To Tunisia with a 2 year old child. Holidays in Tunisia with a child - reviews from tourists, features and interesting facts. The secret from "Subtleties"
There was no global glaciation yet, huge dinosaurs still roamed the planet, and primitive people already lived on this earth 200,000 years ago. 1000 years after the appearance of the desert (after the Ice Age) in 4500 BC. The Caspians settled in these places, and already 1000 BC. artifacts dating back to the existence of the Phoenician cities of Carthage, Bizerte, Sousse and Utica. Today, lovers of architectural and historical monuments will be able to add exclusive videos to their collection and delight themselves with unforgettable impressions.
The modern climate in the country is provided by the Mediterranean Sea on one side and the Sahara Desert on the other. The average summer temperature ranges from 22°C to 32°C, in winter from 5 to 12 degrees. The climate is subtropical Mediterranean, desert tropical in the south. The tourist season begins at the end of April and ends at the beginning of November. The sea water warms up to 23-26°C by August. When asked for advice: “Tell me when to go to Tunisia with a child,” you can give a definite answer - best in September.
The best thing about Tunisia, besides the comfortable climate, is thalassotherapy - treatment by the sea, which also includes treatment with algae, seafood and estuary silt.
What you need to know when going on holiday to Tunisia:
- The capital of the country is Tunisia.
- Airports – Tunis, Carthage, Hammamet, Monastir, Djerba.
- The visa for Russians was canceled here in 2014.
- The monetary unit is the Tunisian dinar.
- Prices for most goods do not differ from Moscow prices.
- The time is 2 hours behind Moscow.
- The official language is Arabic, the second language is French.
- Religion – Islam.
- ATMs (in major cities) accept Visa, American Express, Eurocard and Diners Club cards.
- Electricity - 220 volts, European type sockets.
Educational and entertaining video about Tunisia from the program “Heads and Tails. Shopping":
The country's beautiful white sandy beaches are municipal, but many are assigned to individual hotels, whose owners provide their security and maintenance. Almost all hotels provide guests with sun loungers, umbrellas and towels free of charge.
Hotels
The hotel base in Tunisia is very diverse, because the tourism business is the second most important in the country's economy. The problem of how to choose a hotel for a holiday with a child can be easily solved. All you have to do is carefully look through the catalog we present.
So, we present to your attention our personal rating of hotels in Tunisia for families with children:
Djerba Island
One of the largest islands in the Mediterranean is located off the northeastern coast of Tunisia. Two thirds of the 90 thousand population live in the main and only city of Houmt-Souk. According to legend, this paradise was discovered by Odysseus and called “the island of lotus eaters.”
Riu ClubHotel Palm Azur 4*
A wonderful, fresh, all-inclusive hotel located 30 km from Djerba airport, 23 km from the capital and 200 m from its own beach. Everything on the beach is free, even the boats, catamarans and pedalos that are available for rent. There are places with a rocky approach, but mostly the shore with a gentle entrance is covered with white fine sand. A pontoon is also provided for convenience. There are three swimming pools on the territory, one of which is for children, a full-fledged playground, incendiary children's animation, and in the evenings, first children dance, then adults. You can order a babysitting service. The hotel restaurant does not have a children's menu, but the choice of dishes is very diverse; guests are offered natural juices, incredibly tasty desserts, and several types of ice cream.
Next to the hotel there is a large supermarket with souvenirs, groceries, essential goods and even clothes.
SENTIDO Djerba Beach 4*
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A new luxurious premium hotel in Djerba for families with children is located 30 km from Midoun directly on the shore of a picturesque sandy beach. Umbrellas, sun loungers and towels are provided free of charge. On the territory there is a swimming pool, children's playground, playground, and a children's club. The hotel building has a games room, a fitness center with a heated pool and a Turkish bath. Spacious, modern rooms are equipped with everything you need, they have a balcony or terrace, and can accommodate a baby cot. The restaurant also provides high chairs for small guests under 3 years old.
Mahdia
Right on the Mediterranean coast is the southernmost resort of mainland Tunisia, the ancient city (8th century BC) - Mahdia.
The average air temperature here from May to September is 20-26°C.
It is in Mahdia that the best hotels for children with sandy beaches and a mild climate are located. This is a very calm and quiet place for a heavenly holiday.
Iberostar Royal El Mansour Hotel & Thalasso 5*
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This family-run hotel is located on the coast, 1 km from the seaport. Distance to airport:
- Monastir – 50 km;
- Tunisia – 100 km;
- Enfidha – 90 km.
