@Ben,
1. Yes, book Air Algerie
2. Yes, throw a fit so they get you "to Nice"
Nothing to really to do with anything, but the best time for the Island Hopper and the Pacific would be in February. You'll get some beautiful pictures; the Pacific islands are gorgeous!
Do it westbound to get the full experience and do it from Hawaii all the way to Manila. But I suggest you try something else aside from Philippine Airlines 😉 The EVA A35K would be a fun experience assuming they deploy it to Manila for familiarization flights as it'll be a new type (as well as engine) for them. Same for China Airlines and their 787s.
Novotel Tunis Lac was excellent though I know you don't use Accor much.
Tunis is absolutely worth a couple days. Sidi Bou Said, Carthage, the souk...had a great spring break there last year
If you can be dragged away from a points hotel, the Dar El Jeld is a lovely property in the Medina with sixteen suites and a rooftop restaurant. It's well nice.
The four seasons in Tunis isn't great and not up to brand standards. Try Maison Dedine. It's a local boutique and it's excellent.
Unless you have been on a 737-600, you must fly it. Find a way!
A flew aboard an Airbus A318 in time before worldwide retirement. What a treat! It's all in the head.
You definitely want Maison Dedine, a SLH hotel, in Tunis. The four seasons has a bad location and is soulless. The Marriott ditto. Check it out.
I would love this review as I've had a few different trips planned where I would have needed to fly them but none of them came to fruition. With that said, Tunis is VERY much worth a few nights and Tunisia as a whole is worth a trip. Loved it there. As others pointed out, FS is certainly not up to brand standards but the beach is great (at least it was several years ago). There are a lot of places to stay there now though.
What happened to my other comment?
It’s still there (posted around 5:11pm) with the link! (Time for a new Minute Review?)
Four Seasons in Tunis is quite nice. Do not expect any sort of beach resort in the classic sense. And it's a drive into the city for some of the cooler neighborhoods. But it's a really nice hotel all-around.
As to Air Algerie. Why? I was in CDG walking by the check-in counter last week and it was absolute chaos. Seems like needless agony. But a review is a review.
Two words: Airport cats. Take pictures mew mew =^_^=
I really enjoyed Tunis! Cute city and very friendly people. Certainly go to Sidi Bou Said for the day too! Its very close by!
Would love to see this review! You always see these low fares on Air Algerie when searching for flights between Southern Europe / Middle East and YUL, and I’ve always wondered “how bad can it be”. There aren’t that many reviews out there (at least in English) like you mentioned.
Not that I think a review like this would be *that* useful for the readers here, but it’s more of a, it’ll satisfy a morbid curiosity to see how they compare to the other not-so-great government-owned airlines and airports that you’ve flown haha
I have seen the Air Algerie crew in YUL frequently, and also at the hotel. They bring huge beat up suitcases with them - I suppose to take clothes/medicines/et back to Algeria.
I would take a Hard Pass on flying Air Algerie based on what I have seen with their crew
If you do decide to stay at the Four Seasons, make sure to check out Sidi Bou Said. It's right down the road and a nice place to wander around for the day.