Showing posts with label Egypt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Egypt. Show all posts

Saturday, July 7, 2007

Tour Egypt for Ancient and Exotic Adventures

Tour Egypt for Ancient and Exotic Adventures
by: Chris Robertson

If you've ever dreamed of witnessing the magnificence of the Great Pyramids, standing in awe before the Great Sphinx, or reveling in the treasures found in King Tut's tomb, the magic of Egypt awaits you. You can tour Egypt for an unforgettable experience of a lifetime.

Whether you want to cruise the Nile in the style of Cleopatra or visit the Valley of the Kings, a Cairo program tour may be just the thing to fulfill your dreams. If your tastes lean toward adventure travel, a Cairo tour may mark the beginning of a journey that will include, for example, a diving excursion in the Ras Mohammed underwater nature reserve or a trek to a desert Bedouin Camp.

A Cairo museum tour will enchant you with the breathtaking antiquities of ancient Egypt, while retaining the services of a Cairo travel guide will allow you to experience the beauties and mysteries of a city from a local perspective.

If you have an interest in Egypt's ancient Holy Lands, you can travel Cairo and see the Red Sea and visit Old Cairo, where early Judaism and Christianity flourished.

While you're in Cairo, photo travel adventures await. You'll want to bring plenty of film - or extra storage cards for your digital camera - when you visit the Ben Ezra Synagogue, the Saint Serguis Church, the Great Citadel begun by Saladdin, and the Mohamed Ali Mosque, also known as the "Alabaster Mosque."

In Cairo, Egypt, travel can mean entering a time machine and visiting the sites of a wondrous and mysterious civilization, or enjoying very modern activities and amenities such as golf, cruises, and even bowling. You'd be doing yourself a disservice, though, if you didn't learn at least a bit about ancient Egypt before booking a Cairo, Egypt tour.

Some other things to know before you go:

* According to the U.S. State Department, a passport and visa are required to visit Egypt. Although renewable, 30-day tourist visas are available for US$15 upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, if you're arriving overland, you should obtain your visa prior to your arrival in Egypt.

* Egypt has close to 79 million residents, and Egypt's size is approximately three times the size of New Mexico.

* The official language of Egypt is Arabic, although French and English are widely spoken and understood.

* Egypt is bisected by the fertile Nile Valley, which spurs Egypt's economy.

* The currency is the Egyptian pound, and the exchange rate in 2005 was 5.78 Egyptian pounds per U.S. dollar.

Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, with the right tour, Egypt will enchant and engage you, drawing you in to its ancient mysteries.

About The Author

Chris Robertson is a published author of Majon International. Majon International is one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing and internet advertising companies on the web. Visit their main business resource web site at: http://www.majon.com

To learn more about subjects like tour Egypt please visit the web site at: http://www.magitour.com

For more information and informative related articles and links about this subject matter and content, please visit Majon's Travel directory: Travel

Thursday, July 5, 2007

The Red Sea in Egypt for Scuba Diving

The Red Sea in Egypt for Scuba Diving
by: Clint Leung

For many Europeans, traveling to the Red Sea for scuba diving is like many North Americans going to the Caribbean. For a scuba diver based in North America or anywhere else outside of Europe or Africa, a journey to the Red Sea is considered one of the more exotic scuba diving trips. Like other overseas travel, getting to the final destination is the hardest thing. The Red Sea can be dived from ports in both Egypt and Israel but most international scuba divers do so from the Egyptian side. There are two major scuba diving areas in Egypt, Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada. Sharm El Sheikh at the northern part of the Red Sea is the more established center having been a popular vacation resort area as both Egyptians and Europeans have been vacationing here for many years. The local scuba dive industry grew along with the overall steady growth of classy resorts, shops and other tourist services in Sharm El Sheikh. Hurghada, once just a sleepy fishing village along the west side of the Red Sea, is starting to grow as scuba divers discover this alternative to Sharm El Sheikh.

More than likely, travelers going to either Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada will have to fly to Cairo before connecting with Egypt Air or taking a bus to their final destination. Many scuba divers turn their Red Sea diving trip into a major extended holiday in order to both dive and see the many wonderful ancient Egyptian sites such as the pyramids. There are many things to see and do in Egypt in addition to the ancient ruins including museums, markets and Nile river cruises. So it is highly recommended to do some research and plan accordingly for any trip to Egypt as one would not want to run into the situation where not enough time was allocated to see everything one wants to see there in addition to scuba diving.

Many of the scuba operators in Sharm El Sheikh are affiliated or close by to a hotel resort. Most of the dive shops are actually owned and staffed by Europeans working in Egypt. This is similar to the situation in the Caribbean where many of the scuba operators there are American owned. The Red Sea has a higher salt content than Caribbean waters so it is recommended to add 4 to 5 more pounds to the amount of weight divers usually use. Like most European diving, the scuba community here in Egypt uses the metric system so weights will be in kilos while air pressure will be in bars. Most dive computers should be able to display both metric and imperial systems.

