RiverNileCruise.com News » General Information

Shopping Egypt style

Admin — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:29:27 +0000

Like many people, you might enjoy indulging in a little retail therapy when you are on holiday. As well as being relaxing and fun, this can be the perfect way to source mementos of your adventures.If you head off on a Nile cruise, you will find plenty of opportunities to buy products – although you may not have experienced shopping quite like it anywhere else. Egypt has many markets and bazaars and walking around these buzzing centres of activity can provide you with a real insight into local culture.Among the best places to find such experiences are the cities of Aswan and Luxor. For example, there is a wonderful spice market in Aswan and the back streets of Luxor are filled with interesting bazaars.When taking time to shop during your Nile cruises, bear in mind there is a fine art to sourcing goods in this country. The most important thing to be aware of is haggling. Although in high-end shops, supermarkets, coffee shops, restaurants and so on such negotiations are not appropriate, they are often expected in the traditional markets.If you are not sure how to approach this task, you can engage some local help and it pays off to do a little homework concerning the real value of the items you intend to buy. Then, before you begin haggling, have a firm idea of how much you are willing to pay.Also, bear in mind that haggling is only really worthwhile when you are buying high value items. If you are buying cheap things, paying the full price can be seen as a gesture of support for small traders.Being aware of issues like this can help you enjoy your Nile cruise holidays to the maximum.

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Time to Get to Grips with a Good Book

Admin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:29:27 +0000

For us, no Nile cruise is complete without a reading list, a cool drink and a little shade. We know every holidaymaker is different, but our Egypt Nile cruises really are a solace for avid readers. We do our best to keep life aboard the ships laid back, quiet and lavish. Of course, we make sure all travellers are entertained and given every opportunity to explore, but we also know how priceless a little peace and quiet can be. Here are a few fiction and non-fiction titles we think should be on the reading list of folks looking to learn about Egypt and have some literary fun on holiday!

Non-Fiction

Remesses: Egypt’s Greatest Pharaoh, by Joyce Tyldesley – This is one of our favourite historical books because of the jovial tone and colourful insights into the life of both Egypt’s pharaoh and his people. Mighty warrior and extravagant architect, Ramesses was certainly one of Egypt’s most interesting and illustrious rulers. How to Read Egyptian Hieroglyphs, by Mark Collier – Although more of an academic teach-yourself course, our Nile cruises are intrinsically linked with the ancient language. There’s no better time to swot-up and get some practical challenges!

Fiction

River God, by Wilbur Smith – A real page turner full of all things we want from an exceptional holiday read. True love, honour, revenge – they’re all in there. One of the best things about Smith is his incredible passion for historically accurate research.

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Forge Your Own Path with Egyptian Car Rental

Admin — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:56:54 +0000

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.

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A Working Holiday in Progress

Admin — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 11:09:24 +0000

“Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labour in freedom.” (Albert Einstein)

To work in an environment that’s free and motivating is to produce great work. Is there anything more inspiring than the great culture and landscape of Egypt? A change is apparently as good as a rest, so how about a working Nile cruise to get the little grey cells moving?

Our Nile cruises are famed for being the epitome of idle relaxation and old world escapism in an age of perpetual rushing. Whilst this makes for ideal vacation conditions, it also makes for excellent working conditions for some folks. We don’t mean natives of Egypt, but rather writers, designers and creators of all kinds.

Nile cruise holidays during off-peak times of the year are particularly popular with folks who need a little inspiration, some work&play relaxation, or just a week of solace and a stunning panorama to get down to work.

We can offer cruises at full board or all inclusive rates, allowing diligent folks to get on with a valuable week of work in one of our lavish cruise ship suites without a care in the world. Choose from more than thirty Nile cruises, all 4* and above (with added “Superior” or “Luxury” ratings when we think 5* doesn’t quite do the package justice!)

If you’re thinking of a working holiday, get in touch with our cruise advisors and see which of our luxurious cruise ships and holiday packages could best suit your needs.

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Foreign Office Update on Egypt 15/02/2011

ian — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:08:48 +0000

15/02/2011 15:07

Breaking News: We no longer advise against all but essential travel to Luxor.

Please click onto the following link to see the latest update from the Foreign Office website;

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/middle-east-north-africa/egypt

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Follow in the Wake of the Pharaohs

Admin — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 12:08:49 +0000

Luxury Nile cruises have a long and distinguished history to say the least. These days visitors come from all over the world for a package holiday to Egypt, but people have been using the river for transport for thousands and thousands of years. As you’d expect from one of the longest and greatest rivers in the world, it was indispensable to early civilisations. They used it to transport the stone to build the pyramids and to haul grain to feed the great ancient cities of Egypt.

The pharaohs were the first to take advantages of the leisure possibilities. The boats they built for luxury Nile cruises were enormous by the standards of the day and may even have had air conditioning. The barge belonging to the pharaoh Cheops (the builder of a magnificent pyramid) was more than 140 feet long. Not bad for 2500 BC!

A Nile cruise holiday for an Egyptian king was both a way to survey the land and a pilgrimage. The location of the Egyptian capital changed from dynasty to dynasty, but they maintained a number of temple complexes along the river. Luxor and Karnak are perhaps the most famous, but the Nile is dotted with temples- destinations for the cruising kings of the golden age of Egypt.

