The corner of Tunisia in question was considered a paradise since ancient times. Using favorable natural conditions, Greeks, Phoenicians and Punians (their common descendants) built colonies here. As you know, the last settlers were expelled from here by the Romans. But after 9 centuries, the Romanesque population of Gabes Bay itself suffered from Berbers and Arabs.
Turning a fishing area into a resort
Former nomads from the bloodthirsty inhabitants of the desert first turned into fishermen, and in the last century - successful hoteliers and restaurateurs ... Fishing ports (in Gabes 60% of Tunisia's fishing industry are concentrated) attract thousands of tourists.
At the service of Western travelers and residents of the former Soviet Union - one of the prominent guest establishments that southern Tunisia can offer is the Palais des Iles 4 * hotel.
The day life of the Roman Meninks
Tour operators recognize its northern part as the main resort of the bay. Among other islands, Djerba is located here. It is the largest in the North African state. For several centuries, it served as the most reliable shelter for the Berber-Libyan corsairs.
The island capital (Houmt Souk - “fortress bazaar”) is the work of the Jews who lived here once. It is with them that the main object of excursions is connected - the synagogue of La Griba (its age is more than 2500 years). Today the temple is the oldest monument of Jewish religious architecture. It remains to add that the Israeli community ceased to exist in the middle of the last century, leaving numerous traces in the local dialect ...
Near the synagogue is Bordj el-Kebir - the "Big Tower" (from it the natives fired from the Ottoman invaders). You can also explore the Tegermess lighthouse (preserved on the territory of the Dzherba Explor ethnic village) and the Gellala pottery quarter (with a museum of folk crafts).
Among the other interesting things of Djerba, all the cafes that serve rice cooked according to the local recipe, as well as shops selling the famous cupcake blanket, should be highlighted. Nature lovers will not pass by a population of pink flamingos. Thanks to them, the Romans called the nearby lagoon the word "meninks."
After the vacationers explore the whole island, they will be taken directly to the Sahara from the hotel ...
Palais des Iles: from Veraclub to 4 *
The hotel Palais des Iles 4 * (Tunisia, Djerba) received its name in a reminder of the good old days when all the countries of the Western Maghreb were a solid French colony. From the language of Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Napoleon, the Palais des Iles roughly translates as "a palace among the islands." Until 2014 (the time of the last reconstruction of the hotel and its acquisition of a 4-star status), the word Veraclub was added to the name. This has been called the fashionable shelter since 1998.
The name “palace among the islands” is quite justified - from the windows of the Palais des Iles hotel you can see other isolated pieces of land. They lie very close to the shores of the resort area "Djerba Medun", surrounded by picturesque date palms scattered here and there, as well as a dense olive plantation. From the airport here go 25 kilometers, from the town of Midoun - only 5 kilometers. The huge guest villa was built on the 1st line of the above urban area - 50 meters from the sea, surrounded by a souvenir shop, three shopping centers and an upmarket restaurant. Convenient hotel accommodation is noted in their positive reviews by many tourists.
By the way, an isolated section of the beach awaits guests on the coast (sun loungers, sun loungers and sun awnings are provided for guests of the Palais des Iles free of charge, renting beach towels costs only 10 dinars).
Around the large oval-shaped pool (with sunbeds and umbrellas), a park landscape was designed. In its center is a 4-level modern building with 3-story extensions. The rest of the infrastructure is spread out on their sides, including also a spacious car parking.
Hotel Rooms
The Palais des Iles has 287 rooms with views of the garden, golf club or large pool. Design concept - many-sided options of the classical style. Rooms are cleaned daily. Towels and bed linen are also not to be recalled.
255 rooms are classified as standard (available - beds, bedside tables, air conditioning, private bathroom, TV, safe and balcony). Double rooms occupy an area of ​​35, triple - 42, quadruple - 55 square meters. You can also find phones in them.
There are 13 family rooms in the size of 84 "squares" in the Palais des Iles 4 * (Djerba). In addition to adult furniture, there are children's headsets, as well as additional accessories and a bathtub in the bathroom.
Principle loners are waiting for 4 suites.
