Dear Borhen;... See MoreI am pleased to write my response to the eight day tour of Tunisia. At the coffee stop between Tozeur and Kairouan, on the final day, I told you that we had got so much out of the experience at a number of levels.First, because we were on vacation, it had to be enjoyable, different and relaxing. Even though you took us to 34 places of interest, many very significant and some merely your "little surprises", we did not feel pressured and the tour would have been poorer had we missed out on any of them. Each added to the enjoyment and there was a variety of experiences giving us insight into the ancient and recent history, the culture, the daily life and the varied geography of your country.The western media offers us a biased view of Islam, with its emphasis on the divisions between the Sunni and Shiite factions and its sensationalizing the actions of the extremists and fanatics. It focuses on the countries which resist efforts to bring our version of stability and our values and our economic needs to what we are told are unstable societies. Touring Tunisia, with the benefit of your explanations, we have seen a tolerant, stable country with a defined set of values that should be the envy of many Western nations. We have seen the positive side of Islam and the way it can share, with a government, the means to order a society so that it progresses while having regard for its history and traditions.We knew very little of Tunisia's geography, history, culture and way of life when we arrived in Tunis. This tour has given us an appreciation of the variations in geography and the effects of mini climate and terrain. We water-rich Canadians have learned that water is a critical and scarce commodity for so many. We are now aware of Tunisia's rich history, back to 400 B.C. We have learned something of the Arabic and Muslim cultures, dating back 1300 years, and how it manifests itself in art, architecture and literature. We know of the colonial influence and heritage from France and the struggle to gain independence and its consequences on your comparatively liberal society.We see a Muslim society giving equality and opportunity to women, and a government educating and holding out opportunities for its young population. We have had efforts at environmental responsibility and education pointed out to us. We learned of moves to broaden the economy from its traditional agrarian base and, everywhere building to encourage tourism as a source of foreign currency and wealth.Had we come as casual visitors, intent on enjoying the sun, sea and hotel hospitality, with a few excursions thrown in, we would not have learned half of this. It was not just the places to which you took us; it was how you explained their significance in terms of history, culture and way of life. It was you willingness to answer questions, not just about what we were seeing or had seen, but also about Tunisian life and the way society differed from what we live.Above all we have seen the beauty of your country, whether it be in the Roman remains, the mosaics, the mosques and minarets; or in the topography of salt flats, mountains, coasts, deserts, olive groves and oases. We have seen its historical artifacts and the remnants of the traditional way of life in which your country is rooted as it successfully keeps up with modernity and progress.In addition to the stops at places of interest, you also made sure that our lunch stops were satisfying and helped us settle in the quality hotels along the way. You encouraged us to try foods that we had never experienced and which we enjoyed. You turned us on to the joys of mint tea and once again, got us all on camels, while managing to avoid the ride yourself.Thank you, and also Slim, our friendly driver, for showing us not just the delights of your country on our 1000km odyssey, but also for doing so much extra to complete our enjoyment and make our tour so interesting and informative. borhen: of course my name is borhen the owner of villa in tunisia kelibia for ages
Posted by: tom robston
Borhen Ben Brahim that s actually a great honor for tunisia to be selected among the 10 top destination in the world Frommer's Top Destinations 2010 tunisia with its historical and archeological heritage is really a worthwhile destinationJanuary 26 at 5:34am ˇ Comment ˇLikeUnlike ˇ View Feedback (9)Hide Feedback (9)
Nouha Farjallah Nacef Aw really??? Didn't hear abt that !!!
It's absolutely a great honour to be selected among these marvellous places!
Tunisia is definetly a hot spot for European tourists although it's still new to Americans, who tend to visit Morocco instead, and this success will definetly bring many privileges to Tunisia and lots of opportunities to be more magnetic than before ! All tunisians must be proud of this honourable result :)
January 27 at 10:41pm ˇ Borhen Ben Brahim these are for instance some impressions and ideas of americanns who enjoyed their trip in tunisia as a matter of fact it is not just by chance that tunisia was selected among these touristic resorts throughout the world and it is as i mentioned beforehand a that s actually a great honor for tunisia to be selected among the 10 top destination in the world Frommer's Top Destinations 2010 tunisia with its historical and archeological heritage is really a worthwhile destination
these are a few comments of these american people
Dear Borhen;... See More
I am pleased to write my response to the eight day tour of Tunisia. At the coffee stop between Tozeur and Kairouan, on the final day, I told you that we had got so much out of the experience at a number of levels.
First, because we were on vacation, it had to be enjoyable, different and relaxing. Even though you took us to 34 places of interest, many very significant and some merely your "little surprises", we did not feel pressured and the tour would have been poorer had we missed out on any of them. Each added to the enjoyment and there was a variety of experiences giving us insight into the ancient and recent history, the culture, the daily life and the varied geography of your country.
The western media offers us a biased view of Islam, with its emphasis on the divisions between the Sunni and Shiite factions and its sensationalizing the actions of the extremists and fanatics. It focuses on the countries which resist efforts to bring our version of stability and our values and our economic needs to what we are told are unstable societies. Touring Tunisia, with the benefit of your explanations, we have seen a tolerant, stable country with a defined set of values that should be the envy of many Western nations. We have seen the positive side of Islam and the way it can share, with a government, the means to order a society so that it progresses while having regard for its history and traditions.
We knew very little of Tunisia's geography, history, culture and way of life when we arrived in Tunis. This tour has given us an appreciation of the variations in geography and the effects of mini climate and terrain. We water-rich Canadians have learned that water is a critical and scarce commodity for so many. We are now aware of Tunisia's rich history, back to 400 B.C. We have learned something of the Arabic and Muslim cultures, dating back 1300 years, and how it manifests itself in art, architecture and literature. We know of the colonial influence and heritage from France and the struggle to gain independence and its consequences on your comparatively liberal society.
We see a Muslim society giving equality and opportunity to women, and a government educating and holding out opportunities for its young population. We have had efforts at environmental responsibility and education pointed out to us. We learned of moves to broaden the economy from its traditional agrarian base and, everywhere building to encourage tourism as a source of foreign currency and wealth.
Had we come as casual visitors, intent on enjoying the sun, sea and hotel hospitality, with a few excursions thrown in, we would not have learned half of this. It was not just the places to which you took us; it was how you explained their significance in terms of history, culture and way of life. It was you willingness to answer questions, not just about what we were seeing or had seen, but also about Tunisian life and the way society differed from what we live.
Above all we have seen the beauty of your country, whether it be in the Roman remains, the mosaics, the mosques and minarets; or in the topography of salt flats, mountains, coasts, deserts, olive groves and oases. We have seen its historical artifacts and the remnants of the traditional way of life in which your country is rooted as it successfully keeps up with modernity and progress.
In addition to the stops at places of interest, you also made sure that our lunch stops were satisfying and helped us settle in the quality hotels along the way. You encouraged us to try foods that we had never experienced and which we enjoyed. You turned us on to the joys of mint tea and once again, got us all on camels, while managing to avoid the ride yourself.
Thank you, and also Slim, our friendly driver, for showing us not just the delights of your country on our 1000km odyssey, but also for doing so much extra to complete our enjoyment and make our tour so interesting and informative.
but I needed to let you know that you made this much more than a simple vacation to be enjoyed.
January 27 at 11:28pm ˇ
Posted by: borhen
