Tunisia is a wonderful country to visit and it is extremely safe. I am a blonde now living in tunisia. I do get stared at - by both the men and the women. Some comments are passed but generally I use humour to get by or just ignore. It is not like Egypt!!! But you should pay respect to the culture of this country. If you run around in shorts and singlet tops expect some to be treated in a different manner. My advice is to dress conservatively - loose pants and tops, long skirts etc. cover your legs and shoulders and you should be fine. You will see Tunisian women wearing varying degrees of western dress and some very tight jeans on the young, but remember they are Tunisians and you are not! Above all Tunisians are wonderful, friendly and hospitable people and you should enjoy your time here. If you need anything further I can certainly give some assistance.

Hi Suzy - we haven't loaded the Tunisia pages as yet but hopefully that will happen this month. Hotels in Tunisia can be a bit hit and miss to be perfectly honest. Let me know which areas you are travelling to and I can give you some recommendations. In the beach areas there are mostly tourist resorts and I would recommend these to you. Sousse, Monastir and Hammamet and some in between are beautiful. How long do you have in Tunisia? It takes time to get around as the roads are quite bad and I don't advocate driving unless you like to live dangerously. If you want I can recommend an itinerary for you.

Cheers,
Lesley

Hi Suzy - let me have an email to: lesley@destinationsbydesign.com.au and I'll send you a detailed itinerary with recommendations for hotels. Also let me know when you intend to come to Tunisia. The hotel rates go up in summer (of course)!!

Emiwee - it is better to bring cash if you can, but the bigger banks will exchange travellers cheques in USD, Euro or GBP - but even so the bank will charge you when you change them. You should always change your TD before you leave Tunisia as the rate outside the country is always bad!

Hey Nikki - are you travelling by yourself or with a companion? The level of harassment here is much lower than in other countries. Tunisians are very used to seeing dark-skinned women. In our larger cities we have people from Sudan, Mali, Niger etc. but you will be stared at, not because you have dark skin but because you are a foreigner. Well done for learning some of the language, this is appreciated very much. We have a dialect here that is slightly different to the formal Arabic. If you go to www.tunisia.com there is a language forum with some excellent words and phrases you can use. And no you do not sound silly!! As I always counsel women - take it all with humour and when it all gets too much ignore it totally.

Enjoy Tunisia - it is wonderful - it is my home and I love it.

Nikki - please be extremely cautious!! He may be genuine but the chances are slim. I have heard these stories so many times. Do not send him any money no matter what. Tunisia is a wonderful country, but for the local population it is very hard. Jobs are scarce, the cost of living is expensive here (for locals) and the monthly wage is very low. (I am married to a Tunisian) You are more than welcome to email me at: lesley@destinationsbydesign and I can give you more detailed information

L

Joyce - most of the areas that you nominate are a good one hour from the airport. The travel time is always dependant on the time of day, the amount of traffic and the condition of the road!! Most of the resort hotels in any of the areas you mention will be fine. Monastir is lovely as is Sousse. I am not sure if you can pre-pay for your food and definitely not your drinks! October is still warm but the nights can be quite cool. But I hope you don't intend to just stay in the hotel for your time. There are some wonderful sites and great shopping in the medinas and souks that you and your daughters would love and you will get a taste of my wonderful Tunisia.

Lesley

Sarah - I may have already missed you - Tunisia is an Islamic country and a man and woman in the same hotel room who are not married is considered 'illegal'. However, depending on where you are visiting, resort and tourist hotels do not usually give foreign couples any problems. If you are asked, then my advice is to tell them you are married but did not realise that you had to have your marriage certificate with you. Act appropriately and you will encounter very few problems.

Enjoy my Tunisia

Hi all - sorry but I have been away for a couple of weeks and now back in my beloved Tunisia. So first let me answer your questions in sequence:

Bev - You are staying in a very touristique area and all the shopkeepers, locals are well acquainted with foreigners and tourists. You will be very safe!! Don't worry, even though the men will look (in tunisia this is a national past time for both men and women), you will not be hassled but more often you will be complimented. Enjoy it and your time here!!

Marie - you will still be able to tan and it will still be nice and warm. Skanes is a tourist area so expect to see other foreigners like you trying to get that golden glow. Currency in Tunisia is the Dinar with denominations in notes up to TD30 with 1000 millims to the dinar.

Steven - I will answer you in an email

Sistasinga - Tunisians will know Tina Turner, they enjoy music and will be happy to see you on stage. No it will not turn anyone off - what sort of headress????

Hi Sherri,

Hate to tell you this but it really is not acceptable for either sex to show legs so if you want to show respect to the locals, shorts are out. However, if you are staying within a resort with pools etc, then it will be fine.

Enjoy Tunisia - it is a wonderful part of the world,

Lesley

B - just so you are aware, Ramadan begins on 22 August and ends 21 September (approx). this is a very lively time but Muslims must behave quite correctly during this time. Depending on which airport you arrive at, you should have no problems getting a taxi, however, if you feel better knowing that you are being met then by all means book before you leave. It is some distance from Tunis Carthage airport and will be quite pricey.

If you stay within your resort then shorts and other beachwear is fine, but respecting the local customs and culture will always give you better interaction with the locals. Yes it will be hot and cropped pants for men is acceptable, but unless ladies want to have undue attention paid to them - wear loose cotton skirts, pants and tops.

L