We live here every winter and Christmas can be sunbathing weather, warm and pleasant and also very cold and wintery. Totally unpredictable. We have often felt so sorry for the Christmas/New Year tourists who have booked an ''escape the cold weather and spent the festive season in sunny Tunisia'' holidays - especially those with children. It has been heartbreaking seeing them walking around the pool etc in freezing winds ------------- on the other side, I remember one Christmas when it was almost too hot to sit in the direct sun. Not very helpful of me - sorry xx

Thanks Jenny,I decided to book it today so looking forward to a bit warmer weather than we have had here recently.
I am going to the Riviera hotel in Port-el-Kantoui.
I am just pleased my European travel insurance still covers Tunisia.

Last winter was horrendous, but this year is much better - has been average of 18*c the last few days and 17/8 forecast for the rest of the week. The German guests have been sunbathing in the sheltered gardens, so bring your shorts! xx

I will although after having snow this week and -3c temperatures anything is better than this.
I have looked at a few long range forecasts which I know cant be totally accurate but it seems around 18c is forecast which will be lovely.
I am looking forward to wandering around the Medina in Sousse and hope we dont end up in the Red light district like on our last visit.

Believe me JT - speaking of someone who spends half their lives living here -- there are worse places in Tunisia!!

Well Jay - here in Mahdia we have experienced an average of 20*c during the last 4 days, but as we are 2 hours south to P el K, you may have been a little cooler ---- but that being so, I guess that you are happy with your decision this year! x

I hope you all had a lovely day and have a great time over the New Year

Thanks Graham, we spent Christmas day with the special children as usual so it was wonderful and will no doubt do the same on New Year, so all that we could wish for.
All best wishes to everyone for 2013 xx

Just back from an amazing Christmas in the Riviera hotel. .
The hotel,staff,food,company and weather were all great.
We spent Christmas day on the beach and even went in the sea.
The weather was better than we expected and only had one shower which we missed as we had gone indoors for lunch.
Cant wait to go back in April.

Glad to hear you had a great time Jay and that the weather was good

Happy New Year to you and your family

Glad you had a great time Jean and hope to catch up with you and Arthur in April.

Glad you enjoyed your trip Jean, if you haven'talready done so could you give us an updated review of the Riviera, the beach is lovely at the Riviera / Abou Sofiane section, did you walk along the beach in to PEK?

Now the most important question of all...did Santa leave you presents under the tree????

I have submitted a review Graham.
We didnt walk along the beach but along the road.
I wanted to get near to the old Green park to see how it was coming on but only managed to see it from the road.Its opening in September 2013 so hope its not too expensive.
A group of us were on the beach on Christmas day and some people went swimming,we just paddled and then sat on the beach for a couple of hours
We were joined by some of the beach traders who were lovely.
I put some photos of the beach I on my FB page and some folk thought it was the Caribbean.
The Abou was closed but we cut through to go to the beach.It was strange with no guests and empty pool. The manager is now a Security guard and we were told it has been leased to a Turkish company for 10 years and its reopening on January 14th.
We also heard that its going to have a Russian guests coming next year.
We had a lovely holiday which exceeded our expectations.

Tunisia seems to be attracting more than its fair share of Russians unfortunately, and although many are very nice as individuals, en masse they can be a nightmare. I know Tunisia needs tourists but only hope the Russias and other Eastern Europeans don't ruin the atmosphere for the regular visitors.

Thanks for the review and resort update, not sure I like the sound of that too much

hi jay glad you had a great xmas at the riviera we stayed at the Abou Sofiane about 7 years ago and i will always remmember getting up xmas day to find 2 camels and 3 wise men in the lobby.. a great xmas treat.

We didnt see any camels this year but on Christmas eve the hotel created a manger with 2 goats and a chicken which had its legs tied together with string.
We werent impressed and guests complained so they were removed on Christmas day.