Travel and Tourism advice for trip to Tunisia (10 pts best answer)?

Question

I am going to the north of Tunisia in August with my family. We will be staying in an all inclusive hotel in the middle of a popular tourist district. I wasn't really worried about this until i mentioned going to visit local landmarks to a co-worker whos only comment was , 'it was nice knowing you'.

So now i wanna know why he said it. Best answer should include:

*Local customs.

*Travel advice.

*Crime Warnings.

* And information on Tunisian attitude and laws on Alcohol (mainly muslim country.... so im thinking laws will be strict in that department) and rules on prescribed medication (was told by same co-worker that i need a GPs note if i plan on taking any volume of prescribed drugs)

Answer 1

Local custom - when in the markets bargain for anything you fancy. Be warned the stall vendors can appear quite aggressive - they aren't really nasty, they just behave differently to Europeans and we tend to find their behavious aggressive.

Take a bottle of single malt scotch wisky with you, you will be amazed at what stall holders will offer in exchange, in my case it was 2 beautifully crafted, made to measure, leather jackets.

If the premises you visit (cafe etc) sell alcohol, you are fine - not a good plan to get drunk in public though.

Watch out for street sellers selling cigarettes from plastic bin liners, they are either fake or very old stock

In the main tourist areas you are quire safe, but do not be tempted to wander off into 'rough' areas on your own.

Watch out for Taxi drivers/horse drawn carriage rides, the price can change dramatically from what you are quoted to what they finally demand for their fare. ALWAYS us the hotel staff to negotiate/fix taxi prices on your behalf.

If you are taking prescribed drugs, ensure you have a letter from doctor confirming your prescription (most doctors charge about £25 for said letter).

Where possible take organised tours to visit the sites, the guides(s) will be an enormous help if you start getting any hassle (but this is most unlikely)

In general the people are very friendly, but their behaviour, while perfectly correct for their society, can seem strange to European culture.

You will enjoy it enormouslY!

Answer 2

hi i have visited tunisia twice  with  my family  twice and we stayed all inclusive  to  and i found that  you didnt need that much money as it was pretty cheap. If  you  go to the medina be careful as the men  do try and get you into their carpet shop (which they did with us and we didnt get out till  we  really put  our foot down) otherwise they are very friendly  and love to barter. We found they where a bit shocked when we western women where in charge of  our own finances.

There are some fixed price shops

We stayed in hamenmett and we used to go  for a stroll  to a  little coffee shop that sold tea  of a nighttime (and there is a pizza place next door  ) and  we never got hassles

Alcohol is served in the hotle  and  there is a cherry liqure that is leathel so whatch out for it

also tip the maids and poolman a dinah(about50p) a day and you get  the best  pool place and your room replenished everyday. It also depends on what medication you are taken  im asthmatic and i never had a problem with my inhalers

have a good holiday and take  no notice of your work mate  he must of went  to skanes or sousse

Answer 3

1.) Local customs depends on what part of the country you plan on visiting. Just like customs in one part of the UK are different from another part, the same is true for Tunisia. If you update your question to include where you plan on going, you will get better answers to this part of your question.

2.) There is no dress code for tourists. You can come wearing shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, basically, whatever - As long as you are in the touristicy part of the city. Women even swim and sunbathe topless.

Once you go into the main city, because this is a Muslim country, you should show some respect and dress a little conservatively. I'm not saying cover yourself up or anything like that. Conservative Western street clothing (shorts, short sleeved/sleeveless shirts) is appropriate. Attire for women should be classic conservative, such as dress lengths should be at or below the knee.

Do not wear revealing clothes (shorts and tank tops are fine, but if you go around showing off your belly, have your shorts so short that they are practically up to your hips, your shirt barely covers your chest, and/or your clothes are tight, then EVERYONE (male and female, old and young) will look at you - it's a fact).

In short, just use your common sense.