Many scuba operators in Sharm El Sheikh use a very interesting system for scuba tanks. Rather than using their own tanks, their dive boats go to a common central barge anchored in the harbor. This is where all the scuba tanks are supplied from and the dive boats collect the number of tanks they need for day’s dive trips. At the end of the trips, used tanks are dropped off at the same barge before heading back to port.

The majority of the dives in the Red Sea are semi drift dives where the dive boats drop off divers at the dive sites and then pick them up afterwards. One very different aspect of the Red Sea compared to other dive destinations in the world is that the coral reefs here can extend up to very shallow depths. As a result, the standard safety stops at 15 feet are done drifting among many of these sloping reefs along with the accompanying marine life. Therefore, these are some of the most scenic safety stops scuba divers will ever do. This is certainly different from the usual bland safety stop in the Caribbean. One thing to note is that the maximum allowable depth for recreational scuba divers in Egypt is 30 meters which is about 90 feet.

As expected, the marine life in the Red Sea is spectacular. There are many species of fish, crustaceans and marine plant life here that are not found in the Caribbean. In fact, many of them are indigenous to the Red Sea only. While lionfish can be extremely rare sightings elsewhere, they are quite abundant in the Red Sea which is a real treat for scuba divers. It is also not unusual to jump in the water to be among a large school of tuna or other fish. Many night divers will see coral reefs here to be more spectacular than in the Caribbean.

For many scuba divers, the Red Sea is one of those ‘must dive at least once in a lifetime’ destinations. It is a very unique place to dive especially with the desert background visible from the dive boats. The excellent diving with the many awesome sights of Egypt make the Red Sea a dream dive trip for any scuba diver.

About The Author

Clint Leung is a NAUI certified Master and Rescue Scuba Diver. He is also owner of Free Spirit Activewear (Free Spirit Active Wear) , an online retailer/designer specializing in premium quality scuba diving activewear. Free Spirit Activewear has numerous information resource articles on scuba diving as well as free eCards.

Sunday, July 1, 2007

Why the Red Sea Riviera Is The Perfect Winter Paradise

Why the Red Sea Riviera Is The Perfect Winter Paradise
by: Darren Panto

If you’re looking to beat the winter blues, you may be considering a holiday to somewhere warm. There are all the usual destinations: Australia, the tropics, the Mediterranean. But if you’re looking for a holiday adventure somewhere you’ve never been—a place with a rich, ancient history, a fascinating culture, luxurious hotels and food—look no further than the Red Sea Riviera.

The Red Sea Riviera refers to a string of luxury towns along the northern coast of the Red Sea, in both Egypt and Israel. This area has worked hard in the past few decades to increase its appeal to tourists—and now there’s so much to do and see there, you won’t want to come home. Following are just a few activities and features you can find during a Red Sea Riviera holiday.

Diving on coral reefs. There are beautiful coral reefs in the Red Sea that rival anything you can find in Australia. The Red Sea Riviera has always been a popular destination for serious divers. Now that the area is welcoming more tourists, there are many opportunities for even beginner divers to get in on the action, with diving schools, tours, snorkeling, and boating trips available at tourist resorts all along the Red Sea.

Beaches. No winter holiday is complete without a warm, sunny beach full of sparkling sand. There’s nothing like digging your toes into sun-warmed sand, feeling a cool sea breeze on your face, settling down with a good book and a drink beneath a palm tree and letting your worries float away. The Red Sea area boasts some of the world’s most beautiful beaches.

Water sports. If you’re looking for adventure on the water, there’s no better place to go than the Red Sea Riviera. Local tourist destinations offer parasailing, waterskiing, motorboat rides, sailing, windsurfing, and more. Whether you’re experienced at water sports or just getting your feet wet, you’re sure to have a wonderful time on the water.

Ancient ruins. This area is rich in ancient history—and you can see it all along the Red Sea. The most famous ruins of Egypt are only a day’s travel away from Soma Bay, well within reach of a Red Sea Riviera excursion. There are also Roman ruins and mines from the time of the Roman occupation of Egypt; ancient temples, monasteries, churches, and mosques; and ruined cities from the dawn of civilization. Each town along the Red Sea Riviera boasts a rich and varied past—and more fascinating destinations for history buffs than can be counted.

Hiking. The Red Sea Riviera is truly the place where sea and mountains meet. The area borders several noted national parks, including the Wadi el Gemal National Park near Marsa Alam; the Giftun Island National Park in Hurghada; the Ras Mohammad National Park at the Gulf of Aqaba; and more. Bird-watch for herons, ospreys, and exotic desert birds; experience hiking on Mt. Sinai and trekking through Bedouin land; walk along pristine and uninhabited coastline in a marine preserve; rappel down sheer red cliffs that soar up from the dunes. If you’re looking for outdoor adventure, the Red Sea Riviera has something for everyone.

