Sometimes life is tough. What you need is a short break to Egypt to get away from it all. So whether you fancy city breaks or just need a short weekend getaway, we have the perfect Egypt break for you.

Book your Egypt break today with Egypt-Travelers Short breaks.   Day 1    Cairo ·         Arrival to Cairo International Airport, meet and assist by one of our representatives and transfer to the hotel by an A/C bus. ·         Optional Tour Dinner onboard of floating restaurant Have an unforgettable night on the Nile while you are in Cairo. You are invited to dinner on a cruise boat for two hours sailing trip on the Nile with belly dancer, folklore show, western music and dinner on a 5 star cruise. During the trip, you’ll be delighted with Chef’s menu along with a selection of Egyptian favorites, made with the freshest ingredients, and prepared to make it a memorable dining experience. ·         Overnight at the hotel Day 2      Cairo ”Breakfast, Lunch” ·         Breakfast at the hotel ·         09.00hrs Start the tour to visit the Pyramids. There are no more famous ancient sites than the Great Pyramids at Plateau of Giza. They are the icon most associated with Egypt. The Great Pyramid, known as the Pyramid of Cheops, is one of the Seven Wonders of the world, still remaining to this day. The Pyramids clearly reflect the ancient Egyptian belief in life after death. ·         Lunch during the tour. ·         Then proceed to Visit Egyptian Museum, one of the world’s most renowned museums, which houses relics of the pharaonic period, some of them 5000 years old. ·         Optional Tour “Sound & Light Show at Pyramids area” Get excited by Sound and Light spectacular Show of the Giza Pyramids of Cheops,Chefren and Mykerinus and enjoy the history of the ancient Egyptians. The show begins with the story of the Sphinx who has been the vigilant guardian of the city of the dead for five thousand years. The show also depicts the story of building the pyramids and relates the history of great and famous figures of ancient Egypt such as Thutmosis IV, Akhnaten, Nefertiti and Tut Ankh Amon. ·         Overnight at the hotel Day 3     Cairo “Breakfast, Lunch” ·         Breakfast at the hotel ·         09.00hrs Pay a visit to Salah El Din Citadel which was constructed by Salah El Din on the Moqattam hills in 1183 AD to defend Cairo from the armies of Crusaders. After that visit Mohamed Ali Alabaster Mosque which was designed by the architect Yousif Boushnaq, a Turkish man who came specially from Istanbul and built this great mosque for Mohamed Ali, the ruler of Egypt (1805-1849) who ruled Over 45 years. ·         Then proceed to visit Khan El Khalili Bazaar; one of the most famous and oldest bazaars in the Middle East. Visit Old Cairo where you will enjoy the Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue, Church of St. Barbara, Church of Abu Sirga and back to hotel. ·         Overnight at the hotel Day 4    Cairo   ”Breakfast” ·         Breakfast at the hotel and check out. ·         Then transfer to the airport for final departure.    Duration Based on Sheraton Cairo 5* Deluxe Hotel   Based on Amarante Pyramids 5* Standrad Hotel   Based on Tiba Pyramids 3* Hotel   From To Per Person in DBL SNGL Room   Per Person in TRPL Per Person in DBL SNGL Room   Per Person in TRPL Per Person in DBL SNGL Room   Per Person in TRPL 15 Apr 10 30 Jun 10 € 247 € 314 € 243 € 185 € 237 € 181 € 161 € 183 € 159 01 Jul 10 10 Aug 10 € 292 € 359 € 287 € 207 € 259 € 203 € 161 € 183 € 159 11 Aug 10 30 Sep 10 € 247 € 314 € 243 € 185 € 237 € 181 € 161 € 183 € 159 01 Oct 10 20 Dec 10 € 292 € 359 € 287 € 212 € 267 € 207 € 170 € 192 € 167 21 Dec 10 07 Jan 11 € 319 € 385 € 243 € 267 € 333 € 262 € 181 € 201 € 176 08 Jan 11 30 Mar 11 € 292 € 359 € 287 € 212 € 267 € 207 € 170 € 192 € 167 Duration Based on Safir Cairo 5* Hotel   Based on Zoser Pyramids 4*+ Standrad Hotel   Based on Delta Pyramids 3* Hotel   From To Per Person in DBL SNGL Room   Per Person in TRPL Per Person in DBL SNGL Room   Per Person in TRPL Per Person in DBL SNGL Room   Per Person in TRPL 15 Apr 10 30 Jun 10 € 247 € 314 € 243 € 185 € 237 € 181 € 161 € 183 € 159 01 Jul 10 10 Aug 10 € 292 € 359 € 287 € 207 € 259 € 203 € 161 € 183 € 159 11 Aug 10 30 Sep 10 € 247 € 314 € 243 € 185 € 237 € 181 € 161 € 183 € 159 01 Oct 10 20 Dec 10 € 292 € 359 € 287 € 212 € 267 € 207 € 170 € 192 € 167 21 Dec 10 07 Jan 11 € 319 € 385 € 243 € 267 € 333 € 262 € 181 € 201 € 176 08 Jan 11 30 Mar 11 € 292 € 359 € 287 € 212 € 267 € 207 € 170 € 192 € 167

