Tunisian Travels
By Jung Sung-ki
Korea Times Correspondent
TUNISIA ― For most South Koreans, Tunisia remains an unfamiliar country at the moment, far and distant.
But after looking at what the small North African nation offers, Korean travelers will be willing to take a day-long flight to the Arab-Muslim country, which attracts about 7 million tourists each year from all over the world, mostly European countries.
There are countless exotic attractions to enjoy and experience in Tunisia, a dynamic and multicultural country located at the heart of the Mediterranean basin and at the crossroads of the Arab, African and European worlds.
You can't miss the 1,300 kilometers of beautiful sandy Mediterranean beaches, year-round sunshine, tall palm trees, thousands of archeological sites and treasures influenced by a host of civilizations, such as Ancient Carthage, the Roman Empire, the Byzantines, the Ottoman Empire, Spain, etc.
A wide range of stylish and unique hotels offers every comfort and amenity, and you can treat yourself to a luxurious spa break at state-of-the-art Thalasso therapy and spa centers.
Natural wonders ― not just the sweeping Saharan Desert but the stunning landscapes around the oasis towns in the vast Tunisian south ― charm visitors, while Tunisian special cuisines and fruits are great enough to fascinate travelers.
Old, medieval walled city areas, called medinas in Arabic, and winding market streets called souks across the country are enticing places to get glimpses of the lives of grassroots Tunisian people.
One of the most advanced desert states, Tunisia has a secret asset: its open-mindedness and warm hospitality.
With an amazing mix from all around the Mediterranean, Tunisian people seem to have honed their tradition of hospitality to a fine art, as tourism has become a major industry here.
During the trip, most thankfully, Tunisians showed great hospitality and respect for Korea and its people and culture, though they still knew China and Japan better.
``I'm very interested in Asian cultures, including South Korea's, and want to know that seriously,'' a 22-year-old university student in Tunis said. ``I hope more South Koreans come to our country and do more exchanges with each other.''
Whenever our group waved to people in the streets, they waved back with big smiles. Some young Tunisian girls said they got familiar with Koreans after seeing South Korea's TV series ``Daejanggeum (Jewel in the Palace),'' about the first female royal physician of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), being aired in the evening in Tunisia.
Some young guys called out the name of Park Ji-sung, a famous South Korean soccer player with Manchester United in England, giving the ``thumbs-up'' sign, while an elderly person knew U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was South Korean.
Tunis
Imbued with a lively and dynamic history where past and present intertwine, the capital, Tunis, is made up of three towns ― the medina that has remained largely unchanged for more than 500 years, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979; the European-style town built around the 20th century and center of the present day city; and a belt of new quarters which merge into one another, giving the city a more modern feel.
A real town within a town, the medina is a vast labyrinth of twisting alleyways, vaulted passages and bustling souks. Beautiful studded doors, framed in sculpted stone, open into enchanting palaces, such as the Dar Ben Abdallah (Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions).
After the attractive avenues of the modern quarters with their tall palm trees and glass facades, the narrow streets of the old European quarters offer a picturesque mixture of all the architectural styles of the period: classical, Art Nouveau, Arabisance, Art Deco and so on, all reprinted in the universal colors of Tunisia, white walls and blue windows. This is the good place to saunter between the cafes, boutiques, patisseries and restaurants.
Tunis is particularly proud of its world-renowned archaeological museum, the Bardo, which houses the largest collection of Roman mosaics in the world. The museum also boasts some superb ancient statues and valuable objects from the prehistoric, Punic and Muslim periods.
Sidi Bou Said
The blue and white village of Sidi Bou Said in the outskirts of Tunis is one of the most beautiful parts of Tunisia.
A charming blend of simplicity and refinement, this lovely town, gaily perched on the cliffs overlooking the Gulf of Tunis, offers unique and fantastic scenery of domed-shaped white houses, arched blue doors and balconies in blue and white set against a sparkling sea.
A network of charming residential streets radiate from the main cobblestone street, lined with handicraft and souvenir shops. Below the village is a spot for a charming walk at the foot of the cliffs, and visitors are able to catch a glimpse of the emerald sea with the mountain of Bou Kornine and the southern beaches of Tunis across Carthage bay.