The rooms have free internet, a furnished balcony or terrace, a bath and everything you need. A cot for infants is available upon request. The hotel's restaurants operate under the All Inclusive system. They provide high chairs for babies. A large selection of fruits, all other food is at the highest level - tasty, high quality, varied. The hotel has a children's mini club where you can leave children from 4 to 12 years old. On the territory with a swimming pool there is children's animation, and in the evenings there are mini discos.
Vincci El Mansour 4* (ex.Riu El Mansour)
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According to reviews on tophotels, this is one of the best economy hotels for families with children of all ages. It is located 50 km from the nearest airport, 100 m from the bus stop, on the shore of its own white sandy beach with free sun loungers, mattresses and umbrellas. The restaurant's kitchen prepares dishes suitable for children as young as 2 years old and even one-year-olds. In addition, in order for little guests to have a fun holiday, on the hotel grounds, planted with greenery, there are two outdoor and one indoor swimming pools, there is also a children's pool, a playground, a mini club and children's animation. According to reviews from vacationers, the hotel deserves 5 stars. The Oasis shopping center is within walking distance.
Monastir
In the center of coastal Tunisia in the 5th century BC. The Phoenician settlement of Rus Penna appeared; now this place is home to the modern resort of Monastir and a large international airport. Fans of excursion holidays will be happy to visit the Sidi Ali el-Mezeri Mosque, located at the Kubbu cemetery and the Museum of Islamic Art.
Nerolia Hotel & Spa 4* (ex.Dessole Saadia Resort)
The hotel is one of the best economical chain hotels. It is located 3 km from the airport and 11 km from the center of Monastir, surrounded by a beautiful orchard. The 290 rooms have everything for a comfortable stay. Each has a furnished balcony or terrace and a bathtub. The restaurant operates on an all-inclusive basis. There are dishes that can be fed to a small child. High chairs are also provided for children. Additional safe baby cots are installed in the room for children under one year of age. The hotel has a children's pool, a playground, a mini-club that shows cartoons, and children's discos are held in the evenings.
Bella Vista 4* (ex.Dessole)
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The hotel complex, surrounded by green spaces and exotic flowers, with an area of 80,000 m2, is located 1 km from the airport, on the famous sandy beach of Skanes. On the territory there are two swimming pools for adults, a splash pool for those who have just turned 1 year old and a pool for older children. One of them has a miniature water park with water slides. Every day, children from 2 to 12 years old study in a mini club, play on the playground, and in the evening there is a children's disco. In the restaurant, the little traveler can be seated in a special high chair and treated to 10 types of ice cream, fresh fruit or other excellent dishes.
Sousse
The capital of eastern Tunisia is located 13 km from Monastir airport and is distinguished not only by its excellent mild climate, but also by a developed entertainment structure. There is a zoo, a water park, a golf club, an amusement park and much more. The ancient city will not disappoint lovers of historical and architectural monuments.
Moevenpick Resort & Marine Spa 5*
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- Children's swimming pool;
- playground;
- mini club;
- mini disco and children's animation;
- baby cot in the room and high chair in the restaurant.
The well-maintained white sand beach offers a safe, gentle entry into the water and free sun loungers and umbrellas. The restaurant operates on an all-inclusive basis and has a children's menu. Natural fresh juices are prepared every day.
Royal Kenz Thalasso & Spa / Thomson Platinum 4*
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An excellent relatively budget hotel 200 meters from its own beach with free sun loungers, mattresses, inflatable toys for children and amazingly white sand. There are two fresh water pools and one heated sea water pool. The room has a balcony with furniture and a clothes dryer; a baby cot can be installed on request. The all-inclusive restaurant offers baby food options and always has milk and fresh fruit. Children's high chairs are available. On the territory there is a children's pool, a playground, and children's animation. Free Wi-Fi is available in public areas.
Of all the countries on the African continent, Tunisia is best suited for families with children of all ages. Little ones will love the white sand and wide beaches, while older children will love the local water parks and rides on pirate ships. Well, it will be very interesting for teenagers who will be interested in riding camels, quad bikes and visiting the Sahara. And for parents, the main advantage is that the trip is budget-friendly.
The low cost of tours here is determined by two factors: the low level of prices (and living) in the country and the hot climate, thanks to which it is best to vacation here not during the peak season, but at its beginning and in the fall. But let's talk about everything in order.
Best time to travel with children
You can go to a Muslim country, whose territory has a subtropical Mediterranean climate in the north and a desert climate in the south, at any time of the year, but it is better to relax with children from mid-September to late October And at the end of June.
