Relaxing and great for plane spotting (Monastir)

Member Name: Plymyphil

Product:	Monastir
Date:	25/11/03 (199 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Price, Culture

Disadvantages: Airport, Lack of things to do

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I have been to Tunisia four times now but only to Skanes/Monastir once. This is my opinion on Skanes with reference to the town of Monastir and the holiday to be had there in general.

Tunisia has been on the tourist map for some years now. I first went there aged seven ... and that was more years ago than I care to remember. Recently I gave up my usual beach resort of Hammammet and went instead to
Skanes, Monastir. My reason for doing so was simple, I was only going for a week and wanted a shorter travel time from the airport. Now, here you see lies the only problem with the resort of Skanes. The airport of Monastir is set a few miles to the north of Monastir and about a quarter of a mile inland. The resort of Skanes really is nothing but a few hotels situated between the airport and the beach. Now, this isn't a huge issue as the planes don't come in too early or leave too late but the noise is significant and towards the end of the holiday it was beginning to bother me and detract from my enjoyment.

I stayed at Skanes El Hana hotel which is a pleasant four star hotel next door to a larger and slightly noisier family hotel. The facilities of both hotels are open to non-residents so at times your quiet afternoon by the pool in a hotel populated mainly by couples and more elderly holidaymakers can be terminated by the neighbours popping in for a swim. Again, not a major problem but towards the end of the holiday a slight distraction.

The food in the hotel was stunning with a huge range of canteen style but superb quality food. The prices for supplements such as wine were also excellent value, as were a range of exciting cocktails in the hotel bar.

Evening entertainment is tacky but harmless. Welcome the snake charmer, belly dancer, musicians, etc. For a superbly tack evening out on a rep. organised tour get on the Tunisian Culture evening. Arabian horses and belly dancers abound ... the food is average but the local wine is free - a great time was had by all who have even the vaguest memory of the evening!

Now, who will enjoy this holiday. Firstly if you are after rocking nightlife don't go. This is not the place. There are a couple of clubs but they are very tame. Also, evening entertainment tends to focus on hotels as although not a specific threat, Tunisia is a poor country and street crime is a possibility aft
er dark. The welcome will be warm but possibly not sincere. A handful of notes usually guarantees excellent service but there does seem something slightly morally reprehensible about this behaviour and at times I felt uncomfortable behaving in this way.

The town of Monastir a short and speedy taxi ride away is interesting enough. Visit the souk to barter for gifts. Leather and gold are good buys. Or, marvel at the fort, the setting for the Life of Brian. Incidently for those of you who remember the first Star Wars movie the desert just to the south of Monastir was the setting for Tatooine in the film.

OVERALL
Skanes is good value for money but doesn't quite hit it as a resort. Firstly the only things there are the hotels. Secondly the airport is right next door. If you want a holiday with loads to do, go up coast to Hammammet or better still, give Tunisia a miss. If you want a relaxing holiday Tunisia is the place to go for this and value for money but again, other resorts further from hotels and actually in towns represent a more pleasant setting and a more relaxing holiday.

PRICE
Varies hugely. Start with Panorama who have been operating in Tunisia for longer than anybody else and see if you can get better value elsewhere. The Panorama reps. have in my experience the best local knowledge.

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