In the northern part of Africa there is a holistic state entity - the Republic of Tunisia. An amazing, hospitable country, the territory of which was inhabited at the beginning of the XII century before our reckoning, is considered among all the Arab states the most economically developed. After the official declaration of independence that took place in 1956, tourism has become one of the main sectors of the economy.
The country has created all the conditions at the international level for active and beach holidays. Tunisia receives over six million visitors from all over the world. In recent years, traveling to this country has been very popular among Russians. It affects one of the main factors when crossing the border - visa-free entry to the territory of Tunisia.
In the article you will learn what you can bring from Tunisia, what souvenirs are best to get during an active holiday on the Mediterranean coast.
Blown glass products
Blown glass products using centuries-old technology are made on the Bon Peninsula (northern Tunisia, 140 km from Sicily). In the capital of the country there is a museum (Sadika Studio) of blown glass souvenirs. It is quite interesting. Here, tourists can purchase glass souvenirs in the form of vases, lamps, dishes and be present at its manufacture.
Such a gift will cost a Russian tourist 70-115 rubles. The purchase of original fixtures made in the traditional forms of Tunisia will cost about 1,115 rubles (50 dinars).
Desert Rose
What can I bring from Tunisia as a gift? One of the most popular exotic souvenirs is the Desert Rose. It is created by nature and is a crystalline formation (mineral).
This homogeneous compound in nature is created in the sands of the Sahara in the form of a flower resembling a chocolate rose used to decorate a cake.
In Tunisia, these souvenirs are a symbol of love and come in different sizes and shades. The color depends on the sand in which this mineral was formed.
Darbuk Drum Tool
So what to bring from Tunisia? In the reviews, tourists write that they often bring from Tunisia a national musical instrument - darbuku.
The name comes from the Arabic word "darba". It means “to strike” in translation. Darbuka is a drum covered in leather. The wooden or metal case, brightly decorated by artists, has the shape of a cup.
Depending on the size and pattern, a Darbuk costs 25-30 dinars (580-860 rubles).
Tunisian carpets
Thinking about what tourists bring from Tunisia, pay attention to the carpets. Persian and Tunisian are considered the best in the world. The peculiarity of their manufacture in Tunisia is that the craftsmen weave this type of national product, as in past times, manually, using yarn from silk and wool, using natural dyes.
Carpet art has been handed down from generation to generation since the Ottoman Empire.
At one time, the city of Kairouan (the oldest city of Tunisia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site) was the center of this craft. Since the manufacture is a very painstaking work, these carpets are small in size - 3-4 m².
It is advisable to buy them in specialized stores of any major city of Tunisia, where a quality certificate for the goods is issued without fail.
The price depends on the size and complexity of the picture: about a few hundred dollars. It is noteworthy that Tunisian carpets do not change color during washing and for a long time retain their original appearance.
Olive oil
And what can be brought from Tunisia for those who like to cook? As a souvenir, tourists buy Tunisian olive oil. Among gourmets, it is considered the best in the world. Since it is made from fruits harvested on olive plantations of the country.
It is advisable to buy a product in specialized grocery stores and pay attention to labels. Glass containers with genuine Tunisian olive oil should have a label that says Extra Virgin (extra class) or Cold First Press (first cold pressed). A liter of oil in Tunisia costs 235 rubles.
Cosmetics
What to bring from Tunisia? In reviews, people write about cosmetics. Olive soap as one of the types of souvenirs is in great demand among tourists from Russia. It has a different size, color and smell. The soap is made on the basis of olive oil. It enriches the skin with vitamins A and E and makes it soft and supple.
Clay tfal (Tunisians call it “the mask of the bride”) refers to cosmetology and is a popular acquisition as souvenirs from this southern country.
Talf is clay of volcanic origin. It was formed on the seabed more than 50 million years ago and has natural properties that can enrich the skin with certain trace elements. The cost depends on the volume of packaging and on the manufacturer.
The company Chema Ghassoul Argile minerale set a constant price - 9 dinars (210 rubles). A liter of shampoo containing this clay costs 115 rubles.
Fabrics
What to bring from Tunisia as a gift to women? Russian tourists often buy fabrics. Flax made in Tunisia is of high quality. This material is used for sewing men's shirts and trousers in the hot climate of this region.
The Fella store is famous for quality goods. It is located in the central part of the resort city of Hammamet (70 km from the capital). In addition to flax, Tunisian silk can be purchased. A large selection of this fabric is in the shops of the resort city of Mahdia.
The original souvenir made of silk are women's shoes (the cost of the goods is about 230 rubles) and a set of bed linen. And there is also the opportunity to buy shoes and a variety of leather products. It is advisable to purchase in specialized stores where they provide a certificate of quality for this product.
Sweets
Thinking about what to bring from Tunisia to a child, it is worth remembering that the production of a variety of sweets is widespread in the country. Therefore, in the form of souvenirs, you can buy pahwal, macrud cookies, halva and many other culinary products.
