Archive for the ‘Egypt’ Category
Tuesday, February 28th, 2012
The Ancient Egyptian civilisation was one of the most mystical and fascinating periods of human history. Thankfully, the magic and wonder of this time can be vividly brought to life when you embark on a Nile river cruise. Indeed, many of Ancient Egypt’s most significant historical sights are located along the banks of this most legendary of rivers so a Nile cruise really is the perfect way to enjoy unprecedented access to the time of the Pharaohs.
It could be argued that a cruise along the River Nile provides more impressive sites to see than any other river cruise in the world.
The Valley of the Kings is one of the true highlights of any Nile river cruise as it is here that the most famous Pharaoh of all, Tutankhamen was laid to rest. The awe-inspiring Aswan Dam is also easily accessible as is Luxor, with its mighty monuments, temple, statues, obelisks and Sphinxes. In addition, a cruise along the Nile will also enable you to see the iconic temples at Abu Simbel.
As well as seeing some of the ancient world’s most amazing sights, Nile cruise holidays also enable you to observe how modern day Egyptians live and work. Truly, there are few holidays which can provide mesmerising history, intoxicating culture and exotic adventure in such a readily accessible way as Nile cruises.
To find out more, explore our pages further or call one of customer advisors now on 0800 3280871.
Tags: nile cruise, Nile cruise holidays, nile cruises
Posted in Egypt, General Information | No Comments »
Thursday, November 3rd, 2011
Our Nile cruise and stay holidays are expertly organised, but we know sometimes the adventurer inside you might want to take-off on a solo day of exploration.
The reputation of much of Africa in terms of car travel and the tourist tends to be rather negative, but in our years of experience a little foresight and good driving skills can help you make the most of your Nile cruise holiday with a day’s safe driving across Egypt’s landscapes.
Who Can Drive?
Anyone with a full U.K driving licence and International Driving Permit (about £6, available from main Post Offices) can rent a car and drive in Egypt. We work with www.holidayautos.co.uk. You’ll also need to carry your passport.
Is It Dangerous?
Cairo is one of the biggest, fastest, most terrifying cities in the world for unfamiliar drivers. Some of the main issues are a) the lack of road markings, b) the local faster-is-better attitude to driving, c) the incessant noise of car horns, and d) driving on the right side of the road. However, once outside the cities, roads are habitually quieter and the driving experience far more serene.
Safety
One of the things we’re serious about on Nile cruises is hydration. Egypt is HOT, making sensible hydration an unfamiliar must to the U.K traveller. NEVER rent a car and drive ANYWHERE without an adequate supply of water, a map and plans left with one of our holiday reps or a family member.
Tags: nile cruise, Nile cruise and stay, nile cruises
Posted in Egypt, Excursion Information, General Information, Hotels in Cairo | No Comments »
Tuesday, November 1st, 2011
The late 1800s to mid 1900s are often cited as the great days of modern discovery in Egypt. Of course, locals had existed around the relics of their ancient civilisation for thousands of years, but it wasn’t until foreigners began to fight over Egyptian lands (the Napoleonic Wars of the early 1800s) that Egypt’s cultural debris and scattered artefacts began to find rejuvenated fame.
On the tails of Napoleon’s own academics, the mid 1800s (well after his defeat) saw fresh interest in the area as the British ruling government took hold. One of the key archaeological figures of this new Egypt was Giovanni Belzoni.
Belzoni was, by trade, both a strongman and an engineer. Both of these trades turned out to be valuable when he was plucked from a jobless, penniless existence (with his English wife, Sarah) to undertake a seemingly impossible task – to move the 7 ton stone head “Rameses II” from Thebes to Cairo. You can still see the head at the British Museum in London. After moving the head, Belzoni and Sarah continued on an impromptu Nile cruise (perhaps one of the first Nile cruises by foreigners simply to seek out artefacts) past Thebes and uncovered Abu Simbel.
Belzoni is often cited as one of the first true Egyptologists dedicated to preservation rather than financial gain.
Our Nile cruise ships are tastefully modern, but if you’d like to experience a trip down the Nile as Belzoni and Sarah experienced, a day trip on an Egyptian felucca is the way to do it.
Tags: nile cruise, Nile cruise ships, nile cruises, River Nile Cruise
Posted in Egypt | No Comments »
Sunday, October 30th, 2011
Nile cruises are what we know, but we’re understandably passionate about Ancient Egypt too. And one thing everybody knows about Ancient Egypt has to be that the Ancient Egyptians worshiped cats. In fact, that’s a rather simplistic view of what was really a very area-specific set of customs. So, while you’re idling away on your Nile cruise, here are a few old world traditions to mull over and impress fellow guests with!
• The Ancient Egyptian word for “cat” is “miu” (some excellent onomatopoeic work!) The feminine form of the word is “mut”, which some scholars associate with the modern word “kitty”
• There is evidence that cats were first domesticated to be hunting tools to help Ancient Egyptians catch birds.
• Ancient Egyptians sometimes mummified the pet cats of their Pharaohs to accompany them into the afterlife.
• The goddess Bastet is most strongly associated with cats. As a goddess of protection (predominantly a feminine, motherly protection), it makes sense that ancient Egyptians were keen to keep her earthly likeness in their home for spiritual protection.
• Not all regions “worshiped” cats in the reverential sense. Before the unification of Ancient Egypt around 3100BC, various regions worshipped whatever animals and gods they wanted, sometimes including cats, but just as often not.
Don’t worry about bowing to any cats you see on your Nile cruise and stay holiday. Although cats are tolerated and kept as pets (as in the U.K), they carry no special religious significance.
Tags: holidays in Egypt, rive nile cruise
Posted in Egypt, Egypt Nile cruise, holidays to Egypt | No Comments »
Wednesday, October 26th, 2011
The festive season is pretty much upon us, but with the chilly winter winds blustering through the U.K, there’s no better time to plan a lavish Nile cruise this December!
Sticking out the freezing U.K winter can be a tire at the best of times, so why not give yourself a year off (the price of turkey is going up AGAIN this year!) and enjoy a Nile cruise or Nile cruise and stay holiday aboard any of our cruise ships, stopping in at our deluxe resorts as you idle down the Nile in lavish comfort.
Our Nile cruise ships are rated either 4* or 5* because we believe our clients like their Nile cruises to be conducted in the lap off comfort and luxury. We currently operate more than thirty Nile cruises across our fleet through the whole year. Egypt’s fantastic climate means we can offer winter sun Nile cruises to our clients, including a little festive getaway or New Year adventure!
Egypt doesn’t stop on Christmas Day, so if you fancy an excursion to spend Christmas Day in the company of camels, Pharaohs, markets, museums and cultural treasures, you’re in luck!
If you’d like to know more about our December Nile cruises and cruise and stay holidays, get in touch on 0800 328 0871 to speak to an expert holiday advisor. We’re used to creating bespoke holidays, so we’ll do our best to show you the best of Egypt (while the folks back home experience the worst of the U.K weather!)
Tags: holidays in Egypt, nile cruise
Posted in Egypt, Egypt Beach Holiday, Egypt Nile cruise | No Comments »
|
|
