Tunisia – A Short Guide For Tourists
February 3rd, 2011 by Mark Walters, under Vacation Destinations. No Comments
It is no secret that places that become popular with tourists are popular because of trends. When famous celebrities are photographed soaking up the sun or sitting on a yacht in a particular area, that area immediately gains a massive leap in popularity and tourists flock to the latest fashionable holiday spot. The question is, why? Why do the celebrities go to that particular area? What is it about the area that draws people in to begin with?
There are many destinations that are always popular with tourists due to their ability to offer the best of one or two factors – the south of France, Spain, the Mediterranean islands and Switzerland’s mountainous ski slopes to name but a few. However, some places are popular due to their ability to combine a number of factors, plus a certain mystical appeal. Tunisia is such a place, but what is it specifically about Tunisia that makes it so special?
Tunisia’s official name is the Tunisian Republic and is situated on the northern-most tip of Africa. Algeria and Libya surround Tunisia to the west and south-east respectively. While the southern part of Tunisia is mainly comprised of the Sahara Desert, the land around the desert is extremely fertile which helps with growing crops. Tunisia is also able to provide tourists with a massive eight hundred and ten miles of coastline with which to enjoy their holiday in the sun.
As expected with such a huge coastline, Tunisia is famous for its beaches, of which the most popular are Hammamet and Port el-Kantaoui. Port el-Kantaoui was modeled on Port Grimaud, situated on the French Riviera. Also at the beach, tourists like to indulge themselves in scuba diving which is extremely popular for good reason in Tunisia. With spectacularly clear waters and some fantastic coral beds the two places to go are Port el-Kantaoui and Monastir.
One of the biggest tourist pullers in Tunisia is the fact that some of the highest grossing films of the last fifty years have been filmed there. Two Star Wars films, an Indiana Jones movie, and the English Patient were all filmed on location in Tunisia. Finding the filming locations may be a little trickier than you imagine, though there is sufficient information available on the internet to help guide you. One particular location that will not be hard to find is the Sidi Driss Star Wars Hotel in Matmata. This hotel was used as a location in the film Star Wars: A New Hope, which was filmed in 1976.
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A Bed And Breakfast Vacation Is a Great Way To See The Country
January 31st, 2011 by Wesley Mathews, under Travel and Leisure. No Comments
A visitor typically comes to a noteworthy area of the country hopeful to immerse themselves in the unique surroundings of that location. Whether he has come to sample the wines or discover the history of the location, he really wants to feel for a while like he is part of the culture there. When he is looking for accommodations he regularly has a option between lodging in a cookie-cutter chain motel or locally-owned bed breakfasts or else inns.
An inn frequently has the same charm as a bed and breakfast. The primary difference is that while an inn may have an worker within an office to assist you anytime you require assistance, the owners of a bed and breakfast live in the home with their guests. The former gives greater privacy but a vacation at the latter may help the visitor become more deeply involved in the area. The family with whom he is staying will give him more than a room for the night. They might dine with him at breakfast and offer their insights into the local culture in addition to advice about what to take in as well as where to go.
A look at several of the top tourist hot spots inside the country should provide some examples of why the bed-and-breakfast option is best. One of the very first that comes to mind is Fredericksburg, a quaint town nestled in the Texas Hill Country.
Fredericksburg was established by German immigrants in the middle eighteen hundreds and even now retains an old-European atmosphere. Individuals come to see the traditional German architecture, and see the local wineries. The region is also a center for bird watchers and bicyclists.
Many bed and breakfasts operate within the area. Some are owned by families who accentuate their German heritage. Others are out in the country and sport names that pay homage towards the ranch culture that flourishes there. Still others, that are owned by the area wineries, invite their guests to tastings and other wine-related activities. Several highlight their proximity to historical areas like the Nimitz museum which is dedicated to the career of Fredericksburg’s most infamous native son, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet during World War Two.
People that enjoy historical properties must also set up a stay at a B&B in the Lancaster, Pennsylvania area. Lancaster is a small city centered within the center of Amish and Minnonite country. It is also famous for its dairy farms, wineries, and of course cheese industry. Because it is within driving distance of both Gettysburg and Hershey, Pennsylvania, it can often be used as a center location for all those embarking on historical tours.
The bed and breakfasts there emphasize space. Several can be found on old or operational farms and promote how many acres a potential guest will have to wander. Some feature tours of the local areas with glimpses of the Amish who preserve a nineteenth century way of life complete with horses and buggies and traditional period garments. Some B&B’s cater to those who have come to the region to partake in the wines and taste the cheeses.
Anyone excited about wineries and wine tasting ought to book a trip to Key West, Florida where prominence is put on non-grape wines. The distinctive tropical fruit flavors include key lime, mango and tangelo.
While some bed and breakfasts incorporate complimentary glasses of wine to assist guests relax in the evening, most maintain a seafaring theme on that tiny island while advertising their proximity to the beach. The history of Key West is extensive and reflected in the wide variety of architecture displayed by the countless bed and breakfasts.
On the country’s opposite coast you will find the beautiful Napa Valley of California. This locale is renowned as the fruit-and-vegetable production center of the country. It’s also the foremost wine-making spot in this country. People who boast that America can rival the French in making world-class fine wines are pertaining to California wines made in Napa Valley.
Many bed breakfasts will almost always offer a chance to sample regional wines and cheeses together with outings to neighboring wineries. Other romantic travel inns remind their tourists that additional events happen in Napa Valley and offer historical excursions, hot air balloon rides and also cooking classes.
Regardless of where a tourist goes within the U. S., a vacation at a bed breakfast should almost certainly make his stopover more memorable. He will develop a greater understanding of the local history and culture while enjoying a level of luxury and ambiance not often equaled by chain hotels.
Wesley Mathews is part of the travel team at FindVacationRentals.com and FindBedandBreakfast.com. These directories provide detailed information on cabin rentals and things to do.