The above prices include the following:-

03 Nights accommodation at Cairo hotel on Bed & Breakfast basis.
All Transfers according to the program.
Full Day in Cairo to visit Pyramids, Egyptian Msuem & Lunch during the tour.
Full Day In Cairo to Visit Citadel, Old Cairo, Khan El Khalili Bazzar & lunch during the tour.
Entrance fees to all the sightseeing mentioned above.
Egyptologist tour guide in your own language. “English Or French”
Meet & Assist at the airport.
All the prices in EURO Currency.

  The above prices exclude the following:-

Tips.
Optional Tours.
Any Extra not mentioned above.
Visa.
New Year Gala Dinner on 31st December 2010.

Egypt is a great place to visit when you go on holiday. The tourist areas are fantastic with a wide range of sites to visit.

The most popular attractions are the following places:

The Giza pyramids which are one of the world’s oldest tourist attractions. In Giza, there are three main pyramids. There is the Great Pyramid of Khufu, The pyramid of Kafhre and the smaller Pyramid of Menkuara. A pyramid each belongs to a king of Egypt.

Millions of people visit Cairo and they say it is beautiful, exotic and chaotic. Cairo’s interesting part could be the Medieval (Islamic) Cairo. Medieval Cairo has loads of mosques and churches. They have some major mosques there like the Mosque of Mohammad Ali and another mosque which is the oldest university in the world

While egypt travel, you can also sail on boats which are called Feluccas. With these, you might want to go cruising through Cairo and Alexandria or even take longer cruises.

Pharaoh’s were buried in Thebas, Valley Of The Kings. Here you will also find a tomb which belonged to Tutankhamen. The tomb was discovered in 1920. And if you want to visit this tomb, you can do so but to see his treasure, you will have to visit the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

Now the weather! Well we all want our Egypt holidays to go as smooth as possible with great sites to visit and weather to be perfect. That is when we usually love our holidays. You can have the chance to visit Egypt when the weather is hot and suitable. But this is available during October through May. The temperatures range from 25 to 35 Celsius. But December through February is when it can get cold and wet. Swimming at this time won’t be a good idea either.

Make sure you wear clothes which aren’t heavy on you. It can very hot and sticky if you wear clothes which would make you feel very uncomfortable. Loos clothing should be worn. Also, maybe a pair of sandals as the ground can be hot which would sting your feet.

Do keep in mind that when I mean loos clothing, please do not wear shorts as they could attract unwanted attention to you. Egypt is a Muslim country and like Islam forbids these types of clothing for both genders. Just make sure you wear something suitable.

So here we have some information for you and your visit. I hope you found this article useful and do take the information on here carefully. There is quite a bit to remember but you should get the hang of it!

egypt tour

Tour Details
Tour Length: 8 Days / 7 Nights  Tour Location Cairo, Aswan, Luxor  
Schedule: All Week Days  Tour Price  
Tour Type: Private Tour Package  

Tour Itinerary

Day # 1:) Arrival Cairo
Arrive in Cairo to discover the contrasts of this ancient city, our representative will meet you at Cairo international airport beyond passport control to handle your Egyptian entry visa then will be accompanied to your hotel for check in with free welcome drink. Tonight, relax or enjoy optional evening of out of this world entertainment as we go to the Pyramids for the incredible Sound and Light Spectacular after you will return to your hotel and then the night is at leisure.

