Iberostar Royal El Mansour

Fighting the Heat - Part I

by aliante1981

Travels to places like Tunisia involves a lot of fighting the heat, especially if you, like me (I am still surprised as to why I did that), go there right in the middle of the summer. Here’s a list of useful items to take:

- Hats and other covering: Large brimmed hats that provide head covering and some shade. For women, they are also a proof of modesty, welcomed when visiting old churches and mosques. Scarves and the like covering shoulders and arms can keep the sun off during treks. A cloth hat or scarf can be soaked to help keep the head cool.

- "Squeeze Breeze": this is a water bottle with a sprayer and a battery-operated fan attached. The beach toy to take with you!

- Sun block: While sun blocks may be purchased in Tunisia, people tend to prefer sticking with their own favourite brand (the skin, too, ‘gets used’ to it), and there’s not guarantee you’ll find it on the spot. So take your own, if you have preferences!

Fatimid Port and Lighthouse (Cap d'Afrique)

by maykal

Past the Borj, several paths will take you around the headland, called Cap d'Afrique. Through the cemetery, you'll first pass the ruins of a Fatimid port, now used as a harbour by a few tiny fishing boats. A pile of bricks here and a clump of ruins there declare that there was once something more here, but now the place is overrun with sheep, local kids (who dive off the piles and clumps into the sea) and camera-toting lobsters on day release from the zone touristique. Don't let that put you off, as it is a picturesque place to spend an hour or two.

Mahdia

by Tracyden

"Mahdia"

We visited for a weeks all inclusive break in October and stayed in one of the large all inclusive complexes which were a fair walk from the actual town centre. Really you'd need a taxi ride to get into town. The beach that our complex was on was very pleasant despite there being a terrible storm a few days before our arrival which has destroyed a lot of the umbrellas.

You can have a reasonable relax on the beach as the traders are only allowed to walk along the shore and not approach the sunbeds unless invited. The main disturbance was from the over enthusiastic animators.

"Mahdia Town"

Our rep - Phillip gave a guided tour every week around the tour. Showing off the walled town - various shops selling touristy goods - the saffron is worth a buy as it is soo expensive at home.

We then visited the Mosque - which is unusual as the minarett is away from the main building. I went covered up - but the mosque is prepared for visiters and shawls were given out to those who needed them.

"El Jem Collosseum"

Well worth a visit - you can explore all around the Collesseum and see the bullet marks from WW2 - you can even go down into the under chambers where the animals, slaves and prisoners were kept - creepy.