Personally, I wouldn’t go to Tunisia again. We went years ago pre-DC. We left Sousse because it was boring and went to the south where DH informed me they filmed the Star Wars desert scene where the little aliens live underground (Tatouine)? - and it’s also “the gateway to the Sahara.” We fid indeed go into the Sahara for 3 days and met the Bedouin, camping. When we got back to the hotel DH was upstairs and this man (the tour guide) groped me and tried to push me in a side room while asking me to marry him. There was a fight in the lobby and DH was nearly arrested. Then another man in the street randomly propositioned me (after all this)! while we were waiting for the bus to get the hell out of this place. Also it was Ramadan and at a certain time they were tying up goats outside their houses for slaughter and all you could hear was the bleating. It was grim. Plus there were no restaurants open all day. Then, when we got back into Sousse we were wandering around in the evening trying to find an open bar or something, but we stumbled into a street where they were using prostitutes (yes during Ramadan) and you could see it all through open doorways. Some of them were really young and it was distressing. DH also got the worst vomiting / squiffs he ever had.
The only good things were the fig jam and we bought some nice plates.
Egypt was even worse - I can’t even begin to describe the hassle. I wouid do these things when I was young, but never again.

Have you thought of Cornwall? Sands Hotel in Porth (I think), or Bedruthen Steps? Our kids tell us those were the best holidays they had - better than California, Mexico, Mauritius - you name it.

Or Western / SW France camping? I can’t remember the company that do those campsites with mobile homes in them as well? Kids love that too. If the kids are happy - you’re happy!

The uk is under terror threat everyday

Of course it is, but equally, we have one of the best intelligence services in the world that is constantly working to prevent attacks. I doubt that Tunisia has the same intelligence capabilities.

Tunisia also, unlike the UK, has a porous border with Libya, an extremely unstable country in an ongoing conflict, where Islamist terror groups operate. A few lone wolf attacks in the UK don't really compare to that.

We have recently just booked our holiday for 2020 and we decided to go with a First Choice HV.

We did look at other options but the hotel looked perfect for us and although the Terror Level is a bit concerning, the UK is at a high level also and I wouldnt think twice about going to London etc.

We have also been looking at Tripadvisor etc and everyone has mentioned how security seems to be much tighter than previous years

Malta is very well priced , the greek isalnds are reasonably priced look at on the beach website they are decently priced, their hotels are good and always right near a beach

A friend of mine went to Tunisia and had plenty of horror stories to tell when she got back. She and her primary school age sisters were constantly leered at and harrassed and she was harrassed continually by male hotel staff throughout her entire stay - in front of their parents too. She was grossed out by the outdoor markets with dead carcasses covered in flies everywhere, couldn't go out after dark because she'd be fair game to be raped according to hotel staff and was chased by a pack of feral dogs.

I went there 6 years ago and wouldn’t go back.
Most boring holiday ever, the airport is a right pain in the arse.
And the terror threat would put me off.

I've been years before the terror attacks (and kids) and it was my worst holiday ever. I've travelled to a lot of countries for both work and holiday.

The harassment to buy was overwhelming. And also the leering was horrible. There is no way I would ever go back based on my own experience.

Sounds like things have got even worse since I went

If you can extend the flight time I'd recommend Hurgahada or Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt.

Places which experience terrorism are often the safest places to be for a few years, this happened in Egypt after the Hathsepsut shootings but nowadays with suicide bombings that may not be the case. Having been to both Tunisia and Morocco I would be more inclined to trust Morocco, in both cases we were touring into some pretty unstable areas, the coastal areas were fine.

I would never go back. My friend and I went there , to the very same hotel and beach just two weeks before that terror attack. When we went, it had an edge to it and it didn’t feel safe. We went for a walk on the beach one day and I felt like we were in danger. It just didn’t have a nice feel about it. Sorry op. I wouldn’t take the risk

I couldn't holiday in a terrorist hot-spot.

I've been to a few North African with work, and I found the attention as a western woman was intimidating and unpleasant and never ending, even though I was always with my husband or male friends.

I know someone who was killed there in one of the terror attacks. I wouldn't go in the current climate. It's such a shame that parts of the world are currently off limits but there are many other places to go if you want to go abroad.

Honestly it was a disgusting destination before the attack, I definitely wouldn't go there now. All I ever hear is its dirty and the food is disgusting - never mind Egypt where British tourists have been DYING recently due to food poisoning to the extreme. These places are cheap for a reason. Dont do it.

Tunisia is a country with some good and some less good bits.

However, 38 British tourists were slaughtered by an Islamist extremist on the beaches outside their hotels, less than four years ago. That attack was one man, but there are plenty more like him. The security forces didn't exactly exert themselves to stop him quickly.

I see no reason to run the risk of another attack when you can go to the Algarve or the Canaries for the same money and have a good time without any danger.

I went before the attack with my DH, no kids, and really didn't like it. It was dirt cheap but you couldn't leave the hotel or walk down the beach. You got harassed and pestered. There was army choppers flying over all the time making me feel uneasy. I'd never take my children there.

I've just got back from two weeks in Tunisia with my two children and my sister and her family (two under 2 years). It was perfect! Weather was lovely. Food was amazing. Staff went above and beyond. We paid for excursions and taxis to travel around. I always felt very safe. The children loved it!!!!
People asked why I was travelling to a "dangerous" destination but I live and work in London! I actually felt safer there.
But obviously it's your choice. Live your life.

YABU. I'd go there myself but I'd not take my children there.