Desert safaris. Ever ridden a camel through the desert? Many resort towns along the Red Sea Riviera offer excursions through the stunning desert landscape. There’s nothing more beautiful than a vast desert sky full of stars. A desert safari is sure to be an experience you’ll never forget.

Fascinating culture. Bedouin culture places great emphasis on hospitality—you’ll see when you get to the Red Sea Riviera, and discover how welcoming the people are. It’s a relaxed, down-to-earth culture that’s sure to have you forgetting your day-to-day worries in no time. The Bedouin culture also has a rich tradition of art, poetry and music that’s sure to fascinate and inspire.

Unforgettable cuisine. Don’t be afraid to try the local cuisine. Middle-eastern cooking is bold and flavorful. No visitor should miss the “Iftar,” the traditional meal that breaks a Muslim fast—with its rich and varied choice of traditional dishes, it’s a feast like no other. Vegetarians are well provided for in the Middle East, with lots of traditional vegetable dishes; however, vegetarians should be aware that chicken stock is often used in these recipes.

The Red Sea Riviera offers an astonishing variety of things to do, places to see, and new and exciting people to meet. With its ancient history, fascinating culture, stunning landscape, luxurious hotels and unforgettable cuisine, you’re sure to want to come back next year. If you’re looking for a holiday that’s out of the ordinary, there’s no better place to go.

About The Author
Darren Panto works for PEL Tours Established in 1920 Peltours is the UK’s longest established tour operator to Egypt. For more information on Egypt and a wide range of Red Sea holidays visit Resorts.

Friday, June 8, 2007

Traveling Around Egypt And Back

Traveling Around Egypt And Back
by: Cathy Peterson

Egypt is one of the most thrilling places, mainly because of its Pyramids. Egypt is also one of the vacationing spots for the people living in the west and also people living in other parts of the world. This is the perfect trip for a family who wants to add an educational value to their vacation. Unlike most vacation spots, parents drop their children of at an amusement park for hours at a time. A trip to Egypt is a trip that the entire family can enjoy

A grand tour for Egypt starts from Cairo (Ancient Egypt), which includes religious and Islamic sight seeing. Cairo is also one of the major airports in Egypt. Normal tour for Cairo will start from Giza pyramids (Great pyramids), Saqquara (Step pyramid) and even the Egyptian Antiquities museum. This is like a first day tour.

Then the tour usually moves on to Luxor and Aswan, these places are visited either by train or flight. Tours also include visiting some places like Citadel and Khan el-Khalili market in Islamic Cairo, also visiting the churches and Coptic museum in Cairo.

Egypt is a place for Religious tours, Adventure and Specialty tours, golfing tours, fishing expeditions, Birding tours, Nature tours, Simple Holidays, Beach vacations, Scuba diving vacations, Western or Eastern Desert, The Sinai, Jordan, Kenya and the Israel.

Shopping is unlimited in Egypt being a historical and a religious place, one can find many exciting and inventive things to buy.

Food is delicious in Egypt, some of the famous delicacies of Egypt are, Egyptian bean salad, Egyptian stuffed egg plant with rice, meat and okra stew, Egyptian stuffed pigeon, Egyptian green soup, Egyptian salty rice, stuffed grape leaves, fig cakes, um ali (famous dessert of Egypt), Egyptian spiced drink etc… All the dishes of Egypt are made in a unique way; there are recipe books available for people who become lover of the food in Egypt.

Arabic is a common language that is spoken in Egypt. It is not very hard to learn basic Arabic so communication is made between people who do not understand English.

There are various transports that are available in Egypt, getting to places isn’t difficult because of the arrangement of buses, trains, water transport and flights. It is quiet reasonable to travel in Egypt.

Proper planning is recommended so that one would not get confused if going to Egypt the first time. Maps are available so detailed study of Egypt will help in the entire trip.

About The Author
Cathy Peterson writes about Travel Ideals Discounts, Discount Travel Deals and Hotels.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Cruise The Nile Of Cleopatra

Cruise The Nile Of Cleopatra
By: Colin Hartnes

For centuries, the Nile River has been at the center of life in Egypt. The ancient Egyptian civilization relied on the flooding of the Nile to create fertile land for farming in an otherwise desert landscape. Excavations along the Nile have unearthed vast quantities of archeological remnants from ancient times and a leisurely cruise along the Nile takes you through this ancient populated area that is so steeped in history. And remember, you are following a royal route; the pharaohs and Queen Cleopatra cruised the Nile!

