48 HOURS
Mediterranean meets the medina in the peaceful Tunisian isle of Djerba, and with direct UK flights it’s a great choice for fly and flop with a little culture on the side, says Laura Gelder
Djerba 48 hours W
Tunisia speaks
Slim Chaker Secretary of State for Tourism in Tunisia
“Thanks to the Jasmine Revolution we have freedom, but we’re still working on democracy – on July 24 free elections will take place. We must re-launch our economy quickly and tourism will play an important part in this. Tunisia saw 350,000 UK tourists visit the country last year and this year our target will be for one million. If we are able to export our revolution to the world I am confident we can achieve it! We aim to sell Tunisia exactly as it is, but this still means we need to diversify our offer. At the moment 70 per cent of what we sell is sun, sea and sand but we want to promote our culture and activities as well.”
ith Tunisia at the forefront of a wave of political protest in the Arab world, tourism has
taken a hard hit recently. The outcome of the revolution still hangs in the balance but Tunisia’s protestors are largely silent now, and there’s really no reason for your clients to stay away – particularly from the sheltered island of Djerba. Sitting in the southern Mediterranean,
around an hour’s flight from Tunis and under three hours’ direct flight from the UK, Djerba is a low-lying, arid island combining the olive groves and beaches of the Mediterranean with the mosques and souks of North Africa. Whitewashed villages with bright blue doors give way to small markets where men in hooded capes sell oranges, lemons and bunches of carrots. Visitors who tire of snoozing in the spas
or on the sandy beaches can head to the capital of the island, Houmt Souk. Here, shopaholics can get lost in the lanes and alleyways selling spices, glazed tagines, gold jewellery, leather bags and jewelled slippers. Haggling is expected and there are bargains to be had if you smile and play hard to get. Djerba’s architecture is one of its charms and visitors who are interested can visit the Spanish fort of Borg el-Kebir, built in 1289, or the dazzling white courtyard of the Ghriba Mosque and its blue-tiled interior. Activities on the island range from
watersports to golf, visiting the local crocodile farm, or taking in the scenery from horse or camel back. The Royal Carriage Club can arrange tuition or rides through the Djerban countryside. Sitting atop a horse you can really peer into the traditional Djerban way of life, passing small farms, walls of cacti and fields scattered with wild flowers where women sit under shaded trees wearing the traditional dress – a wide-brimmed straw hat and brightly- coloured cloak. Being a predominantly Muslim island, Djerba’s nightlife is concentrated in its hotels and the Pasino Casino, which puts on caberet-style shows as well as gaming
and shopping. The glittering gold-mosaic restaurant comes with lithe belly dancers who twist amongst the tables. Djerban cuisine is excellent, usually
starting with crusty bread accompanied by salty olives and hot harissa, the main course usually consists of fresh seafood, tagines stuffed with lamb or fish and cous cous, and it’s rounded off by sticky pastries flavoured with rose water and pistachios. It’s clear that the revolution didn’t really
sweep through the whitewashed villages of Djerba but hopefully its eventual outcome will have positive ramifications. For now, most Djerbans are more concerned with welcoming tourists back to its sandy beaches and well-stocked souks.
Where To Stay
The Hasdrubal Prestige is a palatial all- suite hotel with a colonnaded entrance from which I emerged into a huge marble lobby complete with smiling staff proffering ice-cold fruity cocktails. My room, subtly scented with almonds, included a walk-in wardrobe, a bathroom with a raised marble tub and separate shower, two beds, a living room area with sofas, a desk
and a television, and a large balcony with lounge chairs looking onto the outdoor pool. Should you tire of the hotel’s pools, including an entire thalassotherapy spa centre, you can wander down to the sandy beach where camels gallop past occasionally.
The beautifully designed art deco-style
Radisson Blu offers smaller rooms, as well as suites, a serene spa with multiple treatment rooms offering thalassotherapy, massages and other beauty treats, and a selection of restaurants serving Italian and Asian, as well as an al fresco seafood grill. The Magic Life Penelope Hotel is a family- friendly, fun hotel with loads of activities on offer as well as an aqua park. There is a disco and a choice of buffet and al a carte restaurants offering international cuisine.
Getting There Tunis Air flies direct to Djerba from Gatwick (three hours), or via Tunis from Heathrow. BA has recently started direct flights to Tunis from Gatwick.
Contact
www.cometotunisia.co.uk
www.shortbreaksholidays.com • May/June 2011 21
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