Tunisia Country Dossier

"Remember the opening scenes of the first Star Wars film, where Luke Skywalker zooms through the desert in his spacecraft?"

"Miles of rolling dunes, oases flanked by palm trees, men sitting in Obi Wan Kenobi cloaks passing the time under the warm Mediterranean sun – Tunisia exudes the exotic. The southern reaches of the country inspired filmmakers so much that George Lucas even named a planet after one of the villages – Tataouine. When you add to this superb beaches, ancient medinas and some of the best preserved Roman ruins in the world, Tunisia really is a country with something for all tastes.

From the mountainous regions of the north, where the land is fertile and most heavily populated, to the deep south where the Sahara stretches before you like a never ending ocean of sand, Tunisia can’t fail to enchant the visitor. From the ancient Islamic cities of Tunis and Kairouan, where the shiny villes nouvelles built by the French are only a stone’s throw from walled cities built centuries ago, to the fabled Land of the Lotus Eaters, where Ulysses lost so many of his soldiers in the epic tale The Odyssey. Further south the land becomes even more mysterious with honey coloured desert mountains where few dare to live, and villages carved into rocks, together with North Africa’s largest salt lake, and of course, plenty of camels! If you thought Tunisia was all about package tourists and sixty seater coaches, then we’ve definitely got a surprise for you!"

Jim O'Brien, Head of Operations – Imaginative Traveller

• Factfile
• Preparing to go
• Money
• Cultural & Environmental Guidelines
• Arrival
• On Tour
• General Information

Factfile

Capital: Tunis
Official Language: Arabic, French, some English and German
Religions: Islam, Christianity and Judaism.
Voltage: 220/110 volts, 50Hz. Sockets are of the European, two-pronged variety.

Preparing to go

Visas

Many Nationalities do not require a visa to enter Tunisia (at the time of writing this includes UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, most EU countries). Australian and South African passport holders require a visa and are normally able to purchase this on arrival for approximately US$30. New Zealand Passport holders must purchase a visa before travelling. Visa processing can take up to 3 or 4 weeks, depending on where you are applying.

Please Note: This information is given as a guide only. Tunisian visa rules and regulations can and do change regularly. You must check with the Tunisian Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence for the most up-to-date visa requirements for your nationality. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visas and documentation for your travels.

The Imaginative Traveller Recommends: If you are planning on visiting Algeria or Libya from Tunisia you will need to apply to the Algerian or Libyan embassy/consulate in your home country.

Money

Local Currency

The monetary unit in Tunisia is the Dinar (TD), which is divided into 1000 millimes (mills). Approximate exchange rates (as at May 2008) are as follows:

1 Pound Sterling = 2.30TD
1 US Dollar = 1.18TD
1 Euro = 1.82TD

XE.com is a useful site for currency conversion.

Changing Money, Credit Cards & ATMs

Exchange rates are fixed by the government, so the dinar cannot be traded on currency markets and it is illegal to import or export it. Therefore you cannot stock up on dinar before arriving in Tunisia, or leave the country with any Dinars you have remaining. Currently on departure you can only change back 30% of the money you changed up to only 100 Dinar. You must do this at the airport and present your original exchange receipts. With this in mind, it is advisable to only change money as you go rather than having money left over at the end of your holiday.

All major European currencies are exchangeable as are US and Canadian dollars and Japanese Yen. Australian and New Zealand dollars are not accepted. Commission is charged the same at every bank and hotels are slightly more. Banks and ATM's can be found almost everywhere in Tunisia. Credit Cards are an accepted form of payment throughout Tunisia and can be used to pay for a wide range of goods and services. ATM machines are found in most towns and can be a convenient way to withdraw cash (providing you have a PIN number). Traveller’s cheques can also be exchanged at banks. Post offices will exchange cash only.

Working out your Budget

The Pre-Departure Information contains general information about the things you will need to consider when budgeting for your holiday

Entrance Fees

Adventurer trips do not include any entrance fees. The average entrance fee is approx US$5-10.

The Imaginative Traveller Recommends: Remember to bring your student card if you have one or are entitled to one as you may be able to get discounts on certain entrance fees – in particular UNESCO sites, though the actual policy on this varies from site to site.

Meals

You will find the meal plan for your tour clearly indicated in the brochure and on your Trip Dossier. Breakfast is provided each day of the tour. Dinners and lunches are not included to give you more freedom. Approximate costs for meals and snacks not included are shown below:

• Simple snack - US$3-5
• Light meal - US$5-30
• Fancy restaurant - US$30+

For a guide to the type of food you will find in Tunisia see the Local Food & Drink section of this dossier.

Drinks

Tea and Coffee is always provided with breakfast. All other drinks (i.e. bottled water, soft drinks) are at your own expense.

Approximate costs for drinks bought in a shop in the street are shown below.

Note: Prices in restaurants, hotels, and cruise boats can be as much as double those specified.

• 1l of water - US$0.5
• 30cl bottle of soft drink - US$0.5
• 50cl bottle of beer - US$1.50

The tap water is fine to drink all over Tunisia although heavily chlorinated. Bottled water, carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices are widely available throughout the country.

