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;
Archive for the ‘General Information’ Category
Foreign Office Update on Egypt 15/02/2011
Tuesday, February 15th, 2011Follow in the Wake of the Pharaohs
Wednesday, February 9th, 2011Luxury 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.
The Nile – Drenched in History
Saturday, October 9th, 2010The 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.
Choose a Nile Holiday for Good Food and Good Company
Tuesday, July 6th, 2010Egyptians 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.
Answering A Few Myths About Nile Cruises
Monday, June 28th, 2010There 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.
