Light of Alexandria

Jonathan Wallace asked:


Egypt’s popularity as a holiday destinations has steadily increased over the past few years. Even with a tough economical climate, people still feel the need to get away for a couple of weeks a year. Travellers are becoming more conscientious about how they spend their money, so they are looking for a lot more from the countries they visit. Egypt is so desirable because it has a lot to offer all kinds of travellers, including short flight times from Europe, stunning beach resorts and world class diving, an incredible array of historical temples, tombs and monuments and relaxing cruises down the legendary River Nile.

This diverse country has so much to see, so a great way to experience some of the highlights on offer, but still have time to relax, is a cruise down the Nile on one of the many luxury boats. There are a large number of boats available for your cruising pleasure, from five star cruisers that are like floating hotels with swimming pools, Jacuzzis, restaurants and nightclubs, to more conventional sailing vessels. For shorter trips, travellers can hop onto a felucca, one of the traditional wooden sailing boats used in protected waters of the Red Sea.

The Nile is the longest river in the world and nearly all of the cultural and historical sites are on its banks. Seven night cruises will take you to see many of the most important and spectacular sights along this incredible river. A typical trip will start in Luxor, an important historical city, and the East Bank has many temples, museums and bazaars to keep you entertained. Typically, your first night on your boat will be spent onboard where you can relax and enjoy all the facilities on offer.

Day two begins with a crossing to the West Bank of Luxor and a visit to the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens and the Colossi of Memnon, amongst other historical treasures. Here is where you can visit Tutankhamen’s tomb where you can see the famous 19-year-old pharaoh’s linen wrapped body in a climate controlled glass case.

After your tour of some of Egypt’s most famous historical sites you will spend the rest of the evening onboard and the boat will make its way overnight to Edfu. Passing through the lock at Esna, you should be docked at Edfu by the time you wake up on day three. Today is the start of a ten hour trip to Aswan, so the morning can be spent in at the local market or the second largest temple in Egypt – the Temple of Edfu.

Day four is the first of two days in Aswan where there are many sights to see, including the High Dam and the stone quarries that were used to furnish many of the colossal statues, obelisks and pyramids of ancient Egypt. Trips can also be arranged to the Temple of Abu Simbel, an archaeological site comprising two massive rock temples.

Day six is spent taking a leisurely sail back to Luxor, where you will arrive and dock in the evening. Day seven gives you more time in this historical city. After your last night on board it’s time to depart from Luxor back home, spend a bit of time on the beach at one of the many luxury beach resorts like Sharm el Sheikh, or continue your historical tour around this incredible country.

Just be aware before you book that although Nile cruises usually operate all year round, the lock at Esna will close for the entire month of June and for two weeks at the beginning of December each year. It’s best to avoid travelling during these dates as it will cause quite a bit of disruption to your journey.



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Peter R Stewart asked:


An Egyptian vacation brings up images of the River Nile, the Valley of the Kings, and the thronging buzzing crowds, the heat, and the dust. The challenge is that with so many hotels to choose from, where do you stay.

This difficult choice has been settled once and for all since the Al Moudira rose out of the desert about five years ago, and has rapidly developed such a great reputation that it is now the place to stay when you pass through Luxor. It is a real luxury boutique hotel, without any equal in the whole of Egypt.

You should forget about the modern palaces you may have experienced before in Egypt, because at the Al Moudira you are going to feel you have taken a step back in time. The Al Moudira is like a cross between an old Beiruit Palace, and a Turkish Harem.

Al Moudira is situated on the West Bank of the River Nile, and is an all suite property, with 54 suites within this quite unique property. The suites are each of them unique, with the styles of French Moroccan or Egyptian.

Here we have courtyards with cooling splashing fountains, gardens smelling of the perfume of jasmine, it really gives the impression of having stood on this spot for centuries. In fact the design has used bits and pieces saved from old Egyptian buildings, and it is full of artifacts from souks, antique shops, and bazaars. There are old pictures, handicrafts, and the effect is totally to make you believe you have stepped back into the Arabian Nights

The bedrooms are delightfully old fashioned with huge four poster beds and arched ceilings, and when you look out at nights there seem to be candles everywhere creating a fantastically romantic atmosphere. Every bathroom is a personal Hamman

Even journeying to the Al Moudira is like going back in time as pass old fashioned villages, donkey drawn carts, and life appearing much as it must have been centuries ago.

The key thing here is the coolness, and the peace and tranquility after a days sightseeing. It’s almost like you can’t wait to get back to wash of the dust, and bathe in the beautiful swimming pool surrounded by jasmine and bougainvillea, or just unwind in the hamman and the Turkish Bath.

You will be overwhelmed by faultless service, and not forgetting the stunning cuisine. It is great at both the pool outside area café, and the main dining area, where the service is exceptionally good, and the dinner menu changes every night.

The food ranks as possibly the best in Egypt, and this starts with the breakfast which isn’t a buffet, but a mountain fresh fruit, yoghurt, breads, pastries, and cooked for you eggs and omelettes.

If you can be here at Christmas then they even do a nativity scene with real donkeys and goats and the three wise men arrive on camels. For children and adults alike this is a heart stopping experience.

An outstanding feature of the hotel is the help you get with your site seeing requirements and they had fixed rates for local taxis to the sites and the town, which saves a great deal of hassle.

The Al Moudira is a unique hotel, and the perfect luxury boutique hotel experience to complement your luxury Egyptian holiday, especially if you want to avoid the bustle of Luxor.

For more information go to http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com/categories/The-Middle-East/



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