At this time, the air temperature is no longer as high as in July-August, when it becomes unbearably hot. The water at the resorts warms up quite slowly, but by the end of June it reaches a comfortable level of +23°C. At this time, you can not only sunbathe, but also comfortably travel around the country, sightseeing.
Air temperature by month
At the height of summer (July-August), the country finds itself at the mercy of the desert, from which hot air masses come. heat that does not pass even at night. These months are not recommended for traveling around Tunisia, especially for visiting the desert, and especially with children.
Water temperature
The winter months and the end of autumn are chosen for health improvement - after all, Tunisia is famous for its balneological resorts and thalassotherapy centers. They are open all year round, but in the off-season there are fewer people and prices are lower.
What to look for when choosing a resort
A lot depends on the age of the child and his interests.
Hammamet Perfect for active school-aged children. There is all the necessary infrastructure for children's entertainment, which includes attractions and water parks. In addition, leading thalassotherapy centers are located here, which will appeal to parents.
Sousse Although it is considered a “noisy and party” place, it is nevertheless in demand among family tourists due to lower prices. Wonderful beaches and interesting attractions allow it to compete with Hammamet, but in terms of entertainment this resort is noticeably inferior.
Monastir choose for a quiet and relaxing holiday with babies. Despite the fact that there is an international airport here, the resort lives a measured life and the entertainment here is the same. The southern analogue of this resort will be Mahdia.
Djerba Island It has a warmer climate, so it is often chosen for a beach holiday. If you and your child are interested in the beach and the sea, then you can choose a good hotel with developed children's infrastructure and enjoy your vacation.
Beaches of Tunisia: what are they like?
As our survey showed, the presence of a sandy beach and a gentle entrance to the sea are the main criteria for parents when choosing a resort. In this regard, Tunisia stands out favorably against its competitors.
All beaches in the country are sandy. The widest strip of sand is distinguished by Hammamet beaches, from 50 to 100 m. There are only two of them: the beach of old Hammamet and Yasmina beach. The sand here is fine and the descent into the water is smooth, which is very convenient for children. Both are equipped with changing cabins, toilets and sun loungers. While children make sand cakes on the beach, adults can ride a camel, ride a jet ski, go water skiing or windsurf.
Before those who choose to relax Sousse There is a choice of 4 beaches:
- wide white sand Bu Jafar
- narrower Las Vegas
- Long Port El Kantaoui
- and practically undeveloped in the port of Sousse.
The first two are popular with families with children due to the full range of services provided, unlike the latter, where there are not even sun loungers and umbrellas. In addition, during the season the beaches are not ideally clean.
And in Monastir There are 10 beaches, but only a few are suitable for families with children. The best of them is the central beach - Kariaa, which is not so wide - only 20 m, but stretches for 700 m. It is very clean and has a smooth descent into the water, in addition, it is distinguished by a calm sea without waves, so children can safely splash around the shore. Here you can rent sun loungers and umbrellas. In addition, kids should enjoy Eddhill, Skines and Marina Beach.
Considered one of the best in Tunisia Mahdia beach. This is a 10 km long beach with white sand, numerous cafes and water activities. It is ideal for children due to its gradual decrease in depth and calm sea.
Those who choose to live on the island of Djerba will not regret it either. In the northeast there is the best Lalla Hadria beach, in the west of the island there are Sidi Mahrez, Sidi Jimour and Seguia, which also have everything you need for a children's holiday.
Where to go with a child in the resorts of Tunisia
Not the last point when choosing a resort for families with children will be the entertainment infrastructure. Holidays with children involve fun leisure. What to do at the resorts, besides visiting the beaches and sightseeing, which restless children do not always like?
Children's club on site
Waterpark CarthageLand near Sousse
Tourists who choose Hammamet will not have to think long about the entertainment program. At their service:
- Phrygia Zoo, where exotic predators live in their natural environment, and there is also a dolphinarium
- amusement park "Carthage Land".
- Those who are not yet tired of water can spend time at the Flippers water park.
Fans of active recreation will find something to their liking: golf, horse riding, ice skating or paintball.
It won't be boring in Sousse either. Here the kids are waiting:
- Children's amusement park and botanical garden
- aquapark
- "House of Ice Cream"
- horse shows and an entertainment complex with rides and karting 25 km from the city
- the laser show offered here is considered the best in the world.
- Active recreation is also not forgotten: golf, bowling and much more.
Those staying in Monastir will also find something to do. Tourists here will find an amusement park and karting, a riding school, diving and golf courses of international level.
