skyrim funny moment

Star Wars Set in Tunisia

Star Wars is one of the most popular science fiction series in history and millions of fans across the world have become entranced with its enticing stories, mesmerized by its otherworldly movies, and moved by its believable characters.

The Star Wars first became popular thanks to the movies directed and written by George Lucas.

These movies took viewers to a galaxy very different from our own – with strange creatures, unthinkable powers, advanced technology, and much more.

Fans instantly fell in love with this fantastic science fiction series and the original Star Wars movies then spawned an entire media franchise that is even more popular today than ever.

If you’ve ever watched the movies you know that the distinctive settings truly make the movie believable, however they are not as otherworldly as you may think. Many of the scenes in the Star Wars movies were actually shot in several locations around Tunisia and can be visited today.

This sandy Mediterranean country was the perfect location for Tatooine, and many other crucial settings.

If you are a movie buff, or a Star Wars fan, then consider traveling to these locations when you visit Tunisia so you can see the actual settings for several scenes in the Star Wars movies:

La Grande Dune

This is where, in Episode IV, R2-D2 and C-3PO crashed. It was termed the Dune Sea in the Star Wars movies and La Grande Dune is also where Ben Kenobi’s hut was located.

Chott El-Gharsa

In the northern part of Tunisia is Chott El-Gharsa where several shots were filmed. You’ll find the place that Darth Sideous first appeared as well as the place where the pod-races took place.

Also in Chott El-Gharsa is a place called the Yardangs which are actually sandstone rocks that look like shark fins sticking up out of the sand. This is where Qui-Gonn and Daurth Maul first battled on Tatooine.

Mos Espa and Anakin’s House

Near the Yardangs mentioned earlier is the place where Anakin’s slave house was located as seen in Episode One. Additionally a few hundred meters from his slave house is where the Mos Espa set was located. The Mos Espa set is where the Pod-racing arena was as well as the Sebulba Café, market place, and also Jira’s Nook.

Juntland Wastes

East of Tozeur you’ll find the Juntland Wastes. This is the location for two main scenes in the Star Wars movies. First where R2-D2 was captured by the little Jawas, second when Luke and Obi-Wan met for the first time.

Holidays in Hammamet

Located on the northern edge of the Gulf of Hammamet and known as Tunisia’s ‘Saint Tropez”, Hammamet became Tunisia’s first tourist destination. In a country famed for its’ beaches, Hammamet offers the best.

This coastal city, south of Tunis, is home to famed actress Sophia Loren as well as having been “discovered” by fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli along with painter Paul Klee and French writers Georges Bernanos and Andre Gide. Both north and south of the town of Hammamet, long stretches of soft sand beaches are perfect for your holidays.

The name Hammamet comes from Arabic meaning ‘the baths.’ Famed since Roman times, these healing mineral baths are located in the medina. The medina, at the center of Hammamet, means “harmonious city” in Arabic. Surrounded by thick walls, the medina offers the 15th century Kasbah at one corner, while the other boasts a charming Folklore Museum.

Quaint cafes and restaurants are waiting to serve. Local crafts and souvenirs such as jasmine can be purchased from helpful and friendly merchants, as well as carpets, brass ornaments, jewelry, traditional kaftans, pottery and leather goods.

The narrow winding alleys also conceal bright, whitewashed windowless houses behind splendid ornate doors. Tourists will find many focal points of holiday snapshots; traditional Islamic architecture abounds and everywhere the breathtaking view of gleaming domes against the white sands of the coastline.

Hammamet is conveniently located less than an hour from Tunis airport. To the north and south, modern hotels offer package tours that will please any budget-conscious holiday traveler. More expensive and posh hotels are located in the area known as Yasmine Hammamet. Named for the jasmine, Yasmine Hammamet offers rest and relaxation at its finest. Spas relax and rejuvenate while restaurants for every budget offer unique and tantalizing local fare in generously portioned amounts. Brik, similar to crepes, is tantalizing, filled with rich seafood and sauce. Couscous Royale, freshly cooked vegetables, meat and couscous, is another delicious dish.

Hammamet offers a refreshing array of activities for holiday visitors, from the prestigious Bardo Museum to Carthage Land, the first amusement park in Africa. Rides and attractions at Carthage Land are inspired by Tunisia’s 3,000 year history.

