1 independent reviews for Tunisia history tour, tailor made
Reviews for Tunisia history tour, tailor made
Kim Chai review 3 Jun 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Gosh, so many over 2 weeks ... in no particular order: Tunisia's multi-layered Amazigh-Punic-Roman-Byzantine-Ottoman-French history, the otherworldly Amazigh/Berber ksours (no wonder they were used as Star Wars locations), wandering the atmospheric medinas, Kairouan, Zaghouan & Sidi Bou Said's photogenic blue & white architecture, El Jem coliseum, El Ghriba synagogue, vastness of Sahara & Chott El Jerid, learning about date palms and ingenious irrigation system in Tozeur & oases, olive plantations to the horizon, incredibly intact Roman mosaics in Bardo and Sousse museums, guided tour by a major at national military museum, the beautiful courtyard dars, Tunisian cuisine and mint tea with almonds, friendliness of Tunisian people, who always smile back and willing to chat...2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If not French, Italian or Arabic speaking, download a translation app. English proficiency of our guides varied from fairly fluent to barely comprehensible; French works much better. We managed with rusty French, Google Translate and the excellent Bradt guide by Oscar Scafidi. Bring a water filter. We were told tap water isn't potable and most dars don't provide in-room kettle, so we used an awful lot of bottled water (2 per day provided by tour operator) but plastic recycling not much in evidence. Carry a lot of change for tipping. Locals, eg in abandoned Amazigh villages, will insist on guiding you, showing you photo op spots, taking your photo etc, and expect a tip afterwards. Schoolkids also - a charming 12-year-old offered to show us the wall art in "Djerbahood". Last 2 weeks in May seem a good time to go - perfect weather in the north, bearably hot in the south but evenings always cool, and a much less touristy time between the spring and summer surges.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, benefited local people - stayed at small, family-run dars or locally owned hotels; patronised local eateries and street vendors; food & drink (date palm juice!) locally grown/made from fresh produce. No, regret we used many plastic bottles of water contributing to the distressing amount of plastic garbage strewn everywhere, even in the desert; car used petrol, but didn't see any hybrids/EVs; solar panels widespread though. Not sure, though I suppose staying in the dars converted from old houses supports their conservation?4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fantastic, after a fraught booking process (involving cybersecurity alerts and errors by tour operator, rapidly rectified. Thanks again to the RT team for your support & intervention.) Once we hit the ground the trip was seamless and sooo interesting. Well-organised despite being a last-minute customised tour. Comfortable car. A big plus was the driver assigned to us - Taieb, who was really obliging, flexible & solicitous of us fogies from arrival to departure. Jamil the tour agent checked in on us via a group whatsapp. Recommend this holiday.Holiday Reviews
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