AROUND LUXOR
NILE CRUISES
The pharaohs sometimes visited their Nile side temples by
royal barge and boat traffic along the river remains the most dramatic way to
reach the monuments.Several jewel like monuments are located on the banks of
the river between Luxor and Aswan, including the Temple of Khnum at Esna, the
temple of falcon-headed Horus at Edfu and the temple of the crocodile god Sobek
at Kom Ombo.All maybe visited by car from Luxor, as well as by cruise ship to
Aswan, south of Luxor , whose attractions also merit an extended stay.
TIP: From Aswan you may embark a 3-4 night Lake Nasser
cruise to Abu Simbel, visiting the monuments of Nubia along the way.
YOUR JOURNEY IN EGYPT CONTINUES
LUXOR IS EASY TO GET TO FROM ALEXANDRIA, ASWAN, CAIRO, SHARM
EL-SHEIKH AND SIWA.
To make a longer, more unforgettable journey why not add 2
or 3 of these fabulous destinations together?
DANDARA AND ABYDOS TEMPLES
Dandara, accessible via 65km drive north from Luxor, offers
a glimpse of the Egyptian countryside with its palm groves, sugarcane fields
and traditional rural lifestyle. Located on a site settled since the Old
Kingdom 9 2613-2181 BC), this imposing temple complex was dedicated t Hathor,
“The Great mother”, Goddess of Music, beauty and love.
Many visitors continue
by road from Dandara to Abydos, 100 km north of Luxor, a sacred ancient
pilgrimage site and center of the cult of Osiris, god of Death and
resurrection. The temple of Seti (9th dynasty) is built in white limestone and
its seven sanctuaries-dedicated to Horus Isis, Osiris, Amun-Ra, ra0Harakhte,
Ptah and Seti himself –are decorated with extremely fine bas-reliefs. The daily
convoys by road for Dandara and Abydos assembles at 6pm.The temples are also
accessible via a cruise ship from Luxor.
THE RED SEA
In just over 4 hours by car from Luxor, you arrive at Safaga
on the coral studded Red Sea coast. You may well want to stay longer to enjoy
Egypt’s breathtaking trilogy of desert, mountains and turquoise sea. In less
than 5 hours of driving or an hour by air, on a beautifully paved road that
pierces through valleys and mountains, you can head from Luxor to one of the
most charming Red Sea cities ,Hurghada.
Intrepid travelers may want to head 40km south of Marsa Alam
to Wadi El Gemal (“Valey of the Camels”) National Park, one of Egypt’s many
protected areas, for untouched and unforgettable desert landscape. Further
north, the popular resort and year round residential community of El-Gouna is
built on man-made islands surrounded by crystalline lagoons. Its lively town
center features hotels, restaurants and shopping venues, in addition to the
resort’s excellent golf course, private airstrip and marina.
Located 285km north of Luxur, Hurghada boasts a scenic
coastline and various watersports. Some 50 km south of Safaga is the seaport of
Quseir with its 16th century Ottoman fortress built to protect trade
links with India.
MARSA ALAM
Mangrove trees line portions of the rugged, pristine coast
near Marsa Alam, 200km south of Safaga.Once a fishing village, Marsa Alam is a
must see spot for divers thanks to its sunken shipwrecks and teeming aquatic
life.
ASWAN
Aswan is the gate to Nubia, a realm of marvelous calm and
the favourite destination of the Aga Khan and Francois Mitterrand to name but
two famous people who succumbed to its wonderfully relaxing charms. There are
ancient temples,the incredible high dam, Elephantine island and ancient
monasteries all there to help you create the holiday story of lifetime.
You can get to Aswan by boat from Luxor,flying direct from
Alexandria or by vehicle from Luxor or Cairo.
24 HOURS IN ALEXANDRIA
Ride a double decker bus to the jewelry Museum and make sure
you see the ex-king’s diamond studded gardening tools. Keep going to take in
the excellent Mahmoud Said modern art
museum followed by the Library of Alexandria. Whizz along the Corniche
for a top fish lunch and have coffee on the way back. You should now squeeze in
a visit to the catacombs and Pompey’s Pillar, before doing some shopping at the
antique buying area of Attareen.Take in traditional music at the Opera house and dinner at a Greek restaurant downtown.
SIWA
If you have time, Siwa makes for a great journey into the
heart of the Western Desert. Only 3 or 4 hours along a good road from Marsa
Matrouh, Siwa is an oasis town surrounded by large saline lakes of majestic
beauty. Siwa is home to the ancient Oracle temple where Alexander the Great
went after conquering Egypt.Other attractions of Siwa include hot springs,
Roman ruins, the mud walled town of Shali and amagnificent eco lodge where
Prince Charles and many other luminaries have stayed.
SHARM EL-SHEIKH
Sharm El-Sheikh is the latest addition to the journey
destination of Egypt .Known originally as one of the world’s number one diving
spots, it has great wreck and coral diving and is situated on the tip of the
Sinai Peninsula. Nearby lie the immense charm of desert and mountain scenery
and the ancient attraction of St Catherine’s monastery and Mt Sinai.
To get to SHarm El-Sheikh from Alexandria is easy either by
a short flight or by bus or long distance taxi via Cairo.
CAIRO
Cairo usually features in any Egyptian experience. It is
has, after all, the only remaining wonder of the ancient world the Pyramids, as
well as the great Egyptian museum, the marvels of Islamic Cairo and the
Citadel, the Nile, as well as numerous restaurants and nightspots. Cairo can be
reached rom Alexandria by the Alex desert road or by train. There is a rapid
first class service that arrives in less than 3 hours and provides for a meal
along the route if required.
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