Wild Blue Travels by Mary

Southern California

2009-10-06T18:32:00.000-07:00

Headed to Orange County, CA. September 26, 2009. We stayed at Worldmark Indio by Wyndham in Indio, California. . . about 15 to 20 minutes west of Palm Springs and a bit more laid back. It's a very beautiful area, dessert surrounded by mountains. The property itself is VERY nice.

And apparently late September is a great time of year to visit. It's just before the "season" begins and it can be very hot. Actually, it was very hot when we first arrived. September 27th was 112 -- but without the humidity we have at home -- it didn't seem THAT hot.

Picture shows the view from our balcony. The other picure is the resort and it's pool area.

Day Two. Due to the heat, we decided that we would head to higher elevations; by going up the Palm Springs Tramway. We took the 10:30 am up - leaving from the station at 2436' elevation and going up to 8400' elevation.

The tram car revolves as it makes the trek up -- a weird sensation but it allows for a 360 degree view. Unless of course, the folks to your left keep backing up to stay in their same location by the open window!

Some pictures of the tramway car and the tramway are below.

Don't Try This At Home!

2009-04-20T21:43:00.000-07:00

A stark contrast to Lincoln Forest. But it was still scenery and quite different from Virginia.

It kept Glenn busy!

Unfortunately, whenever Glenn is in any new territory, he tends to drive like this. Lucky for us -- there weren't many other vehicles on the road.

New Mexico - Las Cruces to Carlsbad

2009-04-20T20:51:00.000-07:00

We drove through Alamagordo and then headed east up into the mountains. Even at the beginning of the climb into the higher elevations we could see White Sands glistening below.

The S Trestle - we originally thought it was part of the log flume but then saw photos that showed rail in this area.

The first observatory we visited required driving up from 3600 elevation to 9200 elevation. The drive went through the Lincoln National Forest and the Sacramento Mountains.

A gorgeous, sunny day, light wind and awesome views!

A dirt road took us on a "shortcut" in the direction we wanted to head; which was out of the mountains and heading east towards Artesia.

We interrupt Ireland post to blog about New Mexico!

2009-04-19T20:31:00.000-07:00

Since it has been at least a month since we returned from Ireland I decided that I would continue pictures and information about Ireland on wildbluetravel.net. By mid next week there will be a page devoted to Ireland with more pictures posted there.

I am in New Mexico for a short 4-night trip with husband, Glenn. With only 4 nights, 5 days it is hard to see it all -- but we decided on a short tour to south-eastern New Mexico. As we fly roundtrip Alburquerque, we will get to see a bit of the state as we drive.

To begin with -- as this is a "budget" trip -- we decided to go with an economy car. Not a good choice! We have decided that, at our age, we are beyond economy. I guess we are just used to power locks, power windows, cruise control, a trunk that opens with a latch in addition to a key, a grab bar above the doors, and self-cancelling turn signals to mention a few limitations.

The drive out of Alburquerque went smoothly -- we were out of town within 5 minutes and cruising down Interstate 25...and drove down to Las Cruces.

I've always heard about this town: Truth or Consequences. We were going to stop but were starting to feel the effect of getting up at 3:30 to catch the 6:00 am flight to NM.

Shortly before we got to Las Cruces we decided to get off Interstate 25 and take the local highway the last few miles. We went by acres of plantations of large trees, which we later discovered were pecan trees. New Mexico is the largest pecan producing state.

Early morning heading out of Las Cruces towards Alamagordo which would take us across the White Sands Missle Range and through a border patrol inspection station. I guess we didn't look suspicious as they asked if we were enjoying NM and waved us through!

Of course, we had to stop at White Sands National Monument; which we did for several hours. We were there early so hardly any other people. A sort of other world experience!

The picnic shelters really looked like something out of the future...especially against the sand.

We did have a lot of fun walking around on the dunes and then running down them -- I was barefoot -- sand was soft as powder although a "mite cold".

We headed through and over the mountains taking a slight detour to see not one, but two observatories. The detour entailed a few hours, a dirt road, and beautiful scenery. Needless to say, we didn't make it to Carlsbad Caverns today. Tomorrow I'll post pictures from our trip through the mountains. James, you remember our infamous Schnebly road detour?

