Отзыв Review

Were in Tunisia from 9 to 20 September 2010. I went with a friend and her 9 year old son. It was the first time abroad. Why did you choose Tunisia? . . Advised by a friend who has her own travel agency. She also recommended the Caribbean World Hotel in Monastir. Judging by the catalogs and reviews on the Internet, the hotel was perfect for families with children, so we did not think for a long time and booked tours. The tour operator is the well-known Biblioglobus. It didn't go without a hitch. Approximately 2 weeks after they confirmed our reservation for September 3rd (of course, we made payment in advance), we were informed that on 03.09. there is no departure, it will only be on 09.09, since the company has changed the air carrier, and they have a different schedule. Plus, the prices for vouchers rose sharply and we were offered a choice - either pay extra, or go to Nabeul for the same money that we had already given. Our indignation knew no bounds. I had to call the representative office of the company and get back a little scandal. In the end, we agreed to make an additional payment and go to Monastir, since the child had already tuned in to the slides that he saw in the photographs. And we found this hotel to be more attractive. On this incident was settled and we began to pack our bags.
The flight went well, except for the scandal caused by tipsy passengers, who not only drank right on board, but were also rude to the stewards. One of these passengers, it must be said, upon arrival in Tunisia, was deported to her homeland for violating the rules of the flight. So I advise everyone: if you want to spend your vacation calmly and cheerfully, wait for boarding, and in the hotel you can have a real blast.
So, we arrived on time, passed the control, found our bus, in 7 minutes we reached the hotel. There we were met by our guide Lyudmila, who helped us fill in the registration cards and set a meeting time to tell us everything in a popular way. We gave the cards to the reception and got the keys to the room. But no one told us where this room is located... We had to make 2 circles around the first and second floors until a porter appeared, who briskly grabbed our suitcases and for some reason went to the exit. Of course we ran after him. It turned out that our room was in another building, next to the sea. As we later found out, Cancun's hulls are indeed better than Nassau's. Near Nassau there were a lot of termites and mosquitoes, and around some kind of wasteland with construction debris. Yes, and lived there mostly Italians. So we got lucky with the number. And the view from the balcony overlooked the clearing and palm trees (although we did not pay extra money). If you want a sea view, I will say right away that in addition to the beach, you will also have a view of the pool, a small stage and a bar, which means that it will be very noisy in the evening.

This is about the number. But the case itself disappointed us at the first moment. This is because in the corridors (both on the floor and on the walls) there are white tiles, like in a hospital. The ceilings are low, the light is subdued, in short, some kind of vestibule. But it only catches the eye on the first day. Then we got so used to it that we considered these walls to be our own.
There is not much to say about the guide. In fact, there were two of them - Yana and Lyudmila, but neither one nor the other was almost visible. Yana generally worked only at the airport - she met and saw off, and Lyudmila met tourists at the hotel, explained everything and disappeared. We were lucky that we only needed it to order an excursion and find out where the bus leaves from back to the airport. And we learned everything else and searched, as they say, by typing. In this regard, no knowledge of English, even at the level of the institute, played a big role. And it's not true that the hotel staff only speaks French. Some even understood Russian. So there were no problems with that. But about the attitude of staff towards tourists on the Internet they wrote the truth. And they are rude, and ignore, and even mock at the Russians - this is a fact. This is especially noticeable in bars and restaurants. The waiters there are rude! They may come to drink from your glass or take something from your plate. Normal, right? ! The first day we were in shock, and then we realized how to behave - make a serious face so that you are even afraid to approach. If you smile sweetly, they will not leave you behind.
If I’ve already started talking about the restaurant, then it’s worth saying that there was a lot of food and all sorts of different things, but we weren’t lucky with fruit. The most delicious were the watermelons. Dani is green and tastes like cucumber; apples, peaches and grapes, most often rotten, had to be selected. Nothing more was given. But there were a lot of sweets and pastries. I am not a fan of cakes and pastries, but I was tempted several times. But in general, the food was tired, we were not hungry.
If we talk about the hotel in general terms, then we, of course, expected to see something different. The territory is not very green, there are few flowers, but there are many dried palm trees that would not hurt to cut. The buildings are quite old, with peeling paint on the walls. Clearly in need of at least a cosmetic overhaul. Cleanliness everywhere also leaves much to be desired. On the way to the building or in the lobby, you can see a mountain of dirty dishes that stand all day and no one even deigns to remove them (despite the fact that it is strictly forbidden to take food out of the restaurant! ). And near the pools, cleaning begins at 8-9 in the morning, while vacationers sunbathe there already from 7 o'clock. So, in front of you, they clean the pool and wash the tiles until 10 o'clock. Then they start the slides and leave. I immediately understood - the Arabs - well, oh, very lazy people !! ! Due to the fact that there is no special cleanliness (and not only in this hotel, but in the country as a whole), there are a lot of flies. Not even just a lot... We only have such a quantity in the barnyard. And they are everywhere: on the beach, and in a restaurant, and near bars, and in the market. Only not in the room. But this is our merit. We tried not to leave the balcony door (the one with the mesh) open. It was a little stuffy, but by the evening it was fresh.

