Friday, March 21, 2008

Egyptian Travel Guide

By Mansi Aggarwal

The land of the Pharaohs. The child of the Nile. Call it by any name but the mystic land never ends to attract the greatest people to it. It’s the country, which is home to the oldest civilization of the world. The magnanimity and the grandeur of the Egyptian civilization is what make it the traveler’s paradise. The popularity of the place is mainly because of the great pyramids at Giza. These architectural and construction wonders have made a firm footing in the list of the Seven Wonders of the World. And that is not all. The pyramids are present at other places too. The famous statue of the Sphinx is also there in Giza. The fertility of the Nile Basin is the main reason why the greatest civilization could thrive there.

The capital city of Cairo is also an international hub now. The city is a smooth blend of culture and modernization. The city has the greatest business centers and the best infrastructure in the country. Ancient museums and art galleries adorn this city. The city holds the distinction of being the oldest in the world. The best way to travel around the city is on foot. This gives the inquisitive tourist ample time to see each structure. But for the people wit less time, transportation is easy in the city. Many mosques are there and they give an impression of the grandeur of architecture.

The great desert surrounds the country and the most important sources of life in the desert are the oases. These are the fertile lands in the middle of the desert, which are used for agriculture and cultivation. They are the cradles of life in the very challenging weathers of the desert. The Dakhla, the Siwa are some of the oases locations where the Egyptian people cultivate. The nomads of the desert find a resting place in the oases. The Foyum is a large oasis and is the source of salt. Many tourists from Islamic and non-islamic countries come to visit the country.

Mount Sinai is one of the sacred spots of the country. It was the place where Moses gave the famous TEN COMMANDMENTS to his disciples and explained them the message of the God. The place is known for its religious importance. The place is lined by the Red Sea, which houses very beautiful coral reef, and it offers fantastic geographic beauty. Apart from the religious pursuits the city also offers the best shopping hubs and showrooms. The city is never short of new things to show. But the spots of religious and historical importance remain the most visited.

There are many water parks that offer joy rides and other entertainment offers. The cities of Egypt are always bustling with activity and the bird watchers can find the natural beauties around Lake Nasser. The country fulfills all the expectations of the visitors completely. The most important point remains the preservation of the cultural heritage and that had to in the hands of the residents.

Mansi aggarwal writes about egyptian travel Learn more at
http://www.adventuretoegypt.com

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Egypt Attractions - Top 10 Tourist Attractions of Egypt

By Swati A

Egypt is located in North Africa and is among the top most tourist destinations of the world. No other country comes even closer to Egypt when it comes to the number of magnificent monuments, activities and historical attractions. More than ninety percent of all Egyptian attractions are lined up along the river Nile. Many places can therefore visited by taking a cruise in the Nile river (besides road and air travel). Since it is a popular tourist destination Egypt offers extensive facilities for tourists.

Top 10 attractions of Egypt are:
1. PYRAMIDS
There are more than 80 pyramids in Egypt which were built mostly between 2600 BC and 1500 BC and all are situated close to the Nile river. After the ruler died (or other prominent royal figures like queens), their bodies were wrapped and preserved as a mummy, and placed in the Pyramid. The most popular pyramids are the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx: An estimated 20,000 to 30,000 workers built the Pyramids at Giza over 80 years. Giza also has the largest pyramid also known as "Great Pyramid" which rises an amazing 481 feet.

2. CAIRO
It is the capital of Egypt. Popular attractions of Cairo include:
a) Khan al-Khalili market: Khan al-Khalili is one of the largest markets in the world which attracts both local's and international tourists. This is a great place to but exotic perfume bottles, Arabic clothing and other souvenirs.
b) Egyptian Museum of Antiquities: It have over hundred thousand artifacts in 107 halls. The most popular attraction is the Tutankhamun Gallery.
c) Other attractions are Pyramids of Giza (mentioned above) and Old Cairo.

3. ABU SIMBEL
It was carved out of sandstone cliffs high above the River Nile. The most famous attraction are the four colossal 20m-high statues of Ramses II guarding the entrance. When the waters of Lake Nasser to rise, UNESCO relocated them to a high ground between 1964 and 1968.

