Holidays: PLAYING OUR TUNIS

WITH my heart in my mouth, I took off from the strip of white sand and soared high into the sky.

A parascending trip - I'd thought - would be the perfect way to get an overview of Port El Kantaoui, a smart resort and marina in Tunisia.

But now I was too terrified to take a proper look at the dazzling white architecture, the cobbled alleys and the garden squares.

Instead, all my attention was focussed on the lunatic driving the speedboat as I gripped hold of the ropes to try to stop the whole thing swaying around so much.

Then just as suddenly we were heading back to shore as I tried frantically to remember the landing instructions a rather handsome Tunisian beach hunk had given me.

"What do I do?" I yelled as he blew his whistle and waved his arms while the worryingly-crowded beach came rushing up to meet me.

Somehow Mr Beach Hunk grabbed my legs and wrestled me on to the sand...which shows there are ups and downs to parascending!

But with my five-year-old daughter Maisie safely ensconced at Panorama's kid's club at the Hotel Sol El Mouradi, I decided to carry on exploring with both of my feet firmly on the ground.

Port El Kantaoui is centred around a 340-berth marina and is a small, fairly upmarket resort built in a mixture of Turkish, Arabian and Andalucian styles.

The beach with its soft white sand seems to go on forever, and as well as parascending there all sorts of watersports.

You can go scuba diving, or if you feel less energetic take a look at the marine life by going for a voyage aboard the aquascope sub.

There are also three nine-hole golf courses as Tunisia attempts to attract golfers who like the sun but are tiring of Spain and Portugal.

Port El Kantaoui is also a good base to explore the rest of Tunisia. It is just five miles north of Sousse, the country's third largest town. There's a regular train service there, while even a trip by taxi only costs around pounds 2.

But most people on a short break will just be happy to make the most of the sun. And Tunisia is perfect for a short break, with a flight time of around two hours and 40 minutes.

The majority of hotels are aimed at European tourists with large grounds, several swimming pools, indoor and outdoors, and a variety of facilities for children. The Tunisians love children and make them feel very welcome.

Food in the hotels is international and usually buffet-style but there are plenty of little restaurants in the port itself with a more French and Arabic flavour.

Tunisia isn't as cheap as it used to be, now tourism has taken off, but it is still a bargain compared to the Canaries. Temperatures might be slightly lower, but they were up in the 80s when I was there last month. In January and February they are still in the low 60s, climbing up to the 70s in March.

Tunisia isn't a clubbers' destination but there is enough nightlife in the resorts to keep couples and families amused and hotels have evening entertainment with mini-discos for children with cheap but heady local wine for their parents.

Shopping in Tunisia is good for pottery, carpets, leather and jewellery but you will get pestered in the markets and souks if you show the slightest interest in anything.

If you're an incorrigible browser like me, be prepared to be very firm and never pay more than half the asking price, although being terribly British about these things, I did of course

Tunisia is a great destination for youngsters. It's clean, safe, very child-friendly and has pretty much an all-year round warm climate.

With several companies tailoring packages of three-, four- and five-night stays it makes it possible to fit a short and reasonably priced trip into the school holidays.

THE FACTS

PANORAMA Holidays (08707 595 595;www.panoramaholidays. co.uk) have four nights at the Hotel Sol el Mouradi from pounds 275 on a half- board basis (early January). Seven-night deals start from pounds 257, leaving December 15. Price includes flights, resort transfers and accommodation. There are flights to Tunisia from ten UK airports. To order a brochure call 08702 415 026.

Panorama run their Kids Clubs from May to October and in school holidays between November and April. The club is open seven days a week for three to five-year-olds, and six to ten-year-olds and cost pounds 10 per child. On joining each youngster will get a card, T- shirt, hat, water bottle and bag. There will be a two-week activity plan as well as two early suppers and two evenings of entertainment a week. Some of the Kids Clubs also provide a babysitting service. Further info: Tunisian Tourist Office, 77a Wigmore Street, London W1H 9LJ (020 7224 5598; www.tourismtunisia.co.uk).

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