Experience the best of Gabès

Gabès lies on the Gulf of Gabès in south-east Tunisia, and its palm oasis, which reaches almost to the sea, is said to be the only one on the Mediterranean coast. Under the palms grow pomegranates, bananas and henna, in layers of shade, and water channels run through the groves. The old oasis village of Chenini lies inside the palm grove.

Matmata, about forty kilometres to the south, is famed for its underground houses, built around deep pits dug into the soft hillsides, and the hill villages of Tamezret and Toujane continue the Berber story. South of Gabès the land turns to steppe and desert, and the island of Djerba lies along the coast to the south-east.

Henna, dates and pomegranates are the oasis's products, and meals bring couscous with lamb, grilled fish from the gulf and spicy harissa on the side. The summers are very hot, so the shade of the palm groves matters, and the hill villages are easiest to visit in the milder months.