Port El-Kantaoui

As soon as we leave the plane the sand whips us in the face. The humidity is low, the sun hits the skin. A touch of oriental spices is in the air. White houses and mosques blend into the image of the endless desert.

When we visited Tunisia, the political situation was difficult. Far into the midland, we did not dare to the troubled times - but a tour with the quad has made up for everything. So we could gain a little insight into the lives of the locals. Even if we did not discover much, the land and the people still fascinated and excited us.

Port El-Kantaoui is a small port town near Sousse with numerous hotel complexes. Since the former fishing village has been converted into a tourist spot, you will find countless things to do here - from water sports to golf and an amusement park ... it will not get boring here for sure.

The entry requirements to Tunisia are very relaxed compared to other countries. You have the opportunity to spend three months in Tunisia without a visa. All you need is a valid passport (it should be valid for six months) and a migration card, which you can get at the airport.

You have to hand these over when leaving the country. For package tours, a hotel voucher and a return ticket are sufficient. In this case, it is best to get information from your operator.

If you arrive from Germany, no vaccination is required. However, you should refresh the standard vaccines, as well as hepatitis A. If you want to stay longer in the country or have contact with animals, you should also be vaccinated against hepatitis B and rabies.

To avoid diarrheal diseases, you should pay attention to water and food hygiene. Mosquito bites are generally harmless, but you should not forget about mosquito nets as well as long, light-colored clothing. In the desert, beware of snakes and scorpions. Nevertheless, should there be an incident, in Tunis there is a good medical care. Outside of Tunis the supply is low. Think of a travel health insurance before your trip, otherwise the treatment can be very expensive.

Typical ingredients in the Tunisian cuisine are turmeric, coriander, caraway, saffron, red pepper, mint, capers, olives, chickpeas and harissa. Often there will be served lamb, beef, chicken, calf or fish and of course couscous.

The dessert is as delicious as the main course. You can enjoy delights such as Baklava and dates stuffed with pistachios. Tunisians are very liberal when it comes to alcohol. There are various types of beer and liquor made of dates or figs.

Tunisia has a very good rail network, often with air-conditioned cars and food. As a tourist you can get a Railpass, valid for several days.

For shorter distances you can take Louages, a kind of shared taxi. The prices are fixed, but I recommend to ask the driver.

The climate is different in every part of Tunisia. Very hot and dry in the desert, snow in the north. It never gets really cold, but it can rain between December and February. It can get very hot between July and September.

The Tunisian Dinar is the official currency and the only accepted payment in the country. Cash is the preferred means of payment in Tunisia, but credit cards can be used to pay in large shops and hotels, as well as at some petrol stations. Banks charge fees for their use, which can be avoided by paying cash instead. Exchange money can be done in banks and exchange offices. You should, however, compare the exchange rates.