Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Argentina

Bariloche, Messi, Chorizo, Iguazu, Tango, Tierra de Fuego... what more comes to mind when you hear the word “Argentina?” The largest country in Latin America is made up of a mixture of European descendants mostly from Italy and Spain which is why you might see so many tall, light skinned, blonde-haired people walking around. In some parts of Argentina you may feel you are in European city in the middle of Latin America, but Argentines are full of life, personality and freely express their opinions, this is their true Latin flair.



Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina is a vibrant and modern city that will keep you busy for days. Dance to the sensual sounds of Tango music in San Telmo where you can learn what this passionate art is all about. Wander around in La Boca neighborhood to see the colorfully painted houses and find an authentic Parrilla serving up the juiciest Argentinian steak. Swing by the Estadio de Futbol for a tour through the museum on football, a sport every Argentine lives and dies for.



Argentina is not only famous for its culture, nor does everything in the country revolve around Buenos Aires. Get away from the capital and out to Iguazu Falls for peek down into the Devil’s Throat where the Iguazu River plunges over a 100 meter drop forming over 250 cascades. Immerse yourself in nature in Patagonia leaving no rock unturned by heading as far south as Ushuaia and working your way back up through El Calafate where you can visit the impressive Perito Moreno Glacier. In Bariloche and the lakes district you could spend days on a bike, kayak, skis or on foot discovering breathtaking landscapes with adventure activities galore. Sip fine wine in Mendoza as you watch the sun sink over the horizon in the mountains.


Do not Miss!

Get into the adventure with a magnificent 22-day Patagonian adventure through South Argentina. From Buenos Aires down to Ushuaia, you will admire incredible natural sceneries at the "Tierra del Fuego", "Peninsula de Valdés", "Torres del Paine" and "Perito Moreno Glacier". All along your trip, you will see a great diversity of fauna and flora.

Highlights: View an abundant diversity of plants and wildlife during tours, Marvel at Patagonia’s wide variety of spectacular landscapes, Discover Buenos Aires’ highlights & watch a great Tango show.



Selected Tours
West Argentina Adventure
Ushuaia National Park Immersion
Samba & Tango Air-Expedition
Puerto Madryn Penguins and Whales
Buenos Aires to Santiago Adventure
Iguazu Experience
Iguazu Falls Adventure
North Argentina Adventure
Patagonia Argentina Air Expedition
Buenos Aires Tango Capital

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Egypt: The Kingdom of Kingdoms (part 2)

Alexandria City
The 2nd biggest city in Egypt and the first port as well older than Cairo with 1000 years built by Alexander the great in 332 B.C. Alexandria is so special because of its Greek-roman monuments like the catacombs, pompies pillar, and the roman amphitheater. Alexandria was housing the 2nd World seven wonder which was the light house which was demolished completely during the medival ages and now the fort of Qaytbay was built in the same place in the 14th century A.D. even they used some of the old light house stones. Alexandria has also some modern attractions like montazah palace built in 1930s and modern Alexandria bibliotheca which was built at the end of the 20th century A.D. reviving the idea of the ancient bibliotheca which was burnt down in 49 B.C.


Luxor city
The city of Luxor considered the biggest open air museum in the world because it contains the 3rd world monuments and it was the capital of Egypt for a long time especially during the new kingdom era of ancient Egypt where the pharaohs of Egypt built the valley of the kings to rest themselves in peace and the gigantic Karnak temples and Luxor temples dedicated to the god Amon-Ra the king of gods in ancient Egypt. And at the west side of Luxor locating the funerary temples of those great kings as well as necropolises for the queens and the nobles.



The Luxury Nile Dahabiya yacht History of the Nile Dahabiya
For centuries, writers, adventurous travelers and archaeologists with a thirst for travel exchanged cold Europe for a few months in warm Egypt, indulging themselves with legendary buildings and breathtaking works of art. Although traveling overland was impossible, the Nile was an ideal means of transport by using yachts which called Nile Dahabiya.