A cruise along Nile is an excellent way of visiting scattered archeological sights in a country with less than spectacular roads and airline service. In fact, some quality travel agents recommend cruising as the preferred method of transportation in Egypt. The best time of year to enjoy a Nile cruise is winter, from December to February, due to the hot desert climate.

Think of the romance of a leisurely cruise through such an ancient and historic land. The banks of the Nile are lined with ancient monuments and unusual sites, like banana plantations. Excursions to other famous locations, such as the Karnak Temple and the tomb of Nefertiti in the town of Luxor, are available on most cruises. Other towns that can be touring stops are Aswan, Esna, Kom Ombo and Edfu. Knowledgeable local guides are available and are recommended to explain the finer points of each site.

A Nile cruise can be quite economical. For a three-star ship the cost can be as little as $70 per person per night while a deluxe cruise can cost a mere $130 per person per night, double occupancy. The length of the cruise can vary from 3, 4 or 7 nights. Rooms are well-appointed and meals are included. Of course, deluxe and luxury cruise boats also provide a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, bar and recreation facilities, and gift shops. Air-conditioning is a must for the American tourist who is unaccustomed to the possible one hundred degree heat. And remember, since you are cruising on a river than the ocean, the river cruise ship will be much smaller, with anywhere from 100 to 500 passengers.

Generally, meals on a Nile cruise are served at a specific time, with all passengers being served at a single seating. Expect a full range of cuisine from local to international. Some meals, such as lunch and dinner, may be served buffet style. And, of course, luxury cruise companies employ world-class chefs to pamper the palette.

A cruise is an excellent way for the American tourist to visit a unique and different culture since all services are provided. For example, there is no worry about where and what to eat. Also the cruise company arranges all the tours to the major ancient attractions and provides reputable guides who know Egyptian customs. Thus, you do not need local currency for admissions as these have been paid in advance. By taking a cruise, you are buying a measure of safety in a foreign land, provided that you select a reputable cruise company with a good reputation.

Egypt is an ancient land with fascinating monuments and temples that are adorned with mysterious hieroglyphics. What better way to immerse yourself into this unique culture than to experience it by cruising the Nile like the royal pharaohs.

About the Author:

Looking for information about cruises? Go to: http://www.whatcruises.com 'What Cruises' is published by Colin Hartness - An excellent resource for Cruises! Check out more cruise articles at: What Cruises

Read more articles by: Colin Hartness

Article Source: http://www.iSnare.com

Thursday, March 8, 2007

Egyptian Travel Guide

Egyptian Travel Guide
By: Mansi Aggarwal

The land of the Pharaohs. The child of the Nile. Call it by any name but the mystic land never ends to attract the greatest people to it. It’s the country, which is home to the oldest civilization of the world. The magnanimity and the grandeur of the Egyptian civilization is what make it the traveler’s paradise. The popularity of the place is mainly because of the great pyramids at Giza. These architectural and construction wonders have made a firm footing in the list of the Seven Wonders of the World. And that is not all. The pyramids are present at other places too. The famous statue of the Sphinx is also there in Giza. The fertility of the Nile Basin is the main reason why the greatest civilization could thrive there.

The capital city of Cairo is also an international hub now. The city is a smooth blend of culture and modernization. The city has the greatest business centers and the best infrastructure in the country. Ancient museums and art galleries adorn this city. The city holds the distinction of being the oldest in the world. The best way to travel around the city is on foot. This gives the inquisitive tourist ample time to see each structure. But for the people wit less time, transportation is easy in the city. Many mosques are there and they give an impression of the grandeur of architecture.

The great desert surrounds the country and the most important sources of life in the desert are the oases. These are the fertile lands in the middle of the desert, which are used for agriculture and cultivation. They are the cradles of life in the very challenging weathers of the desert. The Dakhla, the Siwa are some of the oases locations where the Egyptian people cultivate. The nomads of the desert find a resting place in the oases. The Foyum is a large oasis and is the source of salt. Many tourists from Islamic and non-islamic countries come to visit the country.

Mount Sinai is one of the sacred spots of the country. It was the place where Moses gave the famous TEN COMMANDMENTS to his disciples and explained them the message of the God. The place is known for its religious importance. The place is lined by the Red Sea, which houses very beautiful coral reef, and it offers fantastic geographic beauty. Apart from the religious pursuits the city also offers the best shopping hubs and showrooms. The city is never short of new things to show. But the spots of religious and historical importance remain the most visited. There are many water parks that offer joy rides and other entertainment offers. The cities of Egypt are always bustling with activity and the bird watchers can find the natural beauties around Lake Nasser. The country fulfills all the expectations of the visitors completely. The most important point remains the preservation of the cultural heritage and that had to in the hands of the residents.


About the Author:

Mansi aggarwal writes about egyptian travel Learn more at Advanture to Egypt

Read more articles by: Mansi Aggarwal

Article Source: www.iSnare.com