If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting North Africa, but have had questions as to where to go given the — oh how should we say? — difficult political tensions that are prevalent throughout much of the region, than this video should help nudge you along the say. The answer seems to be Tunisia.

Yes, Tunisia, that small spit of land nestled between Algeria and Libya that, from the looks of this video from Vimeo user Luca Miranda, seems to have it all: desert oases, groves of fig trees, ever-present Mediterranean sun, a unique culture and Saharan sand that stretches deep into the imagination.

If this amazing footage — complete with GoPro drone footage for added bonus — doesn’t have you re-thinking your plans to travel to the country, than nothing will.

[Tunisia 2014 by Luca Miranda/Vimeo]

By Matt Stabile /

Matt Stabile is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of TheExpeditioner.com. You can read his writings, watch his travel videos, purchase the book he co-edited or contact him via email at any time at TheExpeditioner.com.

The post Tunisia: This Is How You Want To Experience North Africa appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.

When Ulysses stumbled upon the shores of Djerba in Homer’s epic, The Odyssey, his warriors nearly deserted him after being fed the hypnotic lotus flower by the women of the island. Seduced by the intoxicating powers of the forbidden fruit, the men remained hypnotized and unable to depart. 3,000 or so years later, this whimsical paradise still charms all who visit with its mystifying allure.

Known as “The Isle of Forgetfulness,” Djerba’s palm-fringed beaches of sugary white sand and deep-blue waters stupefy even the most seasoned travelers. Once a remote location with limited accessibility, The Independent is reporting that Djerba can now be reached via Tunisair on twice-weekly flights from Gatwick .

Located off the southern coast of Tunisia, the Mediterranean island is connected to the mainland by a three-hour drive over a Roman causeway. Touring the lush countryside by bike or moped offers an intimate experience as one peddles between thousands of olive trees sprinkled among fields of apricot, fig, mandarin, and pomegranate orchards. In Houmt-Souk (market center), traditional clothing, local fish, silver, pottery, spices, and leather goods, sit in a lavish display of  striking color.

Another draw to this destination is its proximity to the Tunisian Sahara.  After a three-hour drive from the coast, one can trek gracefully through the shifting dunes atop a local dromedary to The Pansea Ksar Ghilane desert camp and experience the nomadic way of life suited in luxury.

As a modern day explorer, I find myself envious of Ulysses and his men.  Several months ago, I researched a prospective journey to Tunisia with the hope of sitting among nomadic Berbers as they performed the ritual of bread-making using smoldering sands of the Sahara to solidify a concoction of meats cradled in a crusty flatbread. Visions of bustling souks, glowing white menzels (houses), and calls to prayer from the minaret of the mosque teased my travel addiction. Eventually, I abandoned the search because I could not find an accessible way of visiting sea, sand, and city within my time and budget constraints. Thanks to these new flights, I may now have a chance. What if I don’t make it back, you ask?  Then I’m doomed for paradise.

By Maria Russo

About the Author

Maria Russo is a freelance writer who loves natural wonders, good eats, ethical travel, and boutique hotels. Her work has appeared on the Huffington Post, USA Today.com, People.com and A Luxury Travel Blog, among others.

When Maria is not writing for her all-time favorite site (that would be The Expeditioner), she spends her time blogging about foreign jaunts and delectable food experiences for her site: Memoirs of a Travel & Food Addict. She is also up to no good on Twitter (@traveladdictgrl, @expedmaria).

The post “The Isle Of Forgetfulness”: Tunisia’s Forbidden Fruit Can Now Be Easily Explored appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.

The ‘09 is wrapping up, a phenomenal year for TheExpeditioner and, well, travel in general (when is it not?). I think my eyes are actually welling up. Reflection aside, we look to the future. Where are your top spots you’d like to get to in 2010?

Frommer’s offers their top ten destinations around the globe. Detailing what they call some “under the radar” spots, they list Tunisia since it’s usually bypassed for Morocco, Abu Dhabi rather than its neighbor Dubai, and changing attitudes about Cuba making it a great spot already taken advantage of by non-Americans. Also listed is the Salta Province, Argentina which Brittany can probably attest to.

Then there are a few that I can personally attest to. Hanoi, Vietnam is a buzzing hub of culture I will make every effort to visit soon (I hope). Denmark is so often rated the happiest place on earth, but it’s capital, Copenhagen, might never get the credit it deserves, no matter how much it gets. On the bottom of the list, they snuck in the Florida Panhandle — as if we wouldn’t notice.

Yes, the town of Seaside was the set of The Truman Show. Yes, it may not get the respect it deserves, but don’t describe it as the “Redneck Riviera” and expect us to think it’s one of the top spots to visit in the world.

Then I realized why I almost cried . . .

The post Frommer’s (Almost) Top Ten Destinations for 2010 appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.