Tunisia

Old and new, exotic and traditional, the captivating North African country of Tunisia sits at the heart of the Mediterranean, caught in a cleft between Algeria and Libya, offering the world's travellers some sumptuous modern seaside resorts set side by side with a treasure trove of ancient Roman, Arab, Berber and Phoenician sites.

Just a few miles north of the capital, Tunis, lie the remains of the legendary ancient city of Carthage, founded in the 8th century BC. By contrast Tunis is a hustling, bustling modern metropolis where steel, glass and palm trees form the backdrop to streets filled with fast-moving yellow taxis. In the heart of this surprisingly pristine city, however, the centuries slip away in the medieval Medina, a haven for souvenir hunters with hundreds of narrow streets crammed with vendors of antiques, jewellery, pottery, carpets, perfumes, dried fruit, books, spices and many other delights. Also, no tourist to the city should miss a visit to the Bardo Museum, for the joy of viewing one of the world's greatest collections of Roman mosaics.

Tunisia has a thousand miles of coastline to the north, where luxurious resorts like Hammamet and Nabeul nestle amid citrus orchards. Vacationers relish the sandy beaches and crystalline waters along the waterfront, where the only alternative to lazy bronzing is to indulge in a round of golf or take the plunge with some watersports.

Those intrepid enough to venture into the south, on the threshold of the Sahara desert, will be rewarded with some interesting geographical features like the 'forest in the desert' at Ramada, the dry salt lake at Chott el Jerid, or the remote 'end of the road' oasis at Ksar Ghilane.

The cherry on the top for visitors to this affordable and exotic holiday destination is the warmth and genuine friendliness of the Tunisian people. This is evident in even the smallest of villages, where if you happen to pass through during one of the numerous summer festivals you will be welcomed, urged to join in and find yourself dancing and sharing a cup of tea.

In essence, Tunisia is about sun, sand, archaeological treasures, lazy days and starry nights.

Climate

Tunisia is a land of constant sunshine and warm water. The height of summer is a little too hot for most tastes, so July and August are regarded as 'off-season'. Between October and May is a more comfortable time to visit, with temperatures ranging between 54°F and 82°F (12°C and 28°C). Springtime (March to May) brings displays of wild flowers throughout the countryside.

Money

The unit of currency is the Tunisian dinar (TND), divided into 1,000 millimes. Travellers cheques are widely accepted. Banks and some hotels provide foreign exchange. ATMs are found in most towns and at all the tourist resorts; almost all will accept Visa cards and many will also accept Maestro (Switch) cards. Visa, Diners Club, American Express and MasterCard are accepted for payment in souvenir shops, upmarket hotels and restaurants, although Visa encounters the least problems. All Tunisian currency must be exchanged before departure.

Passport Visa

All visitors must hold documents and tickets for return or onward travel. Visas for Australians and South Africans can be obtained on arrival, incurring a fee of 3 dinars. Passports should be valid for at least 6 months before travelling to Tunisia. However, it is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Entry Requirements

• US nationals must have a passport that is valid for the duration of their intended stay. They may stay for up to four months without a visa.
• UK passport holders, irrespective of passport endorsement or national status, may enter Tunisia and stay for up to three months without a visa. A passport that is valid for the duration of the stay is required.
• Canadians do not require a visa for stays of up to three months. A passport that is valid for the duration of the stay is required.
• Australians require a passport that is valid for the duration of their stay. A visa is required and may be obtained on arrival, allowing for a stay of up to three months.
• South African citizens require a passport that is valid for the duration of their stay. A visa is required and may be issued on arrival, allowing for a stay of up to 30 days.
• Irish nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to three months. A passport that is valid for the duration of the stay is required.
• New Zealand nationals require a passport that is valid for the duration of their stay. A visa is reguired and may be issued upon arrival.

Health

No vaccinations are recommended for Tunisia and no serious health risks exist, but all travellers are required to show a yellow fever certificate if coming from an infected area. Travellers' diarrhoea and other parasitic infections may be contracted, but is unlikely in the modern seaside resorts. Visitors travelling outside these resorts should ensure they drink only boiled, purified water and eat well-cooked food. All medical expenses must be paid for immediately after treatment in Tunisia, and costs can be quite high. The availability of medication is limited. Visitors should bring adequate supplies of their own medication. Health insurance is a necessity.

Embassy Consulates

• Embassy of Tunisia, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 862 1850.
• Embassy of Tunisia, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (0)20 7584 8117.
• Embassy of Tunisia, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 237 0330.
• Embassy of Tunisia, Tokyo, Japan (also responsible for Australia): +81 3 3511 6622.
• Embassy of Tunisia, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (012 342 6282/83.

Foreign Embassies

• United States Embassy, Tunis: +216 (0)71 107 000.
• British Embassy, Tunis: +216 (0)71 108 700.
• Canadian Embassy, Tunis (also responsible for Australia): +216 (0)71 104 000.
• South African Embassy, Tunis: +216 (0)71 798 449.
• Honorary Consul of Ireland, Tunis: +216 71 426 730.