It will be less interesting in Mahdia, where, apart from beach activities and ATV rides, there is almost nothing to surprise guests.
But about. In addition to traditional diving and golf, Djerba offers you to visit a crocodile farm or be transported to the Star Wars movie, ending up in the village of Ajim. The Djerba Explore theme park invites you to get acquainted with the Ibadi culture.
What to consider when choosing a hotel
Hotels in Tunisia meet the international classification, so there will be no surprises for tourists here. For family accommodation, it is better to choose large hotels from 4* and above, since you will spend most of your time on the hotel premises. Due to the crisis that came after the war and the terrorist attacks of 2015, many hotel chains were forced to leave the market, which is why there is now a certain shortage of quality hotels. But each of the resorts still has its own decent accommodation options.
Most resort hotels are located on the seashore and have sufficient territory. Of course, we are not talking about the most budget ones, but even ordinary 3rd category hotels have a swimming pool, a children's playground and a garden.
Tunisian hotels typically have boarding-type meals (breakfast and dinner). The all-inclusive system is not in great demand. Tunisia does not have such a wide choice of catering as in Spain or Greece, so we still recommend choosing a hotel with 2-3 meals a day. Since it is not advisable to look for acceptable options outside the hotel territory.
In addition to playgrounds and children's pools, many hotels have mini-clubs where children can study all day long. If you plan to leave your child in such a “kindergarten”, it is worth checking whether there are Russian-speaking staff. Almost all hotels provide babysitting services, but often they do not speak Russian, so be sure in advance.
I decided to write a report, because on “Motherhood” there are few topics about Tunisia, but it is probably of interest to many, especially those who are already a little tired of Turkey and Egypt.
We were not planning to go somewhere in May, but by coincidence, a friend of mine had a force majeure event two days before departure, and within an hour we had to give an answer and rewrite the documents, and I, of course, agreed, although it was my first time going there. It was a little scary together with a child. But all the fears were in vain, at 2.5 years old it is already quite possible to travel with a child, you can negotiate, you can ask him for something and have a completely healthy rest.
The main question for “motherhood” is whether it is possible and worth going to Tunisia with children. It’s definitely possible and worth it - a comfortable climate, a pleasant, calm country. Of course, go as usual, carefully choosing a hotel and its location. All these banal phrases that this is a former French colony, and it is more civilized there than in Egypt, in fact, are absolutely true. The local population is much more cultured and softer, the majority speak at least three languages - Arabic, French and English. Few people speak Russian both on the streets and in hotels, and even then it’s usually 10-50 words. Therefore, at least some minimum of English will not hurt. I remembered the language, of course, and started speaking, practicing, in short. Another advantage of Tunisia is the small number of our compatriots vacationing there. These are mainly French and Italians, Sicily is generally 120 km away. Well, there are a lot of other Europeans, so Russian speech is still a novelty there in some places, although our number is steadily growing. Holidays there are not entirely hotel-based, as in Turkey, but combine both a hotel and city entertainment. But more on this a little later. You can walk around resort towns alone or with a child completely calmly, there is a minimum of harassment, a maximum of a compliment or an invitation to drink a cup of coffee, everything is unobtrusive and polite. In general, everyone is polite, everyone smiles, they like to chat, ask how things are going, etc. But, of course, the fair-haired child, and all children in general, are wildly popular. Everyone loves children, not to mention the local population, and the French and Italians also have a very high degree of love for children. So be prepared for the fact that your child will be wildly, emotionally and constantly admired, constantly stroked, picked up, entertained, spoon-fed by a crowd (these are Italians, the child even ate everything out of surprise) and perform such a “wonderful” custom, how to kiss unknown children for happiness. Fortunately, they kiss near the ear, so there is no “infection.” After a couple of days, with the next “smack” you stop twitching.
