Author: Hic T

Renowned for its glorious beaches, it can be easy to forget some of the finer details of Tunisia. As the title of this article may have given away, today’s advice is going to surround horse riding in the country and exactly what you can get out of it.

If you’re something of a casual rider, it could probably be argued that you can simply pick up a leaflet and find a local provider. However, anything more than this requires a degree of planning. Firstly, there’s your own preparation – this is a surprisingly strenuous activity that can be made even more difficult courtesy of the potentially challenging weather.

Then, there are the routes itself. Some are a joy to behold and while the main image in your head might be a horse galloping across the Sahara – this isn’t where it stops. Tunisia is home to some of the most stunning attractions, and through the course of this guide we will talk through some of them.

Following on from the above, let’s find out the best ways to take on horse riding in Tunisia.

An overview of the horse riding experience in Tunisia

Perhaps the best thing about horse riding in Tunisia is the sheer variety that you have available. If you happen to be a complete and utter novice you can be catered for, while experienced riders who want to gallop across the Sahara are also in luck.

In relation to the beginners, there are umpteen schools across the country which can help you out in this regard. One of the most popular comes in the form of the Royal Carriage Club Riding School and while this does attract riders of all abilities, some of their most popular experiences are short rides across the beach. The best part of this is that it is completely suitable for the family, and includes activities such as BBQ and other social activities.

Some of the more advanced rides take on a much different turn. While horse riding is of course the principle attraction – it’s not the only element of your trip. The tour operators are keen to take you to as many attractions as possible – and the fact that it’s all done on horseback simply adds to the charm.

For example, if you were to ride through Southern Tunisia, you might be taken to cave houses or an attraction like El Ksour – which is an old fort disguised in the mountains. Even if you have something of a short ride in the Sahara, there are countless oasis’ and hot baths to see and again, it means that you’re not going to be sat on the saddle all day, every day. Variety in these trips is pretty key.

If you do opt for a longer trip, it goes without saying that you will need some form of accommodation as well. All of the tour operators will look after this for you, with some providing an “under the stars” camping experience while others may provide a hotel. In the case of the hotel, even though you are venturing into the unknown somewhat you don’t need to worry about staying in style. Some of these hotels are luxurious to say the least, and it’s not unheard of to have spa facilities amongst other things to do. Admittedly, this will vary depending on the tour you choose – but what we’re trying to say is that horse riding in Tunisia can be luxurious if that’s your preference.

What are the best ways to lose weight and prepare for horseback riding in Tunisia?

This next section of the article might come as a surprise – most probably because it’s so long.

Admittedly, if you’re heading off into the sunset on horseback for an hour or so, the amount of preparation is going to be minimal. In fact, we’d suggest that you only need to take care from a clothing perspective, with a scarf being the principle item that you take along with you. If you are out in the Sahara, or even riding along the beach, the chance of sand flying into your face is naturally high and a scarf can guard against this (as well as providing protection for your head if the temperature rises).

It’s when that you start to consider longer rides that you have to take into account more advanced preparation though. A huge misconception is that it’s just the horse’s physical condition that needs to be acceptable and while this is naturally the case, you really shouldn’t forget your own general health.

Firstly, there will be times that you go off on-foot. This might be to lead the horse over rocky terrain, or just to explore the nearby area. What we’re trying to explain is that this isn’t an experience where you will be seated for the entire duration.

On the subject of seating, it’s not like lying back in an armchair either. Your horse will be galloping at pace, and you will be leaning forward. This can have really tough effects on your body and you will start to feel the strain if you’re not in optimum fitness condition.

It’s because of this that you will need to prepare your body. Having general fitness is a given, but you should also consider building up your core strength and the strength in your hips and legs.

In relation to the former, you should be turning to exercises like sit ups and yoga poses. Additionally, simply sitting down with good posture is an excellent exercise to prepare for horse riding – and can start to prepare your body for the strain. By having a solid core, your balance will improve significantly and this will just make things a whole lot easier when you have to stay on the saddle for long periods.

When it comes to your hips and legs, exercises such as ball hip adductor exercises are perfect for this. One of the best is sitting on a chair with a hard ball between your knees – before edging forward so you are on the edge of the chair. By doing this, you will be practicing “hanging onto the horse” with your thighs – which you will obviously be doing for hours on end if it’s a long ride.

Summarizing horse riding in Tunisia

Hopefully, we have provided a good indication on what horse riding in Tunisia entails. If you are looking for a serious ride, there are umpteen treks to choose from and you can actually fill out your entire vacation through them.