Day # 2:) Giza Sightseeing Tours
After your relaxing breakfast at the hotel in Cairo your own private English speaking Egyptologist guide will take you to Sakkara that is part of Memphis’s massive necropolis, and the burial site of the most ancient Pharaohs where you will see the first pyramids ever built in Egypt “Step Pyramid of King Djoser that was designed by Imhotep, the ancient Egyptian architect also you will visit the Teti Pyramid and tombs in Sakkara then a relaxing drive to the famous Giza Plateau, home of Egypt’s GREATEST attractions to visit The Great Pyramids, ONE of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world including the Great Pyramid of Cheops, middle pyramids of Chephren and the little one of Mykerinos with camel ride and family photo in front of Pyramids, then visit the mysterious Sphinx, the Father of Terror for the ancient pharaohs, the tour includes visit to the valley temple facing the great sphinx with option visit to the solar boat this was a boat used to carry the pharaoh’s mummy across the Nile, and then buried at the foot of the pyramid for his use in the afterlife then you will be transferred back to your hotel for a peaceful over night stay in Cairo

Day # 3:) Cairo – Aswan Nile cruise Holiday
Breakfast and then you will be transferred to Cairo airport to board your flight to Aswan, where you will be met and assisted by a REP who will transfer you to embark your Nile cruise for the next 4 days / 3 nights. Later you will be taken in an exciting tour to the world famous High Dam that was an engineering miracle when it was built in the 1960s. It contains 18 times the material used in the Great Pyramid of Cheops; continue to the granite quarries which supplied the ancient Egyptians with most of the hard stone used in pyramids and temples. The quarries still hold the famous Unfinished Obelisk and then you will be taking by motor-boat to island of Egilka visit the majestic Philae temple that was dedicated to the Goddesses Isis. For our enjoyment, a Felucca Ride is included on the Nile River in Aswan this afternoon. A final optional evening excursion will offer the sound and light show at the Temple of Philae. Return to the hotel free time at leisure in Aswan and overnight stay  

Day # 4:) Nile Cruise Holiday
Sail to Kom Ombo. After breakfast will be accompanied by your English speaking guide to visit Kom Ombo temple, the crocodile-headed God of fertility and creator of the world, lunch aboard your cruise with free time at le isure whilst sailing to Edfu to explore Edfu’s Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved Ancient Egyptian temples on the Nile Continue the cruise down the Nile to Luxor. Afternoon tea is served on the sun –deck with dinner and overnight stay onboard cruise

Day # 5:) Nile Cruise Holiday
Breakfast onboard the cruise, and then you will be taken into the West Bank of the river Nile to visit the two colossal statues of Amenhotep III (Colossi of Memnon), and then visit the Valley of the Kings, where the magnificent tombs discovered, those tombs were carved deep into the desert rock, richly decorated and filled with treasures for the afterlife of the pharaohs, you will visit 3 tombs. Continue the tour to visit the Hatshipsut temple at El Deir El Bahary, this impressive temple dedicated to the Queen Hatshipsut the only female pharaoh rises out of the desert plain in a series of terraces and merges with the sheer limestone cliffs that surround it then back to the cruise for lunch, after afternoon tea on the ship with free time at leisure and overnight stay. Tonight, if you wish, enjoy an optional sound and light show at the Temple of Karnak   

Day # 6:) Nile Cruise Holiday – Luxor – Cairo
Today and after breakfast you will be accompanied by Egyptologist guide to visit Karnak Temple, the largest place of worship ever built. Its ancient name Ipet-isut means “the most sacred of places.” The temple, or, more correctly, the complex of temples, was built over more than two thousand years by generation after generation of pharaohs. Within the complex, the great “Hypostyle Hall” is an incredible forest of giant pillars .Then you will be transferred to the majestic Luxor temple which built by Amenhotep III and Ramses II for ritual and festivals and dedicated to the god Amun, and then you will be transferred to Luxor airport to fly back to Cairo with dirct transer to your hotel in Cairo for check into the hotel with free time at leisure and overnight stay.

Day # 7:) Cairo Sightseeing Tours
Full day tour to visit the world-renowned Museum of Egyptian Antiques that was built in neo-classical style designed by the French architec t Marcel Dourgnon which exhibits a collection now over 120000 masterpie ces ranges from pre-dynastic era, Pharaonic era to the Greco-roman period in Egypt including the treasures of the child King Tutankhamen, Pharaonic Gods and Goddess, with option visit to the mummies room at the Egyptian Museum where you may learn about the Great Egyptian civilization and the mummification art in ancient Egypt. Then you will also visit the Citadel of Saladin that is overlooking the city from the Muqattam Hills and Mohammed Ali Alabaster Mosque inside that was built in Turkish style and very similar to the Blue Mosque in Turkey and simply considered to be one of the landmarks in Cairo whose minaret can be seen from any part of old Cairo then visit the Christian heritage in Coptic Cairo including some of the early religious monuments of the city such as the hanging church or the suspended church this basilica church was named for its location on top of the south gate of the Fortress of Babylon the church became the center of the Christian Church of Egypt you will visit also the famous Jewish heritage in Cairo including Ben Ezra Synagogue the temple contains a Jewish heritage library, containing documents found here in 1896 that describe the economic and social conditions of Jews under Arab rule as well as descriptions of relations between various Jewish sects from there you will be transferred to your hotel for free time at leisure and overnight stay in Cairo

