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Monday, February 23, 2009

Cancun - Vacation Capital of Mexico


Cancun, Vacation Capital of Mexico

Cancun is a coastal city in Mexico's easternmost state, Quintana Roo, on the Yucatán Peninsula. Cancun is located on the Yucatan Channel that separates Mexico from the island of Cuba in the Greater Antilles. Cancun's region is known as the Mexican Caribbean. Of all the holiday resorts in Mexico, the one that draw the biggest tourists is Cancun with its subtropical climate, sunny days, beautiful white sand beaches beside the Caribbean Sea’s turquoise-blue water.

Cancun, Mexico from the air
Photo of Cancun from the air belongs to Carey Akin


Among all the holiday resorts, Cancun located on the Yucatan Peninsula in the Yucatan channel is the best. Cancun deserves being named the vacation capital of Mexico and is worthwhile visiting. Cancun is blessed with beautiful beaches and crystal clear Caribbean sea which is perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving.

parasail in cancun

If you are interested in archaeology there is the Tulum nearby which was an ancient walled city of the Mayans.

Coco Bongo Cancun MexicoCancun is often referred to as the vacation capital of Mexico and nightlife in Cancun is lively. Of all the nightspot, perhaps Coco Bongo is tops. Coco Bongo is the nightclub in Cancun and you can dance to Latin rhythms late into the night there or watch flying acrobats, on-bar conga lines, live bands, even a hanging stage and monstrous video screen. If you prefer pop and electronic music, there are other nightspots like The City, The City Basic, and the Bulldog Café. If live bands is your cup of tea, there are other nightspots like Dady Rock, El Bulldog, or The Hard Rock Café.

Mexicans are talented musicians. Visit Cancun and get serenaded by these talented musicians:

Mexican musicians in Cancun

Perhaps nightclubbing is too mundane, too ordinary for you and you want something very different. Try a cruise in the Caribbean Sea on a replica Spanish galleon where not only you can dance to lively music, you will be served by "pirates" and enjoy a sumptuous meal.

Visitors to Cancun are spoilt for choice for the hotel strip of Cancun is more than 30 kilometers long with all kinds of accommodations on offer. There are about 150 hotels in Cancún with more than 24,000 rooms and 380 restaurants. There are 5 stars hotels like the Riu Palace Las Americas Cancun and the Oasis Cancun Resort which is in the shape of a Mayan pyramid (Photos below):

Oasis Cancun Resort
Riu Palace Las Americas Cancun

For accommodation, look for cheap Cancun hotels. If you prefer to be near the beach, look for beach front in Cancun. For fancier accommodations, go for Hyatt Regency Cancun

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Egyptian Mexican relations and similarities

Egypt first established relations with Mexico in the 1930s. Since then, relations had been cemented via a few significant events:

  • Egypt and Mexico played host to the African-Latin dialogue forums in Cairo and Mexico since early 1980s

  • Mexico took part in the G-15 meeting in Cairo on May 12-13, 1998

  • The two countries have been working with the Middle East and Latin American countries to join the non-proliferation treaty and combat poverty

  • In 1998, the Egyptian-Mexican trade exchange totaled $24.388 million

  • The Egyptian-Mexican Friendship Association, which was established in August 1998

  • The Association for Friends of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, which was established in June 1994 to acquaint the Mexican people with the Egyptian civilizational project

  • The Egyptian-Mexican Association for Egyptology, established in January 1996


In addition, there is a sticking similarity between Egypt and Mexico - those magnificent ancient pyramids that towers over its surrounding:

Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx
Photo of Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx belongs to Paul Mannix


Teotihuacan Pyramids Mexico
Photo of Teotihuacan Pyramids belongs to Laura Rush


Both Egypt and Mexico have warm and beautiful beaches:

Urhada beach Egypt
Photo of Urghada beach belongs to Ricardo Liberato


Egypt is a Muslim country and while there are disco of sorts and perhaps most famous of all - Belly Dancing, if nightlife is what you are after, a better bet would be Mexico for nightlife:

Mexico nightlife in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Photo of nightlife in Mexico belongs to Omar Eduardo



Sunday, September 16, 2007

Sphinx, a lion body with the head of a ram

The Sphinx, photo uploaded to Flickr by mtsn licensed via Creative Commons

The Sphinx is one of the icon of Egypt, and anyone seeing and image of it will immediately associate it with Egypt. In my country, Malaysia, there is a popular and unique shopping mall called Sunway Pyramid built in a disused former mining lake with most of its floors and some parking lots below ground level. Above the ground is a pyramid containing the above the ground floors with shops and the front is graced by a replicate of the Sphinx. Fronting the mall is an al-fresco cafe offering the hookah to the adventurous, a single or multi-stemmed water pipe device for smoking by water-filtration and indirect heat, with many substances, such as herbal fruits and tobacco. The hookah, although originating from India, is now more associated with Middle East countries such as Egypt.

