New TUI winter sun destination is picturesque seaside town just 3 hours from the UK
WINTER sun seekers will soon have another destination to explore, as TUI adds Enfidha to its list of destinations taking off from London Stansted next year.
The picturesque hilltop town, which has views of both the Meditterranean sea and the Djebel Zaghouan mountain, can be reached in just over three hours from the UK.
Thanks to its location, there is barely ever a cause to wear a coat in the region.
Autumn sees highs of 33C and even in mid-winter temperatures hit 18-19C.
Dubbed the “budget-friendly St Tropez”, Tunisia is an ideal spot for a pocket-friendly getaway, with the country known for its sandy beaches, clear waters, unique cuisine and being easy on the wallet – and Enfidha is certainly no exception.
Located in the north eastern part of the country, the quaint town is home to Enfidha is home to the Enfidha-Hammamet International Airport, which serves as a gateway for travellers visiting the region.
The town is home to traditional architecture, busy markets and local cuisine.
Couscous is a staple in Tunisia as is Brik, a crunchy, flaky, pastry dish served with savoury fillings.
Nearby beaches have also been praised by visitors, including Madfoun Beach, which is home to white sand and crystal-clear waters.
There aren’t many hotels in Enfidha but there are more options in neighbouring Hergla, where rooms at four-star hotels start from £43 per night.
Hergla is a 30-minute drive from Enfidha and is one of the smaller cities on the coastline.
Enfidha is also a good base for exploring other tourist hotspots in the area, including Sousse.
Sousse is a 45-minute drive from Enfidha, and it can also be reached on a local train service that takes just over an hour.
The once-popular tourist hotspot has plenty to keep visitors entertained like the Medina of Sousse, a busy market that’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the winding narrow streets, holidaymakers can buy local souvenirs such as crafts, spices and textiles.
Other attractions in Sousse include its Ribat, an impressive fortress that dates back to the 8th century.
There’s also the Great Mosque of Sousse, Sousse Archaeological Museum and Dar Essid Museum.
Sousse has 13 beaches, many of which have white sand and crystal-clear waters like Boujaffar Beach.
Stretching for 10km, Boujaffar Beach is a family-friendly spot thanks to the ice cream vendors and beach shacks that line its shores.
My View: TUI's New Route to Enfidha
THE launch of flights to the sun-soaked Tunisian coast from Stansted gives yet more options to travellers who want to experience year-round balmy temperatures and great value holidays.
The new TUI flights to Enfidha give holidaymakers easy access to the popular beach resorts of Hammamet and Sousse as well as the modern resort of Port el Kantaoui with its glitzy marina, golf courses, shops and restaurants.
The beaches looking out over the Mediterranean are popular both in summer and winter and with extra Stansted flights, there’s even more choice for those wanting to head away for a short break or longer holiday.
It comes as travel giant TUI looks to expand the number of destinations that can be reached from a larger range of UK airports.
Also reachable from Enfidha is Port El-Kantaoui, a purpose-built tourist complex with a marina, golf courses, and a variety of shops, restaurants and bars.
For holidaymakers who are after a little bit more of the local culture, El Jem Amphitheatre is a 70-minute drive from Enfidha.
The El Jem Amphitheatre is one of the most impressive Roman ruins in Africa.
As the highest point in eastern Tunisia, Parc National Djebel Zaghouan is another day trip option from Enfidha.
Until TUI launches its flights from London Stansted to Enfidha, several other airlines currently operate flights to the Tunisian town.
Direct services already run from Bristol, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Belfast, Glasgow and Birmingham.
Return fares in December start from £41, with flights taking just over three hours.
Along with the likes of Egypt and Morocco, Tunisia was once one of the most popular winter sun destinations.
However, this changed in 2015 after 38 people, 30 of which were Brits, were killed following a terror attack at the beach resort of Sousse.
Travel to Tunisia was advised against by the UK government.
The ban was subsequently lifted in 2018, with flights and holiday packages resuming.
And while the Foreign Office deems the majority of beach resorts safe to visit, the return to Tunisia holidays has been slow.
In the last few months, a number of UK airlines, including both TUI and easyJet, have relaunched flights to Enfidha.
What else do I need to know about Tunisia?
The local currency is the Tunisian dinar (TND), with £10 equaling about 38 TND, while certain holiday resorts also accept dollars and euros.
Make sure to swap every dinar back before you leave because taking them outside of the country is forbidden.
Although Arabic is Tunisia’s official language, the majority of the staff in the holiday resorts will also speak English.
Tourist numbers plummeted after a terrorist attack in Tunisia in 2015, but now the UK government no longer warns against travel to the holiday resorts.
However, it still advises against travelling to locations near the Chaambi Mountains National Park, Dhehiba, and the Libyan and Algerian border.
What is a holiday to Tunisia like?
The Sun’s Assistant News Editor Emer Scully recently visited Tunisia – here’s what they said.
Just a short hop from Sicily, Tunisia is often overlooked as a holiday destination but it offers the same draws as many top European countries — for a fraction of the price.
The charming town of Sidi Bou Said could easily be mistaken for Greece’s Santorini, but without the price.
A three-course traditional Tunisian meal is £10 at its best-value restaurant, Café Restaurant Chargui, and a night’s stay at quaint bed and breakfast Boufares is £15.
The town offers stunning ocean views, and its streets are lined with immaculately painted white buildings, with doors and window shutters all the same shade of blue.
The newest easyJet flights were launched earlier this year, from Glasgow to Enfidha in Tunisia.
If you want a package holiday, you can find cheap deals for that too with all-inclusives under £300.