Irish Jaunt - Day 5 - Visit to a working farm

2009-04-12T21:19:00.000-07:00

We dropped into Rathbaun Farm and met a family as they carried out their everyday chores. The farmer, Finton, explained that their main export was lamb -- with most of the lamb going to France.

The farm converted to organic about five years ago and the transition was not easy. We witnessed the sheep dog retrieve some sheep. He was an old dog, about 14 years old but he still performed his job well.

Afternoon tea and scones was served to everyone and we all had the opportunity to visit the thatch house. As we were leaving, Finton brought his two mares to visit. As it was springtime, the mares were pregnant and there were baby lambs all over!

Make a Smilebox photobook

Irish Jaunt - Day 5 "The Cliffs of Moher"

2009-04-12T20:57:00.000-07:00

I decided it might be easier to try to incorporate a "photobook" to help me complete this blog with pictures about a recent trip to Ireland. The photobook below should have many more beautiful photos in it -- but truth be told -- I think I was so busy looking at the scenery; I simple forgot to take more pictures.

So forgive the "sign" pictures. . .but we did have a lot of fun with Irish signage. More on that later.

Make a Smilebox photobook

Irish Jaunt Day 5 - Continued

2009-04-09T08:15:00.000-07:00

This is a continuation posting of a trip to Ireland this past March.

On day 5 of our tour we crossed the Shannon estuary by ferry and entered County Clare.

A gas power plant on one side. . .

and a coal-fired power plant on the other side.

Plus pretty scenery!

Some of the roadside castles we passed along the way to the Cliffs of Moher

Next stop: the Cliffs of Moher.

Saint Patricks Day in Killarney

2009-03-28T16:57:00.000-07:00

Note: This blog is being written after our return home.

Our tour driver/guide made sure we were in "off the ring" in time for the St. Patrick's Day parade. Killarney is the largest town in the area and the parade went on for about 2 hours. Once you've seen one parade you've seen them all. Well, sort of. The Irish have a quirky sense of humor as evidenced in some of the pictures. I didn't see their banner so I'm not sure what these kids were representing.

And this guy looked like a priest with a hockey (?) stick wearing a football helmet.

The float in this video was the "Meals on Wheels" float. Get it?

I think it was a taxidermy cow. At least he didn't mooooooove.

This float was dedicated to President Obama's first state visit to Ireland.

The parade is over; the crowds flooded into the restaurants, ice cream shops and the pubs.

Somehow, we were lucky enough to actually get a seat in this pub; happened to be where all the tour drivers were as well. This was taken hours after the parade -- when the bartender actually had a minute to take our picture.

Irish Jaunt - The Ring of Kerry

2009-03-26T19:10:00.000-07:00

We headed out early to travel the road that winds around the beautiful Iveragh Peninsula, better known as The Ring of Kerry - the Grand Atlantic Cost Tour of County Kerry. It is known throughout the world for magnificent and inspiring scenery. Here mountains, valleys, lakes and sea all blend into a breathtaking landscape. We began in Killarney's lakeland as it is considered the gateway to The Ring of Kerry, but a tour can be started at any point.

We were told that this young man was late; as apparently he is normally on the road with his donkey and wares for the passing tourists.

We passed through and by, towns with names like Glenbeigh, Carhirciveen and Sneem, and made a mid-morning stop at Waterville. Charlie Chaplin favored this town when he wanted to escape. The pictures below don't do it justice. Waterville is surrounded by mountains, rivers, lakes, and sits directly on the seashore of Ballinskelligs Bay. It is renowned as an anglers' resort. Golfers also frequent its 18 hole championship course. In the midst of its superb scenery there are special attractions for the archaeologist, antiquarian, artist and botanist. There are general sporting facilities for adults and children. The area is rich in examples of megalithic stones, ancient forts, souterrains and early monastic dwellings. The people of the village and district are very friendly and it is a charming little town!

Everyday attractions on this tour of Ireland's Gulf Stream coast are narrow mountain passes, bubbling streams, bogland vistas, tranqil lakes and archaeological treasures.

