Luxury River Cruises in Egypt and the Middle East

The majestic River Nile, considered by many to be the lifeblood of Egypt and the Middle East, offers the ultimate in luxury river cruising. Temples, sacred valleys and amphitheatres abound on a cruise between riverside destinations. Few places on earth continue to captivate from one century to the next.

All luxury river cruises in this region feature Cairo as a top sightseeing destination. Cairo is the capital and largest city of Egypt and aptly translates to "the triumphant."

Cairo is located on the banks and islands of the Nile River in the north of Egypt.

Cairo is a fascinating juxtaposition of ancient and modern architecture, citing such monuments as the Pyramids, the Hanging Church, the Sphinx, and Heliopolis as its own. The oldest part of the city is east of the river.

The Egyptian pyramids are essential viewing when in Cairo. There are over 100 pyramids in Egypt. The best known Egyptian pyramids are those found at Giza, on the outskirts of Cairo. The Pyramid of Khufu at Giza is the largest pyramid and the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still in existence.

No luxury river cruise is complete without a visit to the city of Edfu - situated on the west bank of the Nile River. Edfu is the site of the Ptolemaic Temple of Horus and an ancient settlement, Tell Edfu. Of all the temple remains in Egypt, the Temple of Horus is the best preserved.

Esna is a city that is situated on the west bank of the River Nile, 55 kilometres south of Luxor. This city was built in the area of ancient Latopolis and is the site of a major temple dedicated to the god Khnum. Ancient texts mention that it was built on the site of a temple that may have been constructed as early as the reign of Tuthmosis III.

Aswan is the ancient city of Swenet, which in antiquity was the frontier town of Ancient Egypt. It stands on the east bank of the Nile and is a busy market and tourist centre and one of the driest inhabited places in the world. The stone quarries of ancient Egypt were located at Aswan, due to its abundance of Syenite, a granitic rock.

One of the highlights of an Egyptian river cruise is a stop at Luxor. Translating to 'the palaces', Luxor is home to the most awe-inspiring collection of ancient monuments in the world. From the magnificent temples of Karnak to the Valley of the Kings on the river's West Bank, Luxor is the jewel of any journey.

One of the first stops in the city must be the Temple of Luxor - built by Amenophis III.

The Temple of Luxor is a large Ancient Egyptian temple complex located on the east bank of the Nile. The temple begins with the 24 metre high First Pylon, built by Ramses II. The main entrance to the temple complex was originally flanked by six colossal statues of Ramses - four standing, and two seated - but only two have survived.

Just outside of Luxor lies another spectacular destination for sightseeing. The Valley of the Kings is a valley where, for a period of nearly 500 years, tombs were constructed for the kings and nobles of the New Kingdom. The valley stands on the west bank of the Nile, within the heart of the Necropolis. The area has been a focus of concentrated archaeological exploration since the eighteenth century. In 1979, it became a World Heritage Site.

Outside Egypt, you may also want to explore Dubai by water. Dubai is a modern metropolis situated on the Persian Gulf coast of the United Arab Emirates. Dubai Creek is a large body of water (suitable for large ships to enter) running northeast-southwest through the city, making for an ideal destination for river cruises.

A Dubai river cruise offers stunning views of the city. Tour Dubai and the Arabian Gulf and witness the beauty of Dubai in all its present and former glory. Points of interest along the way include: the National Bank of Dubai, the Heritage Village and Sheikh Saeed's house.

Dubai is known internationally as a premier tourist destination. Dubai offers an endless array of unique opportunities for things to see and do. Highlights include: desert safaris, dune driving; sand-skiing; moonlit Arabian desert barbecues, camel racing, horse racing, falconry, and exploring the old city markets.

Sightseeing opportunities include: traditional architecture; ancient mosques, magnificent palaces, dusty Bedouin villages, lush oases, and beautiful sunsets.

Thanks To : Motels North

Want to Go on a Luxury Cruise? - Can You Afford That Luxury Cruise You Have Always Wanted?

There are many ways of getting on a cruise ship!

If you thought you would always have to go to a travel agent and pay crazy prices for a luxury cruise, then you are mistaken. There are many ways to get on that ship!

