GOLF ESCAPES

FOCUS ON
Tunisia
This French-influenced North African country offers winter sun and an amazing variety of golf courses.
Golfers have travelled to Tunisia to
play under the warm rays of its
winter sun since 1927. Back then,
it was the well-heeled Parisian
elite who travelled to North Africa to enjoy
their favourite pastime under blue skies.
Now, low-cost carriers take us to the
other side of the Med in just over three
hours, and there are a wealth of top-rank
golf courses to choose from.
There is so much good golf in Tunisia
that you could spend a fortnight there – for
example, there is an excellent break to be
had by using Kantaoui as a base and also
heading out to Djerba and Tozeur – and
still struggle to play all of their courses.
So for this article, we’ll concentrate on
just two of the best, Yasmine and Citrus.
Before we turn our attention to this duo,
which are based near Hammamet, it’s
worth considering the off-course aspects of
a golf break here, for they make this a
terrific destination for couples and families.
Four reasons to visit Tunisia
First, a word about the weather: August is
seriously hot, with an average of 27˚C –
therefore on many days it is over 30˚C.
You can get the odd quick shower from
November to January but it leaves very
quickly and doesn’t really affect your
holiday. So, just a few hours in a plane gets
you temperatures still threatening to top
20˚C all winter long – it’s why the North
African coast is a very attractive option.
Secondly, the value. Tunisia is really
trying to attract golfers so in terms of
accommodation, flights (see box below) and
green fees – whether you book through an
agent or direct with the clubs and hotels –
you will get a terrific deal.
Thirdly, over 300,000 Britons visit
Tunisia every year, most staying in the
coastal resorts that are close to the golf
courses – so there are plenty of wellappointed
hotels to choose from. You will
be well looked after in these palatial hotels,
most of which are all-inclusive. Whenever
you eat or drink outside of your hotel, your
Tunisian dinar will go a long way.
Finally, there is lots to do away from the
golf course or hotel pool; you can take a
trip to the Sahara for less than £200 –
including a trip to the Star Wars set.
The fabulouslooking
Golf Citrus.