Day # 8:) Cairo /Home
Breakfast at your hotel in Cairo then you will be transferred to Cairo airport to fly back home.

Tour Includes
- Meet and greet service by our representatives at Cairo /Aswan/Luxor airport
- All transfers by private air – conditioned deluxe vehicles
- Egyptian entry visa upon arrival Cairo airport
-Interior flight tickets from Cairo – Aswan and from Luxor – Cairo with Egyptair
- Accommodation for 4 nights in Cairo hotel of your choice with breakfast
- Accommodation for 3 nights on board cruise Aswan-Luxor on full board
- Tour to Pyramids, Sphinx, Valley temple, Sakkara and Memphis
- Tour to the High Dam and Temple of Philae in Aswan
- Tour to Kom Ombo temple and Edfu temple enroute
- Tour to Karnak temples and Luxor temple in East bank of the Nile
- Tour to Valley of the Kings , Hatshepsut temple, colossi of Memnon
- Felucca ride in Luxor with sunset attendance
- Lunch meals (open buffet) during tours in Giza, Cairo
- Entrance fees to the sights in Giza/ Cairo /Aswan/Luxor
- English speaking guide in Giza / Cairo Aswan/Luxor
- Service charges and taxes included throughout the tours  

Tour Excludes
Personal Expenses and Optional Tours  

Summer prices ( May – September )
Three Stars  Four Stars  Five Stars  Luxury  
Triple room  690.00 $  775.20 $  918.00 $   
Double room  704.40 $  789.60 $  932.40 $   
Single room  789.60 $  946.80 $  1046.40 $   

Winter prices ( October – April )
Three Stars  Four Stars  Five Stars  Luxury  
Triple room  804.00 $  946.80 $  1032.00 $   
Double room  818.40 $  961.20 $  1046.40 $   
Single room  932.40 $  1060.80 $  1160.40 $   

All prices are quoted in Euro currency per person

Please add 135 Euro during XMAS. New Year, Easter periods  

Three stars Accomodations
Cairo: Pharoahs Hotel
Cruise: Nile Quest Cruise

Four Stars Accomodations
Cairo: Zoser Hotel
Cruise: M/S Shehrazad

Five Stars Accomodations
Cairo: Movenpick Pyramids
Cruise: M/S Al Jamila

Optional Extras
- Sound & Light show at the Pyramids at night
- Hot air balloon ride in Luxor  

Children Policy
- Child up to 2 years old free of Charge (exept flight excursions
- Child between 2-5 years old gets 50% Discount
- Child between 6-12 years old gets 35% Discount
-12 years old and plus pay adult rates considered adult person  

General Information
Tour Guides:
All our tour guides in Cairo are knowledgeable Egyptologist with at least 5 years experience. Also they have academic qualifications to make your tour such a success.

Payment plan:
25% down payment required to secure the booking and can be done online by Credit card, Visa and Master or bank  transfer
75% balance will required in arrival in Egypt and can be paid by credit cards or cash
Booking:
Booking of your trip will be complete and confirmed by your tour designer as soon as we receive the 25% down payment

Egypt Aceesible Tours & Travels
we offer travel experiences for travelers with many types of physical disability. We are specialized in disabled travel in Egypt and Jordan. We offer private and customized accessible tours in Egypt for individuals, families and groups. Just send us your request details. Selected tours and shore excursions from the Europe cruises, Mediterranean cruises, and African cruises.
Extra charge for Wheelchair traveler to provide:
1. Personal care from our staff throughout the trip
2. Accessible modern air-conditioned vehicles provided
3. Selected hotels & Nile cruises with accessible room/cabin facilities
4. Wheelchair if required

What To Bring
- Hat
- Sun block
- Sunglasses
- Comfortable shoes
- Photo/Video Camera
- Warm clothes in winter
- Cotton clothes in summer
- Passport valid for 6 months

Contact us:
http://www.albaraagroup.com
www.egypttravelhotdeals.com

Find about Egypt vacation packages. We present you a selection of the nicest vacations in egypt. Choose from our various selection of Egypt vacation packages. Egypt is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Not only does Egypt has many tourist attractions, but also, Egypt is one of the countries that has some of the luxury beaches world wide. Egypt has a moderate climate all over the year, during the winter time you can escape the cold and snow in your country by traveling to places like Luxor & Aswan in Egypt, or enjoy a cruise in the Nile.