While walking in the medinas especially, you may get asked quite a bit if you want to buy something. To some it may be seen as pestering, but you must remember that this is how the vendors make their living (pay for their house, feed and clothe their families) and they are competing with many other vendors for your sale. Just be firm and say NO, then walk away and/or ignore them. They will not go running after you or anything like that.

Make sure that you walk with confidence to help avoid other hassles. Walk with your held up, not looking down, and try to walk with an attitude of confidence. If a man should come up to you and you do not welcome his advances, then treat him like the vendors in the medinas - be firm, tell him NO, then walk away. If anyone becomes a problem for you, there are always police around that you can find to help you out.

3.) Tunisia has a very low crime rate, and it is a very safe country. We have a joke here that between a police officer and a police officer, you find another police officer! LOL  In addition to that, there are man plain clothes officers and since you never really know who is a police, it is a big deterrent  to thieves. Use basic things that yo would at home though: don't flash your money, lock your hotel room, etc. and you will be fine.

4.) Tunisia is a very laid back and modern country, It is the most Europeanized of the Maghreb region and alcohol is widely sold here.Tunisia itself produces a wide range of excellent table wines, sparkling wines, beers, aperitifs and local liqueurs.You can buy alcohol at Promogro, Magasin General, Champion, or Monoprix. Sometimes some smaller shops will sell alcohol as well, but it's rare. You can also buy alcohol from the duty free shops at the airport when you first come into the country. In addition to stores, alcohol is sold in hotels (in their bars and cafés), at bars, and at restaurants.

Beer prices will probably cost you about 5TND for one bottle in a hotel, and around 3TND in a restaurant. If you buy some from the store, a six pack will be around 10TND.

Wine prices vary considerably depending on the type you buy. A glass in a hotel can be upwards of 25TND, start around 18TND in a restaurant, and a bottle will cost you starting around 40TND to buy from a store.

5.) What kind of medications are you talking about and what quantity? If you are bringing medications that are clearly for personal consumption and will last you only the time you will be here (maybe even a week or two more), then you do not need a note. But, if you plan on bringing huge quantities then you may get questioned by the customs officers because they will suspect that you are trying to sell them, and in that case I would suggest that you have a note from your GP.

If you must get a note from your GP, make sure it is written on official letterhead, it states your name, the name of your medication(s), and how many you are to take a day. Then have your doctor sign it.

But like I said earlier, this is not necessary unless you plan on bringing so many medications that they will suspect you of trying to sell them.

If I can be of any more help or assistance, please feel free to contact me.

Answer 4

I went to tunisia in march and i had a really good time went to the saraha desert. I would recommend a visit to the soctor it isnt nessersay but i did have two injections, which you may not need.

The locals love to haggle, whilst some people love this it can be very off putting, i didnt like it and it was a downer but this is just one persons opionion and you must remember what your co-worker said is just their opionion. your probably get loads of good and bad opionions on here but you need to go to experience it yourslef, dont be put off by whats said because you may like it.

you do not need a doctors note to go there, but your need to pack all the medaction in your suitcase unless you need it fot the flight,(this is for the flight not Tunisia)

Answer 5

*Local customs.

could you expand a bit? what type of customs are you thinking about? all of Tunisia is very friendly, they speak French and Arabic, some English, love music ad dancing and the beach.

*Travel advice.

again, specifics? it depends on time of year and place you are going.. summer: bring cool clothing, sunglasses and good walking sandals. dress with respect, no short shorts or bra tops... winter: bring a good coat and tennis

*Crime Warnings.

most crime is in tourist areas, on the beach in crowed places, like anywhere keep your belongings close, biggest thing stolen is baseball hats..

* And information on Tunisian attitude and laws on Alcohol (mainly MuslI'm country.... so im thinking laws will be strict in that department) and rules on prescribed medication (was told by same co-worker that i need a GPs note if i plan on taking any volume of prescribed drugs)

although it is a Muslim country the laws on alcohol are lax, in tourist places you will find it in hotel, discos and some restaurants. you will not find it in stores. as for drugs, as in any country you will nee a note, this is the policy of most airlines and airports in the world as well. it is for customs.