To the left is an example of Ireland's stone ringforts. These forts are about 2,500 years old and can be seen around this area. This particular fort has an interesting feature for it's time; a system of interior stairways - ten in all - leading to various platforms used by the defenders.

The main roads are studded with scenic viewing points, parking spaces and picnic corners. Villages dot the coastline and are within short distances of each other. There are sea cruises to offshore islands like The Skelligs.

Why there hasn't been a daily post!

2009-03-23T04:48:00.000-07:00

Truth be told -- we have been having such a great time that there just hasn't been time to do a daily post. While on the tour -- we got into the hotels plenty early enough -- but then always ventured into the towns. After a quick check of email and messages -- we were tired and ready for bed so as to be up to see what the next day held!

Our last three nights in Dublin we were without reliable internet so I decided that it would be best to continue to work on the blog once back home.

As Julie said, it is very difficult to try to describe the beauty of Ireland in a few sentences at the end of the day.

Note: we aren't home yet as our flight from Dublin is delayed by 2 1/2 hours.

Irish Jaunt - Continued. . .

2009-03-23T04:37:00.001-07:00

After Blarney Castle we headed to the town of Killarney, where we would stay for the next two nights. We also would spend St. Paddy's Day there.

Once off the motorways, we encountered several Irish traffic jams.

Our hotel, the Killarney Avenue was just off this square. An older hotel, with a lot of charm and character it's very convenient to the city centre with shops, restaurants and pubs a moments walk.

Irish Jaunt - Continued

2009-03-23T04:20:00.001-07:00

Day two we drove through the Curragh, the heart of Ireland's equestrian country, viewed the Rock of Cashel (previous post). We traveled onto County Cork to visit Blarney Castle with its magical stone that gives the gift of eloquence for a kiss. It was a long stop; with plenty of time to visit the castle, walk the grounds; shop at Blarney Woollen Mills and visit the town pubs.

This picture shows the location of the blarney stone. See that hole up there at the top? You have to sort of arch your back as you are lowered into this area while you are being held by two helpers and then lean up to kiss the blarney stone. Okay the hole does have a few iron bars underneath it; but both Julie and I decided that we could pass this up. I certainly could use the gift of eloquence -- but decided that throwing my back out early in the trip wasn't worth it.

Instead we walked around the grounds; had a meal & pint in the pub in town and had about 15 minutes to shop. I think our priorities got mixed up; stomach first and then shopping? It should have been the other way around! (meaning we didn't buy much -- here)

Irish Jaunt Tour

2009-03-20T14:51:00.000-07:00

Monday, March 16th we began our Brendan Tour, the Irish Jaunt. This was a short 5-day, 4-night tour of the southwest of Ireland. The tour actually began Sunday afternoon with a city tour of Dublin. A 2-hour tour in which we visited St. Patrick's and Trinity College to view the Book of Kells -- an 800 year old manuscript. Already we could see that the city was starting to overflow with visitors for the upcoming St. Patrick's Day.

Picture of Trinity College below. As we would be returning to Dublin later in the week -- I figured I would take more pictures then.

Passed by the Rock of Cashel. Our tour didn't stop for a visit but there are tours which include it; or if you do a self-drive it is a location you can visit.

As we drove through Ireland, we quickly came to understand why Ireland is called the Emerald Isle. Here it is the middle of March and everything is green as can be!

Trains, Ferries & Buses

2009-03-15T14:09:00.000-07:00

Live music seen in Covent Garden, London.

Today we were to leave London by train, then take a ferry across the Irish Sea from Holyhead, UK to Dubin, Ireland. From there a bus from the ferryport into Dublin City Centre.

Julie woke up plenty early; we had a leisurely breakfast, and went back to the room to pack up and head to the train station for the trip from London to Holyhead on the west coast. Our train left at 8:50 and as we were "chatting" and getting items together in the room, we realized that time had slipped by and it was 8:30. AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! We had 20 minutes to get to the train station!