Tunisia combines three cultures - European, African and Arabic, so there is quite a lot to see there for such a small country and just a huge number of varied and inexpensive souvenirs, and most fly away from there with a decent margin. The country is one of the largest importers of olive oil and its derivatives, so you want to buy a lot of olive oil cosmetics, soap, and the oil itself. And so much nonsense like African masks, figurines, rugs, beads, paintings, rugs, costume jewelry, silver, handmade dishes, bags, all sorts of leather trinkets, essential oils, delicious nuts and so on, so on... And most of the goods are priced from 1 up to 20 dinars, and one dinar is only 25 rubles... All purchases must be made either in “fix price” shops, or in “gallery” shopping centers, or in supermarkets. Anything without prices is a complete deception and the same things, only 5 times more expensive. And in the rest, price tags are set almost by the state; there are municipal supermarkets, where locally produced goods, especially groceries, are generally sold for pennies. Supermarkets are completely European, with the same selection, even the amount of change is written on the receipt, all children's goods such as diapers and food are made in France, not Poland, so you can take the minimum with you. Plus in pharmacies all sorts of French. cosmetics, creams from companies like Lierak, Vichy, etc. are one and a half times cheaper than in Moscow, because there is less markup. In general, if only there was money... In restaurants, prices are about 30-50 percent cheaper than in Moscow. The cuisine is Mediterranean, not particularly spicy, the hotel generally has a very large selection of dietary dishes, cottage cheese, a lot of baked vegetables. The country is wine-producing, 125 varieties of wine, the French taught them how to make wine, so it’s worth a try, especially rose.
So, 04/26/09/05/10/09 hotel:
Hasdrubal Thalassa & Spa Port El Kantaoui, 4*+, Sousse, Port El Kantaoui. http://tn.otzyv.ru/hotel_descr.php?id=216
I didn't choose the hotel. The hotel is well-known, a thalassotherapy center, not cheap, designed for an “adult”, European, leisurely and pleasant relaxing holiday. The room has everything - a robe, slippers, cotton swabs, fresh flowers every day, caramels, the surfaces are decorated with rose petals (which you then collect and throw away, fun). Therefore, there is a minimum for children, animation too, but they really love children there. The sea was still very cool, so we swam in the pools, both heated with sea water and regular ones, depending on our mood and weather. We sunbathed, of course, on the beach, the sand there is white, soft, rolls down on its own - beauty. But there is a lot of algae in the sea, such a feature of Tunisia. It’s not that they interfere in any way, but they are simply present as a fact, and somewhat spoil the view. Of all the thalassotherapy with a child, only hydromassage and facial massage with a mask were available to me. Well, that’s not why I went there. Half board, but it was enough for us, we eat a little. In restaurants, waiters, silver cutlery, wine list, etc.
Breakfast is a standard buffet, not bad, dinner is a buffet and hot dishes are individually ordered from the menu, ice cream. The hot food is very tasty, restaurant level, prepared individually, so you wait for it like in a restaurant, 30-40 minutes. In general, dinner is designed for a leisurely pastime of wine and conversation, each with its own separate table. The service there, of course, is very good, everywhere and in everything, it’s just that everything is very leisurely. The child always has something to eat, and the desserts are generally the most delicious of all my trips, we ate three per evening. The hotel is located in the very center of Port el Kantaoui, so there were no problems with entertainment for the child at all - within a kilometer radius there is an amusement park, a zoo and a botanical garden, a port with an embankment, a square with singing fountains, restaurants, discos, a bunch of shops - to occupy a few hours easily. And of course we went to Carthage (this is a mandatory point of the program, to be in Tunisia and not see Carthage..), Sidi Bou Said, the blue and white city, to the capital under the original name of Tunisia and go on a yacht. I didn’t dare go on a two-day excursion to the Sahara with a child, but this is the best and most worthwhile, the reviews are only rave, so next time.
For some parents, the idea of traveling with their child to a sultry African country for a vacation will seem crazy. “There is no baby food there, they have no idea what diapers are!” - they will exclaim. But all these fears are generated by myths about the elitism of Europe and the “underdevelopment” of countries on other continents. In this article we will try to cover as fully as possible a holiday in Tunisia with a child. Reviews from parents who were not afraid to travel to this African country with their child served as an information base for us. Which resort should you choose for your holiday? Are there hotels in Tunisia that specialize in welcoming young and very young travelers? When is the best time to travel to this country? What to do with your child when he gets bored with the beach and sea? We will try to answer these questions in our article.
Pros and cons of Tunisia
The absence of visas for short-term stays, a short flight, kilometers of wide sandy beaches, a long holiday season - all this makes the country in northwest Africa very attractive for family holidays. But, if we compare Tunisia with such leaders in the tourism industry as Egypt and Turkey, then this state has some disadvantages. The Mediterranean Sea off the coast of northwestern Africa, although warm, is not abundant in species of underwater inhabitants. Divers may find it boring there. And turbulent waters often throw algae ashore. Egypt with its Red Sea is far ahead of Turkey and Tunisia. The latter country is taking its first steps in the tourism business. There are fewer hotels with children's animation in Tunisia than in Turkey. But nothing compares to the amazing Barbary exotica. It is present everywhere in Tunisia. And this is why the country’s resorts are so different from the impersonal Turkish and Egyptian Antalya and Marmaris, Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh.
