3 Amazing Places to See When You Go to Tunisia

Strolling through the Blue and White village of Sidi Bou Said on a sun-splashed afternoon, we had finally settled into the rhythm of the day. It felt just like we could be in any of the other gorgeous and interesting places we had grown to love in the Mediterranean.

And any apprehension about setting foot in this new country had long melted into the recesses of my mind as I sat at the rooftop cafe sipping my mint tea flavored with almonds. About a dozen of the nuts bobbed in my small glass as I savored my drink and soaked in the pleasant surroundings. 

We had arrived in Tunisia with Viking Ocean Cruises on its new Viking Sky cruise ship. Viking is one of the few travel companies to resume bringing tourists to the country not quite two years since a pair of deadly terror attacks on Western visitors, at the Bardo Museum and later in 2015 at a beach resort.

A young couple also traveling in Tunisia was working to get the perfect selfie at their table in front of us on the rooftop. After snapping several pics on their own, the young woman asked me whether I will take a picture of her boyfriend and her. I obliged, grabbing her phone, telling them to smile and providing another angle of the cute duo and another memory for them to file away, share on Instagram or whatever we do with all the images we snap while traveling.

Colleen had chosen the mint tea with pine nuts. What a truly Tunisian thing we were experiencing, relaxing in the early afternoon, grabbing a bit of shade and a soothing drink while watching the bustling markets in the street below.

1. Sidi Bou Said

For those moments, we had no worries about being in Tunisia. Moments like these give us hope that things can be peaceful there and everywhere else in the world someday.

U.S. State Department advisories still warn about the threat of terrorism in areas of Tunisia, and when we arrived in Viking Sky, Viking Ocean Cruises' third ocean-going ship, in the morning, many of the disembarking passengers make some mention, even if brief, of the fact that we were among the first American cruise passengers to return since terror attacks flared up in the mostly Muslim North African country. 

You could tell this was different. This was Viking's fourth cruise stop back in the country, and it has received assurances that the risk is minimal to American tourists. Security measures were tight during our visit, with our four buses kept together and escorted by armed police and military forces throughout the day. They were obvious but never intrusive.

Camera crews stood at the pier filming our arrival, gathered alongside four camels (rides available for photo ops). The fact that Westerners are returning — along with the vitally important tourist dollars — is big news in Tunisia.

Colleen and I had wondered what it would be like. We were extremely excited to see another new country, and we weren't going to miss this chance.

In Sidi Bou Said, we walked in the sunshine to the end of town and the popular scenic overlook, where a gaggle of students from the local school assembled for a group photo. Three young girls approached, hand-in-hand, and one called out "Hello," to us. The group burst into giggles as we responded with an energetic "hi." They were having fun working on their English.

Many other interactions were simple enough — but heartwarming — from friendly smiles and exchanges of bon jour or assalamu alaikum (an Arabic greeting) to haggling at the market stalls as we bought a jewelry box, leather belt and necklace, earrings and bracelet set. 

2. Carthage Ruins

Tunisia was a highlight of our Viking Sky cruise, with a daylong exploration of the Roman ruins of Carthage and a visit to the North Africa America Cemetery and Memorial.

Carthage is especially stunning. The UNESCO World Heritage site, the place holds still recognizable components of Punic, Roman, Phoenicia and Arab civilizations that ruled. Carthage was a major commercial port and metropolis dominating a hillside overlooking the Gulf of Tunis.

3. The North Africa American Cemetery

The North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial, located in the town of Carthage (not the ancient city), is maintained by the United States and is the resting place for 2,800-plus U.S. military casualties from WWII, most who died during activities in North Africa.

All in all, a very good day and one that reinforces to me the importance of travel. For the world to be better and to steer away from hate, we must meet one another, get to know each other.