Tunisia as a lone mother

[theresalwaysguineapigcurry]

I know mumsnet has many horror stories about Tunisia.
I have booked flights as I really want to see the abandoned Star Wars sets with my two kids (5 and 8). I am a lone parent and go all over the world with them, however I am nervous about this one for some reason.
Is it some unconcious islamaphobia or is there really something to be concerned about?
I've been to Morocco as a lone female (pre kids) and it was fine. If it makes any difference I am dark haired and skinned so I'm not sure if that helps. One of my kids looks like me but the other one is pale and has light brown hair. Regardless, we won't pass for Tunisian due to our lack of French or Arabic!
Also, do we go all inclusive (not my usual style but probably cheapest and less stressful) or book somewhere in the city with a kitchen? I think I would feel guilty eating so much when there is so much poverty, but then does tourism help? If I was really that bothered I probably wouldn't go and would donate the money.

By unconcious Islamaphobia I meant that is a feeling I get when I read people slagging off North Africa on travel forums, I feel like a lot of the 'I don't like it' attitude comes from an unease with the difference in culture.

Long floaty tunics and a head covering. It's the only way you'll be left alone.

Perfect your resting bitch face and go enjoy your holiday

As long as you are clear with any unwanted attention , you'll be fine

I travelled a lot in Tunisia when younger and loved it.

Go for a package deal - it's much easier esp with kids. And money will go to the local community and create jobs.

Dress respectfully when out of the hotel - long, loose cotton clothing is also the most comfortable in the heat.

Be polite but not too friendly with men.

Enjoy!

Are you kids into star wars too? If so wait a few more years when they will appreciate it more. My kids hostel massive Star wars fans even though they're both grown up. I honestly wouldn't fancy going as a single woman to Tunisia, I got hassled so much when I read there if I wasn't with my then husband.

I just found it an unenjoyable place to visit. Being leered and hissed at by men, even if though I’m relatively gung ho and didn’t pay much attention to it, just put me on edge and made me angry the whole time. And frankly I concluded that if the men in that country want to behave that way then who gives a shit about their poverty, they can just deal with other places getting the tourist bucks.

You must be mad considering booking somewhere independently in the city. Go to a resort with security and who are used to- and accepting of - tourists especially women. I wouldn't even consider it, went with my dp pre kids and although is a big man I still got looks and harassment, made me angry and ruined any trip outside the resort we stayed in.

I went a few years ago with my mum. We got hassled a lot. She was in her sixties, I was in my thirties.

If you go, take a headscarf and only stay in hotels.

Do not, under any circumstances, get independent accommodation.

I say that as a women who has travelled alone to the Europe, the US, the Middle East, and Asia.

No. Not safe. Same with Morocco and Egypt.
Heard from a established travel rep that even with guys in a group it can be very dodgy.
Those two girls in Tunisia about 2010 had the locked door to their hotel balcony lifted off it hinges from outside by some guys.
They only woke up just in time to raise alarm.

Even Turkey and Cyprus can be unsafe for women.

I've been to Tunisia at least 10 times aged 17 - 35 and I've been hassled every single time. Try to learn a bit of Arabic to tell them to eff off and they might leave you alone. I coped by joking with them and one time I wore a wedding ring and told them my husband was in the army and was coming at the weekend

. I think the problem stems from older ladies who go there for sex tourism and to bag a toyboy who they then support and see as often as they can. These guys have several of these women and are always looking for then next one. I was a holiday rep out there so have witnessed it with my own eyes.

They see women as easy prey

Hi OP

I live in Tunisia. There's a brand new Bradt guidebook out this week which I recommend. If you're with kids you won't get hassled- when I'm with mine alone I don't (they're super blonde)- and absolutely LOL at needing a headcover! I'm just back from a local beach, bikinis a gogo. Tbh I rarely get hassled on my own, but I think the very touristy resorts are a bit different (and do consider that lots of European women travel to Tunisia to pick up local men), but away from them Tunisians are polite and helpful, if a little guarded. Most younger Tunisians will speak some English. Tunisian Arabic is very idiosyncratic and they don't expect anyone to speak it.

