One could be forgiven for imagining that the quaint blue and
white village of Port El Kantaoui had been built as a Hollywood
stage set and simply uprooted and plonked down on the Tunisian
coast, flanked by two long stretches of perfect clean sandy
beaches. In fact, this is not far from the truth: El Kantaoui is a
chic, purpose-built resort, which owes nothing to history, but
everything to catering for the up-market tourist, seeking leisurely
luxury in an enchanting setting. The El Kantaoui complex is built
around a modern marina, which can accommodate more than 300
vessels, most of them moored by millionaires. Its complex of hotels
centres on the cobblestone streets of the perfect reproduction of a
typical medieval medina, abuzz during the day with souvenir
hunters. In the evening the action switches to the bars and cafes
opposite the marina. The entire town has been termed a 'tourist
ghetto', but it is indeed a delightful and highly successful one,
enhanced by its Mediterranean location and Moorish flavour.
