Sometimes the best travel decisions aren’t made from guidebooks or Instagram feeds – they’re made from the heart. When I was planning our spring getaway, Romeo and I didn’t choose Tunisia because it was trending or because someone recommended it. We chose it because it felt right, because this beautiful North African country stands with Palestine, and because sometimes you need your travel choices to align with your values.
That decision led us to one of the most wonderful family adventures we’ve ever had.
Ems and Romeo in Sidi Bou Said
The Journey: When Obstacles Become Opportunities
Let me be honest about something, traveling in 2025 isn’t what it used to be. Flight prices are absolutely brutal, especially when you’re trying to get anywhere decent with a five-year-old in tow. Tunisia wasn’t exactly budget-friendly to reach, but compared to other Mediterranean destinations, it was doable. Just.
The route we ended up taking tells its own story. No direct flights meant stopovers, and those stopovers turned into mini-adventures themselves. First, Cologne, Germany,where we caught up with an old friend – one of those spontaneous reunions that remind you why travel connections matter and then Nice, France, but that deserves its own post….
And you know what? Romeo loved every minute of it. The extra airports, the different planes… to him, it was all part of the adventure. Sometimes I forget that what feels like travel stress to me feels like excitement to him.
Two Weeks in Hammamet: Finding Our Rhythm in a Coastal Paradise
Picture this: you wake up to the sound of gentle Mediterranean waves lapping against golden sand, the morning light filtering through your resort room casting everything in that soft, warm glow that happens in North Africa. The air smells of salt and jasmine, and somewhere in the distance, you can hear the call to prayer mixing with the laughter of children already playing in the shallow, crystal-clear waters.
This was our reality for two glorious weeks in Hammamet, and I need you to understand, this wasn’t just a holiday. This was us finding a rhythm, a way of being… Hammamet is one of those places that gets under your skin immediately. It’s a traditional coastal city that’s evolved over centuries, creating this unique landscape of white, rounded buildings that seem to glow against the brilliant blue of the Mediterranean.
The Water Obsession: A Love Story in Multiple Parts
Now, about Romeo and water, this deserves its own chapter because it became the defining theme of our entire stay. When I say water obsession, I mean obsession. Pool water, sea water, hot jacuzzi water, cold pool water, inside pools, outside pools, if it was wet and swimmable, Romeo wanted to be in it.
And here’s the thing about traveling with a five-year-old: when they want to be in the water, you’re in the water. There’s no “I’ll just sit here and watch you from the poolside.” Oh no. Romeo needed me right there, in the water with him, every single time….
Picture this scenario, repeated daily for two weeks: Romeo spots a pool (any pool), his eyes light up like Christmas morning, and suddenly I’m being dragged by the hand toward the water. “Mummy, let’s go swimming!” And off we go. For hours. Multiple times a day.
The jacuzzis were particularly magnetic. Romeo loves jacuzzis and was absolutely fascinated. He’d sit in there, this tiny person in this big hot tub, completely content, while I’m thinking, “Right, I’m done with being in water now,” but knowing full well we’re not moving until he’s ready.
But it meant I was constantly wet. Constantly in swimwear. Constantly covered in sand and salt. And you know what? I loved every minute of it, even when I was thinking, “I could really go for a tea and a dry towel right now.”
The Rhythm of Resort Life: Embracing What Works
I’ll be honest, resort life wasn’t really my thing before Romeo. I was all about independent travel, making it up as I go along, staying in local guesthouses, eating street food. But traveling with a five-year-old changes everything, and I’ve learned to embrace what actually works rather than what I think should work.
These resorts in Hammamet are set up perfectly for families. Childcare and kids clubs when you need it, restaurants that can accommodate dietary requirements (even if vegan options require some negotiation), activities for kids, and that crucial element – direct beach access. No dragging luggage and a tired child across town to find the beach. You walk out your door, and there it is.
The north and south of Hammamet each had their own personality. North Hammamet felt quieter, more traditional, with fewer hotels and a more authentic local feel. You could walk into the town center and feel like you were experiencing real Tunisian life – the pottery shops, the local markets, the cafés where locals actually hang out.
South Hammamet was more developed, more resort-focused, but that came with advantages too – more facilities, more organized activities, better infrastructure for families. Both had their charm, and splitting our time between them meant Romeo got variety while I got to experience different sides of this beautiful coastal town.
We walked everywhere. And I mean everywhere. My step counter was hitting 20,000 steps daily, which sounds excessive until you realize that’s just what happens when you’re exploring with a curious five-year-old who wants to see everything, touch everything, experience everything. Those long walks became our daily meditation, Romeo chattering away about what he was seeing, me taking in the sights and sounds of this gorgeous coastal town.
And of course, there were the evening discos – Romeo’s absolute favorite part of any resort stay. Watching him light up that dance floor with his infectious energy, becoming an instant resort celebrity by night two… but that’s a story that deserves its own post entirely…
The Carnival Discovery: When Exhaustion Meets Magic
After walking around town all day, we were exhausted and ready to head back to the hotel. But something was off – everything was closed, and we couldn’t even find a taxi. The entire town seemed to have shut down.
That’s when locals told us why: the Hammamet Carnival was about to start.
Here we were, tired and just wanting to get back to our room, but realizing we were about to witness something special. We finally managed to get a taxi back to the hotel, and after a quick rest, discovered the carnival route was just a five-minute walk away.