We flew downstairs, checked out, grabbed a cab, arrived at the station, jumped out, and nervously readied ourselves to board the fast moving escalator. As we were pulling our heavy suitcases, purses and bulging carry-on bags, Julie decided that the book she was carrying was just too much -- so she just said, "Oh, heck, I need a hand for the rail; this is going"so she just threw it and the paperbook sailed over my head landing in a heap near one of my bags. Laughing uncontrollably, I ran and grabbed the book and stuck it in the outside pocket of my bag as it was accessible and followed her up the escalator.

We came up into this huge station and I'm looking at all the signs with departures; thinking, I don't have the time to get the itinerary out that has the train number, when "Holyhead" jumps out at me. I holler, "Julie Platform 12", and figure it will take us another 5 minutes to locate the platform when Julie shouts "over there".

We go racing towards it just hoping there is not another escalator we have to juggle our bags and suitcases on -- luckily for us it was a gentle ramp. We got to the train and I asked a gentleman which direction the train was heading as I knew the seats face both directions and I didn't want to face the wrong direction. He pointed to the wall at the end of the train and said "I don't think it's going that way"! We boarded and within 2 minutes the train was pulling out of the station.!

Should we have missed our train -- we wouldn't have been totally out of luck as there were several others trains that day but the 8:50 was the only direct train going to Holyhead.

The train was faster, much smoother and quite a bit cleaner than Amtrak. The few pictures below show some of the scenes as we rode through the countryside. It was a beautiful day, so beautiful that most of the pictures have a glare that bounced back even though the windows were very clean. So unfortunately, the pictures of the sheep with the lambs, the green countryside -- will only be in our memory.

Once in Holyhead we boarded the ferry: think small cruise ship and had a smooth trip across the Irish Sea. A bus meets each ferry and for 2.50 euro -- the ride into the city centre is a good deal. It was a very nice, relaxing day with lots of beautiful scenery.

I told Julie this was our ferry.

In Holyhead, you simply depart the train -- walk through the terminal -- and into the ferry terminal.

London - Day Two

2009-03-13T14:08:00.001-07:00

Two days is NOT enough time to spend in London; so we had to prioritize and decide what we should see. We decided the Tower of London was a must! We headed out early morning and began by getting on the wrong tube line. I still don't understand how I misunderstood the sign -- but as soon as we got onboard and I checked the diagram I realized we were on the Metropolitan Line not the Circle Line. It wasn't a big problem -- we simply got off at the next stop (a long ways) and boarded the Circle Line to complete our trip. The subway car made some horrific noises, lights went out periodically, we kept stopping and the engine would quit, and they finally announced after the next several stations that there were problems and the next station would be the last stop; one station shy of our destination. Actually the problem wasn't with the car but rather with the station or tracks. Anyway. . .we asked how far to Tower Hill and were told 5 minutes walk -- which it was.

This next picture is for Glenn & James. Does it look as good as the trebuchet you worked on a few years ago?

Upon entering the fortress grounds we took a tour with a Yeoman Warder. Ours had a typical "Brit" sense of humor -- we were told the letters on his uniform stood for "Expert in Romance". The tour is about 1 hour long and is very informative and enjoyable -- we weren't looking at our watches thinking "is it over yet?"

We were advised where to go and what we "had" to see.

We weren't able to see the changing of the guard as it is only every other day in March, and we made the choice to visit the Tower of London. However, we did get to see, up close, one of the Queen's guard in front of the building that houses the crown jewels. He looked incredibly young and has a drill where he stands at attention for a bit; then marches back and forth multiple times before returning to his post.

Our Yeoman Warder said he held this position for 23 years. He informed us that they are real people, not statues or actors and they are highly trained, self-disciplined, educated men, with real guns that they know how to use!

This is the White Tower, over 1000 years old and pretty amazing. It had a sort of self-guided tour where you went up, up, up and saw an 11-century fortress chapel, the original armours worn by Henry VIII, an exhibit on weaponry and an exhibit of the King's Horses. The horses are all carved out of wood and show the different type of horses each monarch rode. The great halls are pretty close to original although restoration work is now being done on the Tower.

