About EGYPT HOLIDAYS
Egypt is considered the cradle of civilization, the beacon of religion and the gateway to Africa. Cairo is the foremost capital on the African continent and lies at the centre of all routes leading to, and from, the capitals of the three continents; Asia, Africa and Europe.
For over fifty centuries Egypt engendered the development of culture and civilization - Pharaonic, Christian and Islamic; and during those long years, all have generously contributed to the history and treasures of mankind. Consequently, when in Egypt, the land of love, friendship and hospitality, you will never feel a lonely visitor! In fact, you will enjoy travelling through time, from one period to another, exhilarated by the history of those who remained immortal; though their bodies were laid to rest thousands of years ago.
Egypt is probably one of the oldest vacation spots in the world. Early Greeks and Romans went there to relax and to see the wonders of some of mankind's earliest triumphs.
Egypt however, is much more than Pyramids and monuments. It is also Red Sea scuba diving, hot night spots, luxury hotels and five star restaurants. It is romantic cruises down the Nile on festive river boats, a night at the grand opera and it is a cultural experience like none you have ever experienced. Egypt is a land bustling with life, sound, visual beauty and excitement. More than anything else, we want you to think of Egypt as exhilerating. For thousands of years, it has been the playground of emperors and kings, and we hope you will take the time to find out why.
Aswan
About ASWAN HOLIDAYS
Aswan is one of the most attractive towns on the Nile. Close to it are quarries from which the Pharaoh's obtained the granite to build the obelisks and the monuments of ancient Thebes. The classic Temple of Philae and the Abu Simbel Temple are close by. Southwards, approx. 30 minutes by air from Aswan, are the temples of Abu Simbel built between 1300-1233 BC by Ramses II. Four massive statues of the seated Pharaoh mark the entrance to one of the temples. The sun-drenched town of Aswan is rich with history and atmosphere.
Sharm El Sheikh
About SHARM EL SHEIKH HOLIDAYS
The sun-splashed tip of Sinai is home to the activity resort of Sharm El Sheikh, which has become a world renowned centre for diving and snorkelling facilities.
Within reach are the excursion sites of Mount Sinai, where the Ten Commandments are said to have been issued to Moses, and the world famous St Catherine's Monastery at the foot of the Mount, where the oldest text of the Bible was discovered. Local safari trips and visits to the Rose City of Petra (Jordan) and Bedouin feasts can be arranged.
Alexandria
About ALEXANDRIA HOLIDAYS
Alexandria lies North-West of the Nile delta. Conquered and designed by Alexander the Great. Egypt’s second largest city and less chaotic than Cairo and home to the Pharos Lighthouse one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient World. Bibliotheka Alexandria, the newly constructed library, is the greatest in the ancient world with relics from the third century BC. The original library held the greatest collection of human knowledge at the time and is believed to have been burned down during the 7th century. There are many beaches stretching east to west and they are popular for swimming and diving; beaches outside the city tend to be less crowded. The downtown Roman Amphitheatre is considered unique in Egypt and was only discovered in the early 1960’s laying on the foundations of a new building.
Cairo
About CAIRO HOLIDAYS
Cairo is a clock tower of history. The largest city in Africa, it is an overflowing metropolis of accumulated history and population. A layer by layer deposit of cultures, each of which has left its imperial signature behind. Collectively they make a city whose scale, spread and contents take your breath away. More than half a dozen cities combined over many centuries to make up today's Cairo, which itself trails back to the times of ancient Memphis, the capital the first Pharaohs founded to rule Egypt in 3000 BC. From there, it moved and consolidated over the ages, with each imperium adding its own stamp and structure, culminating in the fascinating Cairo we know today.
Dahab
About DAHAB HOLIDAYS
Dahab is a small resort located 95km Northwest of Sharm El Sheikh (1 hour by road), which is famous for its sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and natural surroundings. It attracts many divers to the waters of the Gulf of Aqaba with its treasured diving spots and infamous blue hole, a bottomless vertical tunnel encrusted with coral. For windsurfing enthusiasts, Dahab is a haven due to its ideal wind conditions. Other activities on offer include horse riding,desert safaris and tennis, all of which are available locally.
El Gouna
About EL GOUNA HOLIDAYS
El Gouna is located 30km north of Hurghada. It is built on small islands, surrounded by blue lagoons of the Red Sea. It is a pleasant town with a state of the art hospital, international school and multi-cultural society. The nightlife is full of excitement and the resort even boasts its own brewery! Shopping is excellent as is the Pharaonic museum. El Gouna is fast becoming a good diving and watersports alternaitve to the better known Sharm el Sheikh.
El Quseir
About EL QUSEIR HOLIDAYS
El Quseir has a long history as one of the major ports of the Red Sea. From here, Queen Hatshepsut launched her expedition to the Land of Punt, as depicted in the reliefs in Deir el-Bahari temple at Luxor. Legend has it that the expedition returned with two live panthers and 21 incense trees. The 16th century fortress of Sultan Selim, still standing in the center of town, shows al-Quseir's former strategic importance. Today, it is a quiet resort with sandy beaches, clear waters and coral reefs. The town's narrow streets are lined with colorful bazaars which have a decidedly Bedouin feel.
Hurghada
About HURGHADA HOLIDAYS
Located on the Red Sea, it is a fast developing activity centre where water sports and scuba diving are as readily available as drives across the desert to the Valley of the Kings and Luxor. Along with some top class hotels, this makes it an ideal location to mix sports, diving and relaxation with the wondrous sights of Egypt.
