Legend has it that Ulysses’s ship was blown by strong seafaring winds to Djerba Island, the land of the lotus eaters. Once on the island, his crew were fed the addictive lotus flowers, by the lotus eaters. His crew quickly forgot about all else and did not want to leave.
If you come to Djerba Island, you might just have the same problem, but it won’t be because of eating lotus flowers. It will be more related to the sunny warm weather that you can count on, when, even in winter the temperature doesn’t normally dip below 15C. Djerba has many features: long stretches of beaches, many resorts, hotels and Les Maisons or Chambres d’hotes (small guest house or bed and breakfast) Hammams, and Thalassotherapy centres that use sea water, seaweed and massage treatments for relaxation and improved health.
You can ride a camel or go horseback riding on the beaches of Djerba and there is a major 18-hole golf course which at certain points looks out to the Mediterranean.
Djerba has a famous historic centre for pottery at Guellala that goes back thousands of years and for centuries it was the sole manufacturer of ceramics in Tunisia.
If you are a history buff, then Guellala’s Museum is not to be missed with it’s beautiful and colourful displays of Djerban life. Houmet Souk’s Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions is another must see. I also visited one Roman archeological site. Djerba Explore Park has lots of activities including getting your picture taken with a baby crocodile.
Maybe you’re beginning to see why lotus flowers don’t even have to enter the picture, and why Canadians wanting to escape the worst winter months might find a pleasant escape on the island of Djerba with lots of activities to take in. Here, it’s not just about a beach holiday, there are excursions to take around the island, towns to visit, many unique and historic things to see, spa treatments…and lots of relaxation.