My name is Tim Riley, I have been at sea since the age of 18 and have sailed as a captain on some of the largest Luxury Cruise liners in the world. I have worked for Holland America line, now part of Carnival corporation and also prior to that worked for P&O cruises as a First Officer.

I have cruised to almost every one of the favourite cruise destinations chosen by the travellers of the world and I have seen some pretty awesome sights too whilst accompanying them there.

My wife and children have regularly accompanied me to some fantastic destinations like Alaska, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Africa, South America, South Pacific, Australia and most of the far East. I have completed world cruises and returned a wiser Man!

What's in it for You?

Cruise ships are places for people to lay back and relax and let someone else do the driving, to visit multiple destinations in a short period of time and take in a snapshot of a culture or city. You don't spend enough time there to find out the really nice places the locals go to relax, or the ghettos that are carefully driven round so You the cruise visitor doesn't see them.

When you sail as 'crew' you can get the opportunity to see more of these ports and see them regularly too. If you fancy signing on as crew and being paid a reasonable wage for long hours and a Lot of fun, then sign up now, there are many lines to choose from, but I'm sure there are many amongst you who are a little past the waiting on table team and would prefer to part of the 'being waited on' team!

The Lowdown on Cruise Ship Vacations

Cruise ship vacations generally cost the shipping company around $100 per head for a week to keep you on board, their victualling rate is around $7 per person per day!! That includes the all day buffet, breakfast from 0600 to 1130, long lunches in the sunshine and a great sit down meal in the evening, followed by the late night buffet and/or the chocolate extravaganza! (all for $7 a head) It's amazing what bulk buying does to the price of food.

Wages are pretty low, the average cruise ship Captain earns somewhere around $130k a year plus around 10-20% bonus if his vessel is successful through the year. The guys and gals down on the lower decks don't fair so well and only the top 5 staff onboard get bonuses. The lower wages can be as low as $500/m!

Many of the crew have their wages boosted by tips, especially on American managed cruise lines. It has now become even worse for the crew as the tips are now pooled! So, the crew working in areas away from the passengers, galley staff, laundry etc. now get tips, but the people you see face to face, wine waiters, bus boys, cabin stewards/stewardesses all take a hit on their tips, which they are working for. The company also takes some of these tips and places it into various schemes for the crew fund, instead of giving it all to the crew. This acts like a kind of 'smoothing' in the accounts, so when the company is not making so much, sailing part full, the pay and tips are boosted from previous tips! Not really fair! as the personnel that were onboard when the money was given, have left and gone on leave! There were some legal arguments made against these tactics and I am not at this time sure how they were resolved!

Where in the World?

Cruise ships travel to destinations, ports in various parts of the world where it is financially viable! If the port charges are high, they will go elsewhere or ferry you in by tender (cruise companies make a lot of their profits through the tour companies!). As cruise ships get larger, they will be able to go only to the larger, more commercial ports and not to the smaller, quaint little tourist traps of old. Ports see this as a loss and are rapidly trying to respond to the demand for larger berths, the Caribbean being a prime example, where piers are extended regularly to accommodate longer and bigger vessels. The larger ships bring more passengers, more passengers bring bigger problems for the ports and less intimacy for the passengers. With some of these ships bigger than my home town and carrying in excess of 5,000 people onboard, why would you want to take a vacation on a luxury cruise with 5,000 people? It can't possibly be luxury, you certainly won't get personal service, apart from your cabin steward and it is very likely that you will be in queues for hours every day, getting into dinner, onto buses, onto tenders, into the shop ashore and in fact almost everywhere you go.

Take Skagway in Alaska, a little town of some 800 people living there during the winter, whose population swells to around 2,000 in the summer for the cruise ship season, and then the cruise lines DUMP around 12,000 passengers plus around another 3,000 crew a day into a village some 1000 yds long and 700 yds wide.

I have never counted the number of horses in the town, but if I were to guess, it is probably the closest thing to a one horse town most people that have visited will ever see. (I still love the place though, even if it is being ruined!) The mountains and scenery behind are a dream come true for hill walkers and adventurists, take a hike!

