9 days in Tunisia: A travelogue

Our TripLegend team member Maria discovered Tunisia for TripLegend. We are constantly on the lookout for new, unique adventures all over the planet. Read Maria's travelogue to find out what she experienced in Tunisia and what she has to report:

When I started at Triplegend I never thought I would travel to Tunisia for TripLegend. And I am so incredibly grateful for this opportunity. But how did the trip come about? The IPD invited on a fam trip to show that Tunisia is more than the all-inclusive beach vacation. I want to tell you what we did and how I perceived this trip.

Day 1

On 10.06. it was time to go. After a long train journey, I stood at the airport waiting for boarding to begin. I was excited. The first time I would set foot on the African continent. One by one I met my people from the group. It was an internationally mixed group. The fellow travelers came from England, the Netherlands, Austria and of course Germany. In total, there were eleven of us.

After the flight, we went by bus to the first hotel - Dar Marsa - in La Marsa, a port city not far from the Tunisian capital Tunis. Until the first meeting with stakeholders from tourism organizations in Tunisia and dinner, we had a little time to explore the area, which I of course used to pay a visit to the beach.

I sat here now, listened to the waves and took a deep breath. It all still seemed so unreal to me. Before the stakeholder meeting, I got ready and then we started. We all introduced ourselves and learned about sustainable tourism projects that were being worked on. After that, we had a 3-course welcome dinner. (It was just delicious!) 

Day 2

Today we were scheduled for a bike tour of Carthage. With a local guide, we rode to the archaeological sites, including Antoninus Pius Baths and listened intently as he told about the history of these places. This was the first UNESCO World Heritage Site I saw with my own eyes and it was not to be the only one. 

After the bike ride we drove to Sidi Bou Said. A beautiful village where you can easily forget that you are in Tunisia. After all, the white and blue houses are more reminiscent of the Greek island of Santorini. It's very touristy, but that doesn't take away from the beauty of this place. 

Afterwards we went to our next accommodation in Zaghouan. The Dar Zaghouan served us a delicious lunch and the owner showed us the different workshops afterwards. (In winter you can see how olive oil is made in a workshop.) For the evening we went to the Temple des Eaux. Here the Romans built an aqueduct to transport water to Carthage (100 kilometers away). Afterwards we looked at the city and I was startled when all at once was called to evening prayer (at that time it was unknown to me). Until a friend from the group told me what that meant. After dinner we went to bed, because tomorrow would be a busy day.

Day 3

Day 3 was the day I was only half looking forward to, because today a hike was on the agenda. And me and hiking are a combination that doesn't always get along. (Minor spoiler: I made it off the mountain alive and didn't trip over my own feet). It was off after breakfast, our driver unloading us at the top of the mountain. (Since we were short on time, we couldn't walk up and down, so we decided to just hike down).

Our guide was already waiting for us and then we were off. The view was beautiful and a few times I feel like Heidi, when we ran across goats. Well what is called way. A hiking trail, as we know it in Germany was not exactly. We had to be careful not to slip on the loose stones, and a few times it was (in my opinion) a little too adventurous. 

Back at the foot of the mountain, we said goodbye to our guide and went back to our hotel to have lunch and get our things. Our next destination was Ghar el Melh, where we met with the founders of Tuniesia Ecotourism, they showed us the town and the unique agriculture of the area. After that, we got back on the bus and headed to our third accommodation, Le Petit Oliver. This one was a little off the beaten path, but the accommodation was just beautiful. Held in the country style and the rooms built around a pool.

Day 4 

This was the day I was looking forward to the most, among others. Because today we went to two more UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After breakfast, we went inland to the mosque in Kairouan. The first mosque I ever entered. In the right outfit, of course. Head, shoulders and knees covered. Even the first sight left me speechless. I always find it fascinating how people used to build such buildings without the possibilities we have today. The atmosphere was completely different, I had the feeling. It was quiet and harmonious. Only Muslims are allowed to enter the prayer rooms, so it was a matter of marveling from the outside.

 After the visit to the mosque, we went to the Madina (the old town) of the city. Our guide took us to a carpet shop. And one thing in advance so many carpets in one place I have never seen! We were shown how the carpets are made and hats off to the lady who needs at least a month for a carpet, depending on the length of the carpet. Then it was time for lunch and it was again excellent!

