STAR QUALITY

FAIMA BAKAR USES THE FORCE AND HEADS TO TUNISIAN ISLAND DJERBA, THE FILM LOCATION OF STAR WARS

- 

JUST off Tunisia’s southeastern coast is an island mixing year-round Mediterranean sunshine with a melting pot of cultural delights. It’s a place where whitewashed buildings, dreamy soft sand beaches, and turquoise waters blend with colourful souks and Star Wars film fantasy... so it’s surprising Djerba has been under the radar for many travellers until now.

But with the launch of easyJet holidays’ package tours to the island at the end of last year, it’s now arousing the interest of curious holidaymakers who want more than a fly-away-and-flop break and don't fancy the bustle of Djerba's neighbouring holiday hotspots.

Leaving its Star Wars fame till later, I began my exploration into the delights of the island at its capital, Houmt Souk, meaning “the market neighbourhood”, with a wander around its maze-like streets lined with cafes, restaurants, jewellers and souks.

Here you'll find Djerba’s finest products such as olive oil, harissa, carpets and handmade pottery. Go out of season as I did and sellers lower prices to as little as 10 dinars (£2.50) for beautiful plates and bowls.

Soaking up the sights, sounds and spices in the sunshine can be thirsty work, so seek out former inn Fondouk dating back 380 years, which is now an extremely Instagrammable restaurant and cafe. With white walls, blue doors and dotted with woven lamps, it provides good coffee and a cool retreat from the streets outside.