Of all the entertainment in the hotel, we preferred only slides. The child did not get off them at all. And most often just lying near the pool or on the beach. When the small storm ended, the sea became crystal clear, I didn’t even want to leave it.
Separately, I want to tell you about the tour. It seems to me that those who are in Tunisia for the first time should definitely go to the Sahara. The tour is two days, but during this time you drive through almost the whole of Tunisia. El Jem, Sidi bou Sid, Gafsa, Sfax, Tozr, Kairouan and many more interesting places can be seen. And how much more can be seen from the bus window...
I want to warn you right away that in addition to what you pay for a ticket, you need to take another 100 dinar with you, because cart riding in the oasis, camel riding in the desert and jeeping in the dunes are paid separately. It cost us 70 dinars. They also need money for food and water. With water on the trip, I strained - it is everywhere only for money, even in a restaurant where you will be fed. One bottle - 2 dinars. And they serve disgusting meals. I didn't really eat anything for two whole days. It's good that we thought to take cookies, fruit and a bottle of water with us.
In general, the tour is extremely difficult. Lots of time on the road. Then in the evening, at sunset, an hour camel ride. This, I tell you, is the most memorable. Do not try to be afraid and refuse. Animals are calm, do not bite, do not make any unnecessary movements. And a lot of impressions! Everyone who rode with us was delighted. True, then the fifth point hurts, but it's worth it!

Upon returning, everyone is taken by bus to a local hotel, fed with dinner and at 21.00. - hang up. Morning rise at 4.30. , Breakfast and back to the bus. We drive for an hour and a half to the extinct salt lake and meet the dawn. And then jeeping on dunes. Also not for the faint of heart. We personally shouted and squealed so that the driver laughed. After that, everyone was taken to the mountains to the waterfall. There you can, if you wish, buy souvenirs for a few pennies. And after - lunch and the road to Kairouan, where the factory of handmade carpets and the highest mosque are located. And already at 6 pm - on the way back. At 7 o'clock we were already at our hotel and were preparing for dinner.
Long, hard, sometimes scary, sometimes hot and thirsty, but believe me, it's really worth it. A lot of impressions! During all the time on the road you can learn a lot about the country. The guide who accompanied us was always telling us something. By the way, in Russian and quite tolerably, he even joked so that the whole bus had fun.
Therefore, I advise everyone! Sugar is great! Just do not go with children under 10 years old, it will be difficult for them.
Well, that's probably the most important thing. Special thanks to the animation guys. The evening performances were really funny. And even during the day they did not sit still, all the time they came up with something, organized contests.
Summing up, I want to say that I personally have two opinions about Tunisia in general and about the hotel in particular. Warm sea, white sand, smells of hookah and aromatic oils - all this attracts and is remembered for a long time. But besides this, I also remember insanely lazy and untidy Arabs, dirty streets filled with construction debris and a not too beautiful landscape. Worth a visit and see it all. I went, I had enough. I think next time I'll choose something else. But it's a matter of taste. . .