My Advice to You

Take a cruise, Yes, I did say take a cruise, If you like the sun, go for it, head to the sun; If you like Ice and Snow, go to Alaska, Norway or even further up to Greenland, it's more spectacular.

Here's the BUT..... find the smallest cruise ship you can. Find one that doesn't go to all the same places as the big cruise lines. If you have teenage kids, and aren't too bothered about keeping them on a leash, then Carnival is fine. Something more sedate, with some great fun opportunities, Royal Caribbean or P&O, need to sleep a bit more? Then Holland America Line will suit. Celebrity and Norwegian Cruise lines fit in the middle as well, so there is choice and Cunard is in the middle to top end as well.

But be warned, if you want something special, go smaller rather than large. Find a ship under 2,000 passengers and that's a start. Less than a thousand and you're doing great. 500 - 600 and you're onto the cruise of a lifetime. Smaller still and try out the really beautiful ships in the south pacific, medi and caribbean under the windstar banner. They even have sails and if the wind is right, you can have that moonlit walk on the teak decks under the stars without 2,000 other passenger pushing and shoving to get the same view and NO Engine or soot to spoil the tranquility. (Dolphins and whales love swimming with sailboats! and don't get hurt by propellers!)

Smaller ships cause less local damage, visit smaller, more private, more intimate ports in more remote spots from the main civilisation centers. Less bus time and more You time.

Travel the world and see it for yourself. It is still a beautiful place, you just need to find your place in it.

All the best,
Captain Tim Riley

Thanks To : Vanity Light

Titanic Survivor Lived Another 97 Years

For many people, the sinking of the Titanic exemplifies the risks of luxury ocean travel - even under the supposed best and safest of circumstances. For Frances Taylor and her family, the Titanic stands for the power of Fate to reshape lives and herald a new beginning.

Way back in 1912, Frances Taylor was a shy, curly haired 3 year old. And she was coming to America. Her Scottish Dad was already here, making a new start. Things were looking up - he had rented a new home for the family and he had saved some money. So he booked tickets for his wife and five children to join him. That passage was on the Titanic.

Frances knew this story by heart. A bit from memory, and a bit from her own parents' telling of the tale. Much later, from her home in Lake Forrest, Orange County, California, she told it many times to her children, and grandchildren, and great grandchildren, who never tired of hearing it.

Gamrie, Scotland, is a small town on the North Sea coast, some 40 miles north of Aberdeen. It had been many months since Frances' father had left. Now in the States, he was looking forward to being reunited with his brood. He had a lot to tell them. And he would have woken early as usual on the morning of April 15, 1912 then washed and dressed for work. He probably would not have bought a newspaper - he was Scottish after all - and he needed his money for other things. But he would have heard the news:

TITANIC DISASTER - GREAT LOSS OF LIFE

To Frances' family, the dramatic events of 1912 as they impacted the family were indeed a headline - a personal headline. Watching articles and documentaries over the years about the terrible event, they thought that their Frances deserved a documentary. Her story warranted a proper telling and a permanent record - like the other survivors of the Titanic.

Actually, 3 year old Frances and her family did not make it on board the Titanic. Booked steerage, their Titanic tickets were still a hot property. And, as the family story has it, the family was bumped off the passenger list at the last minute in favor of some higher status travelers. They would travel to the New World on another ship.

Is the shock of great loss any the less because the news later turns out to have been mistaken? Frances' father was crushed by reports of the Titanic going down. His work, his sacrifice - it was for nothing. Only later did he learn that his family was safe. He would have collapsed a second time - this time from relief. It became the stuff of family legend.

Frances survived the Titanic. Boy, did she survive it. She survived her near miss on the Titanic by 97 years. Talk about making the gods of fate pay.

Frances Taylor died on October 6, last year at her daughter's home in Lake Forest. Just before that she was honored at Disneyland in Anaheim and drew local headlines which said "Woman who avoids Titanic disaster celebrates 100th at Disneyland". And Frances took one more boat ride - this time on one of those small skiffs sedately ferrying passengers through the "It's a Small World" attraction. She was 100 years old and had survived the sinking of the Titanic by a whopping 97 years.

