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Archive for April, 2011

Relaxing Nile Cruise Holidays

Saturday, April 30th, 2011

For some folks, nothing beats flinging on a backpack and heading out into the great unknown with nothing more than some cash, a passport and the vague plan to be back by 9AM two weeks from Monday. Sound like your idea of hell? In that case it’s more than likely you don’t find thumbing rides across the desert and bunking down in hostels constitutes “vacation time”.

Our luxury Nile cruise holidays offer the absolute in 100% stress-free all inclusive relaxing vacation time! We understand that one of the most important elements of any holiday is creating a tailored environment whereby you get exactly what you want out of your adventure. Perhaps your family are of the get-up-and-go variety, in which case we can recommend and organise tons of day trips, local activities and stops along the way. Our Nile cruise and stay are particularly popular with you active folks, thanks to the customisable nature of our packages.

Braving the desert for a camel trek not really your thing? Our luxury ships contain everything you need to simply lie back and watch the world go by from morning to night. There’s no need to feel limited though, as crew and holiday staff can organise impromptu excursions.

Helping you to make the most of your holiday – whatever that means to you – is what we’re here for from the first click of the mouse to the last goodbye wave as you disembark.

Google versus Guidebooks

Thursday, April 28th, 2011

A little light reading… versus six months of solid research? A romantic novel set aboard a luxury Nile cruise ship… versus a facts brochure about Egyptian tipping etiquette? Sometimes accessing the right research and preparation materials presents a frustrating dichotomy whereby we WANT to learn all about the culture and ethos of a destination… but somehow it all seems like homework! And where do you begin?

We find most people looking to travel aboard our Nile cruise ships are interested in the abundant historical significance of the Egyptian culture and landscape. That said, it’s not a prerequisite for getting the most out of our rive nile cruises! If you’re in it for the sun, camel rides and diving excursions we’re happy to oblige!

Bottom line, are guidebooks worth it? Every person has different expectations and interests when it comes to an Egyptian vacation, so we recommend checking guidebooks out from your local library and making copies of any sections you’d like access to on holiday.

Google and related Search Engines can be fantastic mines of information covering everything from flora and fauna to the best cafes in Cairo.  Conflicting information tends to be the downfall of the internet. You can always rest safe in the knowledge that established guidebooks are well-researched and accurate; however, if personal accounts and precise interests are the ideal reading fodder for your holiday preparation, blogging websites and forums could be the way to go.

Under the heading “Planning and Guides” our researchers and highly experienced travel veterans have created a few general guides and helpful titbits of advice.

Hydration Basics to Help You Make the Most of Your Nile Cruise

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

Hailing from a temperate climate like the UK, it can be easy to forget how important basic hydration is to the health of the body. Dehydration is what happens when your body doesn’t have enough of the fluids and water it needs to carry out life sustaining functions.

Common causes of all three classifications of dehydration (mild, moderate and severe) include things like vomiting, diarrhoea and simple neglect (i.e. forgetting to keep a little bottled water on hand during a day out in the fabulous Egyptian markets!)

Staying healthily hydrated on our Nile cruise ships is easy, but in the interests of helping our guests to be as informed as possible. Here are a few symptoms and treatments for dehydration:

•    A very dry or sticky mouth (more pronounced than basic thirst)

•    Very dark yellow, small amounts of water waste when going to the toilet

•    Very dark, sunken eyes (and an inability to produce tears when crying)

•    Lethargic behaviour

•    Severe headache

The best treatments for dehydration are usually small, regular amounts of things like sports drinks (full of healthy electrolytes) or bottled water. In severe cases, an intravenous drip may be used.

The staff tending to you on your nile cruise are all aware of the effects of dehydration, and remain vigilant for struggling guests or simply to offer advice if you’d like to know how much water to pop in your day bag.

Taking Photos in the Gorgeous Egypt Sun

Thursday, April 21st, 2011

Nile cruise holidays are a once in a lifetime experience… every time! Sound a little too paradoxical? Although one of the most established and culturally rich lands on earth, you’ll never visit the same Egypt twice. Experience all  Egypt has to offer from the culture to the people to the food, and splendid photography is a great way to keep the memory alive.

•    The Egyptian climate and landscape can play havoc with your device (whether digital or film). Always use a camera case and avoid leaving your camera in the sun for any length of time.

•    Tell a story with your photos. Remember to record at least a few shots of everything, no matter how small (it’s the little things that make a great vacation!)

•    Adapt your style. A mix of contrasting techniques and styles paints wonderfully diverse pictures of your nile cruise. If you visit the market during your time of the cruise, opt for point-and-shoot style; try not to think too hard about framing photos etc, just point and shoot to catch the lively hubbub of Egypt’s shopping and street culture (you can always delete the bad pictures later).

•    Never take photographs with the sun behind you or directly in front of your lens. Great photographs balance light and shadow, something that tends to be lacking when the sun is directly behind/in front of you. Try to angle shots to give a nice amount of shadow and light, enhancing depth and perspective.

•    Desert or large landscape shots need context, so try to include a camel, a pyramid, the Sphinx – anything to lend circumstance to the photo.

Mysteries of Egypt… to Keep on Your Nightstand

Monday, April 18th, 2011

Depending on which of our Nile cruise holidays peaks your interest, setting Egypt’s old versus new culture in the most understandable light possible is a great idea. Something we have to admit is a guilty pleasure of ours is indulging in a little Egypt-set mystery reading from our favourite mystery writers like Agatha Christie and Elizabeth Peters. Here are three of our favourite holiday reads!

•   Eater of Souls (Linda. S. Robinson)
Set during the reign of the boy king Tutankhamen, the fourth book in Robinson’s series is a wonderfully detailed, fast-paced and thrilling window into the life of Lord Meren (Chief Advisor to the king) and his dangerous investigation into the suspicious death of Queen Nefertiti.

•    Death On the Nile (Agatha Christie)
To catch the killer of a newlywed heiress murdered on her honeymoon, the famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot must analyse each and every suspect aboard a luxury Nile cruise ship.

•    The Serpent on the Crown (Elizabeth Peters)
Amelia Peabody, promising Egyptologist and amateur sleuth, sets her wits against the supposed curse placed on a suspicious statue uncovered in post WW1 Egypt.  Elizabeth Peters (a pseudonym used by noted Egyptologist and writer of both academic and fiction works, Barbara Mertz) is one of the best writers of historical thrillers based in and around Egypt. Any of her Amelia Peabody series make ideal whimsical companion reading on a Nile cruise. You can’t stick to the guide book all the time!

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