The nights are drawing in and the Scottish weather is getting worse by the day – but don’t despair, because for under £70 you could find yourself lounging on a Tunisian beach sipping cocktails while your colleagues struggle with a wet and rainy commute.
EasyJet operate direct flights to Enfidha in Tunisia from Glasgow Airport over winter and there are plenty of tickets left to purchase in January for just £34 each way.
Enfidha Airport is basically the gateway to a beautiful beach holiday in the nearby city of Sousse on the spectacular Gulf of Hammamet. Although Sousse is less well known than other popular destinations in the North African country, such as Tunis or nearby Monastir, it’s just as pretty and there’s loads to do in the area as well.
Sousse is a historic city that dates all the way back to the 11th century BC – known as Hadrumetum in Roman times. It’s in the centre of the country, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
A £15 taxi transfer whisks you from Enfidha to Sousse in just 40 minutes, and when you get there, luxury definitely awaits.
The best-rated place to stay in Sousse is the gorgeous Hotel Jaz Tour Khalef. It has an almost perfect five star score on review site TripAdvisor, with almost 5000 reviews praising its attentive staff, pools, kids’ club and stunning private beach.
Sousse itself has a wealth of beautiful attractions to explore. Just wandering its picturesque streets is a treat in itself. Some parts of the city were badly damaged during World War II but since the 1960s they have been lovingly restored, with an emphasis on tourism.
The old town was designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 1988, and contains the Great Mosque which dates back to the ninth century, as well as beautiful and bustling souks – marketplaces where you can haggle yourself an amazing bargain.
Culture buffs might enjoy a visit to the scenic Sousse Archaeological Museum, which is housed in the Kasbah (fortress) above the Medina of Sousse – a large complex of historic buildings that include the Great Mosque, Bou Ftata Mosque and the Ribat.
The nightlife in Sousse is lively and bustling, with a wealth of restaurants and bars to explore. Visitors rave about Restaurant du Peuple, which serves authentic Tunisian fare in a beautifully renovated historic building. One thing to note, though, is that they don’t serve alcohol with your meal.
If you want a drink, you do have options. Yes, Tunisia is a Muslim country but although the use of alcohol is restricted to a degree, it is not completely forbidden.
As a result, most of the late-night activity tends to take place in hotel bars, where the vibe is a lot more relaxed, but there are some nightclubs in town. Red Iguana is particularly popular and hosts lively DJ sets most nights a week.
After a night out, the best way to recover is to hit the beach, and with temperatures often hitting a taps-aff worthy 19C over winter, lounging around by the sea isn’t entirely off the cards. .
There are some stunning stretches of sand within striking distance of Sousse, such as Bou Jaafar beach and the interestingly-named Las Vegas beach, all of them well-equipped for tourists
So, what are you waiting for? If you’re in the mood to tick Tunisia off your travel bucket list, then thanks to easyJet, winter 2024 is a great time to do it.
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