Every holiday traveler will brag about their pictures taken with real tiger cubs! Flipper Aquapark, with multiple slides and pools, is immensely popular with children. Blessed with miles of powdery sand and sparkling seas, Hammamet offers the latest in water sports. Holiday vacationers will treasure family memories of waterskiing, scuba diving, or frolicking in the afternoon sun.

There is so much to see in Hammamet: the Muslim culture, Tunis and the ruins of Carthage, Kairouan, Sousse, Monastir, and El Jem, with its Muslim towns, souks, and monuments. Bronzes, pottery and mosaics decorate Hammamets’ natural beauty of rock arches, silky sands, crystalline waters and temperate climate. Holidays are a time to escape, and

Hammamet offers such an exotic and lush escape. Framed by olive, orange and lemon groves, the softest stretches of beach at its feet, and edged by sparkling seas, Hammamet has proudly earned the name “Garden Resort.

Holidays in Sousse

Situated south of Tunis on the Gulf of Hammamet, lies the exotic city of Sousse. Located in Tunisia, Sousse is a beautiful city blessed with warm weather and pale beaches. Boasting 300 days of sun a year coupled with a lack of rainy days, Sousse draws those seeking a holiday escape to paradise.

Boujaafar Beach – Sousse

Against an impressive backdrop of olive groves, Sousse offers a tantalizing mix of North African culture exquisitely placed among Roman villas and ancient forts. Many well preserved historical sites gently await exploration. The Great Mosque, built in c.850 AD, is located in the middle of Sousse. Its’ curved arches and austere style grace the city.

Another historical offering is the Roman Amphitheatre in El Jem (or El Djem). Located south just a short distance from Sousse (It’s actually in Mahdia, but it’s at a driving distance from Sousse), the Roman Amphitheatre was the location of some filming in the movie Gladiator, and is more preserved than those found in Rome! Longer day trips to Tunis and ancient Carthage will further entice tourists seeking exploration.
Sousse also offers those seeking a holiday escape exciting activities for the entire family. Water sports such as waterskiing, fishing, windsurfing and scuba diving offer hours of enjoyment, bathed in Sousse’s warm blue waters. Such holiday paradise also can include romantic horseback riding at sunset, golf, exotic desert safaris, trips on ‘pirate ships’, even camel riding! For those wishing to wind down for their holiday, Sousse offers quiet moments to reflect on its exotic beaches, warmed by powdery sands and soothed by gentle breezes.

Tourists will enjoy gentle strolls down the twisted and narrow streets of the town center, searching for local treasures. Market stalls and shops offer local goods such as leathers, carpets, beautiful copperware and jewelry. Merchants are multi-lingual, speaking languages such as French, English, Spanish and German, making friendly conversation hassle-free.

Old Town – Sousse

Sousse has clean streets and virtually no crime, offering exploration of its labyrinthine medina safe and enjoyable. Charming cafes offer cooling drinks, or perhaps a sweet olive, after an afternoon of exploration.
Against such an exotic backdrop of culture and natural beauty, Sousse offers the latest amenities and accommodations for the holiday traveler. Hotel complexes with a capacity of 40,000 beds extend from the old city (medina) north along the seafront to Port El Kantaoui. These hotels, ranging from two to five star ratings, compliment a variety of budgets, making holidays in Sousse affordable. Spas offer relaxation after a hard day of waterskiing or riding a camel.

Throbbing with vitality, the restaurants, nightclubs and casinos offer further excitement and escape for the holidays. Holiday travelers will enjoy local dishes such as shwarma or spiced grilled fish.

The Casino Caraibe, located on Sousse, offers not only modern gaming facilities, but also Las Vegas style entertainment in the 500 seat theatre.

Surprisingly affordable, Sousse offers vibrant culture, rich history, and unique and exciting activities for the entire family. Blessed by Nature itself, pristine beaches provide a sharp contrast of pale sand against such turquoise Mediterranean waters. For those wanting it all for the holidays, the only true escape is Sousse.

Djerba Island Holidays

Rising costs, complicated reservations and the daunting task of coordinating travel have long shied many families away from a true vacation holiday.

Today’s economy has produced smart shoppers – budget conscious families searching for the answer. Inclusive cruises have met that demand. Inclusive cruises , catering to each family member, provide worry-free travel in a cocoon of luxury. Needing only to unpack, families are now free to escape….and what better place to escape than the “Isle of Forgetfulness?”

