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Archive for the ‘River Nile Cruise’ Category
Tuesday, October 11th, 2011
When choosing a holiday destination many people opt for somewhere completely different to their everyday lives at home; after all, holidays are the best form of escapism. A hot climate is always appealing and the option of sightseeing and relaxation opportunities are definitely huge appeal factors. This is why so many people travel to Egypt every year. Well over ten million tourist flock to the country making it an incredibly popular holiday destination and it is easy to see why. One of the best ways to see Egypt is by taking a cruise ship. Egypt itself is a wonder to behold but when the trip is taken by cruise, the voyage and the ships amenities fortify the experience even further.
Our cruises are referred to s Nile cruises in reference to the famous Egyptian river. The route along the river usually takes passengers past many famous sites. On our MS Flourette ship passengers will be able to witness these which include numerous temples, such as Edfu and Kom Ombo temples, Valley of the Kings and Lake Nasser. Off-ship trips are available in order to visit sites further along the river such as the renowned pyramids in Cairo. Other ships such as the MS magic include additional facilities on board for those who want to spend more time on the ship. Whatever you desire our Egypt Nile cruise range has something to suit all individuals and budgets. Simply contact us to enquire about the perfect cruise for you.
Tags: Egypt Nile cruise, nile cruise
Posted in Nile cruise deals, River Nile Cruise, Special Offers | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 20th, 2011
No trip to Egypt could be complete without a visit to Luxor, an area rich in cultural history and beautiful sights. Families travelling in style on Nile cruises can choose to stop off all over Luxor on the Nile’s West Bank, and will undoubtedly find there is a wealth of things to do and see.
Experienced Egyptian travellers and locals alike recommend that your Nile cruise stops in Luxor to see the world-renowned Temple of Karnak. Set in the centre of Luxor and subjected to baking heat all year around the, Temple of Karnak is actually three temples; Mut, Monthu, and Amun. The Temple hosts a spaectacular sound and light show every Autumn. If you have a little more time to spend at the Temple, be sure to take in the majestic Second Pylon of Karnak, built thousands of years ago by Ramses II. Outside, the site is surrounded by a cluster of smaller enclosed temples which, although a separate attraction, are open to visitors for a moderate fee. Wander among the smaller temples, a quieter area of this historic site, and be sure to stop in at the tiny Temple of Sesostris I.
By far the safest and most economical way to travel in the Luxor region is on an Egypt Nile cruise. A cruise can take you to wherever the next adventure is by day, and by night offers you reliable accomodation and food for when you just want to put your feet up and be pampered.
Posted in Egypt, River Cruises, River Nile Cruise | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 20th, 2011
Abu Simbel is one of our optional Nile cruise extras where you can choose to see the two huge, majestic rock temples in the South of Egypt. These spectacular temples are marvels of ancient technology since they were both carved from the mountainside as long ago as the 13th century BC. They were created as monuments for Pharaoh Ramesses II and queen Nefertari, but were moved to an artificial area in 1968. It is unfortunate that the temples are not in their original position, but the creation of Lake Nasser necessitated this. The temples are still completely intact and are one of the top tourist destinations in the entirety of Northern Africa.
Abu Simbel is a truly spectacular place with huge statues of Ramesses II himself carved from large rocks. The largest temple, called The Great Temple, was made in honour of Ra-Harakhty, Ptah, Amun and the deified Ramasses II who were all Gods of ancient Egypt. This is one of the most visited temples by tourists from both our Egypt Nile cruises and other excursions, and with good reason. It is considered one of the most conclusive and beautiful monuments to ancient Egypt in existence.
The Great Temple lives up to its name. Resplendent, the entire place is huge and houses no less than four 20 metre high statues. The outer entrance is also of a staggering size and comprises a huge number of statues. The temple was also positioned to interact with the sun to mark Ramasses’ birth and coronation and is a must see option for Nile cruises.
Posted in River Cruises, River Nile Cruise | No Comments »
Saturday, September 17th, 2011
You should make Esna part of your Nile cruise and stay. The ancient temple has a great ritual significance in ancient Egypt and is a vital part of your trip should you be interested in history. As with all of the temples of worship, this is no less lavishly decorated and steeped in deep religious and symbolic meaning. There are many inscriptions on the walls of this temple which allude to the ideas of ritual purity. This included attention to physical appearance before entering the temple, for instance all finger and toenails should be cut, all body hair should be removed and hands should be washed in a natural salt called natron. On top of this all entrants were expected to be dressed in linen and have abstained from sexual intercourse for at least several days. Of course, these rules are no longer enforced!
The temple itself is a marvel of ancient architecture. It is constructed of red sandstone and has a portico of 24 columns. Many of the walls contain revealing engravings which depict strange humanoid creatures with Lion heads and other images of more prosaic day to day life.
Esna is also popular with Nile cruises because of its modern street market. Of course, this market has sprung up to satisfy the significant tourist activity in the area, but it is an opportunity to shop somewhere along the Nile for Egyptian gifts that cannot be bought anywhere else. The market is also thriving and busy with many shops offering clothes, souvenirs, toys and modern tributes to ancient monuments.
Posted in Egypt, River Cruises, River Nile Cruise | No Comments »
Thursday, September 15th, 2011
Karnak temple is a monument to ancient history and it is in fact the largest religious site from the ancient past in the world. Rather than being simply an underground temple, pillars extend to the sky, all ornately decorated with various scrawlings and hieroglyphics. The entire area is a museum to a way of life that has long since passed. This is surely one of the high points of any Nile cruise. Among the ruins are temples, pylons, chapels and other structures including the Great Temple of Amun, which is open to the general public.
Make no mistake, this temple is vast. It is 250,000 metres squared and contains an array of monuments and active excavations sites. Yes, it seems even now the secrets of ancient Egypt have not fully been discovered. Nile cruise holidays give you the chance to explore this remarkable place for yourself, at your own leisure. The Temple Of Karnak is a breathtaking place with wonders so unexpected to the outside world that it will certainly leave a lasting memory and impression of what life was like in this ancient civilisation. To walk among these ruins is to walk among the monuments of the past and see what those who built it saw, albeit through centuries of weathering and erosion.
Our Nile cruises can take you to these wondrous places and fill your days with gossip and question marks over how these places came to be and how they managed to prosper in such a punishing often arid climate for so long.
Posted in Egypt Nile cruise, River Cruises, River Nile Cruise | No Comments »
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