AlbaraaTravel egypt offers travelers the best travel vacations in Egypt. The various collection of travel vacations and Egypt package, attracts users world wide. Travelers looking forward spending their vacation in Egypt, will find their targeted vacation package to Egypt here. Including coverage to all the travel details starting from the flight tickets to egypt, and egypt hotel booking, sightseeing tours in egypt with Egyptian tour guides, who’ll take you in lovely tours around Egypt. We offer different vacation programs, it differs between adventure program in Egypt, Safari in Egypt program, classical program and much more. On the other hand, longer travel program trips include sightseeing trips to other variety of destinations in Egypt like; Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan, Nile Cruise trips. Dashur, Dahshur, Red Pyramid, Bent Pyramid, Black Pyramid, Book of the Dead, Sufi Dance Show, Solar Boat, Niuserre Sun Temple, Dendera and much more.

Albaraa Travel presents independent escorted tour packages, travel guide with info on Egyptian cruises, tours and vacations within Egypt, the Sinai, Lake Nasser, the Red Sea. Hotel Information travel Egyptian vacation tour Cairo hotel reservation diving online visit pyramids sphinx pharaoh and Nile Cruises.

The land of the Sphinx and the great Pyramids of Giza In Egypt You can find everything you are looking for. Egypt tours are featuring Cairo, the capital of Egypt. Visit the Monastery of St. Catherine at the foot of Mt. Sinai. Go Egypt Tours also features tours to Luxor the biggest open museum in the world. Between Luxor the capital of the south and Aswan you can cruise the Nile with breathtaking views of the Egyptian country side.

Egypt also has a great many shopping opportunities, where you can find wonderful items from hand crafted carpets to hand made papyrus at great prices Tours to Egypt are wonderful escape to a unique world of majesty, splendor and luxury
People who tour Egypt always come back to Egypt.

We are offer different Egypt travel packages for you to visit and see Ancient Egypt’s Popular and Unique Attractions. We offer Best Value Prices For Leisure & Business Travelers for your Egpyt Vacation.

Albaraa Travel eGYPT desire to make sure that your vacation to egypt is the right fit for you and we look onward to finding the right Egypt Package for you. Please contact us with any questions about Egypt package, Egypt hotel information, Nile curries, custom tour to Egypt, group tour Egypt and Egypt hot deal much more. We will reply to you within 24 hours in order to assist you with your Holiday Travel plans

Read more

http://www.albaraagroup.com
www.egypttravelhotdeals.com
www.egyptonlinetours.com

If you are true admirer of natural beauty, then plan your holidays in such a manner that you are able to visit the following places.

•    Pyramids of Giza- Travel Egypt and explore the heart enthralling beauties of one of the most visited places of Egypt, the 3 most popular pyramids of Giza. Not wrong to say that the three pyramids- the great pyramid of Khufu, the smaller pyramid of Menkaura and the pyramid of Kafhre have been capturing the attention of millions of customers since centuries.

•    Cairo- The capital city of Egypt, Cairo never disappoints any of its visitors as the city has so much to offer. Egyptian museum of Antiquities, Khan Al-Khalili market, Medieval (Islamic) Cairo, Al-Qalaa Citadel are some places that visitors enjoy exploring whole heatedly.

•    Temples of Karnak- Karnak is considered as the theme park of the ancient Egyptian civilization. The massive site comprises of obelisks, kiosks, chapels, buildings, complex of sanctuaries, dedicated to Tibetan Gods. Being recognized as one of the most sacred places of worship and second most visited site of the city. Travel to Egypt always remains incomplete if a visitor misses the spectacular site.

Other places that must be covered while touring to Egypt are Siwa Oasis, Abu Simbel, Luxor temples, Alexandria, Valley of the Kings, Sharm el Sheikh and many more. Interestingly, Egypt offers whale of time to adventure lovers by giving innumerable opportunities to discover the water-based attractions. Windsurfing, snorkelling, etc are some of the activities that people enjoy to the fullest.