Before she passed, daughter Maggie Winn helped put together a custom-made video biography documentary for her mother - just like "A&E". Speaking later she said, "She went peacefully. We played her video at her memorial and got so many wonderful compliments on it. It was so touching, beautiful and humorous."

Frances' family thrived after they all arrived safely in America. And her story of surviving the Titanic made successive generations even more appreciative of the opportunities they were given by that first lonely Scotsman who thought he has lost it all.

And Frances' story finally got the attention it deserved - at least as far as her grateful family were concerned.

Thanks To : Summer Trips Holiday Mountain Luxury Travel Guide

Jamaican Nightlife

Jamaican Nightlife is diverse and offers a mixture of amusement options ranging from luxury cruises to fine dining and nightclubs. However, the hotels of Jamaica offer nightlife, featuring shows that range from reggae performers and Elvis look-alikes to special nights with fire-eating spree and traditional and cabaret dancers.

In Negril, evenings start about an hour before sunset at Rick's, supposedly the most beautiful sunset-spot on the island. This spot is located on the sea cliff at the township?s western end. Cliff diving is one of the adventure amusement shows offered at this place and the ?green flash?, a natural phenomenon that only occurs when the sun sets on a clear evening, offers an astonishing kaleidoscope of colors.
Dance clubs are abundant on the island, which attract tourists from all over the world. Many of the dance clubs, Jamaicans and others being more American in taste, offer a medley of international and traditional music.
In Montego Bay, Jamaican nightlife excursions are popular. They begin with a boat ride on a river or sea, proceed with drinks in an open bar, continue with a true Jamaican dinner, and end with the reggae bands playing Jamaican music and native floorshows with limbo dancers. Such nightlife experiences leave the tourists spellbound and make them want to come over again in the next holiday season as well.

Apart from the shows organized by the hotel, tourists can dance the night away in one of the numerous discos spread all over the city. Nightlife in Jamaica is famous for its rich and vibrant culture and is decorated by the international blend of tourists that gather at this stunning island nation. Whether a tourist wants the quiet and secluded spot or is attracted to youth oriented clubs, or towards tourist hot spots or the hangouts favored by locals, all of this is easily accessible in Jamaica. Individuals will surely find a nightlife scene that will leave them with lasting memories of their vacation in Jamaica.

Tags : Luxury Travel Guide Nature Hill Smokey Mountain Cabins

Savor an Asian Paradise With a Yacht Charter in Thailand

If you are looking for the prefect blend of exotic vibrance and luxurious accommodations, then taking a yacht charter in Thailand is sure to provide everything you are looking for. Regardless of whether you take an afternoon boating trip, or an extended cruise, you are sure to find that each day is filled with delightful experiences, sights, and sounds. As you visit the neighboring islands, and view all of the tropical wonders housed in this region of the world, you will wish that you could stay in this paradise forever.

When you charter a yacht in Thailand, you are sure to enjoy dozens of water sports and adventures. This includes being able to enjoy the sight of Angel Fish, living coral reefs, and many other aquatic species as the yacht moves through pristine waters. At the same time, you are also sure to savor being able to watch the sunrise and set on emerald waters surrounded by pristine beaches and luscious flora.

Depending on the yacht charter route that you choose, there may also be opportunities to leave the boat for shopping, sightseeing, and other activities. For example, if you visit Ko Muk, you will have an opportunity to swim through a fascinating rock tunnel that opens out onto a stunning oasis. If you have ever dreamed of a tropical paradise with a secret entrance, Ko Muk should be the first place you visit once you decide to charter a yacht in Thailand.

Individuals looking for opulence will not be disappointed. Aside from delicious meals and cordial cabin service, you are sure to find that each yacht offers all the comforts of home. No matter whether you want to access a gym, wireless internet, or other amenities, you are sure to find that a luxury yachts ithat will suit your needs.

While you are booking your yacht charters, it will be to your advantage to consider choosing the longer cruises. Typically, these arrangements will give you a better chance to see the islands surrounding Thailand, as well as enjoy more time at each destination. Without a question, if you want an opportunity to sample the different cultures, foods, and scenery found on each island, it will take more than a single day to achieve your goal. In fact, you may find that you will want to come back and enjoy yacht charters in Thailand year after year.

