Tunisia is skinny. The slim piece of North Africa might not
El Jem (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
be the biggest country in the enormous continent, but its contents are what make it truly epic. Step into Tunisia and you are stepping into a place with diverse natural history, a balmy, sand speckled Mediterranean coast, distinct cultures and a modern Arab capital city. From the sands of the Sahara to the south, the rolling plains, deep green forests and lakes dotted with pink flamingos in between, the landscapes of this small wedge of North Africa are needless to say, extreme. Travelers to Tunisia shouldn’t skip over several of this country’s extremes.
Swim in the Sahara: If you arrive to Tunisia with a rental car on its on its coast, it might be hard to imagine the Sahara to be anywhere near. However, the Sahara does stretch across the country, presenting the perfect landscape to watch sand shift in utter silence. The best place to see the huge dunes of Tunisia’s Sahara is at Ksar Ghilane.
Soak up Tabarka’s activity: Tabarka has its fair share of activity, but you might not know it when arriving to this quiet coastal town. Home to a strong old Genoese fort, a number of music festivals take place here throughout the year, filling Tabarka’s silence. With an old-fashioned resort feel, Tabarka is a good place to also explore the waters lurking below. You can go on several different diving and snorkeling trips while in town.
Glistening El Jem: El Jem is a true gem, the site of a dramatic coliseum. Rising up from a low plain, you can admire this piece of history, left behind but not forgotten. El Jem also holds an archeological museum with pristine and intact mosaics from days long since passed in Tunisia.
Get out your binoculars at Lake Ichkeul: If you aren’t a fan of birds or watching out for certain creatures, you might not appreciate Lake Ichkeul. The name of the game here is bird watching where many set up with their binoculars to see flamingos, egrets, storks and herrons. The effortless blue-green marshland is also home to buffalo.
Spend a few hours in the Bardo Museum: While Tunisia prides itself on its outdoor landscapes, you should head indoors at least for a few hours to explore the Bardo Museum. The museum boasts the world’s best collection of Roman mosaics and we don’t doubt them. Aside from Roman mosaics, you can also admire the museum’s extensive collection of statuary and bronze works.
Isolate yourself on Jerba: Tunisia’s inner and outer beauty is perhaps best seen on Jerba, an island with the softest of sand. The crowning glory to this land, besides the beaches is its town of Hournt Souq. The covered in cobble stone town contains a fascinating history of ethnic diversity all travelers can appreciate.
