information on Hammamet in Tunisia?

Q: I have booked a holiday for myself and My boyfriend for early next year. We are staying at The Miramar Hammamet Hotel in Hammamet, Tunisia. Has anyone been there. I'd like to know where to go and where to avoid. Anything really.

A: I'm a regular visitor to hammamet i was there in august and i'm back over there in october. You dont need to use public transport because there are millions of taxis and they are very cheap, just make sure you agree a price before you get in the cab! You may find that its not busy because it being out of the main summer season but you will still find plenty of things to do, there are some faboulous trips and site that i absolutely recommend. Trip to Sidi Bou Sais, its a small tunisian village where all the houses are painted white and the doors and windows blue, there is also a fantastic cafe there with proper mint tea. My favourite trip was a 2 day trip..you visit the roman city of El Djem where they filmed the movie Gladiator, visit Toezur which is a large oasis one of the largest fig and date plantations and you go round the oasis on a horse and carriage, you visit Chebarka where the English patient was filmed. You see Matmata and all the cave houses (troglodyte dwellings) you go inside and look round them - that was the setting for Star wars. Go up the atlas mountains by a 4x4 and see tunisias version of a grand canyon - fantastic! You visit Chott El Jerid which is salt lakes, where the water and sand are amazing colours, kairouan the 4th holiest city in the Islam World after mecca etc. and the best bit of all...a camel ride in the sahara you are dressed in traditional clothing out of necessity, whilst we were there a sandstorm was going on so it was absolutely amazing - not to mention very hot in the middle of august! I always stay in Yasmin hammamet just outside hammamet there is a lovely marina with plenty of bars and restaurants and we just watched the world go by! The medina in hammamet is must, but its big and very easy to get lost and watch out for the guy, and i gaurantee you will come accross him who will say to you "i'm the waiter out of your hotel, dont you remember me?" he then gets you to visit carpet shops etc with him and pushes you into buying things and he also will expect to get paid for showing you round, so be very wary of men like that! When you arrive at Monastir airport worth keeping some small chaneg in english on you because again men will try and get your cases on a trolley and push them to your coach for you...they are NOT employed by the airport and will expect a tip! What is lovely about tunisia is the locals are very friendly and everywhere is incredibly cheap - we shocked how cheap, for example a bottle of coca cola costing no more 40p!! The dates are fantastic there and you will find lots of food with them in espcially stuffed with marzipan! You may find you have an upset stomach for a few days, this is because a lot of tunisian food is cooked in oil and spices you body doesnt recognise, not necessarily because of poor hygeine, you will find it settles down. take some immodium with you, but they are soooo cheap to buy at the chemist! You must try a Chicha pipe, especially with fruit flavoured tabacco, you will notice the air heavy with the scent and its great! Whilst we were there in august the street sellers also sold fresh necklaces of jasmine - they smell gorgeous and there is nothing better than the scent next to your bed. TAKE TOILET PAPER lol, you wont find many toilets in public areas outside your hotel with sufficient paper, so its best to carry some round with you. Presents for home: leather goods are cheap, pottery items are a must and you can pick up that chicha pipe too! usuall touristy items too. I have a bracelet engraved with my name on it in arabic which is lovely. Most people speak english but the others are fluent in french and arabic. The pirate ship trips are a great laugh and i'd recommend a trip on one lol. Email me if u have any other queries. have a great trip

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