Tabarka & The Coral Coast
(transfer time from Tunis Airport - 165 minutes)

Close to the borders of Algeria and fronting on to the Mediterranean is one of Tunisia's newest discoveries, Tabarka and the Coral Coast (including Ain Drahaim). A combination of sea and mountain has given this region the name Green Tunisia. The recently developed resorts of Tabarka were built around a stylish marina, Porto Corallo, and the superb Montazah beach of fine golden sand situated some 4 kms from the old town. The town’s main distinction is the 16th century Genoese fort that overlooks the city and the needles—sea eroded monolithic rocks. Add to this a magnificent golf course, the best diving in Tunisia, a backdrop of mountains and forest and you have the perfect ingredients for a quite different vacation in this intriguing country. This is a region that needs exploring by car and we strongly recommend you rent one and explore the region. During the summer and for one week only, Tabarka hosts an international jazz festival with artists appearing from all over the world. In September another event, 'Coralis', is a festival of diving and underwater photography.

What to see

• The views of the 16th century Genoese Castle at dusk (no longer accessible as the Tunisian Military is staked out here)
• Tabarka market every Friday - a great place to test out your haggling skills.
• Les Aiguilles: Enormous blocks of rocks that potrude from the ground and the ocean. You can walk along the aiguilles on a walkway while also viewing the Genoese Castle.
• The surrounding cork oak forests ideal for walking and bird-watching.
  
• A boat trip to La Galite islands some 35 miles from the coast--the island shelters a well-preserved shipwreck (great for divers) and its nature reserve is home to a colony of monk seals.

Where to go

• Bulla Regia: This site has unique underground villas and priceless Roman mosaics.
• The village of Ain Drahem in the Khroumirie Mountains, 12 miles south of Tabarka. It is a heavenly town and so green you wonder if you are still in Tunisia. In the winter months you'll find snow here!
• Dougga, Tunisia's largest and most spectacular archaeological site includes a 3,500 seat Roman amphitheatre which is still used for open-air performances on summer nights, and the capital .
• Lake Ichkeul: A UNESCO Reserve Park (one of two in the world), is home to many rare migratory birds. The best time of the year to visit are in the winter months, December through March, where up to 200,000 birds migrate to the lake.

Tabarka Golf

Set amidst 270 acres of eucalyptus trees and forest on the one side and the Mediterranean on the other, is the 18-hole par 72 Tabarka Golf Club - a quite beautiful and challenging course worth playing for the views alone. Green fees are very reasonable and there is a 9-hole practice course.

Diving

Tabarka is the diving centre of Tunisia and home to several diving schools with qualified instructors. Beginners can learn relatively inexpensively and experienced divers will be able to explore tunnels, caves and wrecks. A great place to stay is the Hotel Mehari which has its own dive school. Divers can even find old WWII German and Italian vessels underwater.