italy/Africa?
 

I'm going to be heading to Italy in the winter and I'm hoping to get some more stamps in my passport and adventure to other continents by heading to Africa. Any thoughts on Tunisia? Does anyone know the general costs or length of time needed to get there (from Sicily or southern Italy probably)? I've read that it's not very safe for women, and although I'm not travelling alone my travel companion is another woman.

Also, how hard is it to get around with the language barrier? I've heard they speak mostly Arabic and French there, but can you communicate in Italian too (considering the relative closeness to Italy)? or English?

Thanks!

I've never been to tunisia, but i'm pretty sure that it (along with other countries in northern africa) is a popular Italian tourist destination.
It looks like, from Trapani on the west coast of Sicily, it takes about 11 hours by ferry. Perhaps taking a plane from Sicily makes more sense? 11 hours is longer than I had expected.

oh by the way, by ferry it looks like it costs around 50 euros.

No need to know Arabic in Tunisia. Tunisians mostly speak perfect French. I doubt whether they will speak Italian, though.

It's a cheap holiday destination for northern Europeans. Nice people, but sometimes rather "stress induceing". Poverty in non touristy, rural areas.
No Italian or English (except sometime for hotels). No problems at all with French, even in the smallest places, just perfect!