A country with a long and renowned history, Tunisia has within its borders a wide variety of fascinating historic monuments and buildings, magnificent scenery and so much more-making Tunisia a fascinating and memorable country to visit!

Tunisia is mostly known for its 1,100km coastline of the most beautiful beaches of the southern Mediterranean, and around forty percent of the country is Saharan desert with the rest set on fertile land crossed by two ranges of mountains.  But Tunisia also has a long history, in which many civilizations have settled and left their mark on the landscape and culture on the country. Many historical settlements and remains of the Roman, Byzantine, Islamic and Punic eras are found in this country and most of these sites are still in excellent condition. The outcome is an intriguing cross-cultural blend of the European, African and the Arab worlds. 

One of the most famous historical sites in Tunisia is Carthage, just south of the conference’s location. Although effectively destroyed by the Romans in the third Punic War, Carthage to this day still contains splendor of long ago and is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Carthage contains many magnificent Roman buildings such as the Antonine Baths and the amphitheatre.  Tunis also hosts the Bardo museum which proclaims one of the largest selections of mosaics in the world as well as antiquities that date from prehistoric times through to present-day Tunisia, which is an easy day-trip from the conference site.

Other famous sites which are not to be missed while traveling to Tunisia, include:

The Medina of Tunis: listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tunis’ Medina is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the Islamic world. The souk has remained virtually unchanged since the 13th century and still contains its oriental charm.  The Medina is a great place to spend the day shopping and view mosques, palaces and casbahs.

Sidi Bou Said:  An enchanting village on a rocky hill overseeing the Mediterranean Sea.  Known for its blue doors and shutters that contrast against the white facades covered with colorful geraniums and bougainvillea.

Kairouan: the fourth most holy city in the Islamic world after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. The city displays beautiful architecture, from its city walls and monumental gates to the great mosque of Okba Ibn Nafaa, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. It’s also a great place to shop for copper, brass, leather and of course carpets- it’s the oldest and most renowned carpet-making center in Tunisia.

Dougga: the best preserved Roman city in Africa. Stretching across 65 hectares on a mountainside, Dougga boast grandiose temples and theaters, forum and markets.

Important Facts About Tunisia:

 

Capital: Tunis.

Language: French and Arabic are the main languages and are widely understood. Some English is spoken.

Population: 10 Million.

Currency: The official currency of Tunisia is the Tunisian Dinar.  One Tunisia Dinar is worth 0.84 US Dollar or 0.55 Euro.  The Tunisian Dinar is divided into 1000 millimes.  The Dinar is not easily convertible, and it is prohibited to bring Dinars in and out of Tunisia.  Be sure to save your ATM or Exchange receipt to be able to convert remaining Dinar into foreign currency before leaving.  Without receipts, it will not be possible to reconvert your remaining Dinar before leaving.

ATMs / Credit Cards: Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are widely available throughout Tunisia, and most major credit cards are accepted.  Upper-class establishments also accept most major credit cards.

Airport: Tunis-Carthage International is the international airport serving Tunis, Tunisia.  This is 14 km from the conference site.

Taxis: All registered Taxis use meters to determine a fare calculated from a combination of distance travelled and time required, and are recognizable by their standard yellow appearance.  The fares increase late at night. 
Cab fare will range between 10 and 15 Tunisian Dinars from the airport to the conference site, and an additional 5 Tunisian Dinars should be paid for heavy luggage.  Barceló Carthage Thalasso, the hotel hosting the conference, was formerly the Carthage Palace Hotel.  It may be helpful to specify to taxi drivers its location in Gammarth’s Touristic Zone (Zone Touristique).

Weather: Average temperatures range from 14° C to 28° C (57° F to 82.4° F) from October to May.

Voltage: The voltage used in Tunisia is 220V.  Plugs are round and double-pronged.

Calling Code: +216