Aswan city
Hugely attractive, Aswan is the busy market centre of the region. In fact, its ancient name of Swenet, if translated literally from symbols of the time, means ‘trade’. It can trace its history back to ancient times when it is believed to have been the site of the very first Egyptian community Its people had moved from the desert dunes to the fertile banks of the Nile in search of a supply of water, fish and land on which to grow produce. They would then trade their goods and so its reputation as a trading centre developed. Aswan also famous for its ancient temples especially Philae temple where was the last place which was using the Heiroglyphs until 535 A.D. when temple was closed by orders of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian and the two Abu simble temples which built by the king Ramses II for him and his favorite wife queen Nefertari. Both temples were relocated during the 1960s by the unisco to save them from lake Nasser water before drowning them . Both temples are hewn in the bedrock of the mountains proofing the intelligence of the ancient Egyptians in architecture.



Nile Felucca
What is the Nile Felucca? Feluccas are simple, traditional Egyptian sailboats, that have plied the mighty Nile since ancient times. Our feluccas are proudly owned and crewed by friendly local sailors and they have been adapted to comfortably carry our travelers.



The Red Sea and Sinai
Revel under the sun in the Red Sea Riviera and enjoy some of the best seaside and family activities in eastern Egypt. Located near the Eastern Desert and south of the Sinai, the Red Sea Riviera is a long coastal area full of beautiful beaches that lead to the Red Sea. Here you'll be able to swim among dolphins, dugongs and an overwhelming number of flora and fauna. The year-round sunshine on the Egyptian Red Sea makes it a perfect diving destination at any time of the year. Even in the first 3 months of the year, when water temperatures range from 21 to 22 degrees, you can still swim, snorkel or dive in the crystal blue waters. You can take to a touristic hot spot destination and stay in any of the year round international hotels at Sharm El Sheikh. In the pleasant climate of Hurghada, you can go underwater fishing, snorkeling, camping, and visit the world’s largest aqua-culture museum. Dive into a giant aquarium to see a multi colored world built by an army of builders - the corals. In the Red Sea Riviera your options are endless.

Sharm El Sheikh city
With sunshine and warm waters all year round, Sharm El Sheikh is the closest destination to Europe where you can soak up sun, dive amazing corals reefs, and enjoy the sea any time you need a break from routine. The climate is lovely and dry all year long with temperatures ranging between 20° and 25° C in the winter months, whereas in summer the temperatures go up a little reaching highs of 30 to 35° C. Sharm El Sheikh boasts the widest array of fun, exciting and even crazy water and extreme sports: besides diving, snorkeling, sailing, wind and kite-surfing, you can even try sky diving or parachuting from a helicopter on your next holiday in Sharm El Sheikh. Moreover, from Sharm El Sheikh, you can easily book trips and safaris into the nearby Sinai desert and discover the amazing St Catherine Monastery, or the majestic Sinai Mountains. You can also head to Sharm for a wellness and pampering holiday; the town is home to Egypt’s most famous and professional Spas in Egypt. Add to that endless nights spent at local bars, nightclubs and beaches dancing the night away or the magic of an existing safari into the mountainous Sinai desert landscape and you’ll know why Sharm is ranked among the best vacation destinations in the world. Sharm El Sheikh has it all to make your holiday an unforgettable experience. Sharm El Sheikh is located on the Gulf of Aqaba, about 300 km from Suez and 19 km from Ras Mohammed National Park. Inside Sharm, Naama Bay is where the action is to be found whereas the Old Town is where you should head for your daily shopping and souvenirs. If you’re in the market for some serenity Hadaba (near Ras Um Sid) would be your choice, here you’ll find calm hotels and resorts.