Therefore, book the tours to Egypt online and travel to Egypt to spend some beautiful moments of your life with your near and dear ones. For gathering more information about Egypt travel and tour packages, browse the web.

History
Wealthy people have always travelled to distant parts of the world, to see great buildings, works of art, learn new languages, experience new cultures and to taste different cuisines. Long ago, at the time of the Roman Republic, places such as Baiae were popular coastal resorts for the rich. The word tourism was used by 1811 and tourist by 1840. In 1936, the League of Nations defined foreign tourist as “someone traveling abroad for at least twenty-four hours”. Its successor, the United Nations, amended this definition in 1945, by including a maximum stay of six months.

About Destination Vacations International :Sustainable tourism
“Sustainable tourism is envisaged as leading to management of all resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and life support systems.” (World Tourism Organization)

Destination Vacations International
In the United States, there are four different types of agencies: Mega, Regional, Consortium and Independent Agencies. American Express and the American Automobile Association (AAA) are examples of mega travel agencies.

Travel agencies became more commonplace with the development of commercial aviation, starting in the 1920s. Originally, travel agencies largely catered to middle and upper class customers, but the post-war boom in mass-market package holidays resulted in travel agencies on the main streets of most British towns, catering to a working class clientèle, looking for a convenient way to book overseas beach holidays.

About Serenity Travel :They not only sold their own tours to the public, but in addition, represented other tour companies. Other British pioneer travel agencies were Dean and Dawson, the Polytechnic Touring Association and the Co-operative Wholesale Society. The oldest travel agency in North America is Brownell Travel; on July 4, 1887, Walter T. Brownell led ten travelers on a European tour, setting sail from New York on the SS Devonia.

Serenity Travel Home Tourism is vital for many countries, such as Australia, Egypt, Greece and Thailand, and many island nations, such as The Bahamas, Fiji, Maldives and the Seychelles, due to the large intake of money for businesses with their goods and services and the opportunity for employment in the service industries associated with tourism. These service industries include transportation services, such as airlines, cruise ships and taxis, hospitality services, such as accommodations, including hotels and resorts, and entertainment venues, such as amusement parks, casinos, shopping malls, various music venues and the theatre.

Destination Vacations International Management In the United States, there are four different types of agencies: Mega, Regional, Consortium and Independent Agencies. American Express and the American Automobile Association (AAA) are examples of mega travel agencies.

More results:
Contact Del Rey Travel Agency About Del Rey Travel Agency About Destination Vacations International

We spent the first 2 days in Tripoli, the ancient site of Oea, the third of the three Tripolitanian cities staying at the very comfortable Corinthia Bab Hotel. From there we explored Sabratha and Leptis Magna with Yousef, the most charming, knowledgeable and amusing guide I have experienced for a long time. Both these sites are spectacular and perhaps even more so as only a fraction of what lies there has been uncovered. Established around 300 BC, enriched by Rome, destroyed by an earthquake in 365AD, recycled by the Byzantines, ignored by the Arabs, covered by sand and eventually excavated in the 30s by the Italians – little has been done since.

Following the coast we drove to Benghazi with nights in Zliten and Ajdabiya on the way. From Benghazi we explored Tulmaytha, a Ptolemaic port with the largest Roman cistern in North Africa and then to Susa to explore the Greek ruins of Apollonia and Cyrene, the latter arguably being the most beautiful site in Libya.

A further night in Tobruk, which has nothing to recommend it, and another 2 hour drive took us to the border. Chaos rained, customs officials trying to check minibuses piled high with luggage, bicycles, children and carpets.

We drove east for an hour or so and then turned south driving 200 miles across flat desert, a 360 horizon punctuated by the odd herd of camels. After 5 hours the landscape suddenly changed to dry river beds and eroded hills. Quite abruptly the road dropped through the desert floor and lying in front of us was the fabled oasis of Siwa with its lakes, date palms and olive groves. Famous for its oracle which was consulted by Alexander the Great in 331BC (the temple is still there), and for the Persian army which vanished in the desert when they set out to destroy it, the oasis sits right on the edge of the Sahara.

We stayed in the Adrere Amellal Hotel on the shores of the lake. Built entirely of local materials, without electricity and only serving food that is grown locally, it is a remarkable example of sustainable tourism. The conservative and traditional Berber town is a joy and a wonderful place to people watch.