Luxor
About LUXOR HOLIDAYS
Located 420 miles south of Cairo are some of the most important sites in Egypt. Thebes was the capital city of the New Kingdom, whose glory still glows in world history, thousands of years after its decline.
Two tremendous temple complexes were established in honour of Ra of Heliopolis, who became the god Amun Ra at Thebes. With his consort, Mut and son Khonsu, he formed the Theban Triad for which the temples at Karnak and Luxor were established.
The vast precinct of the temples at Karnak, which took a thousand years to build, covers an area of 60 acres and contains 20 smaller temples. The Hypostyle Hall at Karnak is the largest single chamber of any temple in the world, covering an area of 4,983 sq m. Across the Nile lies the Necropolis of Thebes, burial ground of the New Kingdom Pharaohs, where over sixty tombs have been discovered, the most famous being that of Tutankhamun
Nile Cruises
About NILE CRUISES
Cruising down the Nile is about watching the life on the river, its people, the lush surroundings and the wildlife. Nile cruises provide sightseeing of the less accessible monuments in Upper Egypt, such as the Temple of Philae, the High Dam and the Granite Quarries from which the stone was taken for the building of the pyramids at Giza. Cruising is at a very relaxing pace which enables you to take in the scenery and watch the enigmatic river come alive. The cruise durations vary from 3 nts to 7 nts and all cruise sightseeing is included in the itineraries.
Lake Nasser Cruises
About LAKE NASSER
As one of the world's largest artificial bodies of water, Lake Nasser's dimensions are staggering. From the High Dam it stretches over 300 miles (480 km) down into Sudan and, in places, spreads to over 22 miles (35 km) in width. It is also the most stunningly beautiful, unspoiled region of Egypt. The lake was created as a result of the construction of the Aswan High Dam across the waters of the Nile between 1958 and 1971. Many species of animals and birds have settled in the man-made Lake as well as Nile Crocodiles. Lake Nasser cruises provide the opportunity to admire the wildlife, beautiful scenery and of course visit the temples of Abu Simbel.
Getting There EGYPT
EGYPTAIR
Cairo and Luxor, all other destinations via Cairo from London Heathrow. LHR-CAI /LXR operate daily, other cities/resort available indirect with Egyptair. Seat pitch approx 33’’, luggage allowance 20kgs.
Business Class Upgrade:
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CAI fr. £265 each way, LXR fr. £240 each way, seat pitch approx 48” luggage allowance 30ks.
BRITISH AIRWAYS
Cairo from London Heathrow, Sharm el Sheikh from London Gatwick. LHR-CAI operate daily, LGW-SSH operates Monday/Thursday/Saturday. Seat pitch approx 31’’, luggage allowance 23kgs.
Business Class Upgrade:
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(Cairo) / World Traveller Plus upgrade (SSH, CAI) fr. £277 each way, SSH fr. £122 each way, seat pitch approx 38’’, luggage allowance 2 bags 23kgs.
EasyJet
Easyjet operate London Gatwick to Sharm El Sheikh 3 or 4 times a week, Hurghada twice a week and Luxor from Nov 2010. At time of printing, there is a ‘speedy boarding’ option and baggage allowance is 20kg.
bmi - EGYPT ROUTE
Cairo and Luxor, all other destinations via Cairo from London Heathrow. LHR-CAI / LXR / ASW operate daily, other cities available indirect with bmi. Seat pitch approx 32’’, luggage allowance 20kgs.
Business Class Upgrade:
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CAI fr. £220 each way, LXR fr. £290, seat pitch approx 60’’. Luggage allowance 30kgs.
CHARTER & OTHER AIRLINES
There is a selection of charter flights flying from the UK to the resorts in Egypt mainly from London Gatwick & Manchester to Luxor, Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Aswan and Sharm El Sheikh. Services include extra leg room, prebook seating together, and meals. Please note airlines vary and can change their services with little or no notice; please confirm at the time of booking.
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Monarch seat pitch 28’’; luggage allowance 20kgs.
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Thomson & Thomas Cook seat pitch approx 28-33’’; luggage allowance 20 kgs.
Regional Airports: there is a choice of regional airport departures available for the resort of Sharm el Sheikh including Birmingham – Manchester – Newcastle – Leeds Bradford. Hurghada & Luxor have flights from Manchester and London Gatwick.
EGYPT
Language: Arabic, but English is widely spoken
Currency: Egyptian Pounds (US$, Euros, £GB & Credit cards are widely accepted)
Time Difference: +2 hrs GMT
Tourist Board: 020 7493 5283 www.egypt.travel
Visa Requirements: UK passport holders require a visa to enter Egypt, this can be obtained on arrival. Non-UK passport holders should check with the Egyptian consulate for advice on the following number: Tel: 020 7235 9777 or visit www.egyptianconsulate.co.uk / Email: info@egyptianconsulate.co.uk
Passport: A valid 10 year passport is required with a minimum 6 months remaining on your passport from the date of return to the UK and an available empty page.
Security: For the latest information visit the foreign office website at www.fco.gov.uk and select ‘Country Advice’.
Health: Recommended EC inoculations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid, Polio, Malaria in infected areas, Tuberculosis (children only). Check with your Doctor for latest information.
Public Holidays
Ramadan: A period of fasting when the consumption of food and drink is only permitted between sunset and sunrise. During this period disruption to tourist hotels and resorts is limited. Ramadan is for one month.
Eid al-Fitr: A three day feast marking the end of Ramadan.
Eid al-Adhah: Religious festival where many make a pilgrimage to Mecca. Modern Egyptians use this period for holiday travel.
Please contact our Travel Consultants for further information.