Hurghada city
Panning over 40 km of pristine coastline, Hurghada City has year-round sunshine, incredibly beautiful coral reefs and dozens of exciting attractions in a laid back, relaxed atmosphere. Even though it's known as a top-three diving destination on the planet, it still has something for everyone, even the non-divers: beach fun, extreme water sports, clubbing and golfing are only some of the options you’ll have to choose from. You can also enjoy an amazingly relaxing holiday by booking a treatment or two at one of Hurghada's best Spas. Hurghada is a luxury resort town divided by Sigala, El-Dahar and El-Memsha. Sigala is where you’ll find many seaside resorts, mid-range hotels and plenty of restaurants. South of Sigala, you’ll find luxury resorts. El-Dahar is the older charming part of town with its bountiful bazaar. El Memsha, which means the village road, is the modern part of the city. There are numerous luxury locations nearby, visit Soma Bay, Makadi Bay, and Sahl el Hashish. Considered the capital of the Red Sea Riviera, Hurghada is south of Suez and 550 km from Cairo. You can reach Hurghada by ferry from Sharm-el-Sheikh, the road from Luxor and by the Hurghada International Airport. The temperature is lovely all year round, with Hurghada’s dry desert climate you should expect large differences in the temperature between night and day, days are hot, while nights can get pretty cold especially during winter months.




Dahab city 
Of all the Red Sea destinations, Dahab is probably the most appealing for those who want to soak up some sun in pristine beaches, relax in laid back atmosphere and try local restaurants. There are also plenty of cozy local stores to go shopping The beaches are public and the coral reefs are a few flipper strokes away from the shore. From the coast of Dahab, you can see the incredible spectacle of Sinai mountains dropping right into the sea. It is located 90 km away from Sharm El Sheikh and 87 km away from Nuweiba. Dahab, meaning "gold" in Arabic, was originally a Bedouin fishing village. Today, it is a world-renowned windsurfing destination because of the reliable winds that provide outstanding surfing conditions, especially in the Lagoon area. Dahab is also a great starting point for a Sinai desert safari. Coastal reefs and the flourishing underwater fauna make scuba diving and snorkelling also extremely popular in the area. The Blue Hole, the Canyon and Fish Bowl, the Caves and the Lighthouse Reef are only a few of Dahab's world-famous diving sites. You can find low cost housing 3, 4 and 5 star accommodations, and camping sites in the desert surrounding Dahab. Dahab’s Climate makes visiting any time of the year pleasant, temperatures range between 20 and 30°C and the water temperature averages 27°C in summer and 21°C in winter.

Siwa oasis
After a long drive through the barren landscape of the Western Desert, you won’t believe your eyes when you reach Siwa for the first time. See an island full of mineral springs, salt lakes and endless Olive and Palm groves. For a cultural tour in Shali, the oasis' main town, check out the strange ruins of the Shali Fortress which dominate the town center and walk along sandy paths to find the Temple of the Oracle, once visited by Alexander the Great himself to consult the Oracle of Siwa. Finish your day by taking a dip at Cleopatra's Pool, where the legendary queen herself is believed to have once swum. Don’t forget to buy some Siwan Crafts on your way, and spare an hour or two for a visit to the charming Siwa House Museum. Adventurous travelers will also get their fix of fun and excitement by heading for a safari into the great sand sea or trying out quad biking in the Western Desert of Egypt.

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Egypt: The Kingdom of Kingdoms (part 1)



The Legend
In the beginning there was the sun and the sun gazed upon a land and chose it from among the others and the land grew and became an Empire and destined to be the cradle of civilization and known as the mother of the world. There are no words that can describe Egypt better than: The Kingdom of Kingdoms!

It is the land of legends and mystery. Land of the powerful Pharaohs who were considered as Gods in the antiquity and built more than 100 pyramids. According to Herodotus, it is the gift of the river Nile, the guardian of the past.

Egypt is famous for its cultural heritage, considered as an open air museum for all kinds of ancient monuments: Greek-roman, Coptic Christian and Islamic, receiving millions of guests every year from the whole world. Travelers can visit Egypt almost any month of the year due to its nice climate and its friendly people.