Sit and sip green tea with mint at the ``Cafe des Nattes,'' where stars and writers such as Andre Gide, Georges Bernanos and Paul Klee used to meet. ``Cafe Sidi Chabaane,'' which boasts a terrace with a breathtaking view over the gulf, also welcomes you.
Carthage
Just minutes from Tunis, Carthage, the city founded by the Phoenicians in 814 BC, then destroyed and rebuilt by the Romans, retains impressive vestiges of its historical heritage, such as the remains of the Antonine Baths, numerous villas and the Roman theatre.
You can also visit Saint Lous Cathedral and the Carthage museum, where archeological excavations coming form Punic and Roman periods are assembled.
Hammamet and Nabeul
Set in a delightful region ― the Cap Bon peninsula, with its green landscapes and soothing seaside ambience ― Hammamet and Nabeul are famous for their long beaches of fine sand and beautiful turquoise-tinged sea.
With the Western-style large-scale resort and recreational area, Hammamet is a favorite for European tourists and those who want to enjoy the combination of old and modern style holidays.
Hammamet, in particular, draws unique charm from its poetic medina, surrounded by golden ramparts. With its ramparts washed by the waves and its imposing 15th century fort, Hammamet's medina offers visitors the charm of its winding alleyways, where time seems to have stood still. The narrow streets wind between houses of simple charm, immaculate walls and blue doors, sometimes with the addition of a naive decoration.
A number of excursions are available to discover the difference facets of Cap Bon, such as boat trips, scuba diving and horse riding.
Yasmine Hammamet, a new tourist resort located a few kilometers to the south of the town, offers a large marina and the ``Medina Mediterranean'' park, where a traditional Arabic town has been recreated, complete with all the usual features and attractions.
Nabeul, 12 kilometers from Hammamet, meanwhile, is the quintessential seaside town, well known as the orange and handicrafts capital. At the weekly market, visitors can enjoy bustling souks where stalls are piled highly with a wide variety of colorful fresh produce, ranging from citrus fruits and strawberries to fragrant flowers for distilling.
Sousse and Kairouan
Sousse is a well-known seaside resort off the eastern Tunisian coast and is also a historic town. A big attraction is its large medina with high golden stone ramparts, where a number of monuments have survived from the Middle Ages, such as Ribat, the Great Mosque and the kasbah.
There is a tall square tower, the Khalef Tower, built in 859 AD. From its 30-meter high summit, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view across the whole town to its hinterland.
Just up the coast from Sousse, Port El Kantaoui is an attractive self-contained resort built around a pleasure port and a golf course.
Kairouan, the first capital of the Muslim Maghreb, is a holy town where visitors can explore one of the most important Islamic sites ― the Great Mosque ― as well as the medina and remarkable monuments. It is also the main craft center of the Tunisian carpet industry.
El Jem
This small town, located less than a one hour drive from Sousse, is famous for its impressive Colosseum, the largest in the world after those of Rome and Capua. It was built by proconsul Gordian around 230 A.D. The spectacular amphitheater is as huge as the one of Rome and enjoys a better state of conservation.
Every May and June, orchestra concerts are performed in the Colosseum, which was used in the filming of the American film ``Gladiator'' in 2000.
Saharan Oases
Gafsa, Tozeur and Nefta are interesting historic towns that lived off their enormous palm groves in the middle of the Sahara Desert.
The vast Tunisian south, with its lush oases and sweeping Saharan landscapes, should not be missed when visiting the desert state.
Traveling giant dunes aboard land cruiser vehicles to rediscover famous film sets, such as for Star Wars, make a great adventure.
A journey across the desert onboard the ``Red Lizard'' train will also leave you unforgettable memories of the wonderful scenery of the unforgiving Sahara and its awe-inspiring gorges of the Selja wadi.
The train starts from the town of Metlaoui and moves to the station of Selja. Average travel time is 1.5 hours and average speed is 40 km per hour.
Tourists can enjoy the view of the vast salt lake of Chott el-Jerid, an ancient dry lake covered with a sparkling salt crust. Camel treks in Douz are also recommended for a unique experience in the desert.
Qatar Airways operates flight service from Seoul to Tunis via Osaka, Japan, and Doha, Qatar. For more information: Qatar Airways Seoul office call (02) 3708-8562.