The Sphinx is actually more related to Greek mythology than Egypt, but in Egypt, serves as mythical creatures serving as guardians for Egyptian statuaries. The largest and most famous is the Great Sphinx of Giza with a face believed to be associated with the head of the pharaoh Khafra.

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Arab Republic of Egypt

Egypt is one of the countries of the Middle East and has a history stretching far back into the past and one of the most populous countries in Africa, with a population of over 80 million. The majority of the population lives along the famous and historical Nile River which has the only arable agricultural land. The rest of the country is desert and sparsely populated. It shares border Libya, Sudan, the Gaza Strip and Israel, the Mediterranean Sea and the eastern coast of the Red Sea. Its capital city, the largest city, is Cairo.

The Great Pyramid and Sphinx, Egypt
Sphinx and the Great Pyramid uploaded to Flickr by unbathed under Creative Commons


It boast of an ancient civilization and and has one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Pyramid. It has many othere pyramids and the famous Great Sphinx. Luxor, often referred to as the world's greatest open museum, has many historical ancient sites like the Karnak Temple, the Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings and many others. It is a major tourist attraction of Egypt.

The Suez Canal, a large artificial canal connects Suez, a seaport on the coast of the Red Sea, to Port Said on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It allows ships to pass between Europe and Asia without having to go around Africa. The Suez Canal do not have locks as the land through which it passes is flat.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Cruise The Nile Of Cleopatra

Cruise The Nile Of Cleopatra

By Colin Hartness<

For centuries, the Nile River has been at the center of life in Egypt. The ancient Egyptian civilization relied on the flooding of the Nile to create fertile land for farming in an otherwise desert landscape. Excavations along the Nile have unearthed vast quantities of archeological remnants from ancient times and a leisurely cruise along the Nile takes you through this ancient populated area that is so steeped in history. And remember, you are following a royal route; the pharaohs and Queen Cleopatra cruised the Nile!

A cruise along Nile is an excellent way of visiting scattered archeological sights in a country with less than spectacular roads and airline service. In fact, some quality travel agents recommend cruising as the preferred method of transportation in Egypt. The best time of year to enjoy a Nile cruise is winter, from December to February, due to the hot desert climate.

Think of the romance of a leisurely cruise through such an ancient and historic land. The banks of the Nile are lined with ancient monuments and unusual sites, like banana plantations. Excursions to other famous locations, such as the Karnak Temple and the tomb of Nefertiti in the town of Luxor, are available on most cruises. Other towns that can be touring stops are Aswan, Esna, Kom Ombo and Edfu. Knowledgeable local guides are available and are recommended to explain the finer points of each site.

A Nile cruise can be quite economical. For a three-star ship the cost can be as little as $70 per person per night while a deluxe cruise can cost a mere $130 per person per night, double occupancy. The length of the cruise can vary from 3, 4 or 7 nights. Rooms are well-appointed and meals are included. Of course, deluxe and luxury cruise boats also provide a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, bar and recreation facilities, and gift shops. Air-conditioning is a must for the American tourist who is unaccustomed to the possible one hundred degree heat. And remember, since you are cruising on a river than the ocean, the river cruise ship will be much smaller, with anywhere from 100 to 500 passengers.

Generally, meals on a Nile cruise are served at a specific time, with all passengers being served at a single seating. Expect a full range of cuisine from local to international. Some meals, such as lunch and dinner, may be served buffet style. And, of course, luxury cruise companies employ world-class chefs to pamper the palette.

A cruise is an excellent way for the American tourist to visit a unique and different culture since all services are provided. For example, there is no worry about where and what to eat. Also the cruise company arranges all the tours to the major ancient attractions and provides reputable guides who know Egyptian customs. Thus, you do not need local currency for admissions as these have been paid in advance. By taking a cruise, you are buying a measure of safety in a foreign land, provided that you select a reputable cruise company with a good reputation.