Djerba, the Isle of Forgetfulness, is the largest island of North Africa. Nestles like a gem in the Gulf of Gabes, the island is rich in natural beauty and steeped in history.

Blessed with three hundred days of sun each year and offering over eighty miles of shoreline, Djerbabeckons those searching for paradise. Known also as the “land of dreams”, it is believed Nature created Djerba to enchant the imagination of the human soul.

The largest city, its capitol, is Houmt-Souk, meaning ‘market place’. With a population of around sixty thousand, Houmt-Souk delights tourists with intricate streets rich with oriental treasures.

Small cafes further add to the provincial charm. The long stretch of souk is an excellent place to purchase fabrics worn by many of the local women, embroidered wool both striking and colorful. Blankets have been woven here since the time of Hannibal.

Connected to the mainland by a long causeway, Djerba has many tiny towns that beckon exploration. El-May is a colorful market, while Fatou produces beautifully woven baskets and rush mats. In the town of Guellala, exquisite pottery and ceramics have been hand manufactured since the time of King Midas.

Nothing is ostentatious in Djerba. The tiny towns are nestled while maintaining the natural lushness of a flower –saturated oasis. The mosques, of which Djerba boasts over two hundred, are of moderate construction yet full of character. Strikingly white houses, built in traditional menzel (domed) fashion appear like pearls against their cerulean wrought iron trim.

Rich in history, Djerba sits on the ancient Roman city of Gerba. The island is home to more than seven thousand olive trees, some more than three thousand years old.

Roman statues and Byzantine mosaics captivate visitors. Djerba is home to one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world. The El Ghriba synagogue in Hara Seghira stands on a site dating back to 586 B.C. and contains one of the oldest Torahs in the world.

El Ghriba synagogue – Djerba

In contrast, Djerba claims its place in literature and film. Homer’s Odyssey calls Djerba “the land of the lotus eaters”. This lush island was the 1977 location of the exterior scenes in the first Star Wars, filmed in the town of Ajim.

Djerba is home to exquisite modern tourist complexes on the northern and eastern coasts. These tourist palaces are built to blend man- made and natural beauty into a lush and serene environment.

Horseback riding, playing golf, exploring on a mountain bike or even flying a kite, are just a few of the activities available. Water sports, available year round, include water skiing, diving and paragliding. Banana boats, jet skis and catamarans further entice play. Gentle breezes during the holiday season allow children to safely frolic in the calm azure waters.

Exploring the island, families will love Djerba Explore Park, a museum, local cultural center and crocodile facility featuring Nile crocodiles up to seven meters.

The Lalla Hadria Museum features fifteen rooms filled with colorful collections of Islamic art.

For an afternoon of pampering, modern spas and wellness centers provide massages, all natural treatments and Turkish baths. Dramatic sunsets beckon one to pause and bless this colorful display. Restaurants, featuring the freshest fruits of the sea, live music, casinos and clubs entice tourists to explore the nightlife.
Against these azure skies, soothed by the whisper of palm trees and warmed by the golden sands, Djerba, the Isle of Forgetfulness, gently beckons you to her calm shores and golden sands to come play.

Tozeur, a desert resort in Tunisia

Northern Africa is arid, which is not new for (almost) anyone. And much less populated than many of the regions are located in the desert oasis. Tozeur is the name of one of the oasis that few have ever heard about it .. In this case, the oasis of Tozeur is known for hospitality to tourists, its architectural heritage and the many facilities surrounded by hundreds of thousands of palm trees, a site with curiosities such as a golf course in the desert become one of the main tourist centers of the Sahara ..

Tozeur is the capital of the governorate of Tozeur, Tunisia, a meeting point for hundreds of years in the trade routes of the caravans crossing the Sahara. In the old part of town, enduring colonial architecture and customs and activities that refuse to let time pass. From the city, many tourists make a base for exploring the Sahara, in addition to walking the streets of the city with buildings of brick features yellow or brown.

In the old downtown streets are narrow and the walls of brick decoration display like few other places in Tunisia. The city lives with friendliness abundant tourist arrivals, considered as a desert resort. The counterpart for the city is the continuing dependence of the flow of tourists from the fluctuations in political and armed conflict, especially in the Middle East.

Djerba Island: Overview

Djerba Island is one of the most preferred destinations by tourists who visit the area because of its pleasant climate and attractive beaches. On the island we can visit some mosques, there are about 200, the fairs and the port of Houmt Souk, the capital, and the Ghriba synagogue.