15 rooms at the Palais des Iles hotel, on the contrary, are designed for large companies (they often drop into a hotel). There are more chairs and sofas.
Tourists staying at the Hotel Palais des Iles 4 * (Djerba) note in their positive reviews: some apartments are designed for people with disabilities. They are equipped with all kinds of convenient devices, communications and resemble a more comfortable apartment.
Wherever you go, you’ll find yourself in the lounge bar, then in the “a la carte”
Guests of the hotel Palais des Iles 4 * (Djerba) receive the right to food on a buffet basis. It is served in the main restaurant - Palmeraie. Chefs are familiar with dishes of pan-European and Italian cuisine. The waiters offer visitors any drinks. According to the reviews of the Russians resting, the room is a bit cramped, and the staff is clearly not enough ... But this is smoothed out by a memorable vintage decoration, as well as amazingly tasty freshly prepared food.
The drinks restaurant (Ă la carte) hospitably opens its doors nearby.
Gourmet services include lounge-snack bars (located in the barbecue and snack areas). Lovers of splashing in the pool can satisfy their hunger with salads and sandwiches. The main bar (tea, coffee, juices) - The Goutte d'Orm also functions here.
All catering establishments have children's chairs, which, as many guests note, is very convenient.
Smeared with clay, made laugh in a mini-club, give a bow with arrows ...
What is thalassotherapy, residents of the Hotel Palais des Iles 4 * can find out on the territory of their complex, as well as in health resorts located in neighboring hotels or standing directly in menzels (blocks of traditional Arab buildings). We are talking about coating and wrapping with healing clay and algae extracted from the sea.
Health-conscious adults can not worry about their children. They are looked after by nannies in mini-clubs (competitions await children, master classes of decorative art, physical relay races, fun from animators at special playgrounds).
A healthy lifestyle, however, is based not only on wellness treatments, but also on sports. About Palais des Iles 4 * hotel reviews in this regard are the most enthusiastic. At the Palais des Iles, active people will happily discover:
- football field;
- volleyball court;
- mini golf area;
- halls equipped for playing table tennis, darts and billiards;
- training complexes;
- canoe rental;
- four tennis courts;
- a pool with a mini water park (adults and children will enjoy three slides);
- diving center on its own beach area.
There are many more interesting things ...
In one of the local rooms it is easy to find a slot machine hall and an aerobics section. At the main pool (as soon as the heat subsides), the guests begin to entertain the animators. On the eve of the season, they have already prepared scripts for contests and evening shows. Archery classes (including saddle) are held at one of the sites. At the reception of Hotel Palais des Iles 4 * you can order laundry, dry cleaning, transfer, car rental, excursion.
Nightlife on the other side of the fence
Guests note that after sunset in the resort area of ​​Djerba, children's animators give way to DJs. Beach bars are becoming a place for young people to relax. In one of them, Calypso Djerba is the most famous night club in the bay. Vibrant film festivals are held here for more advanced travelers on August evenings.
Why go to the resort area of ​​Djerba?
Thanks to the benefits of climate, the local Zerzis Airport welcomes thousands of tourists all year round. What attracts so many vacationers to this patch of the southern Mediterranean? It turns out, as guests note in their reviews, this area has many advantages for vacationers:
- in southern Tunisia there is no bad weather, all the local beaches are marked with blue flags;
- the transfer is minimal (the airport is located directly in the Bay of Gabes);
- on Djerba you can have fun in one fell swoop, explore ancient and medieval antiquities, undergo a thalassotherapy treatment course, learn how to shoot from an archery and ride a camel in the Berber style, sunbathe beautifully in the clean white sand;
- no one asks for trifles at the bazaars;
- local merchants have no habit of grabbing Europeans by the hand;
- hotel service on the island is considered one of the best in North Africa.
Hotel Palais des iles 4 * - one of the main places in the resort area of ​​the island. This is an institution in connection with which the Russians had only positive impressions and many pleasant memories (constantly refreshed by watching the photo session “clicked” here). People find the hotel staff attentive and very good-natured. The hotel is always happy with its guests. Any questions can be resolved without delay, and in favor of the guests. Have a nice rest!