Egypt is an ancient land with fascinating monuments and temples that are adorned with mysterious hieroglyphics. What better way to immerse yourself into this unique culture than to experience it by cruising the Nile like the royal pharaohs.

About the Author: Looking for information about cruises?
Go to: http://www.whatcruises.com 'What Cruises' is published by Colin Hartness - An excellent resource for Cruises!
Check out more cruise articles at: http://www.whatcruises.com/archive

Source: www.isnare.com

Saturday, September 8, 2007

The Nile Cruise - In the Footsteps of the Pharaohs

The Nile Cruise - In the Footsteps of the Pharaohs
by: Andrew Muigai

Egypt is where history first emerged. It is here that we have the first pictographic record of events and persons. Hieroglyphics, the system of writing used by ancient Egyptians can be traced back to about 3200 BC. At about 3180 BC, the nations of Upper and Lower Egypt were brought under the rule of a single king titled Pharaoh. The first Pharaoh is thought to have been Menes, who set his capital at Memphis, 22 km south of Giza in today's Cairo. The Pharaohs established the systems that brought forth the highly successful Egyptian civilization.

The history of Ancient Egypt lasted for about 3,000 years. Ancient Egypt declined, was overrun and thereafter ruled by foreign powers. The Greeks and Romans who ruled after the decline were aware of the great similarity between their own gods and those of the Egyptians. They not only tolerated Egyptian religion, but also expanded existing temples and dedicated new ones to existing cults. Some of the new overlords, Alexander the Great for example, styled themselves as divine priest-kings in imitation of the Pharaohs.

Emperor Theodosius, who reigned after Christianity became the state religion in Rome, extinguished the last remnants of the living culture. The Egyptians worshipped hundreds of gods - a great offense against the monotheistic religions; whose first article of faith is that there is only one God. Theodosius decreed in AD 391that all pagan temples in the Roman Empire be closed. The Arabs, who brought Islam to Egypt in 640 AD, also had no time for deities such as Anubis the jackal, Horus the falcon god or even Amon the king of the gods.

Ancient Egypt was dead for one thousand five hundred years, until the French came across the Rosetta Stone in the nineteenth century invasion of Egypt by Napoleon. This priceless discovery was inscribed in both Greek and Egyptian, and it was the key that allowed the deciphering of Hieroglyphics by Jean-Francois Champollion in 1822. The voluminous literature produced by Ancient Egyptians was now accessible to curious scholars. This rekindled great interest in Ancient Egypt in the West that remains undiminished to this day.

Religion is the common theme running through the attractions of ancient Egypt. The diversity of gods found worthy of worship is astounding. There were over 2,000 of them of either sex and they supposedly manifested themselves to earthlings as animals. There were overlaps and the same gods could be known with different names in various parts of the country. There was hardly any part of the life experience that was not assigned a deity- digestion, mummification, sexuality, feasting, childbirth, writing - you name it. Some gods came and went out of fashion, but those connected with basic aspects of life were enduring. Such deities had cults and temples dedicated to them.

The afterlife was taken very seriously, and a lot of the monuments relate to preparation for that glorious time. Mortuary and burial preparation was so elaborate as to ensure a painless and enjoyable afterlife. The custom of mummification, for example, was seen as necessary for the soul needed a physical body to occupy in the other world. There was however great inequality in preparation for eternal life. The Pharaohs and other royals, nobles and key officials were mummified and accompanied by grave goods and great treasure. The common folk who could not afford the full treatment had to do with statuettes of mummies.

The main draw to Egypt is the legacy of the Pharaohs and the Greeks and Romans who ruled after them. Basically this legacy is associated with temples, tombs and burial places. People in Egypt from the earliest times to present have always lived along the River Nile and this is where you find the richest harvest of ancient monuments. As many travelers will testify, the best way to experience classical Egypt is by taking a Nile cruise. The cruise is a very pleasant and relaxing way to get close to the attractions of antiquity, most of which are not far off from the banks of the river. You also get a glimpse of rural Egypt where many eke out a living just as their forbearers did thousands of years ago.

The typical Nile cruiser is really a floating hotel. Amenities on board will include lounges, restaurants, bars, swimming pool, discotheque and shops. The rooms are rather smaller than those of a land based hotels but will have air conditioning, TV and enough room for twin beds, private shower, nightstand and dresser. The quality of cruisers varies and they are graded with stars just like hotels. Top end cruisers have spacious suites and amenities almost equal to those of ocean cruisers. Generally, the quality and romance of Nile cruisers surpasses other riverboats anywhere else in the world.

