January in Tunisia? [Archive]

Sheeps68

4 Dec 07, 10:56 PM

Have booked a weeks break in January to go to Hammamet. Hotel Iberostar Phenica! Has anyone been at this time of year etc to give us a clue as to what range of clothing to take. I know it wont be baking hot etc but should be warmer than UK etc. Any other tips are most welcome. Have booked a nice sea view room too as celebrating a birthday with a trip away.

claire75

5 Dec 07, 06:54 AM

I went about five years ago in january. It was cool but not unbearable so take plenty of layers. At times it did get warm but did not stay warm long. I think that we had one day where it was warm enough to sun bathe.

Dylan

6 Dec 07, 01:08 AM

Sheeps68

6 Dec 07, 08:27 AM

Thanks Claire. I had suspected it would be a job of layers. In fact am glad its not baking but will be great to have cotton trousers and a T shirt during the day for at least some of the time. Any idea of any excursions that will be running as I presume there will be less at that time of year.

Dylan if I forget to give you feedback etc please give me a nudge.

liverpool lou

7 Dec 07, 12:55 PM

We have been to Tunisia twice once in August too hot that was 19 years ago and ten years ago in Jan and it was quite cool, was told that was not the norm usually.
If you get a chance try and do the desert trip where you stay in a hotel for one night it is really good.
I also went to a local hamaman sp? on my own which was fantastic you get scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed [ its not that bad really!] but for weeks your skin feels like silk, but you do have to sit around with just your knickers on [ its all women, they have separate men days] .
You should enjoy it, there are lots to see and do and there must be a lot more since we last went!!
Jean

claire75

14 Dec 07, 03:25 PM

Sorry that I have not replied sooner but just returned from my latest holiday. We went on the Tunis trip which included visiting ruins and the big market in Tunis.Its a long day but very interesting.

Tinkers

14 Dec 07, 03:30 PM

Sheeps68

14 Dec 07, 04:01 PM

My Parents went last year for 6 weeks and are also off again next year for 8 weeks on the 6th January - 16th March. What date are you going ? Will be able to give you an update on the weather before you go. As they ring me quite a lot!!!

Looks as if we could be on the same plane as your parents as also fly out on 6th Jan from Gatwick with First Choice. Am getting excited now. Its my excuse for the big 40! Get that 3 days before we go really but its my present to me from me!

jdybnsn

15 Dec 07, 07:43 AM

Hi

We've been in early Feb and it was very sunny and dry but cool, to slightly chilly, most of the time - largely due to a cooling breeze coming off the Med. sea.
That said you could wear T shirts & shorts most days but you will find the locals wrapped in thick warm coats !!!!...obviously it feels much colder to them LOL ! :grin:
You do need a fleece for the evenings - it cools off considerably.

You will find most hotels open in this season will have an indoor pool - as its usually too cool to swim in their outside pools (especially since most will not be heated anyway).

On the big plus side this makes it absolutely ideal for visiting their desert region which I would absolutely recommend you do !!
They usually have an action packed 2 day trip on offer; visiting alsorts of places of interest, with an overnight stop in a hotel in the desert.
This trip normally includes the following activities; jeep (sand dune) safari, camel riding in authentic Arabian dress !, visiting various film locations ('Star wars' is one, 'The English Patient 'another), visit to a massive amphitheater (which is as big, if not better than the Colesseum in Rome), visit to a Berber village (where they live in caves in the rock), visit to a Tunisian market, visit to an ancient Mosque and also mountain stream climb (not difficult unless you have mobility problems; a nice easy path, and the views at the top are wonderful) with a waterfall oasis etc. and all with various authentic Tunisian meals thrown in.
Warning -They usually get you up very early :confused2 in the morning to watch the sun rise over the salt plains ...but it is absolutely breath taking !!!!!!!!....and not to be missed. You really do get a much better idea of what Tunisia and the Sahara desert area is all about - so if you are not one for just chilling in the sun (and you'd have to be lucky to do that in January !)its worth every penny.
The weather is also warmer and hotter inland, due to the absence of the sea breeze.
NOTE : You can usually haggle on their tour prices (especially for kids who they will often 'throw in' free of charge, if pushed).

Just be savy enough not to buy the attractive coloured quartz stones they sell in the desert /mountains - these are just dye covered, and the colour comes off quite easily .....and in true Tunisian tradition, the last stop of any trip is normally a carpet shop (be aware a real hand made carpet costs £1,000s not £100s - and even as a textile technologist, I would be pushed to tell the difference !).
All in all we absolutely loved this trip, so we were very glad we had gone in February as it would have been far too hot to enjoy it in the middle of the year..... and would recommend it to anyone.