Today, few places on Earth can rival the unspoiled tropical beauty of Thailand. That said, if you don't want to spend all of your vacation on one island, you will find that a Thailand yacht carter will provide you with a much wider selection of experiences. No doubt, as you embark on your adventure, you will find hundreds of fascinating sights and experiences to remember and cherish for the rest of you life. You may even find that this will be one place at the top of your list to move to once you retire, or the opportunity becomes available for other reasons.

Related : Wooden Bridges Direct Path Hill Holiday

Points to Consider While Making Bookings on a Cruise

There is something for everyone on a cruise, with hardly any possibility of getting bored during your stay. There is also the added advantage of not having to take the headache of planning how and when to travel, that one has to take when going for a conventional holiday. Everything is taken care of by the cruise company and you can have a relaxing and peaceful holiday full of fun that is sure to leave you refreshed and rejuvenated once you return home.

There are many important factors to consider while choosing the kind of cruise ship in which you want to book seats. The pricing of different companies offering cruise holidays can vary depending upon the facilities available on board. Luxury cruises can be quite highly priced while cruises offering basic bunkers and limited entertainment can be in an affordable price range. So, before making a booking, the following guidelines must be kept in mind so that you choose the cruise that is best suitable for you and your family.

Destination: The first and most important step while booking a cruise is choosing the destination. There are many cruises that stop at a number of destinations on their course. A combination of places that are to the liking of every member of the family must be chosen to keep everyone happy. The destination should be chosen keeping in mind the weather prevailing over the waters of a particular ocean where the cruise ship's route is mapped out. One can surf the internet and thoroughly research all the possible places that different cruise ship companies offer to take the travellers. Detailed and extensive pictures can also be examined online before deciding where you want to go.

Duration: The duration of the cruise that you are booking is also of extreme importance. First, you need to determine how much time you are willing to devote to a holiday. According to this, you can either travel on cruises that last for a few days to those lasting a few months. Your budget can also be the deciding factor in this case, as longer cruises cost more than cruises of a shorter duration.

Cost: The pricing of different cruise ship companies must be found out and compared to ensure that you are getting the best deal. The quality of the features and facilities on board should be considered in order to determine whether it is worth the money you are paying for it. In order to bring down the costs of tickets, one can forego the participation in a few activities and choose only a few according to preferences. This can considerably lower the cost of your tickets enabling you to travel on a luxury cruise without having to spend all that much.

Requisite Information: The cruise companies or travel agents should be contacted depending on how you are planning to make the booking. Information about the rules, regulations and terms and conditions regarding the sale of your tickets and your stay on board must be obtained. There must be clarity and transparency during this step so that there are no complications later on.

Final Booking: When you have taken a decision regarding all the above mentioned factors, it is time to make the actual booking. Bookings can be made either through travel agents or directly with the company online depending upon your convenience.

Thanks To : Wooden Bridges Accommodation Coast

Cruise Ships - 5 Star Service at a Budget Price

If you haven't already heard of Silversea Cruises, then you should look into them when you are planning your next trip around the world. This is because of the many amenities that you can enjoy on their ships. What makes them different? They have more ports of destination that you can enjoy as a traveler.

So how come Silversea Cruises has more ports of destinations than other major shipping lines? There is a logical solution that this innovative company came up with. Their ships are simply smaller than the luxury cruise liners that most people are used to. This is an advantage because smaller ships are more welcome and accommodated easier at different smaller ports. Larger ships will have a much harder time landing.

As a traveler, you don't have to worry about ever getting bored because of the amenities and services that Silversea Cruises offers that match some of the best cruise liners in the world. During the day, as you are cruising towards your destination, you can take part in different family activities like art classes. Learn about the history and culture of your destination as well. When you get to your destination and have a hard time getting around, you can also take advantage of the Silversea Cruises service of onshore specialists. These guys can help you around when you get lost.

At night, you can party the night away while enjoying drinks at the onboard bar or dance to a band that will be sure to play your favorite songs. You can also try your luck by heading to the onboard casino and play poker or blackjack. Now this is an experience like no other.

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