Nile cruises normally take three, four or seven nights. You will be able to see the most important and interesting monuments on the shorter and more popular cruises that ply between Luxor and Aswan. The longer sail takes you up to Dendera. The boats sail both downstream and upstream and on the shorter cruises, you can embark at either Aswan or Luxor. The more adventurous travelers or those on a tight budget avoid the luxury cruisers in favour of fellucas- the traditional Nile sailboats. Though amenities onboard fellucas are very basic, those who can survive them, visit all the attractions along the Nile at a fraction of the cost of the cruisers.

At Aswan, the Nile is deep, calm and is at its most glorious. It is a good place to embark on your Nile cruise. Aswan was for long Egypt's southern frontier city and its gateway to Africa. This was the region known as Upper Egypt, being upstream of the Nile. After Aswan, the Nile passes through a section of hard rock, resulting in rapids or cataracts. Thus by nature did Aswan attain its strategic position and it has served as a garrison town for those who have ruled Egypt over the centuries. And for this reason, there are monuments here associated with the Pharaohs, Greeks, Romans, Christian Copts and Islam.

At Aswan, make sure to visit the Philae Temple. Ptolemy II started the temple when the Greeks ruled, and the Romans completed it. It was dedicated to the goddess Isis, an important figure in Egyptian mythology that was worshipped across the Roman Empire. Even after Emperor Theodosius ordered all pagan temples to cease operations, Isis was still being glorified at Philae, until about AD 550 when Emperor Justinian finally shut down the temple. The early Christians converted the temple's hypostyle hall into a chapel. For good measure, they defaced some of the pagan reliefs adorning its walls.

The temple forms an excellent backdrop for the nightly sound-and-light show. The temple was nearly lost after the Aswan High Dam was commissioned in the 1960's. It took UNESCO and the Egyptian government ten years to move it, one stone at a time, to higher ground on Agilka Island. Most people also visit Elephantine Island, which has temples and a museum. The Island has been inhabited since about 3000 BC and was an important trading and cultural centre.

Aswan is home of the Nubians, a dark skinned people, related to the people of the north of the Sudan. You can see some Nubian villages at Elephantine Island. The Nubian museum celebrates Nubian culture right from prehistoric times. Aswan was once an important centre for Christian Copts. You can see the ruins of the once majestic Monastery of St Simeon, which was destroyed by the conqueror Saladin (Salah ad-Din) in 1173 AD.

Aswan was the source of the granite stone that the Pharaohs favoured for building temples and other monuments. The Northern Quarries are the site of the giant Unfinished Obelisk. Had the obelisk been successfully completed, it would be the single heaviest piece of monolithic stonework -reaching about 42 m and weiging over 1168 tonnes. It must have broken the hearts of the builders, who supposedly abandoned it, after coming across defects in the rock formation.

The next stop on the cruise is Kom Ombo, 48 km to the north of Aswan. The main attraction here is the Graeco-Roman temple. Work on the temple was started by Ptolemy VII in early second century BC and continued by some of his successors. The Romans Emperor Augustus built part of the temple at around 30 BC. The Temple of Kom Ombo actually consists of two separate temples, each with its own entrance, colonnades, hypostyle hall and sanctuary. The southern temple is dedicated to Sobek -the crocodile god, while the northern one honours Horus -the falcon god.

Though the two gods shared the same grounds, in mythology, Sobek was associated with the god Seth, an enemy of Horus. At Kom Ombo, the gods took the liberty to bring along family - Sobek sneaked in his consort Hathor and son Khonsu, while Horus had his wife Tesentnefert and son, Panebtawy. If you have not seen mummies before, be sure to see the mummified crocodiles in the Sobek part of the temple.

At Edfu, you disembark to see the Temple of Horus. Edfu was the cult centre of Horus the falcon god. It is perhaps the best preserved of ancient temples of Egypt. The temple standing today was started by Ptolemy III at about 237 BC on the site of an earlier Pharaonic structure. Work continued under some of the Ptolemies that followed. Appropriately, the entrance adorned by two majestic granite falcons. The walls bear reliefs depicting Horus. One scene would please any tyrant -it shows Ptolemy XII dealing mercilessly with his enemies.

