Cultural Heartlands

TUNIS

The country's bustling capital has to be the first port of call for any cultural tour of Tunisia and makes a great base for exploring the country. For a start, this was once the site of the legendary Phoenician and, later, Roman city of Carthage, which formed a cornerstone of the wider Roman Empire. Its ruins can still be seen in the suburbs of the city where visible layers of archaeological bare testimony to its rich and storied history. Visitors today can still explore the well-preserved amphitheatre, Roman baths and the remains of two Phoenician ports. To get a real sense of the country's rich classical history, a visit to the fantastic Bardo Museum, chock-full of ancient art, sculptures and mosaics, is an absolute must.

Beyond the ancient sights, Tunis is also a great place to experience Berber and Arabic culture. The labyrinthine streets and alleys of the city's beautiful UNESCO-listed medina are a joy to explore, with a web of souks and some surprises too – palaces and monuments built by the Berber dynasty and a mosque dating back to the 7th century. Accommodation abounds in the city – travellers can choose from charming retreats such as the centrally-located Le Pacha hotel or Hotel Phebus, on the coast just minutes' from central Tunis.

MATMATA

To see the quirkier side of Tunisia, a trip to Matmata is highly recommended. This southern town features a cluster of underground troglodyte dwellings that are truly unique. Built by Berbers who chose to burrow beneath the earth to escape the desert heat, these homes are set in caves carved around open circular pits that form central courtyards. Rounded doorways lead away into cool rooms and passages while carved stairs ascend to surface level. If these unusual houses take your fancy, Hotel Sidi Driss, used as a film set for the classic Star Wars movies, is the ideal place to spend a night.

Life-affirming Landscapes

DOUZ

For a spot of desert exploration, the southern oasis town of Douz is a fantastic starting point for treks and safaris into the rolling dunes. Dotted with more than half a million palms, it is often described as the ultimate palm oasis and was once an important stop-off for trade caravans crossing the Sahara. If you are looking for a good place to stop-over en route to the desert, the four-star Hotel Sahara Douz is one of the best hotels in the area.

TABARKA / AIN DRAHAM

Known as 'Green Tunisia', the area around Tabarka and Ain Draham is lush and green owing to its special microclimate. It's the ideal place to immerse yourself in nature and explore the rolling cork tree-carpeted hills, reminiscent of Provence. If you want to stay in the region, the Tulip Inn Ain Draham Hotel, nestled in the hollow of a valley in the beautiful Kroumirie mountains, is the ideal base for forays into the surrounding scenery. In a bucolic setting amid unspoilt scenery, it is only 20km from the coastal town of Tabarka.