What’s special about an archeological site that has two massive rock temples? Rich history grips around Abu Simbel. Situated in southern Egypt, the construction of this temple complex lasted for twenty years during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses in 13th Century BC.

If you are wondering what’s the main purpose of building two temples in front of a large body of water, then it’s time for you to understand historians believe the main purpose of building Abu Simbel is to enhance the Egyptian Religion in the region. They believe when these temples are erected, southern Egyptians would appreciate it and get involved with what wonders it offers to them.

Abu Simbel and its two temples

There are two temples in the complex. The larger one is dedicated to Egypt’s three deities (Re-Herakhty, Ptah, Amen) while the smaller temple is honored to goddess Hathor. As you enter these temples, you can see Ramses’ statues all around and for you to understand, Pharaoh Ramses has over two hundred wives and concubines.

What to See in Abu Simbel?

If you have some plans of visiting the historic temple, make sure you don’t miss the following attractions. Have some time to appreciate them and take pictures to post it in your blog.

1. Great sculptured rocks in the façade- Looking at this fantastic work of art can be overwhelming. You can’t stop asking yourself how those creators do it.
2. The fine carved statue of a falcon in the entrance hall –Taking a picture of this falcon makes you realized you are in a place that is sacred and deserves your utmost respect.
3. The Ancient Rebus – First time to see it, you’ll say two words. These “Wow” and “Great!”
4. The triangular layout of the inner part of the temple – Try standing at the center of the area and you’ll realize there are rooms in the far side that are decreasing in size.
5. The Smaller Temple – Meticulously made at its greatness. This temple is honored to goddess of beauty and love
6. Paintings inside the smaller temple –Those paintings must be appreciated. Study it, ask questions and you can understand why they exist.
7. Bears inscriptions on eastern wall in smaller temple –These inscriptions depicts the attack of Pharaoh Ramses to Re-Herakthy and Amen-Re.
8. The statue of goddess Hathor – Hathor is the goddess of love and beauty and taking a picture with her is an pride.

How to get in Abu Simbel?

You can visit Abu Simbal in three different ways. If you book a flight on Egypt Air, the plane provides daily trip to Abu Simbel from Cairo and Aswan. Traveling by car is difficult because of some police security reasons. The Aswan road to Abu Simbel is only available to bus. Daily convoys are available daily and it is highly advises to foreign visitors to check their deals at Aswan Tourist Office before heading to the temple. A regular bus travel usually takes 3 hours. Embarking on a cruise allows you to travel from Aswan to Lake Nasser with a stop on Abu Simbel. This type of adventure surely gives your escapade an ace.

If there’s anything in the world you must see, that’s probably be the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. This great valley, which stands on the west bank of the Nile River and within the core of Theban Necropolis, contains at least 163 tombs of famous nobles and pharaohs.

History of the Valley of the King

• 18th Century: Several historians believe the first man to reach Valley of the King is Frederic Louis Norden. Norden is a Danish adventurer and artist. Richard Pococke followed Norden’s expedition. Pococke is the man responsible for the publication of the first map in 1743. The maps and plans made better during the French Expedition. Napoleon sketched Western Valley. After some time, Description de l’ Egypte and it illustrates the area around Thebes. The book includes two volumes.
• 19th Century: The great Giovanni Battista Belzoni discovered numerous tombs in the valley, particularly the Ay and Seti. John Gardiner Wilkinson is the man responsible assigned to paint the tombs in 1827. Each tomb is numbered from KV1 to KV21. After the publication of The Topography of Thebes and General Survey of Egypt, James Burton explored the valley and go into KV5. Burton is a British Egyptologist.
• 20th Century: American Team led by Theodore M. Davis discovered royal and non-royal tombs namely KV43, KV46 and KV57. Davis comes up with a publication entitled “The Tombs of Harmhabi and Touatankhamanou.” The tem behind Theban Mapping Project considers tomb KV5 the largest in the valley.
• 21st Century: It’s in February 2006 when Supreme Council of Antiquities declares the first uncovered pharaonic-era tomb known as KV63. The KV63 Tomb is a single chamber with 7 sarcophagi and 20 large funerary jars. Nicholas Reeves has analyzed the tomb’s ground penetrating radar in July 2006 followed by Zahi Hawass’ discovery of Ramesses VIII in May 2008.

Five Important Bits and Pieces about Valley of the Kings

1. The acronym KV stands for Kings’ Valley and based on the record made by John Gardner Wilkinson, there are 21 tombs in all- about 60 in East Valley and 5 in West Valley.
2. Most of the tombs are not open for public viewing but numerous officials close open it for restoration work.
3. When you visit Valley of the Kings, photography is not allowed inside.
4. Usual tomb consists of long inclined rock corridor and descends through halls to the burial chamber.
5. Want adventure? Think about hiking over the surrounding hills to Deir el-Medina or Deir el-Bahari and witness the spectacular view of the Nile Valley.

Why Visit Aswan?