You next stop and highlight of the cruise is Luxor. The range, magnificence and diversity of the monuments in the Luxor area is unsurpassed in all of Egypt. Known to the Greeks as Thebes, Luxor became the capital of Egypt at around 2040 BC. The city survived the sacking by the Assyrians in the 7th century BC, but steadily declined, and was finally destroyed by the Romans in the first century BC. Among the celebrated monuments dating from Luxor's heydays are the necropolis complexes at the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens and Tombs of the Nobles. You will also come across some outstanding temples scattered in the region.

The Egyptians buried their dead in the direction of the setting sun and the west bank at Luxor was the final resting place of royalty and high officials. The Valley of Kings is where the rulers of the period historians refer to as the New Kingdom period (BC 1550-1070) awaited the afterlife. The Pharaoh normally picked the spot for his tomb and had it built in his lifetime. Tomb building for royalty and high officials was very serious business and it supported a battery of architects and craftsmen, who had a settlement in the valley. The valley contains over 60 tombs that have so far been excavated.

The tombs have suffered in recent years due to increased number of visitors, pollution and the rising ground water that has come with the Aswan High Dam. For this reason, not all of them are open to the public at any one time. Unless you are a scholar, visiting three or four tombs should be sufficient. Among the best tombs are those of Ramses I, Tuthmosis III and Ramses VI. Tutankhamun's is today the most famous - though he is not considered a significant Pharaoh and he died at only nineteen.

Treasure hunters had over the years looted most tombs in the valley. But Howard Carter, the British archeologist, discovered Tutankhamun's tomb almost intact in 1922. The treasure that was found here is truly amazing- statues, chests, chariots, beds, weapons, and many items he needed for the afterlife. The main item today at Tutankhamun's tomb is his mummy. About 1700 items recovered at the tomb are now at display at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The most outstanding of the collection is the 11 kg solid gold death mask. Imagine then, what the looters carried off from the bigger tombs of the more illustrious Pharaohs!

On the other side of the Valley of Kings is the Temple of Deir el-Bahri, built by Queen Hatshepsut. Hatseput. The temple is very impressive from a distance and is a great place to take photos. The name Valley of the Queens is misleading, as both male and female royals and some high officials were interred here. About 80 tombs have been identified, of which the most famous is that of Queen Nefertari. Take more photos at the Colossi of Memnon -two huge statues that are the sole legacy of the temple of Amenhotep III.

Amenhotep III also built the Temple of Luxor on the east bank. The temple was dedicated to the god Amon, though inside you also find a shrine dedicated to Alexander the Great. The temple's entrance is lined with Sphinxes, and inside you find colonnades, courts, obelisks and wall murals. The mosque of Shaykh Yusuf Abu al-Hajjaj was built on top of part of the temple. You can also visit the Luxor Museum, which has interesting exhibits from the area.

The incredibly impressive Temple of Karnak is a huge complex that was dedicated to the god Amon. In the New Kingdom period, this was the most important temple is Egypt. It is probably the largest religious building ever and it can carry no less than 10 average Christian cathedrals. Some of the interesting structures within the complex are the gigantic hypostyle hall, the Kiosk of Tarhaka, statue of Ramses II, temple of Ramses III and the sacred lake.

The best time to take a Nile cruise is over the cooler months of November - March. These are also the peak months and to avoid crowds, always start out early each day. October, at the end the hot season is tolerable, especially when you factor in that it falls with off-season period: it is cheaper ad less crowded. When visiting the monuments, you are advised to hire a guide who will explain the historical context at each site. If you are on a Nile Cruise package, the services of a guide will usually be included.

You do a lot of walking, and you need to bring along suitable shoes. Other items you ware encouraged to pack are: sunglasses and sun screen lotion. Remember also to carry bottled water and photographic film, which you can buy at the cruiser or at a bazaar. Light clothing is generally recommended though you may need a sweater and jacket for winter evenings.

About The Author

Andrew Muigai is editor of AfricaPoint Insider online newsletter. It is part of Africapoint.com - the Africa travel website that has helped thousands of travelers discover Africa.

You can view more info on Egypt tours at the website. Egypt Tour

Friday, September 7, 2007

Why Egypt Is For You

Why Egypt Is For You

By J Schipper

Most people who consider visiting Egypt think of antiquities museums and the pyramids, but Egypt offers much more. It also hosts Holy Land tours which visit Pharaonic, Islamic and Christian historical sites and religious monuments. Egypt also has a variety of nature tours, and luxurious beach resorts for those who want to relax on the coast of the Red Sea. Take in the modern culture of Cairo, or cruise down the Nile.

