Tunis

For a small country, Tunisia offers plenty of variety besides its glorious beaches. The north, particularly around Ain Draham, has large oak forests and lakes, making it feel more like Europe than Africa. Tabarka is emerging as Tunisia’s northern flagship resort, while the charming old port town of Bizerte is still debating whether it really wants to entice international tourists or is quite content to remain a sleepy fishing town. For more than 3000 years, Tunis, the capital has been among the great cities of the Med and it still has plenty to offer. Carthage is one of the best known of Tunisia’s archaeological sites on the outskirts of the capital. Founded in 814 BC by the Phoenicians, by the fourth century BC, Carthage had become the centre of their vast maritime empire. In 146 BC it was destroyed by the Romans who only 25 years later began rebuilding on the same site to become the 3rd largest city of the Roman empire. Today ancient ruins still remain and are a firm favourite with visiting tourists.

Hammamet

Hammamet, the longest established resort in Tunisia has been attracting holidaymakers since the 1960s. Less than an hour’s drive from Tunis airport and only slightly more than that from Monastir airport, Hammamet is geared up to year-round tourism. Easy-going and lively, with a good choice of restaurants, Hammamet’s first hotels were built in the centre close to the medina but shortly afterwards started stretching along the coast almost as far as Neubul, making the most of some of the finest beaches in the country. 10km from the centre is the new resort of Yasmine Hammamet which boasts a large marina with 740 moorings, a walled medina area with covered markets, luxury 5-star hotels, casinos, many Thalasso therapy centres, a theme park and much more. The town offers an excellent promenade lined with shops and cafes, gardens and parks, and entertainment complexes. Two 18-hole golf courses, Yasmine and Citrus are situated only 5 kilometres away from Hammamet.

Sousse

Sousse used to be just an excursion destination for day trippers; now it is a busy holiday centre in its own right. Packed with atmosphere and hundreds of years of history, Tunisia’s leading city beach resort offers a great selection of quality hotels, a wide choice of affordable restaurants and endless possibilities for shopping in the traditional markets or the equisite boutiques which rival those of its European neighbours. Along with Carthage, Sousse was one of the Phoenicians’ three great coastal cities, with the earliest archaeological finds dating from the 6th century BC. The charming medina seen above is the old heart of the city. A popular choice for Tunisians and foreign tourists alike, Sousse is a destination open for business all year round. The beaches stretch as far as the eye can see and the wide promenade is bustling with families enjoying their ice creams and traditional Tunisian sweets. Situated less than 20 minutes away from Monastir airport, Sousse is an excellent choice for a rental investment due to its popularity and year round appeal.

Port El Kantaoui

Purpose built around a picturesque marina which now draws luxury yachts from all over the world, Port El Kantaoui opened in 1979 and has been Tunisia’s most outstandingly successful tourist centre. With the look and feel of an elite residential district, it is the second home of the President, top politicians, diplomats and the fabulously wealthy. Millions of dinars have been poured into landscaping, with palm trees, shrubs and grass borders immaculately lining every road. The resort’s hotels are equally sparkling; whitewashed palaces with terraced gardens awash with bougainvillaea. Port El Kantaoui’s pride and joy are its beautifully manicured 18- hole championship golf courses. There are no membership requirements and while golfers with their own equipment are welcome, those who prefer to travel light can rent everything they need from clubs to caddies at very reasonable rates. Dubbed as Tunisia’s Puerto Banus, Port El Kantaoui is the most exclusive of Tunisia’s resorts situated only minutes along from Sousse and 30 mins from Monastir.