There are lots of lovely little dars and guesthouses in Tunisia (all very design-led with vegan food etc) but they are pretty hard to find out about if not local. Easter is the best time to do a desert visit- by May it is too hot and a lot is closed, and opens up again in October- the downside is it can be a bit cold for the beach at that time of year- spring is rainy. October is also fine but might still be quite hot in the South.

There are lots of specialist agencies who will sort out a tour for you- you're better off booking it independently and booking a hotel separately- the hotel organised tours are rubbish. There are 2 sets of sites, one set near Tozeur (where there are some great hotels, including one which is a treehouse) and another set nearer Djerba island. It's possible to combine but would be a lot of hot driving. There are also some absolutely stunning, deserted, Roman sites. El Jem knocks the Colesseum into a cocked hat.

Honestly I wouldn't listen to someone who went to Sousse for a week 15 years ago. It is a poorer country and isn't just a cheap version of the canaries- expect infrastructure to go with that, there can be a lot of rubbish, plans don't always work out. A lot of it is latent Islamophobia as you point out. Pick up the new guidebook and do some planning.

I absolutely hated Tunisia, I felt forced to cover up from head to toe (I was already wearing very modest clothes), got thoroughly sick of being leered at and lewd sexual gestures.
I’m an overweight, late 60’s, silver haired grandmother so hardly attractive but that did stop them.
I would never travel there again (or many other similar countries)

*DIDN’T ffs

I think it’s unfair to label people as Islamophobic when they are giving accounts of intimidating behaviour.

I think the fact that this is bothering you and that you're an experienced traveller, would be enough to put me off this time. I wouldnt be able to relax with those nagging worries. I would trust your instincts this time and go elsewhere.

I am from the Middle East and I hated Tunisia and would never go again. Constant hassle and filthy.

Only experience was decades ago as a teen with my family. Got harassed in the street. Unfortunately my parents weren't very clued up about the cultural /dress code requirements so I was out and about in shorts.
Go to a resort hotel which will be fine and do cover up.

Lone traveler too with my DS. I've been to the Carribean and I've done Turkey this year. I've booked Egypt for next year I have to be honest I don't know how comfortable I feel about wondering around on my own. I will see once I arrive.

Do update us.

The point is people particularly come on threads about countries in the MENA region to do that. There's oodles of intimidating behaviour elsewhere (creepy sex tourists in Amsterdam? Stag groups on the Costas?) But any mention of anywhere in MENA has people lining up. Creepy horrible behaviour has no place anywhere but you can't dismiss a whole country as 'not safe'. Read the government travel advice, act accordingly.

I went pre kids and would never take my children there, or ever choose to go again. The benefits just don’t outweigh the intimidating behaviour and unease. I’ve travelled across the world with my children and there are so many interesting places still to go to, I just don’t see the point of going anywhere that is a bit scary and full of worry. I disagree about islamaphobia, I don’t think it’s islamaphobic to dislike being harassed, intimidated and leered at (and in my case repeatedly physically grabbed) in front of your kids. My kids would be terrified if they saw the way I was treated last time I went. Yes I was covered up, attempted a bit of Arabic and was polite etc. it doesn’t protect you.

And nobody has to go anywhere of course! But if you want to specifically visit the star wars sites I'm sure you will have a perfectly nice time. I'm not a fan of the resort hotels/resorts either.

Safe for you but no way with the kids especially small and fair.

The point is people particularly come on threads about countries in the MENA region to do that. There's oodles of intimidating behaviour elsewhere (creepy sex tourists in Amsterdam?

You unfortunately get men harassing women everywhere but it is more common in some countries than other. It might make some people uncomfortable to acknowledge it but it's true.

Zone4flaneur I have been all over Europe including Amsterdam about 10 times, and have met one obnoxious and aggressive group there (white Brits), one (Brit) weirdo in Prague, nothing else scary or intimidating that I recall - whereas Tunisia it was at every turn. I’ve travelled completely alone across Asia and was only creeped out the once in Vietnam.

Nothing compares to the relentless, mostly sexual, harassment I was subjected to in Tunisia and Morocco.

I was going to write something similar, but was frightened I'd get banned.