Many of these temples still stand. You can visit them in the same way the pharaohs did, taking a grand ship down the Nile. As they stopped for excursions and side trips, you can follow in their footsteps and see what they saw.

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The Nile – Drenched in History

Admin — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 09:03:03 +0000

The Nile is arguable the most cultural and significant river on the planet, and it alone has been the source of what we consider to be civilised. By choosing Nile cruise holidays, you really are choosing a vacation that will be drenched in history and culture from start to finish.

The Nile is most famous for its associations with the Ancient Egyptian civilisation. However, did you know that far from being merely a feature of Ancient Egypt, the Nile was actually its lifeblood, and it is thanks to the Nile that such an amazing civlisation was able to become as powerful as it was.

The proof of the Nile’s importance to Ancient Egypt is shown on the one hand in their pantheon of Gods, and so significant were the annual flooding of the Nile that they were given God status – as the God Hapy.

Anyone taking a Nile cruise and stay will immediately notice that much of Egyptian history is located close to the Nile, and this was for both practical as well as spiritual reasons. As the desert was so parched, civilization could only thrive close to the life giving water of the Nile – which is why the Nile gained spiritual significance.

A nile river cruise is the perfect way to take in such a historical and significant location as the Nile, and by opting for a nile river cruise you will be transported back to one of the most vibrant aeons of the past – Ancient Egypt.

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Choose a Nile Holiday for Good Food and Good Company

Admin — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:00:59 +0000

Egyptians have always been farmers but they now use other creative gifts such as artwork and pottery but farming is their main priority.

When you sail up the River Nile on one of the grand Nile cruise ships, the Egyptians will wave to you as they continue to farm the rich black soil the River Nile provides for them.

Some of the food Egyptian farmers grow are wheat and barley which is their main crop plus a variety of vegetables, figs and melons.

Years ago, the ancient Egyptian farmers would wait for the Nile Rivers yearly flood before they could grow their crops; when the grains were harvested they would also plant fruit trees and grow vegetables such as leeks, cabbages and other salad leaves.

Today, most Egyptian farmers still follow the rule of their ancestors by planting their crops in 3 cycles in accordance with the history of the River Nile.

Cruise ships would see the farmers on the edge of the river preparing for the growing and harvesting seasons.

• End of May to September, no farming is possible; the river Nile has its low and high water levels.

• October to February, the River Nile has left the banks full of rich black soil ready for farmers to grow their food.

• March to May time for rejoicing and giving thanks for the harvest of crops.

At River Nile Cruise we offer a wide range of individual Nile cruise deals tailored for your enjoyment.

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Answering A Few Myths About Nile Cruises

Admin — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:29:17 +0000

There are more than 12 million people who love to cruise on the river Nile and other Nile cruise deals. However there are just as many who are worried about the myths that have built up about cruises, and yet a Nile cruise holiday is a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends or if single you may love to make to new friends.

The first myth most people worry about is becoming seasick. Nile cruise ships are very stable and therefore seasickness is rare. However if you are prone to suffering from any travel sickness there are remedies available to alleviate the symptoms.

Number two myth; the worry of catching the Norovirus which could result in gastroenteritis. This bug is in schools and many businesses, the flu shot and washing your hands will decrease the chance of contacting this virus in any environment including on a Nile cruise ship.

Number three myth: Dining with people at a table and finding they are not keen on the dinner guests. Most of the Nile cruise ships operate with open seat dining, buffet dining and have more than one restaurant on board.

At River Nile Cruise our Nile cruise deals are tailored to your needs with our luxury Nile cruises. There are great facilities such as onboard activities, swimming pools and other entertainment, all being provided for the comfort and well being of our guests.

Since most Nile cruises go up the River Nile it allows passengers to take their time to capture the beauty of Egypt.

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The Beginning And The End Of The Flooding River Nile

Admin — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 11:26:48 +0000

The River Nile is famous for being the longest in the world, it flows from south to north and is attached to the Blue and White River Nile and the Atbara.

It is the important Blue Nile which takes its source from Lake Tana situated in Ethiopia, Africa.

It has melting snow and spring rain which overflows, causing summer flooding of Egypt by running down the River Nile.

Nile cruise ships that use the river to bring in tourists is great for the Egyptian economy, however most of the people in Egypt depend on the water of the River Nile to irrigate crops and leave an amount of fertile top soil, to ensure the continuation of good quality food being grown at the side of its river banks.

The Aswan High Dam which was built as a back up to two other dams that were heaving at the strain of the overflowing water, also brought along other beneficial changes.

1. The dam has allowed the Egyptians to harness the water, produce electricity and the Nile River cruises are able to navigate their way through the water with improved ease.

2. The Mediterranean Sea used to force salt water into the River Nile, the Aswan high dam reducing the strength of the flow of the river changed all that, altering the lives of many Egyptians and enabling the Nile cruise ships to sail safely on its calmer waters.

At One Small Step Travel we are able to provide River Nile cruises at cost effective prices.

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