We climbed up a tower, similar to the one in the foreground of the pix with the Tower Bridge in the background. The staircase was curved, about 2 feet in diameter, no guard rail and seemed to go on forever. It was a bit claustrophobic but pretty neat as it wasn't changed from what it was like 1000 years ago.

From 1000 years in the past to the present --A visit to a shopper's mecca: Harrod's!!

We had intended to try to do Kensington Palace as well as the Tower of London but decided it just wasn't possible. By the time we boarded the tube it was already past 2 pm. So we decided that tea at Harrod's would be a nice break.

Tea was lovely! After that we "shopped" a bit. Note to Glenn: a package will be arriving from Harrod's! It is a pretty amazing store -- we particularly liked the Pet Kingdom. The next picture is a little bitty chaise lounge -- for one's favorite pet. PS. That will be arriving shortly as well. NOT! We didn't even look at the price.

One of the many escalators going to the tube lines: notice the height. James and Glenn -- you would be proud! Even with my fear of heights I managed all of them -- I just look to the side and Julie lets me know when it is almost time to get off. And this with people rushing by. The tube is a busy place; those with fear of heights or crowds -- just avoid during rush hour. IT IS A GREAT WAY TO GET AROUND LONDON!!!

Day One in London ...Along the River

2009-03-12T17:39:00.000-07:00

Westminster Abbey - views from across the river. We rode on the top level of a tour bus; got off in Westminster and walked by all the buildings to see them up close. These pictures were taken from a cruise on the Thames River.

Does anybody know what time it is? The famous Big Ben !

The Tower Bridge. Learned that this is not the bridge in the children's song "London Bridge is Falling Down". We rode under London Bridge previous to this picture. It is a regular bridge -- nothing too special about it -- except it's history.

The Tower of London -- we arrived here too late for a tour but may do this tomorrow. We ended our day with a ride on our hop-on hop-off Sightseeing tour back to the Charing Cross area. Then walked up to Leister Square to ride the tube (subway system) back to Russell Square -- which is the nearest tube station to our hotel, about a 5 minute walk.

Dinner was at "Friend in Hand" Pub and consisted of Fish & Chips and a Pint. (or two)

Day One in London. . .continued

2009-03-12T17:27:00.001-07:00

We really are here in London. My friend, Julie and I are calling home.

Buckingham Palace: Need I say more? The flag flying atop signifies that the Queen is in residence.

Day One in London

2009-03-12T16:27:00.000-07:00

The alley across from our hotel: little restaurants & pubs.

Our lodgings: The Bedford Hotel -- not quite the Ritz but much better than the Bates Motel.

No explanation needed for these; my cell phone doesn't work over here! Dial O for operator.

Royal Calvary Guards passing us on their way to the Palace. All the horses were painted the exact same color of brown...or perhaps they are bred that way!

Trafalgar Square. A beautiful square with the National Gallery

Off To Ireland Very Soon!

2009-02-25T09:58:00.000-08:00

In a little less than two weeks, myself and a friend are off to Ireland. Why now? Read the story below.

Have Ireland to Yourself: Travel Off-season!

Everyone wants to go to Ireland, and it seems that everyone wants to go in the summer. Now don't get me wrong. There is much good to be said about the warm days of summer on the greenest of islands. However, fall, winter, and spring offer their own special charms, as well as being amazingly affordable times to travel. The scenery is still stunning, the people are still friendly (and maybe more so, relieved of the pressure of so many tourists) and the pub life is especially warm and friendly.

Most destinations have a prime season for travel that coincides with excellent weather. Throughout this "peak season", the crowds tend to be heavy and the prices high. Ireland's peak season is the summer months: mid-June through mid-September. When the weather is typically less than balmy, destinations experience a "shoulder season" and a "low season". Shoulder season in Ireland is April, May, early June and early October. Shoulder season has the distinct advantage of retaining many summer travel perks: longer days, good weather and extended shopping hours. Low season is November through March - the winter-weather months in Ireland.

