Djerba, Tunisia

DAILY TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Djerba

Just off the coast of Tunisia, Djerba was home to the legendary lotus eaters. The lotus supposedly made a person drowsy and the beauty of the island was so seductive that visitors found it hard to leave. Although you won’t find any lotus eaters today, Djerba is still a delicious break from everyday life.

Legend also says that some of the Jews fleeing the destruction of Solomon’s first temple in 587BC settled on Djerba, something that seems to have been proved by DNA testing of the current Jewish population; showing links back to ancient times. El Ghriba synagogue is the oldest of its kind in North Africa, with its plain white exterior hiding a soothing blue tiled interior. The Torah held here is supposedly one of the oldest in the world.

A more modern legend can also be found in Djerba. Away from the beaches and resorts of the north coast, the town of Ajim was used as a location in the original Star Wars films. Visit Obi Wan Kenobi’s house or the Mos Eisley Cantina.

Read more on Djerba below with flight options, current weather, maps, and activities to try while you are there.

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