Sometimes the best travel experiences happen when you’re least prepared for them – tired, ready to call it a day, and suddenly you’re in the middle of something magical.
These are the moments that remind you why travel matters. Not the planned activities or the resort amenities, but these unexpected windows into local culture that you can’t book or schedule. They just happen, and when they do, they become the stories you tell for years.
Carthage Land: Where Five-Year-Old Dreams Come True
If the carnival was serendipity, Carthage Land was pure, planned joy. This theme park became Romeo’s absolute highlight, the place he still talks about months later, the experience that made him ask, “When can we go back to Tunisia?”
Watching your child experience pure, unfiltered happiness is one of the greatest gifts of family travel. Romeo on those rides, his face lit up with excitement, completely in the moment, that’s worth every expensive flight, every logistical challenge, every moment of being tired or overwhelmed.
The park itself is well-designed, with rides suitable for different ages, and it’s clearly built with families in mind. But more than that, it captured something essentially Tunisian, this blend of modern entertainment with cultural pride, of welcoming tourists while maintaining local identity.
The Real Hammamet: Beyond the Resort Gates
But Hammamet isn’t just resorts and theme parks. When we ventured into the town itself, we found this vibrant coastal community with its own rhythm and personality. The medina with its narrow streets and traditional architecture, the local markets where you can buy everything from pottery to spices to textiles, the cafés where locals gather to drink mint tea and play backgammon.
The people were genuinely welcoming. Not just the tourism-industry welcoming, but actually warm and interested in where we were from, what we thought of their country, how Romeo was enjoying his holiday. There’s something about Tunisian hospitality that feels authentic, they’re proud of their country and want you to love it too.
The only real challenge was food. Even in international resorts, vegan options were limited and often required detailed conversations with kitchen staff. It’s not that they weren’t willing to help, they absolutely were, but plant-based eating isn’t mainstream there yet. We made it work, but it required patience and flexibility.
Tunis: Capital City Adventures
After two weeks of beach bliss, we headed to Tunis, and the contrast was immediate and energizing. This is a proper capital city, bustling, historic, full of life and character. Our hotel was lovely, perfectly positioned for exploring, and the city revealed itself in layers.
The restaurants in Tunis were a revelation after our resort food experiences. Proper local cuisine, some excellent vegan options once you knew where to look, and that authentic buzz of a city that exists for its residents, not just its tourists.
But the real gem was Sidi Bou Said, this impossibly picturesque Mediterranean town that looks like it was designed by someone with exquisite taste and an unlimited budget. White and blue buildings cascading down toward the sea, narrow cobblestone streets, stunning views at every turn. It’s touristy, yes, but it’s touristy for good reason. Some places are popular because they’re genuinely spectacular.
Romeo loved it there. The colors, the architecture, the sense of being somewhere completely different from anywhere he’d been before. We spent hours just wandering, taking photos, soaking up the atmosphere.
But not everything was perfect in Sidi Bou Said. The taxi ride there was reasonably priced, but the return journey suddenly cost five times as much, same distance, same route. They knew it would be harder for us to find another taxi, so they just tried to charge much more.
I always try to believe the best in people, so I do struggle when I see drivers trying to overcharge a woman traveling alone with a child. It just doesn’t feel right. Most Tunisian drivers were honest and helpful, and when I found the decent ones who charged fairly, I made sure to tip them well, sometimes double the fare, because integrity deserves to be rewarded.
Why You Need to Go to Tunisia
Here’s the thing about Tunisia, it gets under your skin in the best possible way. The combination of Mediterranean beauty, North African culture, genuine hospitality, and incredible value for money makes it an absolute gem of a destination.
For families, it’s particularly brilliant. The beaches are safe and beautiful, the culture is welcoming to children, the infrastructure works, and there’s enough variety to keep everyone happy. Romeo made friends, learned about a different culture, experienced new foods, and had adventures he’s still talking about.
For solo travelers or couples, it offers that perfect blend of relaxation and exploration. You can spend days doing nothing but lying on pristine beaches, then dive into medinas, explore ancient ruins, or lose yourself in the vibrant culture of cities like Tunis.
And let’s be honest about the value aspect, your money goes further here than in most Mediterranean destinations. Better hotels, better food, better experiences for less money. In a world where travel is becoming increasingly expensive, that matters.
But beyond the practical considerations, there’s something special about choosing to visit a country that stands up for what’s right, even when it’s not popular. Tunisia’s support for Palestine matters to me, and being able to align my travel choices with my values while having an incredible experience feels important.
The Bigger Picture
This trip reminded me why I fell in love with travel in the first place. Not just the beautiful destinations or the Instagram-worthy photos, but the way travel expands your world, challenges your assumptions, and creates connections across cultures.
Watching Romeo experience all of this, the wonder in his eyes when he saw the carnival, his excitement at Carthage Land, his curiosity about the different language and customs, reminded me that travel is one of the greatest educations we can give our children.
Tunisia delivered on every level. Beautiful beaches, rich culture, genuine hospitality, incredible value, and that indefinable magic that makes a trip memorable rather than just pleasant.
We’ll be back. Romeo’s already asking when, and honestly, so am I.
Love,
Emma
Have you been to Tunisia? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below. And if you’re planning a trip, feel free to ask any questions, I’m happy to share more specific recommendations!