With the euro strong against the pound, is it time for UK holidaymakers to ditch the traditional summer holidays to Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy or Cyprus and look further afield?
The answer, if you are on a budget and want to save money while still having a great summer holiday, is a resounding ‘Yes’. By traveling beyond the 16-countries that make up the Eurozone, your holiday money will go much further.
My final recommended holiday location for this week for the budget concious traveller is Monastir in Tunisia on the African coast.
Monastir is a city in central Tunisia. Situated in the Sahel area, Monastir enjoys a Mediterranean climate with the average annual temperatures in the range of 13-20C (66-80F).
Previously a Phoenician trading post, Monastir was founded on the ruins of the Punic-Roman city of Ruspina. Originally a traditional fishing port, Monastir today is a major tourist resort.
Holiday in Monastir and you can delve into Tunisia’s past and present, with frequent breaks on the lovely beach. Sample atmospheric pockets of the old town medina and the gleaming yachts in the modern marina. This is a city where old and new blend together cheerfully, with modern concerts in ancient surroundings and an 8th century lookout tower keeping watch over 21st century holidaymakers on the beach.
Flights: A cheap flight to Monastir from London Gatwick on Wednesday 22nd April 2009 for 2-adults for 7-nights, flying with Thomas Cook starts at about £175 per person.
Hotel: The Hotel Ramada Liberty Resort is a luxury hotel built in a modern style; it is very well positioned at 150m from the sandy beach. Close by there are two International Golf Courses. Distance to the Airport is about 5Km. Total rooms 236 with cleaning 7-times per week, towels 7-times per week and clean sheets 3-times per week. Distance to the beach is about 150m. Services: Reception 24-hours, Satellite TV, Heating, Terrace, Air Conditioning, In Room Telephone, Laundry, Family Rooms and Restaurant. A Double Room on a Full Board basis for 2-adults for a 7-night stay starts from £248 per room (£124 per person).
What can you do in Monastir? No stay in Monastir is complete without a visit to the well preserved Ribat (fortress) on the coast that was used to scan the sea for hostile ships. The Ribat was also one of the filming locations for Monty Python’s Life Of Brian. Visit the family mausoleum of the former President Habib Bourguiba. A grand cemetery with its gold and green domes and gilt-tipped minarets make for a spectacular sight. The Medina is surrounded by a battlemented wall built in the 18th century. It has a lively souk (market) and lots of little cafes where you can try some local delicacies. For more information on Monastir see our Tunisia Travel Guide.
Total cost: Summer Holidays to Monastir in April start from about £299 per person departing on Wednesday 22nd April for a 7-nights holiday from London Gatwick Airport staying at the 4-Star Ramada Liberty Resort in Monastir, Tunisia.
Photo Credit: Victor Melo
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