From the 2nd to the 4th of August, Tunisia will celebrate the spread of digital technology with the International Internet Festival. You can't celebrate this festival from behind your computer - if you want to see the ship full of brand new computers and other pinnacles of the latest technology arrive in El Kantaoui Port (Sousse), you're going to have to look for last minute flights to Monastir. Locals and visitors are welcomed onto the ship, where they can try out the flashy equipment.

If you do go to Monastir, you will find that shopping at the local market (the old Medina) is a major attraction and an experience not to be missed. Saturday is market day here and it's best to arrive early to beat the crowds. The market is perfect for souvenir hunting but you really need to sharpen your haggling skills if you want to grab some bargains. Haggling is expected here but do keep your negotiating friendly and with a sense of humour. There are multi-coloured carpets and other traditional textiles on offer, and leather slippers and silver jewellery, too. In fact, many of the Berber jewellery pieces you will find in Tunisia are one of a kind designs, perfect for yourself or for gifts, as everything is handmade. Besides silver, there is a wide use of glass beads, coins, and enamel.

Tunisian souks are also famous for colourful pottery and ceramics as well as wooden goods such as salad bowls and various kitchen items. Leather goods such as belts, bags, sandals, and jackets are also worth looking out for. The sights, smells and sounds of shopping in Souk or Medina are intoxicating and shopping here is certainly an event to be savoured.

While in Monastir, you'll find some great traditional style Tunisian restaurants and cafes to sample the local flavours. Tunisian food is a delicious blend of Mediterranean style cuisine and the spice of the Middle East. Since Tunisia has been occupied by the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Turks, French and the native Berber people, the food is a result of a unique mix of those diverse cultures.

Like all countries in the Med, Tunisian cuisine is based mainly on olive oil, spices, tomatoes, and seafood (including a vast range of fish). The Tunisians also use lamb in many of their dishes. Unlike other North African cuisine, Tunisian food is very spicy. A popular ingredient here is harissa, which is a hot red pepper sauce. Couscous (prepared with meat and vegetables) is the national dish of Tunisia. Other traditional favourites you may want to try are Berber lamb (lamb cooked with potatoes and carrots in a clay pot), chakchouka (which is a vegetarian bake with chickpeas, tomatoes, peppers, garlic and onions) served with a poached egg, felfel mahchi (sweet peppers stuffed with meat, and served with harissa sauce) and fricasse (a small fried sandwich with tuna, harissa, olives and olive oil). For a light lunch, try Tunisian salad which is made with diced cucumber, peppers, tomatoes, olives onions and seasoned with olive oil.

There are many cafes in Monastir where visitors can enjoy a cup of rich, flavourful coffee or a glass of traditional mint tea. Why not try a lovely North African pastry? There are so many choices including samsa (layers of thin pastry and ground almonds and sesame seeds, baked in lemon and rosewater syrup) and yo-yo which are donuts made with orange juice, deep fried then dipped in honey syrup.

And don't forget to try the Tunisian wines such as the hearty reds and refreshing whites. Another local favourite is Boukha, an affordable fig brandy which the locals mix with soda.