Tunisia : A Dream Destination For Cultural Enthusiasts
Tunisia, in northeastern Africa is a beautiful country to visit: a country of spices and flowers, ancient history, friendliness, wonderful hotels, restaurants and first class airports.
Tunisia has a mild and scenic coastline and a perfect climate. The Mediterranean makes up its northern, and part of its eastern border. Libya is also to the east and south, and Algeria is to the west. In the over 3000 years of its existence, this country has seen many civilizations pass through and leave their marks: the Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Turks, Spanish and French. Today’s Tunisian culture is a mosaic of all of these cultures that have gone before.
Tunisia’s long and colorful history is preserved in the many hundreds of historical sites and museums that dot the country. The enormous National Museum of Bardo (near Tunis) was a 13th century palace and has been expanded over time so that it’s now a an amazing example of 17th and 18th century Arab architecture and interior décor. It boasts vaulted ceilings, galleries and cupolas. It also houses the finest collection of mosaics in the world! he Carthage Museum is known for its extensive collection of Punic and Roman everyday artifacts. However, it would be a shame to miss its large jewelry collection and its very unusual collection of Punic masks that were fabricated of a paste made of colored glass.
The Dar Ben Abdallah Museum of Traditional Arts and Customs, in Tunis, is housed on the bottom floor of the 18th century palace of the same name. It is the center of the old city of Tunis, the medina. This museum offers traditional Tunisian arts and exhibits traditional customs of the city of Tunis in a traditional setting. Keep in mind that most museums in Tunisia are closed on Mondays. Tunisia is a land of festivals. Every city and village, no matter how large or small, hosts festivals to which visitors are welcome. The Saharian Festival celebrates the vast expanses of the Sahara. It is in Douz and occurs during the second week of November. If you are a devotee of world class music, don’t miss the International Music Festival at the El Jem Coliseum from mid-July to mid-August. What could be lovelier than listening to world famous orchestras and artists on a warm Tunisian evening under the stars in a Roman coliseum?
The most important component of Tunisian family cuisine is its breads! Country breads, found in smaller villages, are usually unleavened and baked in domed, clay ovens called tabounas. Bread is a staple at every Tunisian meal and everyplace in Tunisia has its own special breads. Lamb is the Tunisian’s meat of choice. Due to its long coastline, there is also a plethora of seafood and olive oil, salads and all sorts of herbs and spices including cumin, coriander, garlic, parsley, and dried peppers enhance the flavor of Tunisian food. Tunisians love hot and spicy food but often serve their signature spicy condiment, Harissa, as a side dish for tourists who aren’t up to the hot food. Don’t pass up dessert. Turkish Baklava, a confection made of layers of crispy pastry, ground nuts and cinnamon and soaked in honey syrup is too good to miss.
Visit Tunisia for its arts, culture, history, food and for a fabulous holiday!
Now Try – Tunisia Holidays
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