When to go to Tunisia with a child?
The climate of this country is similar to the Anatolian Riviera in Turkey. Therefore, the beach season there lasts from April to November. But this is for adults. The deep Mediterranean Sea is still cold in April, and seasoned people dare to dive into its waters. In November the water remains warm, but the mornings and evenings are quite fresh. And the winds - a sign of the approaching winter - begin to chill to the bones. In July-August, it is in principle possible to travel to Tunisia with a small child. Reviews claim that the sea warms up to temperatures that are very comfortable for a child’s delicate body - +26-28 degrees. But in the summer months, tourists recommend bringing your child to the beach in the morning and evening. The period from eleven to sixteen hours should be spent, if not in an air-conditioned room, then at least in deep shade. But if you want your baby to splash around in the sea to his heart’s content and be able to freely build sand castles from morning to evening, then you need to wisely choose the time when to go on vacation with your child to Tunisia. The best time for children is from May to mid-June and September-October. But even then, do not forget to use sunscreen with a high SPF level at home.
Choosing a resort
A place to relax is of paramount importance. In Tunisia, unlike Turkey, there are no youth resorts or quiet seaside villages intended exclusively for families with children. In every town of this African country you can find hotels that specialize in welcoming young tourists. Reviews about holidays in Tunisia with children recommend choosing a resort based on the time of vacation and the age of the child. For example, if your child is still too young to be interested in excursions, go to Djerba. This island is the warmest place in Tunisia. You can bathe your child in the sea here from the second half of April. Clean sand and smooth entry into the water are also available in Mahdia. But if your child has grown up, is no longer satisfied with sculpting Easter cakes from sand and craves other entertainment, do not take him to resorts such as Nabeul, Tabarka or Gammarth. There is absolutely no entertainment for children outside of hotels.
How to choose a hotel for families with children in Tunisia?
Hotels in this country have long mastered “narrow specialization.” And if there are no “children’s” resorts in Tunisia, then there are hotels for family holidays. But when choosing a hotel based on this parameter, you should clarify several important points. Firstly, the mini club. They are available in all hotels that specialize in children's holidays. But Tunisia is a favorite holiday destination for the French, British, Germans and Dutch. Therefore, some mini-clubs will not accept a child if he does not speak English or another European language. And the nannies in such hotels do not speak Russian.
Other mini-clubs have a strict age limit, and you will be forced to take care of your three-year-old or 13-year-old yourself. But there is a choice: you need to contact Russian tour operators that cooperate with hotels in Tunisia. For families with children (reviews mention this more than once), such hotels attract Russian-speaking teachers and animators. You should also make sure that the hotel has a large green area with a shallow pool. It would also be nice to have well-shaded playgrounds. You should not choose a city hotel on the third or fourth line, so that trips to the sea do not turn into complete torture for your child.
Tunisia, holidays with children, best hotels: reviews
Particularly scrupulous parents who do not trust African exotica should think about booking a chain hotel. In this case, you always know what level of hotel services awaits you. Of the five-star hotels, reviews recommend the Iberostar Royal, which is located in Mansoura. This hotel even has a children's menu, which is rare in Tunisia. Of the “fours”, “Palm Azur 4” is ahead of all. This hotel specializes in children's holidays. Not only that: it has Russian-speaking animators in the mini-club. Reviews claim that the All Inclusive system at this hotel provides excellent food. Freshly squeezed fruit juices are served for breakfast. Palm Azur 4 has a large area with a well-shaded garden. What should those tourists do who cannot afford a five- or four-star holiday in Tunisia with a child? Reviews recommend choosing the Dar Khayyam hotel. Guests of this three-star hotel are allowed to use the entire infrastructure of the neighboring, more expensive one. "Dar Khayyam" is located on the first line from the sea and has a very good and clean beach, which is praised by many tourists. There are three swimming pools on the perfectly landscaped hotel grounds. It works according to the All Inclusive system.
Nutrition
There is no need to worry about this point when going on holiday in Tunisia with a child. Reviews claim that the national cuisine of this country is replete with fruits and desserts. Main courses can be spicy for a child's delicate stomach. But in hotels in Tunisia, which have long been welcoming tourists with children from Western Europe, they are ready to serve boiled rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, chicken breast or fish fillet for their little guests. Even in three-star hotels you can choose dishes for your child. For breakfast they serve pancakes, yoghurt and muesli. If your child is very young, you should not take a bunch of jars of baby food with you on the road. Pharmacies in Tunisia sell local or French analogues, which are many times higher in quality than Russian ones.
