CAP MONASTIR

In Monastir, the sea is all around. As you follow the coast road, it hugs the shore as far as the charming little fishing port nestling between two peninsulars. A stone's throw from the shore, the islets of Sidi Ghedamsi and El-Oustania are linked to the shore and to each other by causeways sheltering the splendid Cap-Monastir marina. Its location makes it an ideal base for yachting enthusiasts, a five-minute

drive from Habib Bourguiba-Monastir International Airport and a few hours'flight or a day's sail away from Europe. The marina has four hundred moorings and is integrated into the life of a sumptuous "on the waterfront" complex of restaurants, shops and many other amenities including a hamman, or steam baths.

As a backdrop, there is a view of "Pigeon island" and down below are the El Kahlia caved out by the waves and which make a good place to pause during the coastal walk before going on to discover the secret treasures of the old city.