If I can suggest one dish that you must try when you travel to Tunisia is BRICK!!! Seriously try it out. Brick is similar to börek. They are dumplings that can be filled with a variety of things. For us, they were usually filled with egg and parsley. After that, we went to the El Diem Colosseum (also a UNESCO World Heritage Site). This Colosseum is better preserved than the one in Rome and is even supposed to be rebuilt. 

In the afternoon we visited the bus company that drove us and the medina in Sfax. Our accommodation today was the Borj Dhiafa. And again we went to bed after dinner, because tomorrow we had to get up early.

Day 5

Today we had to get up very early, because we had to get a ferry. Our destination was the island of Kerkennah. A group of islands in the east coast of Tunisia which is not yet so overrun with tourists. In our accommodation - Hotel Cercina - we had to put down our things, change quickly and then get back into the bus. Because boat number 2 was waiting for us. Today we could see an intangible UNESCO World Heritage Site with our own eyes. Fishing in the traditional Charfia way.

A few of us even helped out and it looked really fun from the boat. After catching a few fish, we had them for lunch freshly prepared on the boat and it was a dream as always! It wasn't until late afternoon that we headed back to the island. After. A small stop at the hotel, it went on for us to a viewpoint, where we watched the sunset. At dinner at the hotel, there was still a small show interlude with music for us.  

Day 6 

Now we had to get up early again, because we had to reach the ferry to the mainland on time. When we had the mainland in Sfax again erricht, it went already further in the south of Tunisia. In the Dahar region, here we were accompanied by the DMO Dahar and Tacapes Tour. We visited the typical houses that are carved in stone, an original filming location of Star Wars Episode 4 (the Space Bar) and had lunch with a local family. And once again, it was something to behold. There were several plates with different dishes like coucous, brick or lamb.

After that, the woman showed us how they work on the rooms. With a hoe they work every millimeter through the rock and already after the first blow it was quite dusty. Then there's the sun and the heat, which doesn't make it any easier. The woman and her husband work three hours a day on a new room. After the fortifying meal we went to a small village of the Amazigh. Here we learned more about the culture and language of the Amazigh in a small café. 

Early in the evening we reached our accommodation for the night, the Dar Ennaim. For dinner we had a traditional barbecue with musical entertainment. The owner also speaks a little German, which surprised all of us. It was a great feeling to sleep in a room or as I like to call it cave. Since the rock keeps the heat out, it was super comfortable in the room. (An experience to sleep in such a room, it was of course).

Day 7

Day 7 started with a traditional breakfast in the Dahar region. Today the plan was hell drawings and Chenini. A village located in the mountains where we had a beautiful view of the surroundings. The cave drawings were really fascinating, even if I sometimes had to look really closely to see them. Now a little tip from me, if you ever eat white bread, make a dip of olive oil and honey. Trust me it tastes great. (Thanks Nabil for the tip.)

After lunch we visited the Village des Sciences de Tataouine. Here we learned more about the dinosaurs that had lived in the area millions of years ago. And unfortunately it was time to say goodbye to the Dahar region, because our next destination, the island of Djerba, was waiting for us. But before we went there, we made a stop at a café/carpet store. Here we also had a great view over the area and some of us took the last chance to buy a carpet.

 

Arrived in Djerba, we moved into our hotel Dar Dhiafa and got ready for the meeting with the DMO Djerba. Since some of the group had to leave us tomorrow, we already had our goodbye dinner today. 

It was a strange feeling to know that the fam trip is almost over. But in return I was already looking forward to Germany again and to tell my friends and family everything. 

Day 8/9

The last day started with a little walk through Djerbahood. Because here you can find on every corner pictures on the house facades. We also visited an artist's studio, where even before our eyes a small work of art was created and not even within half an hour. Today I was also the first time in the water (so in the ocean), but unfortunately only with the feet. Our last accommodation was the Aldiana Hotel. It was really funny to be addressed by the staff in German again. After dinner, I packed my suitcase, because the night was not very long. Our return flight left at 7:30 and my night ended at half past three. 

After the check-in and the security check, we waited at the gate for our flight. Around 11 o'clock we were back in Germany and our trip was now officially over.

Conclusion

I wouldn't want to miss this experience in my life, because it showed me again that group travel is just perfect to explore a country. It never gets boring because you always learn new things about your fellow travelers and you create memories together. Even though it was exhausting at times, I would do it again! Thank you for having me along for the ride.

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