About France
France has been one of the world's most popular tourist destinations for many years and is one of the most diverse countries in the world.
With a variety of landscapes, its charming people and the richness of its culture, France really is an ideal destination for the holidaymaker. Paris with its iconic monuments and Europe’s most popular theme park and also the French Riviera in the south east get the headlines, but there is so much more to see and do.
Whether you're up for an adventure holiday, a spa break, relaxing on a beach, castle hop, shopping or simply people watching, you can do it all in France. And, however many times you visit, there is always something to discover.
With its central position in Western Europe, France is the perfect gateway by ferry to the surrounding countries and islands of the Mediterranean and the English Channel. With numerous ferry companies operating crossings to and from France, destinations include the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, Corsica, Sardinia and North Africa.
About Tunisia
Tunisia is a slender country in North Africa, capped by the northernmost point on the continent. Bordered by Algeria and Libya, it has a 1,148 kilometre-long coastline on the Mediterranean Sea.
Taking up 40% of the landmass, the Sahara Desert sweeps down southern Tunisia and is scattered with major archaeological sites like the ruinous city of Carthage, featuring the Antonine Baths. Overlooking the turquoise med, it was founded in the 9th Century BC by the Phoenicians and was rightly placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.
Tourist-friendly cities such as the capital, Tunis offer authentic shopping experiences in busy local markets, also known as souks, and French-style cuisine. Overlooking the namesake lake, Tunis hosts the country’s largest mosque and an impressive archaeological museum which houses intricate Roman mosaics.
The former Roman colony of El Jem, just two hours from Tunis, is another unmissable marvel. Constructed in the third century, it contains a one of the largest amphitheatres of ancient Rome, with a capacity for 35,000 and a towering height of 41 metres.
Monastir, one of the oldest cities in Tunisia, is, unsurprisingly, steeped in history; topping the list of sights is the well-preserved Forte El Ribat, affording excellent hilltop views with horse drawn carts available for tours. Hugely popular for its golden beaches, Djerba is an island off the southeast coast known for its handicraft markets and cultural influences of Berber, Arab, Jewish and African peoples.
Owing to its location in the Mediterranean Sea, ferries to Tunisia come from many ports in southern Europe. The majority of routes link the capital and port city of Tunis with towns on the west coast of Italy and Palermo on Sicily, but there are also long-haul crossings from the south of France. These are also overnight sailings operated by excellent companies with large and comfortable ferries.