Local Transport

During the tour itself we will travel primarily by private bus or 4WD jeeps. You may also find yourself utilising taxis. Your tour leader will always advise you on the most efficient way of getting from A to B.

What to Take

The Pre-Departure Information that you will receive once you have booked your tour contains a comprehensive list of items that you should consider bringing with you. Check your Trip Dossier for any special requirements.

Clothing
As a general guideline, clothing should be lightweight, loose fitting, hard-wearing and easily washed. In Tunisia’s hot summer months, cotton clothing is much more comfortable than man-made materials like nylon.

You should bear in mind that Tunisia has conservative attitudes towards dress, particularly in the rural areas. Women, and also to a certain extent men, will find that the way they dress will often determine the degree of respect they receive from both men and women.

The Imaginative Traveller Recommends: Make sure you bring lots of clothing that covers shoulders and knees and also more than one outfit which covers your legs to ankles and your arms past the elbows. A sarong is an invaluable item to carry as it can be used to instantly cover any exposed areas (i.e. head, legs). It also doesn’t go amiss to bring along a set of smart/casual clothes for the occasional night out.

In certain areas and religious sites your Tour Leader may ask you to dress conservatively. Out of respect for local values, we ask that you follow your Tour Leader’s advice at all times.

Make sure you allow for climate changes and remember that even in very hot countries, night-time and early morning temperatures can be extremely cold. You will generally find it is better to have several thin layers rather than one thick layer as it gives you more flexibility and warmth. A fleece can be invaluable and double as a pillow.

Prepare Yourself
Whilst few of our tours can be described as physically demanding you will find all activities more enjoyable if you are reasonably fit and active.

Cultural & Environmental Guidelines

Religion

We encourage travellers to experience religious festivals, such as the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, as a visit during this time will give you a whole different perspective. If you would like to know more about Ramadan or you are travelling at this time please consult our special Ramadan Information Sheet (this can be found on the download pages of our website).

General

Please make sure that you adhere to normal standards of responsible travel - such as conserving electricity and water, not littering and taking care not to disturb wildlife.

Begging

Begging is a way of life in the Middle East. Ultimately donations are a travellers personal choice, however in line with initiatives and government policy in many of our destinations, our recommendation is NOT to give money, pens, gifts or sweets as this encourages a begging mentality and is largely ineffectual. If you do want to help it is probably better to give to a recognized charity. If you choose not to give simply say no with a smile and keep on walking. If you learn nothing else of the local language, learn to say ‘no thank you’!

Photography

You should always ask permission before taking anyone's photograph and respect their decision if they say no.

Haggling

Haggling is a way of life in the Middle East. In the shops there is no fixed price so the shop keeper will start with a high price which you are then expected to haggle down until you reach a fair price. Haggling should always be relaxed and can be a lot of fun – you will find most shop owners are very friendly and will probably invite you in for a cup of tea to break the ice before the haggling starts!

The Imaginative Traveller Recommends: Checking out the prices in a SOCOPA, the government-run emporiums, to determine prices before starting your bargaining in the markets.

Arrival

Arrival Transfers

Upon arrival at Tunis International Airport, please look for our representative who will be holding an Imaginative Traveller sign. S/he should be waiting for you, in the arrival lounge after clearing customs.

Making Your Own Way

The Meeting Point for your tour should be clearly marked on your travel vouchers. A complete list of all meeting point hotels can also be found at www.imaginative-traveller.com/downloads.

The international airport is located about 8km from the city centre. There are many taxis waiting outside the airport which can take you directly to your hotel. The price should be approximately US$5.

On Tour

Safety

Most people find that Tunisia is a very friendly and hospitable country and feel quite comfortable wandering around alone during the day. However, as with any country you are not familiar with (and in particular in large cities such as Tunis), it is recommended that you exercise more caution at night and generally take taxis rather than walk.

Tour Leaders & Guides

Your Tour Leader's role is to ensure all aspects of the trip run smoothly. He/she will share their local knowledge, advice on how to fill your free time and co-ordinate the day to day running of the tour – although occasionally he/she may need your understanding if things do not go according to plan. If you have any problems on the tour, please let your Tour Leader know so that steps can be taken to put it right. Tour Leaders are supported by our regionally based office staff and, in most cases, a locally based manager.

Please note that some styles of trip, such as Imaginative Escapes or Imaginative Honeymoons, do not have a Tour Leader. However, there will be representatives on hand who will be able to assist you in arranging any excursions that you wish you take.

Accommodation

Our main criterion for choosing hotels is cleanliness. On Adventurer tours hotels are simple, but comfortable. Bathroom facilities may sometimes be shared and rooms may sometimes be multi share rather than twin. Please bear in mind that hotels can sometimes suffer from minor problems and technical difficulties.

At each hotel your Tour Leader will try to organise the rooming arrangements to suit everyone's requirements. If you are travelling alone you will be allocated a room with another group member of the same sex (unless you have paid a single supplement*). If you are travelling as a couple please note that we cannot guarantee the availability of double beds.

Laundry

A laundry service is available in most of the hotels we use.

