PLACES TO GO

NAME: Thusuros (Roman).
LOCATION AND ACCESS: In south-western Tunisia, by the chott el Djerid. 450 km south-west of Tunis, 95 km south-west of Gafsa, 90 km west of Kebili, 210 km west of Gabes. Railway station (Tunis-Sfax-Gafsa line) International airport.
DIALING CODE: 06.
ACCOMMODATION: See Hotels Listing.
AMENITIES: Post office, shops, banks, hospital, pharmacies, car hire (Hertz, av. Bourguiba, tel. 450-214, fax: 450-214), service station.
SOUVENIRS: Berber carpets and dyed cloths, mats, jewellery, dates and syrup (rose, violet, pistachio, pomegranate, banana), minerals (gypsum flowers).

Tozeur a prosperous town,was once,like the mountain oases, one of the Roman outposts and a stopping point for the caravans coming from the sub Sahara to trade with the coastal cities of the Mediterranean, it now owes its fame and affluence to the stately palm and its world renowned dates - deglet nour "fingers of light". The beauty of this oases, its fabulous 14th century medina and botanical gardens attracts visitors from all over the world. The groves of over 200,000 palms are watered by hundreds of natural springs and the Belvedere park offers a panoramic view.

The medina, restored to its original beauty boasts a museum of exceptional interest .Built in the authentic style of Tunisian palace it displays in a true life setting rare manuscripts, jewelry, ceramics and ornaments as wells as wax figures of the traditional artisans at work. Besides the Dar Chariet museum, the medina, a museum in itself offers another smaller treasure house of ancient coins, doors, bridal apparel and antique weapons. The remarkable architecture of Tozeur , beige sun baked bricks set in geometric patterns, Moorish arches and high vaulted ceilings and the shops offering locally woven carpets, Berber jewelry and ornaments, promise visitors another aspect of Tunisia.

Young and old will certainly enjoy the new theme park, Arabian Nights, where the cavern of Ali Baba waits for the secret words. The adventurous may join an organized tour in a hot-air balloon offered by the Aéroasis club at Tozeur and nature lovers stroll through Paradise, a fragrant botanical garden. The Festival of the Oases held here in late November or December) draws thousands of the winter weary, eager to enjoy the sun and the warmth of their welcome.