Sheeps68

5 Jan 08, 10:35 PM

Thanks Guys! I'm now well excited as off tomorrow morning. Hope we will get a few trips in and really like the colloseum thing and desert ideas.

eeyore88

5 Jan 08, 10:37 PM

We went 10 years ago end of Jan beginning of Feb and it snowed for a week, it was the coldest week in 17 years according to the locals

sunsetlakes

5 Jan 08, 11:00 PM

Have a great trip. The leather goods are great quality and very cheap.

Sheeps68

19 Jan 08, 06:46 PM

Looking forward to a trippie on your return - we are staying at the same hotel in April! We have also booked a sea view room - the reports on Trip Advisor for this hotel are fantastic! Sorry, don't know about weather in Jan, but it's around 21-23 degrees in april.

Well am afraid this is not a real trippie but wanted to give you feedback. The hotel was in our opinion fabulous. (my friend who I went with works in a 4* hotel said so and thats praise indeed) The food was wonderful though best if you got there withing the first hour of each meal. Loads of choice. Nothing too much trouble for the staff and believe me I did test them with a few special needs eg allergies. On a full board basis it was difficult to spend money so if you're full board only change a tiny bit of money at a time or you lose out changing it back again at the airport. We did the 2 day safari to desert which was a bit of a let down in standards for food and overnight hotel but really worth doing.

Dylan

20 Jan 08, 08:04 PM

Well am afraid this is not a real trippie but wanted to give you feedback. The hotel was in our opinion fabulous. (my friend who I went with works in a 4* hotel said so and thats praise indeed) The food was wonderful though best if you got there withing the first hour of each meal. Loads of choice. Nothing too much trouble for the staff and believe me I did test them with a few special needs eg allergies. On a full board basis it was difficult to spend money so if you're full board only change a tiny bit of money at a time or you lose out changing it back again at the airport. We did the 2 day safari to desert which was a bit of a let down in standards for food and overnight hotel but really worth doing.

Thanks for the info - glad you had a great time!

We go in 10 weeks - can't wait!

We are going all-inclusive, so not planning on taking much money with us, but thanks for the tip. Probably won't be doing any trips, only there for a week, hoping to have a relaxing 'chill out' week with our friends!

What was the weather like? Were the pools heated?

Sorry for all the questions!

hayleyandhilda

20 Jan 08, 08:11 PM

when i went there all inclusive i had trouble spendin £200 on the two of us

Dylan

20 Jan 08, 08:18 PM

when i went there all inclusive i had trouble spendin £200 on the two of us

Great news!

More money to spend in Florida in October! :grin:

Sheeps68

20 Jan 08, 08:39 PM

Thanks for the info - glad you had a great time!

We go in 10 weeks - can't wait!

What was the weather like? Were the pools heated?

Sorry for all the questions!

Ask away. The weather was warm T shirt and cardigan weather really. The pools were lovely. One was indoor outdoor pool and was heated. The other pool was not hence no more than dipping a toe went on.

Yes the lack of spending has gone as a bonus here too ready for Orlando Sept / Oct 2009!

Dylan

20 Jan 08, 08:47 PM

Thanks again!

Will let you know how we get on!

Sheeps68

20 Jan 08, 09:05 PM

Thanks again!

Will let you know how we get on!

If you have any more questions please feel free to message me. As an aside don't miss out on the pancakes in the afternoon snack!

jdybnsn

21 Jan 08, 12:45 PM

Well am afraid this is not a real trippie but wanted to give you feedback. The hotel was in our opinion fabulous. (my friend who I went with works in a 4* hotel said so and thats praise indeed) The food was wonderful though best if you got there withing the first hour of each meal. Loads of choice. Nothing too much trouble for the staff and believe me I did test them with a few special needs eg allergies. On a full board basis it was difficult to spend money so if you're full board only change a tiny bit of money at a time or you lose out changing it back again at the airport. We did the 2 day safari to desert which was a bit of a let down in standards for food and overnight hotel but really worth doing.

Glad you had a good time,I was wondering how you got on :erm: ...especially pleased to hear about the hotel as we've used Iberostar hotels alot (we are really big fans)...if you were impressed, try their ones on the greek islands of Crete or Kos too, if get the chance (especially the Creta Panorama at Rethmynon on Crete :tounge: ).

I agree about the over night accommodation & food on the desert safari trip ...ours was pretty basic too;..... though an interesting hotel bed wise - the beds were like tiled shelves, with mattresses on top !
(the rooms were clean though, and thankfully & we were not there long).

Did you get to see the salt plain sunrise ????