Tunisia

Gradually, Tunisia is recovering from their revolution of January 14th. The former president Ben Ali abandoned Tunisia and began a new era of free information, free access to the media and democracy. Before that Tunisia and Goulette were traditional port of call for cruise ships with Western Mediterranean routes. With the revolution and the instability of the country all the companies abandoned La Goulette and replaced this port of call for any other Italian port. Tunisia needs the return of cruise companies because they highly depend on the tourism. According to its inhabitants, after the revolution of January 14th Tunisia is trying to change the stereotype of cheating tourists, standardizing prices on taxis to visit Tunisia and even going so far as to deliver purchase tickets in the shops... La Goulette has a small newly-built terminal with an architecture according to the country.
 

LA GOULETTE

OFFICIAL TOURS: The duration of this scale is usually quite short. Companies usually offer a mixture of the four most interesting places: the ruins of Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, Medina and spice markets... Carthage is not worth the visit; it is not as attractive as it seems. Sidi Bou Said is a small charming town and with the Medina visit you can get a real taste of Tunisia

ALTERNATIVES: The alternatives are the same but on our own. In the terminal you can find a place which offers taxis to visit the destinations mentioned above with prices ranging between 40 € and 90 € by taxi, so it is best to try to bring together four people to save money

WHERE TO EAT: I recommend to have lunch when back to the ship or before arrival. In Sidi Bou Said you can have tea with pine nuts or some fresh juice in a typical local café (Café Jasmine) after making purchases.
 

TEA WITH PINE NUTS

SHOPPING: There are many shops in Sidi Bou Said where you can buy a souvenir. It is convenient to bargain, always considering that the price will drop if you buy more things inthe same place. The stores take € and $, while street vendors also catch coins (1€/2€)

There is a shop in the main street of Sidi Bou Said well known for selling self made perfume essences. El Andaluz performs a demonstration for groups. He makes discounts if you buy several essences but don't bargain here. The prices are fixed

* Check if your cruise really stops in Tunisia, because Costa does not while MSC does