Aswan is tagged as the smallest tourist city in south Egypt. You are recommended to visit this Ancient Egyptian’s Getaway because you’ll find rich granites, captivating views of Nile River and Egypt’s most amazing tourist attractions. Ask anybody who have been in this rich and historic city, they can say, “You will never regret the day you are in Aswan.”

How to Get in Aswan?

You can get to Aswan by a lot of means. Getting to Aswan by plane (The Egyptair) is easy when you do all the transactions in the right way. For the record, there is an average of six return flights between Aswan and Cairo. Yet, if you are living outside Egypt, perhaps in Philippines or United States of America, there are numerous travel sites that provide 24-hour customer support. Take advantage of those deals and packages before they are gone.

It is also possible to reach Aswan by train. Train services in Egypt are always good travel options that run along the Nile River. For those who live within the borders of Hurghada, you can ride a bus for an affordable rate of $7. In a 300 km travel, a relaxing bus ride for three to nine hours is never terrible for a first time. Booking a boat-ride is also an option. Dozens of cruise ships are open for the public every day. All you need to do is inform your travel agent.

What to Do in Aswan?

As I’ve said earlier, Aswan is a small city but blessed with great tourist attractions. Here are the three memorable activities you can do while in Aswan:

Cruising

A 4-Day Nile River Cruise from Aswan to Luxor is comparable to having an elegant party with your loved ones. For a $276 (prices vary at all times), you might want to consider touring around the cruise ship along with a qualified Egyptologist. All services and entertainments are conducted in English therefore; it is easier to ask anything you want to have. For your convenience, you can research Aswan Cruising online and book your travel in advance. Departure points are held from Aswan Airport or Railway Station.

Private Tours

See the temples. Explore the artifacts. Get mesmerize with the pharaohs carved in rocks and limestone. All these exciting moments are possible in one day. Day Tours are a great way to experience the delight in Aswan. For as low as $99 (prices vary depending on the inclusions and additional packages), you can have the ability to catch a glimpse of the High Dam, the Philae Temple, the Kalabsha Temple, the Unfinished Obelisk, the Tombs of the Nobles and the fantastic temple in Abu Simbel.

Museum Tour

The Nubia Museum in Aswan is the most important museum in Egypt. For ninety minutes of tour for $27 (not an all-time fix amount), you can set foot on their wonderful landscape furnished with sequence of waterfalls, palm trees, natural rocks and flowers.

For added entertainment, you might want to attend amusing shows in their amphitheater. Touring services are conducted in English, that's why; you can ask your private guide anything you want to know.

Why Visit Alabaster Mosque?

Located in Cairo, the Alabaster Mosque is the most popular Islamic mosque in Egypt built in the first half of 19th Century. It is situated at the top of limestone hill overlooking Cairo and other important mosques in the city. This Islamic Architecture has two parts, the east mosque and the west open courtyard. Whatever religion you’re into, you are still welcome to visit this place and appreciate its Ottoman brilliance.

How to Get in Alabaster Mosque?

Once you’re in Cairo, there is already a private tour that takes you to Alabaster Mosque. Inclusions during the trip include your entrance fee to the mosque, hotel pick-up and hotel drop-off and a qualified Egyptologist guide.

What to See inside the Alabaster Mosque?

• Get inside the mosque and you’ll automatically see the grand cupola. A cupola is a mall dome-like structure placed at the top of a building. Looking at the Alabaster Mosque’s Cupola can feel overwhelming but it is worth seeing to.
• Another item of attraction you need to look at inside this mosque is the Tomb of King Muhammad Ali Pasha. Its tomb is carved in carrara marble. Muhammad Ali Pasha is the founder of modern Egypt. As a modern nationalist, he started dramatic reforms in the military, economic and cultural fields. Ali died in August 2, 1849 and from Hawsh al-Basha, his body transferred inside the mosque.
• Four semicircular domes surrounded the central dome. This dome measures 21 meters in diameter and has a height of 52 meters.
• The Interior of the Mosque is surrounded with glittering gems and precious stones. Once you’re here, you can feel a greater sense of space. Its walls and pillars are all wrapped with alabaster that is eleven meters high.
• Please don’t fail the brass clock tower erected in the middle of northwestern riwak. Historians say Louiss Phillipe of France offered the clock to Muhammad Ali in 1945.

The Great Pyramid of Giza is referred to as the oldest and the largest of the three pyramids in Giza Necropolis and the only surviving marvel in the Seven Wonders of the World. It is constructed around 2500 BC and tagged as the tallest building until the inception of Eiffel Tower in Paris.

There are over fourteen million of sandstone blocks that assembles the pyramids. Originally, these blocks are covered in limestone and thanks to Native Egyptians for not stealing it. Instead, they mainly used it as a building material for the pyramid.

What’s inside the Great Pyramid?

Get inside the Great Pyramid and you’ll see its ascending and descending passages. There are three known chambers inside.

• The lowest chamber is the unfinished part that lies 27.5 meters below the ground. Some Egyptologists claim the chamber is built to be the original burial chamber.