4. KARNAK TEMPLES
It is a huge complex comprising of three main temples and many smaller ones, most famous among them is the Temple of Amun. It is estimated that they were built in a time span of 1300 years.

5. LUXOR TEMPLE
The modern town of Luxor is the site of the famous city of Thebes,( or the city of a hundred gates). A row of sphinxes line the entrance to Karnak Temple. The most famous section of these temples is a huge all called the Great Hypostyle Hall.

6. SIWA OASIS
The area is famous for its dates and olives, and is one of the most beautiful landscapes and springs in Egypt. It was the most inaccessible oasis until recently. It lies 60 feed below sea level.

7. NUBIAN MUSEUM OF ASWAN
It is designed to house the fantastic collection items unearthed from the archaeological excavations during the Nubia Campaign.

8. VALLEY OF THE KINGS
The Valley of the Kings is located on the West Bank of the River Nile in Thebes. There are 62 tombs in the valley. It has two components - the East Valley and the West Valley. It is the East Valley which most tourists visit and in which most of the tombs of the New Kingdom Pharaohs can be found.

9. ALEXANDRIA
Best places to see are - Pompey's Pillar,Bibliotheca Alexandria, Alexandria National Museum, King Farouk Palace and the Roman Amphitheater.

10. SHARM EL SHEIKH
Best places to see are - Sinai Mountain, Na'ama Bay,Tiran Island, Terrazzina Beach and White Lagoon.

Other attractions of Egypt include the White Desert, Hurghada and Felucca on the Nile.

SAFETY INFORMATION: There were some terrorist bombings reported in Egypt in last few years. Check travel.state.gov for additional information. Overall the crime rate in Egypt is low. Visitors should consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling. Egypt has high road fatalities rate so you should prefer not to drive yourself unless you feel comfortable.

For complete information on Egypt tourism visit :
http://www.travelandtourisminfo.com/Egypt/Egypt-Travel.asp

Travel to Egypt

By TJ Tierney

If you are planning a trip to Egypt, a cruise along the Nile should be top of your list. The River Nile is a monster of a river that flows through the heart of Egypt. Its history is unparallelled with any other civilization, and the ancient sites are still there to be seen.

Egypt is a country in North Africa, with the majority of the Egyptian population, estimated at over 70 million, living along the river Nile. It has one of the oldest cultures in the world and dates back over 5000 years. Earliest records show that civilization began around 3000BC.

The capital city of Egypt is Cairo, and the one place that all tourists should see is the Museum of Antiquities. This is a fabulous Museum with over a hundred thousand artefacts. Cairo offers all the comforts of modern society but real comfort can be enjoyed all along the north and east coast.

There are over eighty pyramids still standing today in Egypt and most are situated close to the River Nile. The most popular of these are the pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Some of these have been built over 3000 years ago, and are by far, the most supreme Egyptian treasure.

Egypt is full of historical sites, temples and artefacts, with the following well worth visiting:
The Valley of the Kings is situated on the banks of the Nile. Located in Thebes, the Valley of the Kings is home to sixty-two tombs, where some Egyptian Pharaohs are laid to rest.

Karnak Temples are also a popular and important historical site. Built over 1300 years ago, it includes three large temples with many smaller ones. The Temple of Amunis by far the most popular.

The waters around the Red Sea Riviera are perfect for all types of water sport, especially windsurfing and scuba diving, and it is also a great destination for sailing and water-skiing.

After your cruise along the River Nile or your trip to the capital, a trip up north to Egypt's Red Sea Riviera will be an immense pleasure. This scenic coastal area is very relaxing and will make for a perfect vacation for someone who is a little less active. The Red Sea is well known for its luxurious resorts and stunning sun-drenched beaches.

Egypt offers a wide range of accommodation to cater for Western style living, including hotels and lodgings. Price wise, the options range from less than 30 US Dollars per person for a bed to more than $250 per person for a night at a first class hotel.

The national dish of Egypt is thick soup called Molohia. Fish is a popular dish that features on most menus. The Egyptian diet also consists of pigeon, chicken, mutton, camel and buffalo. Minced meat is made into rissoles and kebabs.

Caution is always needed when travelling to a country where Islamic extremists are active. While overall crime is low in Egypt, some Westerners have been targeted by such groups and occasionally bombs have been left in holiday resorts.