Tunisia holidays

Haggle your way around Tunisia's souks and medinas and you’ll easily snap up a bargain. The Hammamet Medina on the mainland offer the best choice – the crooked streets play host to stalls that are heaving with handmade rugs, blue ceramics, Arabesque birdcages and chunky jewellery.

Tunis is great if you’re not on a budget. The capital specialises in big designer names, like Versace, Armani and D&G. The tree-lined avenues in the Le Lac district are a good place to start your shopping spree.

Nightlife in Tunisia tends to revolve around the hotels, with belly-dancing and Bedouin shows regular fixtures. If you’d rather get dressed up and go out, Yasmine Hammamet has a marina, which is accessorised with stylish bars and seafood restaurants.

Hammamet has a lot to offer night owls. In the south of town, the main strip is dotted with karaoke bars and open-air lounges pumping out everything from house to salsa.

Tunisia’s twist on the Cornish pasty makes for a great snack in between trawling the souks. These delicious pastry parcels are stuffed with a lightly-cooked egg, which is accompanied by the likes of tuna, parsley and potato. The whole thing is then baked in olive oil until it turns crispy and golden.

Couscous is Tunisia’s national dish. These fluffy semolina grains are mixed with everything from fish and hot peppers to crunchy vegetables. They’re usually topped with spicy lamb to create a giant, help-yourself stew.

This Tunisian starter is a staple at Ramadan feasts. It’s a thick soup made with tomatoes, onions and pasta grains. Do as the locals do and enjoy it with crusty bread that’s been dipped in harissa – a hot chilli dip of crushed pepper, garlic and spices.

Usually served as an appetiser in Tunisia, mechouia is a fresh salad that’s made up of crunchy lettuce leaves, diced onions, red peppers and tomatoes. The whole thing is drizzled in olive oil and garnished with tuna and hard-boiled eggs.

Lots of hotels in Tunisia will offer you a cup of mint tea on a silver tray as a welcome drink. Traditionally, it’s served with fresh mint leaves floating in the cup, and in some regions it also comes with the addition of pine nuts. If you eat out, you’ll normally receive a complimentary cup after your meal – it’s great for washing your dinner down.