At the same time, failing to plan for an experience like this is asking for trouble. The trails are by no means easy on your body – and you should make sure you prepare accordingly before even attempting a ride of more than a few hours.

There are many different museums in Tunisia, and each one has something interesting and unique to offer. The more you learn about these places, the more you will want to visit them while you are in this country. These museums are a great place to go if you want to learn more about Tunisia’s rich culture and history.

Dar Am Taieb

Dar Am Taieb is an art museum filled with all kinds of contemporary and surrealist pieces that you will be sure to love. This is truly one of the hidden gems on Tunisia, and it’s a great attraction that you’ll definitely want to make your way around to. While this museum is not widely advertised like some of the others, it is well worth going to see. There is a little gift shop in this museum where you can pick yourself up a souvenir so you’ll always remember your visit.

Bardo National Museum

The Bardo National Museum is another place that you will want to make a point of visiting while you are in Tunisia. This museum has an extensive collection of Punic jewelry as well as a number of Roman mosaics that are stunningly breathtaking. As one of the oldest historic monuments in the country, this museum is filled with all kinds of interesting art pieces and historical artifacts that will teach you a lot about this country.

Carthage National Museum

The Carthage National Museum can be found on Byrsa Hill. It has a wide range of important and fascinating archaeological pieces on display that are quite impressive. There is a lot of research that takes place here, though there are a lot of exhibits open to visitors. The visually stunning mosaics, statues, ceramics and metal objects that this museum has to offer make it well worth the trip, regardless of where in Tunisia you are staying. This is definitely one of the more interesting and historically important museums in Tunisia.

Djerba Traditional Heritage Museum

Located in Houmt Souk you will find the Djerba Traditional Heritage Museum. It is widely regarded as having some of the most interesting and impressive collections of historical artifacts in the country. This is by far the best place to visit if you have a desire to learn more about the rich heritage of Tunisia and its people. When your visit this museum you will get all kinds of information on local traditions and customs, including pottery, agriculture and fishing.

Chemtou Archaeological Museum

The Chemtou Archaeological Museum was originally built on what was a gold marble quarry at the time. It is a great place to learn about the history of Tunisia and how it has grown and changed over many years. You will be able to learn a great deal about the ancient Numidian City of Simithus as well as regional geology and other things. If you are a history buff and interested in how Tunisia has become what it is today, this museum is a great place to visit during your trip.

Sousse Archaeological Museum

The Sousse Archeological Museum has lots of important and interesting things to see inside its towering walls. This museum has the second-largest collection of Roman mosaics in the country. Some of the mosaics that are on display in this museum can be traced back to 500 BC. The tombstones, frescoes and ceramics that you will also find in this museum will provide you with a fun and educational visit. It too is a wonderful place to go when you want to learn more about the fascinating country of Tunisia.

Musee du Patrimoine Traditionnel Djerbien

This is one of the more famous museums in Djerba, and it’s the perfect place to go when you want to learn more about the region as a whole. Everything about this museum is unique and interesting, including the material it is made of.

This museum is made of a rare white stone that is only found in Africa. There are all sorts of old and important artifacts on display, and they will teach you more about Tunisia. When you go to this museum you will also learn about the habits of locals and see some of the traditional crafts they have made over the years. If you are curious about Tunisia’s culture and traditions, this museum will provide you with plenty of information in a visually stunning way.

El Jem Museum

The breathtaking mosaics that can be found inside the El Jem Museum are an amazing sight to behold, and they attract people from all over on a regular basis. While this particular museum may be located in a very rural area, it still has a lot to offer its visitors. You will see some of the oldest pieces of Roman ruins as well as other artifacts from ancient dig sites throughout the country, including heads of statues and much more. There is a very impressive jewelry collection that you will not want to miss as well. If you thought the Bardo Museum was impressive, just wait until you set foot in this one.

Lalla Hadria Museum

The Lalla Hadria Museum is located on Djerba Island, and it will provide you with a plethora of information on local traditions and culture. This is one of the best museums in the country to visit if you want to get to know its native people a lot better. The variety of handcrafted pieces that are on display are quite remarkable to say the least. The extensive collection of furniture, carpets, jewelry and clothing will provide you with a very pleasant visit. The craftsmanship of the art pieces that are on display is incredibly impressive. One of the great things about this particular museum is the fact that it has both older and contemporary pieces of all kinds.

These museums are excellent places to visit when you are looking for a fun way to spend your days while visiting Tunisia. You will get the chance to learn a lot about this country’s history and culture in a visually interesting way.