Rates and crowds lessen proportionally as you travel farther from the warmer months. Airfares are often hundreds of dollars below peak season rates, and hotels offer bargain discounts. But for many, one of the best advantages of traveling in the so-called "off season" is that it's much easier to enjoy and absorb Ireland's renowned culture and avoid getting lost in crowds of tourists. Off-season visitors often find that their hosts, hoteliers and shop keepers engage easily in conversation and provide individual attention, increasing the odds for a fascinating and flawless vacation.

Off-peak Ireland is one of the best travel bargains worldwide... short daylight hours and cool weather provide a new, moody perspective on the country. Celtic architecture and cool seascapes fill mornings of exploration, and crisp afternoons call for cozy Irish sweaters and refuge in a warm pub, where visitors mix with the locals.

One of the great attractions of Ireland is that many of its amazing sites are in the wide-open: the cliffs and shores, castles, cathedrals and great stone circles are accessible throughout the year. The countryside, too, holds its famous green, even in the winter when visitors can trace the landscape of long stone walls against a leafless sky and emerald-colored hillsides.

To ensure your comfort while you wander through Ireland, bring heavy sweaters and outdoor clothing and hats. Warm, comfortable (and preferably waterproof) shoes are a must, and pack turtlenecks and windbreakers for good measure. The good news is that because Ireland is situated on the eastern Atlantic side of the Gulf Stream, temperatures are typically more moderate than in continental Europe. Ireland's average winter temperature is a relatively mild 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

A good travel agent familiar with Ireland is the best resource for planning your off-season itinerary to ensure that you experience the best aspects of traveling during this time. Travel agents can connect you to highly regarded tour operators who are financially sound and have a reliable history of taking care of the agent's clients; Ireland can be equally enjoyed through a fully escorted or independent tour, and often at additional savings over already low rates. In addition, an agent is an invaluable source of insider tips and research materials that take the worry and hassle out of planning an enjoyable, quiet, and affordable trip to Ireland.

So pack a sweater and have the Emerald Isle to yourself!

©Copyright 2006 Travel Research Online. All rights reserved.

I want to go back to Tunisia!

2008-12-10T08:13:00.000-08:00

When I was a child, my family had the good fortune to live in Tunisia for two years. We had a beautiful home, surrounded by flower and fruit tree gardens in the town of La Marsa. But the best part about our house is that we were a fairly short bike ride to Carthage, and an even shorter car ride. Weekends were spent at the beach or on family trips exploring some of the ruins written about in the following article. I'm ready to start planning a trip there for 2010. Anyone up for it?

Stretching a dollar in Tunisia

Pack a language guide, but not a lot of bucks to see beaches, cities and the desert
Story and photos by Jason George Tribune reporter
December 7, 2008
TUNIS, Tunisia—Within an hour of arriving in Tunisia, my girlfriend and I wanted to dance—and it wasn't because we heard the blasting beats of Rai, North Africa's infectious music.We wanted to dance after seeing the bill that the waiter dropped on our table at our first Tunisian meal: lunch of fresh vegetables and grilled chicken panini at an outdoor cafe.The cost of the entire meal for two?$6.

Cheap by any standards, but to better explain our celebratory mood, let me back up a couple of days before our Tunisia arrival, when we sat at a similar cafe, this time in Paris. There too, we had ordered some food and drink, yet far less: two coffees and one order of buttered bread.That bill totaled $29.That was $29 for what amounts to basically bread and flavored water.Our jaws dropped.Then and there, on that small Parisian street, we realized that we had joined the ranks of Americans who are presently priced out of Western Europe, even with some recovery of the dollar. We can no longer afford to travel there with any great luxury because of the euro's strength and general European price hikes.

Enter our savior, Tunisia.Tunisia, which sits on a stretch of land about the size of Wisconsin, sports about 800 miles of Mediterranean Sea coast and is sandwiched between Algeria and Libya. While those two neighbors could cause you to think twice about the North African gem, don't let this deter you from visiting Tunisia, which shares its borders but few problems with the other two. As someone who has lived and extensively traveled in the Arab world, I've never felt more at ease in the region or more welcomed as a tourist than I did in Tunisia.And we had a blast—at a bargain.