Another 8 hour drive via the battlefield and museum of El Alamein and we arrived in Alexandria. Stayed in the Cecil which was, in its time, one of the grand hotels of the city.

12 days of people, sites and sand – we returned home enriched.

The Ancient Empires itinerary features culturally rich ports of call including Rome and Naples, Italy; Athens and Rhodes, Greece; Ephesus, Turkey; Alexandria, Egypt; and Haifa and Ashdod, Israel. Guests will sail around the Mediterranean Sea visiting ruins, perusing architecture and sampling the flavor of these ancient empires.

The Israel/Egypt cruise, like all Lasko Kosher Cruises, offers premium accommodations plus three fresh, gourmet Glatt Kosher, Cholov Yisroel meals and snacks daily as well as three minyanim a day in a dedicated shul on board. All are complimentary and reserved for Lasko Kosher Cruises passengers exclusively.

Lasko brings onboard a full staff of mashgichim to kasher a designated portion of the galley in advance of the sailing and maintain 24-hour presence in the kitchen. A Lasko Kosher Cruise representative is also onboard every cruise to tend to guests’ personal needs.

“Our all-inclusive destinations at sea are distinguished by the quality of the ships we use, the standards of Kashrut we uphold, and the unique vacations we provide our guests,” said Sam Lasko, a partner in Lasko Kosher Cruises and founder of Lasko Family Kosher Tours, which has been serving the Jewish community for over 20 years, most notably in Kosher for Passover hotel programs. “We pride ourselves on the personal attention we provide, from the moment a customer calls to book until they disembark. Going that extra mile to create a warm family environment is part of our operating philosophy.”

“What is so nice about a kosher cruise is that you enjoy a true luxury vacation yet you don’t have to compromise any of your religious practices,” added Avrumi Flam, a partner in Lasko Kosher Cruises and a singer well known in the tri-state area Jewish Community. “We make you feel like you’re home, but you’re actually in the most fascinating destinations you would otherwise not be able to experience without the services of a kosher tour company like Lasko.”    

In fact, in addition to delicious gourmet dining, Lasko Kosher Cruises is known for its esteemed scholar in residence program, inspiring lectures from highly respected rabbis, and entertainment provided by popular Jewish musicians. Among the other added-value features of a Lasko Kosher Cruise are extensive tea rooms between meals as well as personalized tours that visit Jewish related points of interest and explore the culture of the Jewish people. As an independent yet integrated group of each cruise, guests are always free to partake in all of the ship’s programs and exhilarating excursions.  

“When we launch Celebrity Equinox in Europe in 2009, some of her first voyages will include calls at Ashdod and Haifa,” said Dondra Ritzenthaler, senior vice president of sales, Celebrity Cruises. “We know that our guests will be as thrilled to discover these parts of Israel as they will be to discover all that the ship herself has to offer.”

In 2009, Lasko Kosher Cruises is also offering nine other first-class sailings: two seven-day cruises to the Eastern Caribbean, January 18th and January 25th; two seven-day cruises to Alaska, June 28th   and August 2nd; a seven-day cruise to the Baltic region and Russia, August 9th; two 10-day cruises to the Eastern Mediterranean and exotic Greek Isles, June 26th and August 7th; a seven-day cruise to the Norwegian Fjords, August 16th; and a combined Northern Europe/Norwegian Fjords cruise for 14 days leaving August 9th.

Lasko Kosher Cruises is now taking reservations for all of its 2009 cruises. Lasko Kosher Cruises, an affiliate of Lasko Family Kosher Tours, the largest kosher tour operator in the world, is based in South Florida. The company partners exclusively with top-tier cruise lines such as Celebrity Cruises and Costa Cruises, and embarks from different ports of call around the world. Lasko Kosher Cruises uses independent kosher supervision through Rabbi Levi Teitlebaum, director of the Ottowa Vaad HaKashrus (OVH), and Rabbi Yossi Birnbaum, the Israeli Field Representative of DSJ Global Kashrus Organization. For more detailed itinerary information or to reserve a cabin now, call 866.604.9838 or visit www.koshercruises.com.

The climate in Egypt is for the most part, hot and dry. This applies to most of Egypt for the majority of the year, with the exception being the winter months of December, January and February, when in the North it can get cooler. Average temperatures range from 20-25 degrees Celsius on the Mediterranean coast to 28-30 degrees Celsius in Aswan in the south. Maximum temperatures can be fiercely hot during the high summer months of May, June, July, August and September, exceeding 38 degrees Celsius daily with extremes of up to 50 degrees Celsius at times. In the winter at nighttime, temperatures can plummet to below 10 degrees Celsius along.