A visa is required in order to visit Egypt. These cost $15 US per person and can be obtained from the Egyptian Embassy or Consulate nearest you. It is also possible for most tourists and visitors to obtain an entry visa upon arriving in Egypt at any of the major Ports of Entry.

Egypt has a hot, dry climate and tourists are advised to bring hats, sunscreen, sunglasses and good walking shoes, preferably breathable ones such as ventilated sneakers. Those who plan to tour tombs and monuments should bring high-speed film as many historical sites do not allow flash photography. Also remember to take along a power adapter as well as a wall plug converter, as Egypt uses 220 volt power and plugs are two prong rounded.

Most Egyptians are Muslim, with a minority of Coptic Christians. Due to conservative local dress codes, especially in churches and mosques, women and men are both advised to bring some long-sleeved shirts and long pants. In addition, women will encounter much more social acceptance when touring old churches and mosques if they are wearing some sort of head covering. Scarves or other apparel which covers shoulders and arms is not only important for visiting religious sites, but also serves as sun protection during treks. Be sure to remember to drink plenty of water in the desert heat. The most practical garments are loose and layered, so they can be added in the cool evenings and removed during the furnace-like heat of the day.

The classic tour of Egypt is mostly Pharaonic, which means that it visits historical sites of Ancient Egypt. This will also often include some religious and Islamic sightseeing. The most commonly offered tour is usually 10 to 14 days long, and generally includes Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, and sometimes a Nile cruise. Usually these tours begin in Cairo, since this the major airport where most tourists enter.

For instance, such a tour might cover the Giza Pyramids (Great Pyramid), as well as Saqqara (Step Pyramid) and even the Egyptian Antiquities museum on the first day of the tour. Then, after traveling to Luxor and Aswan, the tour will return to Cairo and visit the Citadel and Khan el-Khalili market in Islamic Cairo and the churches and Coptic museum in Old Cairo.

A trip to Luxor is often arranged as either a one or two day tour. In the morning (to avoid the midday heat), or one day of a two-day stay, the tour visits the West Bank to see the many tombs and monuments. Then, the afternoon or the subsequent day will be reserved for the Luxor and Karnak temples on the East bank, and also the excellent Luxor museum. Other activities might include a visit to the local bazaar.

Usually a day is spent in Aswan in the south of Egypt. Visitors will be shown such sites as Elephantine Island, St. Simeon's Monastery, the unfinished Obelisk, the Nubian Museum, the High Dam, Philae Island, and the Temples at Abu Simbel.

There are four different types of Religious Tours. Muslim tourists will be interested in an in-depth tour of Islamic sites. Holy Family and Exodus tours follow the route of these biblical journeys. Unstructured religious tours will cover a spectrum of religious sites including those on both the Holy Family and Exodus tours. Many such religious tours include visits to important Pharaonic sites such as the Pyramids and the Egyptian Antiquity museum.

Consider a Nile cruise for both an educational and relaxing holiday. It is a great time saver to unpack just once and have your hotel travel with you, rather then the hectic routine that accompanies the stop and go itineraries of air and land tours. Nile cruises visit a wide variety of antiquities located along the banks of the river, which was once the main thoroughfare through Egypt. In addition, they give tourists a perspective of rural Egypt, whose people have much the same lifestyle they did thousands of years ago, living in simple mudbrick homes, cultivating their fields with wooden plows and moving produce to market on the backs of donkeys. Enjoy sitting on the shaded deck of your floating hotel, sipping an iced beverage while watching five thousand years of culture slowly pass before you.

Adventure and specialty tours include desert treks, golfing, or fishing in Lake Nasser, which holds some of the largest fresh water fish in the world. Egypt's Red Sea has world-class scuba diving, including pristine reefs and many shipwrecks. Bird watching is becoming more popular in Egypt, as the country is on the migratory path of many species of birds. Most commonly, nature treks occur in the Sinai, and specifically in the mountainous region of middle southern Sinai. Such treks in the Sinai mountains are as much spiritually oriented as nature oriented.

Many visitors, especially Europeans, come to Egypt for an affordable sand and sea holiday. Often beach vacations include some classical or religious sightseeing.

Whatever your interests and your reasons for visiting Egypt, you are guaranteed to have an unforgettable holiday.

About the Author: J Schipper loves to travel
Travel to Costa Rica
Travel in China
Condo Cruise Ship

Source: www.isnare.com