Perhaps the best way to think of a trip to Tunisia is to divide the country into three geographic categories: beaches, cities and the desert. And those beaches, while lovely, are perhaps best skipped outright, as they are crowded with all-inclusive resorts and thus packed with European package tourists looking to enjoy a Mediterranean vacation on the cheap. (Even some Europeans are not exempt from being priced out of their own continent.) Same can be said for Djerba, a popular island playground—you didn't come this far to hang at a Mediterranean Cancun.

We started our trip in Tunis, the capital, which is a short flight from several European cites: an hour from Rome, less than two from Paris; London is about 21/2. One can even travel by ferry from several European ports, including Sicily, which lies less than 100 miles from Tunisia's northern tip.An estimated 1/5th of Tunisia's 10 million residents live in the Tunis area, and you should, too, at least at the beginning of a trip, as the city is a great hub for visiting surrounding sites and locales. It also has strong attractions in its own right, including a great museum or two, restaurants and a lively market.

As a former French colonial capital, it exudes European chic—the main boulevard is Avenue de Paris—and its mix of cathedrals and mosques, smart boutiques and butcher shops, hint just how much this city straddles two worlds.Our favorite museum in town was the National Bardo Museum, which houses a stunning collection of mosaics from the 3rd and 4th Century. Many were collected at nearby Carthage, which was part of the Roman Empire during that period, and the tiled works of art feature subjects such as soldiers, elephants and battle scenes.One fact you'll notice right away at the museum is how few signs are in English, although there often are English-speaking guides on-site during Tunisia's peak tourist season, which runs October through April. (Tunisian summers, from June to September, should be avoided unless you enjoy all-day saunas.)

French and Arabic are both national languages in Tunisia, and knowing some of either is critical here. Even if its high school or guidebook French, a little goes a long way, and you'll struggle here without some basic French or Arabic vocabulary. (One plus is that Tunisia, unlike, say, Egypt has few aggressive cabbies and vendors, so you won't need to learn the phrase: "Leave me alone! I don't need any perfume/saffron/water pipe!")

A place where you need neither language is the ruins of Carthage, because taking in the magnitude of the destroyed city needs no translation. Sacked in 136 B.C. and A.D. 698, Carthage exists today as an overflow of crumbling mosaics, columns and statues. It's stuff that an ancient Roman, time-traveled into the future, might see, shrug at and label "housing rubble," but the remains of the city, whose peak population grew to 700,000 or so, are impressive. Add in the turquoise-hued Mediterranean in the background, and the 8-dinar taxi from Tunis seems like a steal. (One dinar equals 71 cents at the current exchange rate.)And it can be even cheaper: If you take the light-rail from Tunis, it's only 2 dinars. Plus, you can stop in Sidi Bou Said, the closest town to Carthage and only about 15 minutes from Tunis. Located on the coast, Sidi Bou Said clings to mountain cliffs, and with its blue and whitewashed walls and cobblestone streets, it resembles the more famous Santorini, Greece. It's a great place for a day trip of shopping and al-fresco dining, cooled by a steady sea breeze.

One place that is worth as much time as you have is Tunisia's desert, a region that makes a trip to this country unlike anything you'll find on the European side of the Mediterranean. In fact, nearly 70 percent of Tunisia's land area is desert, which means you won't have any trouble finding sand. Several companies in Tunis offer day trips or 24-hour, overland excursions to desert towns and ruins in places such as Dougga or El Djem, a breathtaking Roman amphitheater in all its "Gladiator" glory.

You'll be better served, though, to push farther south, if your time allows. Tozeur, a 45-minute flight or an overnight train ride from Tunis, is in the heart of the desert and proves a great city base for visiting the surrounding Sahara. We took several day trips from there, enjoying sights such as the waterfall-dotted oasis at Chabekia or a sunset over the dunes as we sat perched high atop camels. Perhaps one of the most interesting places was the "ghost village" from one of the recent "Star Wars" films. There, miles from any settlement, sat this abandoned film set, a fake (and free to visit) village and one of the most unusual tourist spots on this planet.Of course, this area looks like another planet: with a Martian vista of mountains and dry lake beds, with sparse sounds of wild camel grunts and the desert wind.Try to find a place like this near Paris—even with a pocketful of euros.