If you are thinking about visiting Tunisia, it is important to know whether or not it is safe to do so. This area of the world isn’t always the safest place for tourists depending on the political climate at the time, which is why you will need to get the necessary information before planning your trip.

Tunisia Travel Warning From U.S. Department of State

Early in May the U.S. Department of State warned U.S. citizens that they should avoid traveling to southeastern Tunisia along the Libyan border as well as various mountainous areas in the western region of the country because of terrorism threats. This replaced the warning from September of 2016 when a similar notice to tourists was issued.

There have been numerous terrorist attacks targeting the Tunisian government as well as security forces and popular tourist sites. If you want to learn more about this warning, you can visit https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/tunisia-travel-warning1.html.

Regional Advisories

It is important to keep in mind that while there is no national advisory in effect for Tunisia, there are regional advisories that you should know about before traveling to this area. Global Affairs Canada advises against all travel to certain areas of Tunisia, including the Chaambi Mountain National Park area, including the town of Kasserine.

There have been violent clashes and the threat of terrorist attacks. It is also highly recommended that you do not go within 30 km of the borders with Algeria, with the exception of Tabarka in Jendouba Governorate. The militarized zone in Tatouine Governate that lies south of Dehiba and El Borma is another area that you will want to steer clear of altogether. You can visit http://travel.gc.ca for more information.

Level of Risk

Right now visiting Tunisia is definitely a risky proposition, so you might want to think twice before doing so. There is definitely a heightened risk of terrorism, and it is likely that there will be further attacks in the near future. A state of emergency has been declared across the country due to a suicide attack on a police bus in November of 2015. A British man as well as 20 others was killed in a gun attack on the Bardo Museum in the capital city of Tunis in March of 2015.

Tourism operators have come under a lot of scrutiny for not warning holidaymakers of these threats. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises against all non-essential travel to Tunisia and furthermore warns against going to certain regions of the country altogether. Right now there aren’t even any direct flights going from the UK to Monastir or Enfidah airports.

The UK Government Weighs in

The UK government has stated that the terrorism threat level is still fairly high, and that further attacks are likely. There are numerous economic, political and religious tensions that have the potential to cause violent demonstrations. It is highly recommended that you avoid any areas with large groups of people who are protesting because of the potential for things to turn violent quickly and without much warning.

Right now there is heightened security at the borders with Libya and Algeria because of conflicts in Libya and terrorism across the borders which could result in crossings being closed without warning. There are other risks that you will have to keep in mind before visiting this area, including muggings, pick pocketing, bag-snatching and petty theft. While these are threats present in almost every city, you will still need to keep that in mind before going. If you are planning to visit this area, it is highly recommended that you have comprehensive travel and medical insurance.

2015 Massacre at Sousse Beach Resort

In June of 2015, a total of 30 Britons were killed at the once popular Sousse beach resort in Tunisia. Seifeddine Rezgui went on a shooting spree on behalf of Isil, going through the pool area and up to the Hotel Imperal Marhaba. Police officers could have been on the scene in just three minutes, but it took them 45. The judge ultimately determined that there was nothing that could have been done to prevent the attack, except perhaps having armed guards at the hotel, which wouldn’t have been allowed under Tunisian law.

A total of 38 people were killed in this attack, and it is indicative of the danger that tourists can put themselves in by visiting this country. While it’s true that not all parts of Tunisia are considered to be unsafe to visit right now, you will still need to take all of the facts into consideration before planning your trip.

The Foreign Office’s Advice

The FCO has made an official statement that you shouldn’t travel to Tunisia unless you absolutely have, to such as for business. The threat level in this area is simply too great right now because of terrorist activities. While it’s true that there are certain regions of the country that are more prone to terrorism than others, it is still important that you consider not going to this country at all unless you really have to for whatever reason.

Why the Travel Ban is Still in Place

While Tunisian representatives have been pressing the UK to lift the travel ban for a number of months now, claiming it is completely safe, officials at the FCO remain unconvinced and insist that the threat level is still too high. The FCO has stated that although they have good co-operation from the Tunisian government, including putting additional security measures in place, there is still enough intelligence to suggest a significant terrorist threat.

Conclusion

If you have been considering taking a vacation to Tunisia because you want to enjoy its beautiful beaches and scenery among other things, it is important that you think again. Right now there is a high level of risk involved with going to this country. If you choose to go there, make sure that you keep in mind which regions are not considered safe (as listed above.)