Tunisian macrud cookies are made from dough mixed with semolina. For the filling, Tunisians use different ingredients (walnuts, almonds, rose petals), but mostly the pulp of dates.
The traditional Tunisian baklava is in great demand among tourists. The birthplace of this exotic confectionery is the territory of the Anatolia Peninsula (part of modern Turkey). After some time, this type of sweet spread to the African continent. Tunisians have a little changed the recipe, created the Tunisian baklava, it acquired a special taste.
Confectioners use filo pastry (fresh puff pastry) with syrup or bee honey. Buying sweets in Tunisia's confectionery stores will cost the Russian tourist about 580 rubles per kilogram.
Unusual edible souvenirs are canned salted lemons. They have an original taste. They can be purchased at any store in the city.
Spice
What to bring from Tunisia to lovers of spicy dishes? For example, harissa sauce. The homeland of this unusually delicacy is one of the districts of the administrative center - the city of Nabul, it is part of the Maghreb cuisine.
In Tunisia, sauce is served as an appetizer, used in soups, various meat dishes. The delicacy is prepared from chili pepper, garlic, olive oil with the addition of various spices.
Harissa is usually sold as a dry mix. It must be diluted with oil and insisted. But it is best for tourists to buy canned sauce.
Alcohol
What to bring from Tunisia to a girl? The republic has plantations of French vineyards. Therefore, Tunisia produces French wine, and Russians can buy red, pink and white wines as a souvenir. These drinks are made using technology borrowed from French winemakers.
And what to bring to Tunisia to a man? In addition to wine, you can buy a Tunisian strong alcoholic beverage (moonshine), made at home based on the fruits of figs, the oldest plant on the planet.
In this country, moonshine is called "bukh". This word is translated from Hebrew-Arabic slang means "alcohol vapors."
Tourists often bring from this African country date liquor Thibarine ("Tibarin") or citrus liquor drink Cedratine ("Cedratin").
A date-based liquor should be drunk with Coca-Cola, and Cedratine should be drunk with coffee.
When buying, you need to consider that Tunisia is a Muslim country. Therefore, on Friday, the sale of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited. In addition, alcohol is sold only in specialized stores from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The resort area of the city of Sousse
The large and developed resort center of Tunisia is the city of Sousse (160 km from the capital). It was founded 2500 years ago.
This resort region in recent years has become popular among Russian tourists. It is popular because of the well-equipped outdoor areas, convenient location near the main attractions of the country (60-80 km) and a large number of specialized stores where you can buy various souvenirs.
Sousse Jewelry
What to bring from Sousse (Tunisia)? Vacationers from Russia pay attention to a wide selection of women's jewelry. They are put up for sale in the resort's jewelry stores. As a gift for women, you can buy handmade products made of gold or silver. Tunisian jewelers usually use 750th-grade gold and cubic zirconia or diamond gemstones.
Especially popular among tourists is the decoration of the swab. It is made using ambergris (a solid formed in the digestive tract of a sperm whale). A feature of this jewelry is the fact that when it comes into contact with the human body, thanks to the amber, a light pleasant smell emanates from the product.
Wort jewelry stores have a large selection of items in the form of an hamsa amulet. They can be used as souvenir jewelry. The amulet is a palm, in the center of which is placed a pattern from the evil eye. Muslims believe that this decoration protects from all sorts of life troubles. You can buy an amulet as a pendant to a bracelet, pendant, necklace.
The average price of gold jewelry, depending on the manufacture, is from 60 dinars (1420 rubles). The cost of a simple amulet is approximately 50 rubles (2 dinars).
Shisha (hookah)
A smoking device where the inhaled smoke is filtered and cooled is called a hookah. It was invented in India and in the 19th century it quickly became popular in many countries of the world. In Tunisia, it is called shisha (translated from Arabic - glass).
In Wort, unlike other cities of the state, there is a large selection of hookahs of various colors and sizes. Their tourists can buy as a souvenir gift for men at a cost of about 580 rubles.
When buying a hookah as a gift, it should be borne in mind that not all of them are designed for smoking. In stores, smoking appliances are often put on the shelves next to hookahs. They are intended as a decorative home decoration.
Tips for buying gifts and souvenirs from Tunisia
What to bring? When buying souvenirs and gifts, it must be borne in mind that all stores are divided into two types: departments with fixed prices and stores where goods are sold without a certain price. In the latter, it is customary to bargain for the chosen thing.
Costly items should be purchased at supermarkets or in stores. They can provide a certificate of quality and warranty. This gives the right in the event of a defect to return the goods to this outlet and receive money back.
Since Tunisia is a Muslim country, it is advisable for women not to appear on city streets in shorts or a T-shirt.
In souvenir shops located on the territory of the hotel, the prices are approximately two times higher compared to the price of the same product at other retail outlets.
Consider these recommendations, and outdoor activities, the purchase of souvenirs and gifts in the Republic of Tunisia will leave pleasant memories.
Conclusion
Now you know what souvenirs you can buy in Tunisia, what to bring as a gift, some photos are presented in the article for clarity. We hope that this information was interesting to you.