Yasmine Hammamet: golf, thalasso, marina and theme park!

Located 10km south-west of Hammamet, Yasmine Hammamet is a marina that has become one of Tunisia's most important seaside resorts. Like Port El Kantaoui to the north of Sousse, this integrated tourist resort was developed in the 1990s to breathe new life into Tunisian tourism.

The area covers 277 hectares with a four-kilometre seafront. It is home to 46 hotels, 80% of which are 5- and 4-star, 90% of which are all-inclusive, two casinos, seven thalassotherapy centres, a reproduction of an Arab medina called Medina Mediterranea, the Carthage Land theme park and a harbour housing 719 boats of all categories.

There's something for everyone in this integrated resort: thalassotherapy enthusiasts, golfers, shoppers, a children's leisure park... and of course the beach, lined with a whole host of resorts, usually all-inclusive.

The marina at Yasmine Hammamet is home to sailing boats, replicas of old merchant ships, and pirate ships, which are used for half-day or full-day excursions at sea. Of the forty or so hotels in the Yasmine Hammamet tourist area, only six have direct access to the sea. A wide strip of fine sand, the beach is a beautiful turquoise colour. Water sports centres offer kayaking, windsurfing, catamaran, banana boat, pedal boat, jet ski, parasailing, water skiing, etc.

It is accessed through a gate reminiscent of the entrances to Arab medinas. As well as the Carthage Land theme park and the Aqualand water park, there are over 25 restaurants (some with live entertainment), two casinos, over 30 cafeterias and a host of shops (Tunisian crafts, food shops, drugstores, etc.). There are also a number of museums (Palace of 1001 Nights, Museum of Religions and Civilisations), a craft village, art galleries and more.

Along the way, you may well come across fire-eaters and snake charmers! You can always take a break in one of the Moorish cafés, with their patio terraces. You can relax in the shade of an orange tree, smoking a chicha while listening to the water pouring from a fountain. If you want to quench your thirst the Tunisian way, order a mint tea or lemonade, accompanied by some date pastries!

Designed by American architect Ronald Fream, the Citrus Yasmine Hammamet golf course has no fewer than 45 holes - the largest complex in Tunisia! There are two 18-hole courses and a 9-hole driving range. This international course stretches over 173 hectares, in the heart of a pine forest and olive grove, surrounded by palm trees, eucalyptus and seven carefully distributed lakes.

Green fees are €29 for 9 holes and €56 for 18 holes. Note that these are summer rates: in winter, you'll have to pay almost twice as much! Information and bookings on the Citrus Golf Club website. Citrus Golf Club is inland, halfway between Hammamet and Yasmine Hammamet, a distance of around 5 km.

The Mediterannea medina in Yasmine Hammamet is home to the largest amusement park in North Africa. Designed around the theme of ancient Carthage, Carthage Land offers a variety of attractions and activities for young and old (5D cinema, rollercoaster, etc.) on a five-hectare site. It's a fun way to discover the history of ancient Tunisia, with reconstructions of Carthaginian boats on moving waterways, resin casts of Hannibal's elephants, simulated cannon firings by the Barbarossa pirate brothers, etc.

Children should particularly enjoy Aladdin Park and its funfair atmosphere (palace of mirrors, ghost train, etc.). Admission to the park costs 15 dinars (around €5), as does its neighbour Aqualand and its many water slides. Information and bookings on the Carthage Land website

In the bazaar of the Méditerannea medina, you'll find plenty of trinkets to bargain over: Arab-Berber-style leather masks, terracotta or ceramic ashtrays, chiselled iron mini trays, babouches, Tunisian doors hiding a small mirror, dates, stuffed dromedaries...

In the evening, make way for the Oriental dancers' show at the Shéhérazade restaurant. The programme for this enchanting show includes scenes from 1001 Nights, the dance of the seven veils... performed by 25 dancers and artists. Choreography worthy of the greatest cabarets.