Yasmine Hammamet? Port Al Kantaoui? Sousse? Hammamet?
I plan on taking a holiday in Tunisia for the fiirst time. There seems to be quite a few resort towns and I can't really decide which is the better option. I'm leaning more towards Yasmine Hammamet since i hear it's a new development but i'm wondering whether it's too commercialized with mediocre beaches. I care more about where the best beaches are (clean sand, pristine waters). Any input? Also, is May-June a good time to go, temperature-wise? I think that you would enjoy either Sousse (where Port El Kantaoui is located) or Hammamet. Both are nice and have a lot to offer. They both have gorgeous beaches (don't worry about that) and May-June is the perfect time to come because the weather will be warm and you can do a lot of outdoor activities.
Hammamet is a great touristic town that is divided into two parts: The old city, and the new touristic city (called Yassmine Hammamet). The old city has it's charm because it has a nice medina and the city itself is wonderful to explore. But for vacation purposes, Yassmine Hammamet would be the place to go. That is where the major hotels are located, and there is an amusement park, resteraunts and golf courses there as well. Here is a website that you may find useful: http://www.yasmine.com.tn/anglais/Welcom...
Sousse is one of the older cities in Tunisia, and possesses an authentic medina, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.
PORT EL KANTAOUI http://www.portelkantaoui.com.tn/english... a tourist complex 10 kilometers north of Sousse. It is home to a modern marina equipped for over 300 boats and several golf courses, as well and a full array of other sporting activities from water skiing to paragliding. The 36-hole PGA approved championship course makes Port El Kantaoui a popular destination for golfing. http://www.kantaouigolfcourse.com.tn/ The architecture, although modern and dazzlingly white, has been modelled on the more traditional buildings in Tunisia, complete with narrow streets and arches. The hotels that line the beachfront extend from Sousse itself along miles of sparkling clean sea to Port El Kantaoui.
AQUA PALACE. There is a new water has many different types of water rides and fun things to enjoy. There are green spaces, beaches, pizzerias, a restaurant, a buffet restaurant, coffee, bars, solarium, shady spots, a children's paddling area with water games, and a relaxing jacuzzi on top of all the exciting rides.
http://acquapalace.com/
HANNIBAL PARK. It's an amusement park that has a famous roller coaster and has many souvenir shops. Fairground rides set in a fairy tale landscaped park including a merry go-round, trampolines, walk ways, bouncy castle and swings.
HERGLA KARTING PARK. It is another amusement park and offers lots of fun. There is one ride on there that is extremely fun, but not for the faint of heart! I've been on it - it takes you high in the air, and turns you every which way, and even stops and let you dangle for a bit. It also has a mini zoo down by the race tracks.
OASIS PARC BOTANIQUE. A botanic park with over 25,00 aromatic and medicinal plants and birds including ostriches, parrots and various rare chickens, and a bird style circus with clowns and magicians.
FRIGUIA SAFARI PARK. The Park runs a breeding program for threatened species and you can take a drive to see the lions, giraffes and elephants and various other African wildlife that now live there.
GREAT MOSQUE. It is a surprisingly tranquil place despite its location in the middle of the city. Built around 850 AD, the mosque is simple and done in the Aghlabite style; no decoration whatsoever aside from a string of angular Arabic and curved arches. Even the prayer room is covered in reed mats instead of the usual carpet. You must be properly dressed to enter, but green wraps can be rented for a token fee to cover up.
MOSAIC MUSEUM. Located in the gently crumbling old kasbah on the edge of the medina. It has what is clearly Tunisia's second most important collection of mosaics; second only to the Bardo museum in Tunis. The exhibits are dominated by mosaics, but there are many other objects too, like vases, masks, statues and whole burial tombs. The epoch covered here is mainly Roman Tunisia, which are the centuries around year 0. To this period also belong objects from Christian catacombs in the Sousse region. Just look out for objects and mosaics with the 'XP' symbol. Another great attraction are found with the mosaics showing scenes from amphitheaters.
THE TRADITIONAL TUNISIAN HOUSE. This charming little museum is located within the old city walls some 200 yards north of the main bus terminal is the home of a long standing Tunisian family that has now become a museum with the passing of the last family member. The property centers on a open courtyard from which access to all the rooms can be gained, including bedrooms for the first and second wife and, in turn, to the children's rooms. All are delightfully fully furnished, with some curtains dating back 200 years, and with German clocks imported from the 1800's. The house is complete with a tower, orginally used to watch the stars fror the onset of Ramadan, from which views over Sousse can be gained.
CATACOMBS. Many believe that catacombs were built as hiding areas for Christians during time of persecution under the Romans. And even more are unaware of Tunisia's past as a Christian country.The catacombs were not shelters for the living, but rather for the dead. The tunnels originally stretched for more than 5 km, and contains 15,000 graves. The area open to visitors, has only about 100 metres of tunnels, but you can see through iron gates into continuing tunnels.
Sousse also has great nightlife with many restaurants, discos, caf茅s, and plenty of shopping! The coast has good beaches and a clear turquoise sea - perfect for swimming. You can also take carriage rides throughout the city which is always a fun way to sight-see!
If I can be of any more assistance to you, feel free to contact me. Take care! I stayed in hammemet yasmine in 2005 at a hotel called Melia flora park and it was brilliant |
