NAME: Hadrumete (Punic), Colonia Ulpia Trajana Augusta Frugifera Hadrumetina (Roman), Harinicopolis (Vandal), Justiniano (Byzantine), Soussa (Arabic).
LOCATION AND ACCESS: Chief town of governorate. 140km south of Tunis, 127 km north of Sfax, 57km east of Kairouan. Railway sta-tion (tel. 221 955). Skanes-Monastir international airport (tel. 260-300).
DIALING CODE: 03.
ACCOMMODATION: SeeHotels Listing.
TOURIST INFORMATION: Commissariat régional au tourisme, avenue Bourguiba, tel. 225-157 / 225-158 / 225-159. Office national de tourisme tunisien, the Port el Kantaoui marina (tel. 241 799). Syndicat d'initiative, place Sidi Yahia.
SOUVENIRS: Carpets and dyed cloth, porce-lain, traditional furniture (caskets), copper goods, leather bags, jewellery, olive oil.
AMENITIES: Market, shops, pharmacies, post office (av. de la Republique, tel. 24750). Two hospitals: CHU Farat Hached, rue Ibn El Jaz-zar, tel. 221 411 and CHU of Hammam Sousse, tel. 241 411 and a clinic (les Oliviers, tel. 242711). Car hire (Hertz, av. Bourguiba, tel. 225428). Tunis Air (av. Bourguiba, tel. 227955) and numerous travel agents.
FESTIVALS: Sousse international festival (July-August), Mediterranean olive tree festi-val (in Kalaa Debira, December), Sidi El Kantaoui festival (in Hammam Sousse, July).
On the eastern coast of Tunisia, two hours from the capital Tunis lies Sousse, "the pearl of the Sahel" . The mildness of its climate, its calm and beautiful coast and the hospitality of its people have long captivated those who came to conquer. Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines and Arabs settled in this lovely "fertile city" each leaving their imprint and heritage. No wonder modern day visitors from all over the world find themselves at home and return again and again.
The resort area of Sousse is perfectly integrated into the city and the visitor welcomed to participate in its exuberance. Proud of its heritage, museums and monuments are accessible and opened with pleasure to its guests and the Medina with its tiny colorful shops overflowing with silver jewelry, pure wool blankets, copper and carpets bustle with activity under the towering walls of the ribat.
Al Kantaoui
The hotels that line the beachfront extend from the Sousse itself along miles of sparkling clean sea to the Port El Kantaoui. This complex includes a modern marina equipped for over 300 boats, an 18 hole golf course as well as a full array of sports from water skiing to riding, in a village-like setting.
The charm of this white and blue Tunisian style village with its perfectly reproduced medina, never fails to enchant, lending itself to an afternoon stroll through the cobblestone streets to window shop, admire the boats moored in the marina or a refreshing pause at one of the sidewalk cafes. The two story residential appartments that ring the marina observe the same architectural style creating a peaceful and pleasing harmony.