Answer 6

Tunisia tours

Some Quick facts:

Location: North Africa, on Mediterranean coast

Neighbors: Algeria (west); Libya (southeast)

Language: Modern Standard Arabic

Blessed by phenomenal geographic beauty, Tunisia is the perfect place to tour holidays and off times. 1500km long-stretched Mediterranean coast added by lush blue sea and glazy sand can spellbound any nature lover. Tunisia is one of the exclusive places to have sea, deserts, and dunes all together. Explore the Tunisian mysteries and discover the nature at its best!

Tunisia Tours: Experience the glorious past

Tunisia was once part of the great Roman Empire. Ruins of Roman Empire still exist in the suburbs of Tunisia. Later, Tunisia had been part of French colony. Here you can see those French styled monuments and buildings across the cities of Tunisia. Post independence, this nation sketched its own image on the global map. From the culture to the cuisines, Tunisia is backed by a great history. Impression of Roman, French and African can be perfectly experienced at Tunisia!

So if you are a history lover or art-lover, must visit Tunisia once!

Tunisia Tours: Perfect for Adventures, Fun

Tunisia is one of the most adventurous places in the world. Water sports, trekking, camel safari and many more, list of fun and adventures at Tunisia is endless. The great Sahara, dunes are perfect for desert tours. People from far come to enjoy camel ride, swimming in oceans and many more activities. Scuba diving, fishing, surfing and more; crystal clear sea at Tunisia is really a great fun.

Music, Food, Enjoyment: You will love Tunisia

People having good taste for cuisines, will love Tunisia! Tunisia has some of great food and recipe. One must try out vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes cooked in Tunisian styles! Along being very delicious, Tunisian cuisines are pretty hygienic as well.

Tunisian people are very fond of music and art. Spending an evening with pleasant tune spread in the ambience is really awesome. Folk music and way of singing is pretty different from other parts of the world. That makes Tunisia tours so special.

Thinking Accommodation: At Tunisia not a problem!

Tunisia is one of the highly tourist places! It’s pretty amazing that in prime seasons, you hardly see any rush! That is because; accommodation system at Tunisia is great. After all, you have some of the world-class resorts, hotels and lodgings here.

Also, you can get to live in traditional lodges as well. Also, modern amenities and services available at Tunisia, makes your accommodation pretty comfortable and enjoyable!

In addition, these lodgings are available in different budget options as well. So, no need to worry about the budget during Tunisia Tours.

So what makes you waiting? Pack your bags, experience the heaven on earth, Tunisia Tours is calling you!

Answer 7

The simplest answer is: he said that because he's an ignorant idiot! Sorry, but he knows nothing about Tunisia. People have so many prejudice about places they've never visited before and sometimes they stick to their prejudice even after they pay the visit. They simply don't give it a chance... Like, they stay in a hotel as they believe it's dangerous, so they stay believing that way.

As for the issues you mentioned, I can summarize my answer once again: no worries!!! Crime rates are extremely low - let's say "once in a million". Your biggest concern will be bargaining with vendors and traffic. You should ask a local for a particular price before you go and buy something, so that you know how much to pay. As for traffic, keep in mind they drive pretty fast - not too fast, though, particularly if it's not a big city, you'll get used to that. Concerning your question about alcohol, Tunisia is not only a safe, but a liberal country as well. You can drink alcohol in clubs and bars with no problem. Travel advice is to drink only bottled water and to relax and not to worry and overreact. Do you think all of us who've been there are crazy to go for their summer vacation to a place that is dangerous and risky in any way? Come on, millions of us cannot be all that crazy, right?

Answer 8

when i went to tunisia i was warned not to drink any tap water as they have different bacteria from back home that we're not used to.

We also went on a trip to the Sahara in the south of tunisia in a 4x4 convoy. Was well worth seeing the Sahara