Vacationing In The Cradle Of Civilization

Egypt with its history of over five thousand years has had many writers, philosophers and scholars waxing lyrical over it. So much so that there is very little about the land of the pyramids that has remained unsaid. Egypt is a myriad nation, one that has something for every traveler. The Pyramids of Cairo inspire awe, Luxor with its seven thousand year old history inspires curiosity and the dark blue colored Red Sea inspires the snorkeling enthusiast within.

A wonderful way to tour Egypt can be by the seven might Nile river cruise during which you can stop where you want, at the Valley of the Kings and Queens, Aswan High Dam, Island of Philae, the Ancient site of the pharaohs and also the Abu Simbel.

The city of Luxor, with a history of almost 7000 years is also called as one of the living “Ancient Cities” of the world. If you don’t want to go about the Nile on a cruise, you can just hop on to any felucca sailing boat and tour the numerous historical sites in and around Luxor. The city of Luxor is divided into three main areas. The new city of Luxor is located on the East side of the Nile, Karnak is just north of Luxor and the city of Thebes is on the west side of the Nile across Luxor. In fact, if you are living around the Nile cornice, you can just walk to most of these ancient sites.

Cairo is e few hundred kilometers away from Luxor and a return trip from there will cost you a little more than 120 pounds. The sight of the ancient Pyramids of Cairo makes it all well worth the money. The dust and the heat notwithstanding, the Pyramids will transport you three thousand years back. The distinctive fragrance of the air in Egypt is also very dissimilar to any other city that you will ever visit.

Egypt is a fascinating land, not just for its ancient culture but also because of its people who have maintained their traditional ways through all these thousands of years. Haggling for one is considered to be a way of life. If you want to go about shopping in Egypt, you must know how to barter. Another distinctive custom is that of tipping. In Egypt, tipping actually makes up nearly 60% of most workers’ wages. So when in Egypt, do remember to tip and barter.

The Red Sea in Egypt has three major resorts – Sharm al Sheikh, which today has turned into one of the most popular holiday destinations the world over, Taba and Taba Heights – one of the original Egyptian sea resorts and Hurghada – a small town that has beautiful bays and beaches to keep holiday makers occupied throughout their trip. Dahab and Nuweiba is another destination to visit for a holiday on the beautiful beaches and sands of the tropics. These resorts are some of the best places for snorkeling, though it is always wise to be careful while diving in the open seas. Marsa Alum also called as Marsalam is the latest addition to the string of resorts that have set shop in the Red Sea.