2)   Attractions :

Egypt is not the place where the pyramid is located.

Actually within the country there are approximately 97 pyramids, among them is the  The last surviving member of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the world’s oldest tourist attractions and the reason most people visit Egypt today, just nearby there are two other huge pyramids , pyramid of Chephren and pyramid of Mekernus , both pyramids were built by kings of the same royal family of 4th Dynasty. Not far from the great pyramid is located Sphinx with human face and body of lion , symbol of strength in ancient Egypt.

Going to the south of the country (around 700 kilometer) , to Luxor city which hold 80% of all Egyptian treasures such as valley of the kings, valley of queens, hatchepust temple, on west bank of the city, while in the east bank there are Karnak temples which is the greatest temple of the world dedicated to the god Amon Raa (the father god).

Abu Simbel is perhaps the most recognized monument of ancient Egypt. The two temples built for the pharaoh Ramesses II have been attracting visitors since Victorian times. Almost as impressive as the monument itself is the story of its restoration in the 1960’s. The temples had to be dismantled and physically moved 60 meters up a cliff where they were reassembled in the exact same relation to each other and the sun.

3)   Safety:

Egypt is reliant on terrorism after suffering several attacks in the past. They have increased security and security measures especially after the war that is going on in Israel and Lebanon.
Tourist police are all over tourist sites ready to protect them. Egypt has even gone a milestone in increasing secret police that act like tourists and are surrounded all over especially around embassies.
Most Egyptians make a living from tourists; therefore many of them remain friendly and will always give all they have to ensure that they are safe from any attack in the Middle East.

4)   Health and Food :

Thousands of years ago, ancient Egyptians left evidence of their love for food. Well-preserved wall paintings and carvings have been discovered on tombs and temples, depicting large feasts and a variety of foods. Many of these ancient foods are still eaten in Egyptian households today. Peas, beans, cucumbers, dates, figs, and grapes were popular fruits and vegetables in ancient times. Wheat and barley, ancient staple crops, were used to make bread and beer.

5)   Accommodations:

Egypt is blessed with some wonderful historic hotels rich in charm and character. Whilst many are graded five star, they do not always measure up to international standards of service and are slightly faded around the edges: as long as you are prepared for this it is often a key part of their charm. Other hotels tend to be international chain hotels that are very comfortable and have higher levels of service, but offer less in the way of character. Many hotels in Egypt are set near the Nile or the sea, and where necessary we would suggest upgrading to rooms that make the most of the views as the supplements are seldom prohibitive.

Nile cruises are the most popular way to visit Egypt’s greatest archaeological treasures around Luxor and Aswan, and include guided excursions throughout their routes.

 www.egyptealacarte.com

Benefiting of consecutive strong and able rulers and depending on the Nile for transportation and irrigation that needed to be maintained, Egypt evolved into the first country in the world with a national and well organized government. As time passed, authority began to weaken in Egypt, foreign rulers took over the country repeatedly for short periods of time over 400 years, then the priest got the power and the Empire declined. 

Persians invaded Egypt for a few years, and Alexander the Great came to fight them. A great diplomat, he showed respect and veneration to the gods of Egypt. When he entered the ancient capital of Memphis in 333 BC, he was hailed as King of Egypt. Deciding to visit the oracle of Amon to consult the seer about his destiny, he stopped in his journey to rest in an old Egyptian village, located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Lake of Mariott. He then decided to build a town here, and it is what we now know as Alexandria. He then left to Asia to fight the Persians, and died in Babylon in 323 BC, without ever seeing the city that bears his name. 

Filled with remnants of those ancient times, Egypt is one of the world’s main tourist attractions. People come from all over to see the only “wonder of the world” that is still standing – the Great Pyramid at Giza, but also the imposing Sphinx, the numerous Temples located all over Egypt, the Museums, and the ancient cities of Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and the legendary Alexandria. If you have never visited Egypt, try to! You don’t know what you are missing, as it is a place that everyone must see at least once in their lives. I have covered all of these locations in detail, with info’s and pictures on my blog at http://tourist-egypt.blogspot.com/2009/05/tourist-egypt-general-info-and-history.html , and I sincerely hope that it will be one more reason to actually set you on your journey to see the wonders and mystery of one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Have a very nice day. 

Neo, editor Tourist Egypt - http://tourist-egypt.blogspot.com/