Local Food & Drink

Food
Cous-Cous is the national dish but bread is the staple of the Tunisian diet, spread with jam for breakfast and used to mop up olive oil and sauces at lunch and dinner. A combination of Mediterranean and middle-eastern cuisine with a dash of spice in the form of Harrissa, a fiery chilli paste is what makes Tunisian cuisine popular and delicious. Seafood is widely eaten on the coast and hearty lamb and beef dishes spiced with cumin, turmeric and mint are popular. Lots of locally grown fruit and vegetables are available and if you have a sweet tooth you won’t be disappointed with their Turkish desserts or French pastries.

Drinks
The Tunisians are great coffee drinkers usually served like a short black. Tea is also popular – if you like it strong and sweet. Freshly squeezed orange juice is readily available in season. Carbonated drinks are found everywhere as is bottled water.

Although Tunisia is a Muslim country, alcoholic drinks are readily available; (although during Ramadan, some hotels will close their bars). Beer is popular with Celtia the most popular local brand. Stella-Artois and Lowenbrau are brewed locally under license. Thibarine is the local drink; meant as a digestive it tastes like herbal cough mixture and is made to a secret recipe reputedly devised by French monks in the last century. Boukha is another local specialty – a lethal white spirit made from figs.

Special Dietary Requirements

Vegetarians
Although meat is often not the main feature of a meal, it can be found in many dishes, even if only as a stock. Therefore, if you are a vegetarian you may experience a distinct lack of variety in the food available at meal times. Your Tour Leader will do their best to offer a vegetarian alternative, but your patience and understanding is requested.

Food Allergies
If you have food allergies or preferences, please make them known to your Tour Leader who will do their best to ensure that your requirements are met.

Please note: Unfortunately we can give no guarantee that special requirements can always be met.

Communications

Email
Internet cafes can be found in most major centres. Your tour leader will be able to advise you on where to find these.

Phone
Making International calls from Tunisia can be expensive even though fairly straightforward. Almost all public phones are equipped for international direct dialing; you just feed them with dinar coins.

Post
The postal service is good and stamps are available everywhere. An overseas stamp will cost approximately 650mills, postcards are 100mills cheaper.

General Information

Weather

Northern Tunisia has a typical Mediterranean climate, with hot dry summers and mild, wet winters. The mountains can occasionally get snow. The further south you go, the hotter and drier it gets. Some Saharan areas go years without rain. The following is the average daily max temperature in degrees Celsius:

Tunisia Meteorological Authority

Holidays

Islamic Holidays
Islamic Holidays are fixed in accordance with the Lunar Calendar. 2007 dates are:

• Ramadan - 13 Sep
• Eid el Fitr - 13 Oct
• Islamic New Year - 20 Jan
• Prophet Mohammed's B'day - 31 Mar

Tunisia Public Holidays

Useful Phrases in Arabic

• Hello (greeting) - Salaam or Salaam Alaykum
• Hello (response) – Wa Alaykum Salaam
• Goodbye - Ma Salama
• How are you? - E-zayak(M) /E-zayik(F)
• I'm well, thank you - El Humdoolelaa! (literally - "Thank God")
• Good morning - Sabah el Kheir
• Excuse me - Lao Samaht(M)/Samahti(F)
• Please - Minfudluk (M)/Minfudlik (F)
• Thank you - Shokran
• Yes - Aiwa
• No - La
• How Much? (price) - Bekam?
• Water - Maya
• Coffee - Ahwa (Arabic Coffee), Nescafe (instant)
• Tea - Shy
• The bill - El Hesab
• I don't understand - Ana mish fahem[m]/ fahma [f]

Notes: Many words contain the sound ‘Kh’. The ‘K’ is not pronounced. Instead the sound is like the ‘ch’ in Loch.

(M) - when addressing a man
(F) - when addressing a woman
[m] - when said by a man
[f] - when said by a woman

Arabic Numbers

• 0 - (۰) - Sefer
• 1 - (١) - Wahed
• 2 - (٢) - Etneen
• 3 - (٣) - Talata
• 4 - (٤) - Arbaa
• 5 - (٥) - Hamsa
• 6 - (٦) - Sitta
• 7 - (٧) - Sabba
• 8 - (٨) - Tamannia
• 9 - (٩) - Tissa
• 10 - (١٠) - Ashera
• 11 - (١١) - Hedosha
• 12 - (١٢) - Etnosha
• 13 - (١٣) - Talatosha
• 20 - (٢٠) - Ashreen
• 30 - (٣٠) - Tallateen
• 40 - (٤٠) - Arbaeen
• 50 - (٥٠) - Hamseen
• 100 - (١٠٠) - Miya
• 1000 - (١٠٠٠) - Elf

Note: Although Arabic script reads from right to left, numbers are read from left to right.

Contact Details

Local Office
Hammamet Travel Service
TUNIS
Tel: +216 (0)72 280193

UK Office
The Imaginative Traveller
1 Betts Avenue
Martlesham Heath
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP5 3RH
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1473 667337
Fax: +44 (0)1473 614566

24hr Emergency Contact
MOB: +44 7802 415 886 (UK)