The Land of Pyramids
The Pyramids is definitely the most known monument that travelers relate to Egypt. Giza pyramids is the only surviving of the antiquity's 7 wonders, a proof that the Egyptians were among the greatest architects of the ancient world. Once you stand in front of them you will just ask yourself 2 questions: How? and Why? The Sphinx, the greatest and biggest statue in Egypt dates back to 2500 B.C. It was built to guard the royal necropolis of the great kings, built from 1 piece of limestone rock 72 meters in length.

Saqqara Necropolis
It is the oldest known royal necropolis in the world, almost 5000 years old, naming after its patron God (Sokar). There you can see the 1st pyramid in History (the step pyramid), as well as other later pyramid decorated with Hieroglyphic language. It consists of 700 signs and called as (The pyramids texts) the most ancient religious texts in the whole mankind. It meant to guide the kings' spirits in the afterlife. In Saqqara you may also see many tombs dedicated to high officials who served the pharaohs of Egypt with its original vivid colors showing the daily life of ancient Egypt.

The City of Cairo
Welcome to the biggest city in Egypt and in whole Africa. Cairo (Alqahira in Arabic), built in 969 A.D., is inhabited by 22 millions and consists of 37 districts. Life in Cairo Street is another world to live busy streets fancy and middle class buildings street sellers many things encouraging you to explore that magnificent city. So what are you waiting for?
 

Things you shouldn't miss in Cairo:
  • The Egyptian Museum: located in Tahrir Square down town, was built in 1902 housing 120 thousands of master pieces of the Egyptian artifacts, including of the golden collection of the boy king Tutankhamon and some mummies of the great pharaohs of Egypt for more than 3000 years ago and still in a perfect condition.
  • The Citadel: built by Saladin during the 12th century A.D., as the Government residence operating until 1874 A.D., when Ismael Pasha moved the government residence to Abdin palace in down town. The citadel full of mosques ruins of palaces, 2 small museums for Egyptian military and police and the most important landmark, the imperial mosque of Mohamed Ali Pasha, which look like the blue mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, built and fin 1857 A.D.
  • Coptic Cairo: although Egypt is an Islamic country, the Christian heritage is very rich. Christianity spread in Egypt without missionaries and as early as Christianity itself, in the 1st century. Egypt has its orthodox Church called the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. Coptic Christian art is so distinctive reflecting the Egyptian Christian creed and personality.
  • Khan El-Khalili Bazaar: Cairo is cavernous and full of any kind of unusual objects. Souks and bazaars abound in other towns, too. Top buys include: perfume concentrate, carpets and rugs in innumerable hand-loomed designs, backgammon boards, hand-crafted Sheesha water pipes, Pharaohnic objects fashioned in marble and alabaster, Egyptian cotton sheets, clothing and of course - authentic papyrus.
  • Walking in Downtown: the favorite place for people of Cairo where Shops, restaurants, bookshops busy streets, some European architecture still visible on old buildings. Malls, Bars and nightlife are available too.
  • The Egyptian cuisine: Egyptian cuisine is not unlike the cuisine of Turkey, Syria and other Middle Eastern countries. The basic staple centers on pulses - Fuul medames (fava beans) and Ta'amiyya (chickpea patties). These tend to be the centerpiece of a meal that will normally include salads, seasoned vegetables and meats. Houmous and other yogurt based dips, coupled with fresh pitta, Schwarma (similar to a Turkish doner kebab), Kofta (a skewered spiced meat dish) and fiteer (a kind of pizza) are other popular dishes. The lunchtime bargain has to be Kushari, though. A curious mix of noodles, rice, lentils, fried onion and spicy sauce. It is very tasty and exceedingly cheap. Exotic juices freshly squeezed from the fruits of mango, guava and other seasonal varieties are also widely available.

Selected tours from Cairo:
        Cheap flights