Africa - Tunisia tourist visa experience

New Zealand seems to have crossed with someone in Tunis, as New Zealand is sadly not on the list of countries which enjoy visa free access to Tunisia. I'm currently based in the UK so there's a Tunisian embassy nice and handy but they seem to have no webpage. Or at least the one they do have looks like rather shady. I almost expected a flashing box to come up telling me I was their 999,999,999th visitor and I had won a prize.

There seems to be an equal lack of information available on the internet, save that most everyone is in agreement that visas on arrival are not available for NZ (TIMATIC says we can if we have a Visa Approval document from the embassy in Canberra - I don't think I'll even try that one). Just wondering whether anyone has had any experience with getting a Tunisian visa (out of whatever country) and how arduous you found it? Any pitfalls to beware of? I read somewhere that visas can only be issued 90 days in advance of travel, but as this was on a site which I would consider the pixellated equivalent of the shady moneychanger on the street, I'd appreciate any advice!

Cheers.

New Zealand seems to have crossed with someone in Tunis, as New Zealand is sadly not on the list of countries which enjoy visa free access to Tunisia. I'm currently based in the UK so there's a Tunisian embassy nice and handy but they seem to have no webpage. Or at least the one they do have looks like rather shady. I almost expected a flashing box to come up telling me I was their 999,999,999th visitor and I had won a prize.

There seems to be an equal lack of information available on the internet, save that most everyone is in agreement that visas on arrival are not available for NZ (TIMATIC says we can if we have a Visa Approval document from the embassy in Canberra - I don't think I'll even try that one). Just wondering whether anyone has had any experience with getting a Tunisian visa (out of whatever country) and how arduous you found it? Any pitfalls to beware of? I read somewhere that visas can only be issued 90 days in advance of travel, but as this was on a site which I would consider the pixellated equivalent of the shady moneychanger on the street, I'd appreciate any advice!

Cheers.

Where are you coming from? Tunisia has embasssy in most neighbouring countries (we got ours in Egypt) but probably Italy as well and probably better somewhere close.

Great country incidentally, probably our favourite in North Africa, all our favourite Arab experiences without some of the hassle you can get in some similar countries.

The UK. Tunisia have an embassy here. Seems straightforward enough to get a visa (and safest too).

Just booked a 5 night trip. Would be curious to hear any suggestions about whether to stay in Tunis all that time and do day trips etc to Carthage and to Sidi Bou Said or whether to do a circuit of Tunisia. Also any favourite hotel recommendations for Tunis (or along a circuit)?

The UK. Tunisia have an embassy here. Seems straightforward enough to get a visa (and safest too).

Just booked a 5 night trip. Would be curious to hear any suggestions about whether to stay in Tunis all that time and do day trips etc to Carthage and to Sidi Bou Said or whether to do a circuit of Tunisia. Also any favourite hotel recommendations for Tunis (or along a circuit)?

Would absolutley do the side trips. Tnis is a nice town but even nicer when you get to lok around further.

I rented a car from Hertz while there and it was very useful for touring around to see the sites. Unfortunately the best sites seem to be in the west and require a long difficult trip to get there. For a 5 day trip there is still plenty to do in the east.

We stayed in Hammamet on the beach which was nice. Used to be a Sheraton, but it's something else now.