Entertainment for children. Hammamet
Every parent wants to make their holiday in Tunisia with their child more emotional. Reviews assure that Hammamet has plenty of such entertainment for both schoolchildren and very young children. You can plunge into the atmosphere of ancient Carthage and at the same time ride 18 water slides at the Carthage Land water park. This place has a worthy competitor. Flipper Water Park has 13 adult and six children's water attractions. At the Friger Park Zoo, visitors will see various animals that seem to have stepped out of the pages of the fairy tale about Doctor Aibolit. And then you can go to the children's amusement park "Fabiland". There is also a skating rink with real ice in Hammamet.
For a beach holiday with your beloved child, Tunisia is suitable in all respects: the flight is short, a visa is not needed, the sea is excellent, the beaches are sandy and long, the swimming season lasts a long time. So it is not surprising that every year an increasing number of families with children choose this Mediterranean country - the youngest tourists have complete freedom here. Tour operators could not help but pay attention to this fact - and for several years now, Russian mini-clubs have been operating in a number of Tunisian hotels, where children are entertained in their native language almost from dawn to dusk. To help you decide on a resort, hotel and entertainment for your children's holiday, we present a brief summary of holiday opportunities in Tunisia with children.
When to go?
Choosing the right time to relax in Tunisia with a child is the key to a well-spent vacation and pleasure for both parents and children. Let’s define the ideal time for children’s holidays as follows: it’s no longer cold, but it’s not hot yet.
It is best to go on holiday to Tunisia with a child from April to the twentieth of June and from September to the first of November. During these months, the air temperature is comfortable from +18 °C to +27 °C, and the sun is not yet overly active - so the risk of sunstroke or sunburn is minimized. Of course, it is still necessary to apply sunscreen with a high SPF factor to the child’s skin and do not forget about a hat, as well as spend time at least from noon to four o’clock in the afternoon in the shade.
This is not to say that July and August in Tunisia are categorically unsuitable for holidays with children - it’s just that during this period you need to treat the sun with special “respect” and leave the sun no later than 11 am. The sea warms up to the most comfortable temperature for sensitive baby skin just in July - August: +26...+28 °C.
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Which resort should you choose?
In Tunisia, there are no specific resorts “tailored” for children’s holidays - in almost any resort you can find several hotel options for a quality holiday with an emphasis on children. You should not immediately focus on Tabarka, Gammarth and Nabeul - these are rather intimate, “local” resorts, and it will be a bit boring here with children. But the popular resort coast: Hammamet, Sousse, Monastir, Mahdia and the island of Djerba offers excellent conditions for a fun time in the company of children.
Yasmine Hammamet
The highlight of Yasmine Hammamet is the Carthage Land entertainment complex with a lot of interesting attractions, including those aimed at the youngest tourists, as well as the stylized New Medina with its colorful markets, fountains and houses from different regions of Tunisia, as well as the Crossroads museum civilizations and cultures" - this will be interesting for older children. There is a water park in northern Hammamet; Among other things, a number of hotels have water slides on site - for example, Movie Gate Miramar, Samira Club, Caribbean World Hammamet.
Sousse
In Sousse, you should choose a hotel closer to the Port el Kantaoui area - there is a mini zoo, a botanical garden and a ranch where you can ride horses. In addition, the sea in Porto is cleaner than in the city, and your child will be able to splash in the amazingly clear blue water in shallow waters. Hotels popular among Russian tourists have children's mini-clubs and hotels with water slides.
Monastir
Monastir's child-friendly hotels cluster in the tourist area of Skanes. There is practically no entertainment outside the hotels, but on the hotel premises there are water slides (Eden Club, Caribbean World), a mini-ranch, and a playground with swings, sandboxes and other places for children's leisure. Some hotels here also have Russian mini-clubs.
Mahdia
Mahdia is suitable for children's holidays due to the magnificent cleanliness of the sea and long beaches with fine white sand and a gradual decrease in depth - in this parameter Mahdia easily outshines other Tunisian resorts. Caribbean World has water slides and Cap Mahdia has a mini ranch. Also, children will not be bored at Mahdia Beach - this is a family hotel popular among Europeans. There is practically no entertainment for children outside of hotels.
Djerba
The island of Djerba is the warmest resort in Tunisia; you can safely come here with children starting from the first days of April (although the sea, of course, will still be cold). There are two long tourist areas in Djerba with hotels for every taste, including a lot of options for children's recreation - with water slides, a mini zoo, mini ranches, Russian mini clubs, etc. In addition, little tourists can be taken out to the Djerba Explore Park, where the only crocodile farm in Tunisia is located, as well as many interesting museums for those who are older.
