Tunisia’s proximity to Britain, its sub-tropical climate with year-round sun and the fact it shares a time zone with the UK make it a good alternative to European Mediterranean holidays.

But the charming country of contrasts’ real draw is its fascinating, rich and unique cultural mix.

The most immediately noticeable influence on Tunisia’s Islamic culture is the result of the French occupation, which ended in the 1950s. French speakers are certainly at an advantage as Tunisians speak a mix of French, Arabic and Italian.

But as we travelled along the country’s north-eastern coastline, we found plenty of reminders that the French weren’t the first to show an interest in these historic shores.

Close to the airport is the ancient city of Carthage.

From the 6th century BC, the city became a rich trading centre and the envy of the Mediterranean. The Romans persistently invaded, eventually burning the city to the ground and rebuilding it as the third city of the Roman Empire.

Travelling up the side of a steep, dusty hill overlooking the bright blue sea, it was difficult to imagine such a violent past.

The grand former cathedral of Saint Louis stands close to the busy UNESCO World Heritage Site of the ancient ruins of the Roman Acropolis.

While the Romans eventually removed much of their architecture, statues and mosaics, the ruins and artefacts preserved in the Museum of Carthage – built on the site of the Forum – paint a fascinating picture of the city’s former grandeur.

A little way along the coast is the quaint blue-and-white town of Sidi Bou Said. Its picturesque streets – with every house white-washed and their woodwork painted in vibrant blue – were also bustling with tourists when we arrived.

But despite the draw for coach parties of cruise ship travellers, there was still a genuine feel of old-world charm.

The nearby capital city, Tunis, also thronged with tourists, taking in the sights at pavement cafes on the lively tree-lined Avenue Habib Bourguiba and packing into the bustling medina – the oldest part of the city and another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The busy streets in the colourful 12th-century souk market are filled with jewellers, silk merchants, perfumers and booksellers, but venture away from the main tourist alleyways of the self-sufficient city, and you’ll find the stalls visited by locals, selling traditional Tunisian street food.

A journey from the Gulf of Tunis to the Gulf of Hammamet across the Sharik Peninsula reveals yet another side to the country.

The lively town of Sousse provided the ideal base to explore the area. The Movenpick hotel, opened earlier this year, is one of the new wave of modern, luxurious five-star hotels in Tunisia.

After a day of sightseeing, the hotel’s impressive thalasso – seawater – spa will help you relax away any aches and pains before refuelling at one of the five restaurants.

For families, nearby Yasmine Hammamet has a lot to offer. A purpose-built resort, the town is home to a medina that certainly isn’t void of traditional charm, albeit with a modern twist.

As we arrived, Tunisian dancers were performing on a central stage, while outside life-size models of elephants ridden by Hannibal’s army stand guard outside the Carthage Land theme park.

Close by is the area’s marina, surrounded by several fine restaurants – a good place to sample the locally-caught fish and the country’s spicy Mediterranean-meets-African cuisine.

A short drive away is the more historic Monastir. It’s dominated by the huge ribat of Harthema – an eighth-century fortress, perched on a headland above the marina. It had a starring role in the Monty Python classic Life Of Brian.

Over the road stands the rather grand mausoleum of former president Bourguiba. The number of locals and tourists visiting the golden monument shows just how enduringly significant Bourguiba’s fight for independence is in Tunisia.

Now Bourguiba’s legacy lives on and things are continuing to change in this outward-looking country.

Men and women in traditional Islamic dress share the streets and cafes with many more in Western clothing, traditional medinas sit beside modern boutiques and restaurants, and ancient ruins and monuments are a stone’s throw from new luxury golf courses and spa hotels.

If you want the best of all worlds, Tunisia is the place to find it.

Factfile:

* Claire stayed at the Movenpick Sousse. Classic rooms are priced from £168 per night, bed and breakfast basis, from June to September.

* Jet2.com flights from Leeds Bradford Airport to Enfidha near Sousse start from £59.99 per person one way, including all taxes.

* For more information, visit cometotunisia.co.uk.