When choosing a place for a sun lounger on the beach, you should not chase the first line - a lot of vacationers and working people walk along the surf line: pareo sellers, camel riders and mounted policemen.
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Features of hotels - what to pay attention to
When choosing a hotel for a children's holiday in Tunisia, focus primarily on the territory, the availability of children's animation (including in Russian) and the general focus of the hotel on family holidays with children.
What should a hotel have?
There is no need to mention that the territory should be as large and green as possible. It is important to pay attention to the children's "land" corner - swings, carousels, benches and sandboxes - as well as the presence of a children's pool, preferably with a nice "trick" such as a fungus or fountain sculptures. At the same time, he should not be “on the outskirts” - after all, it will be convenient for you to sit on a sun lounger next to the pool and control the child’s activity.
Where to swim?
When choosing a place for a sun lounger on the beach, you should not chase the first line - a lot of vacationers and working people walk along the surf line: pareo sellers, camel riders and mounted policemen. It is better to choose a place further away, but quieter, with good shade and close to the lawn. Your child will be able to dig in the sand everywhere, whether at the water’s edge or on the last line of sun loungers, and he will still have to take measured sea baths, under your careful supervision.
How to entertain?
The second important point is the mini-club.
Some Tunisian hotels do not accept children who do not speak English or other European languages into the mini-club - this issue must be clarified when booking.
The ideal choice would be a Russian mini-club, where Russian-speaking animators and specialists in the field of children's pedagogy work with children. However, hotels with this option may not be suitable for “adult” parameters - here it’s up to you to weigh all the pros and cons.
Nanny services are available in almost every Tunisian hotel, but she will almost certainly be English-speaking at best.
Mini club in a Tunisian hotel
What to feed?
Suitable nutrition is another important component of holidays with children. To the credit of Tunisian hotels, they offer a wide variety of dishes, including those aimed at children's stomachs. Boiled rice and mashed potatoes, stewed or baked vegetables, baked fish and stewed chicken, as well as all kinds of salads and, of course, an abundance of fruit will feed even the most capricious child. If your child is still on baby food, you don’t have to take kilograms of jars with you - Tunisian pharmacies sell a lot of local and French analogues, often of better quality than the range of Russian stores.
The secret from "Subtleties"
Finally, it will be useful to study foreign language forums. Citizens of enlightened Europe do not hesitate to take even newly “hatched” babies on vacation, and foreign tour operators have long ate the dog when it comes to selecting tours for vacations with children of all ages.
Excursions in Tunisia for children
It’s a rare parent who will refuse the opportunity not only to show their child the sea, but also to plant grains of knowledge in a young head - and Tunisian excursions are the best way to do this.
No. 1 - zoo
Excursions to the Phrygia Zoo and the light and music show Medinat Ezzahra are suitable for the youngest tourists. The closest places to the zoo are Hammamet (about 20 minutes drive) and Sousse (about 40 minutes). The visit lasts about three hours, during which you can see representatives of African fauna, listen to African songs performed by Zulu musicians and watch a show in the dolphinarium. The mini-zoo is home to goats, sheep, donkeys, horses and poultry - you can touch and feed all of them.
No. 2 - light and music show
The light and music show “Medinat Ezzahra” will be interesting for children of all ages, and adults always respond enthusiastically to the performance. Before the start of the performance, you can walk around the Berber village, look at domestic animals and camels, try delicious homemade bread with traditional tea and draw some pattern with the national version of a washable tattoo - “harkus”. Then you will enjoy horse riding and a fire-eater performance to the accompaniment of Tunisian music, followed by a re-enactment of a Tunisian wedding and a dinner of national cuisine. And only then the audience is invited to an open-air amphitheater, where, using fountains, lasers and photo projections, actors and animals, the three-thousand-year history of Tunisia is fascinatingly told.
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No. 3 - excursion to the Sahara
A two-day excursion to the Sahara will be tiring for young children, but starting from the age of 6-7 years, children stare enthusiastically out the window, imagine themselves as gladiators in the arena of the Colosseum in El Jem, try to climb into the Berber rooms dug into the yielding rock in Matmata and trying on a Bedouin costume during a camel ride in Douz. They will also find the real home of Luke Skywalker from Star Wars, mountain oases and waterfalls.
It makes sense to take children of middle and high school age on the Tunisia - Carthage - Sidi Bou Said excursion. It is full of historical facts, and the little ones will find it a bit boring.