• The King’s Chamber is a designed with red granite and its passageway is too short to accommodate a medium height person without bending his knees.

• The Queen’s Chamber is located at the middle part and it’s the smallest chamber of the three. It’s designed in fine limestone blocks and its pented roof is made of large limestone slabs. The real purpose of Queen’s Chamber remains unknown.

Trivia and Fun Facts

• Great Pyramid of Giza is not the biggest pyramid in the world. The biggest one is located in Mexico City.

• The Great Pyramid of Giza covers 13 acres.

• The Great Pyramid of Giza is extremely large and even visible from the Moon.

• The height of Great Pyramid of Giza melts down to 139 m. due to erosion and the loss of pyramidion.

• The Great Pyramid of Giza is called as the tallest man-made structure for over 3,800 years.

• Total Mass of Great Pyramid of Giza roughly clocks at 5.9 million tons and 2,500,000 cubic meters in volume.

• Other names of Great Pyramid of Giza: Khufu’s Pyramid, Pyramid of Khufu and Pyramid of Cheops

Luxor in Southern Egypt is now a premier travel destination. From temples, royal tombs, deserts, beaches, museums, hotels, restaurants, it’s all here. In fact, the main purpose of this article is to tell you the six reasons why visit Luxor.

• History Unfold. As you go into the Luxor Museum, you’ll see the best displays of antiques such as furniture, pottery, jewelry, statues, tombs and stelae.

• Great Architecture. Luxor is the home of some of the finest Egyptian styles. The Luxor Temple, which is situated two kilometers long the Avenue of Sphinxes, is the beautiful holy place that signifies Opet Festival. Get here and you’ll be amazed by the intricate hieroglyphics.
  

• Hot Air Balloon. Experience the great feeling and see the fantastic views of Luxor in aerial view. If your destination is going east, you’ll see the Karnak temple while on the west, you’ll witness the Hatshepsut Temple. Flight schedules vary depending on the weather conditions and weight limits.
  

• Cruising. Take part on a 5-Day Cruise in Nile River. Sightseeing is never been this great once you get into the luxurious amenities of the cruise ship. All services (onboard restaurant, lounges, pool parties, laundry services etc.) and events (dinner parties, entertainments, music, etc.) are conducted in English. What’s great about it is; the itinerary route is based upon your preferences and demands.
  

• Private Tours. For a span of ten hours, you can explore the great whereabouts of Luxor by hiring a private tour guide. Basically, this is a group excursion and pickup time is advised on confirmation. Physically-challenged people are allowed to travel but be prepared with some uneven surfaces in the site.
  

• Vacation Packages. Getting to Luxor is not complicated once you find the vacation deals you seek for. You can find these deals and packages using the Internet. It’s also reserve hotels, apartments or rooms-for-rent in advance. Just make sure, find a 24-hour Customer Services upon the booking time to avoid fraudulent transactions.

As the second largest city in Egypt, the place is regularly called the Pearl of the Mediterranean because of its industrial harbor for natural gas and oils. It’s also the home of at least 3.5 millions Egyptians. This can almost be the city of glory, none other than the Alexandria.

Yet, are you also aware Alexandria provides great attractions you must witness? Yes, get in here and be ready for an escapade. Truth is; flying to Alexandria is easy once you find the best rates and allows you to save more money. Try exploring Expedia online and you can get lowest travel rates and cheaper deals on hotel stay. It’s also possible to book your flight weeks or months before your departure. Just make sure you compare airfare rates and ask for any vacation packages and discounts, if possible.

Where to Stay

Different classes of hotels exist in Alexandria. The Four Seasons is a 5-star hotel that scored “Excellent” to many reviewers. Guest rooms and suites vary in prices depending on your budget and preferences. Whether you choose a superior room or a sea-view room, you’ll surely feel the classiness at its fullest. There are also ranges of exciting activities inside the hotel. There is a fitness center that’s open for 24 hours, weight training facilities, studio classes and cardiovascular and strength machines. Whatever the event, your wedding or your business meeting, staying at the Four Seasons is a luxurious experience never to compare.

Where to Eat

Next stop is the restaurants. There are ten top-rated restaurants in the city and Roastry Coffee gets the highest remark. Some people call the place as the leading contemporary spot for Italian food. Steaks, burgers, pancakes, and salads- these are all here. These are served in huge portions no matter what dish you order. The Roastry Coffee is not the cheapest restaurant in the city but certainly not the most expensive. But please, don’t yourself into this place; try visiting Chili’s, Cook Door, Balba3 Village and Fuddruckers and have some great time.

What to Do

Tired Staying inside your hotel or Inn? Consider visiting the ancient museums like Pompey’s Pillar, Catacombs and Graeco-Roman Museum. If you go near Shallalat Gardens on Fouad Street, you’ll find Alexandria National Museum. This museum is small but it’s the home of some of the most important artifacts and all these items are labeled in English and Arabic for easy comprehension.

Why Visit Dahab?

In 1980, there is a remote and coastal village in Egypt that is changed into a hippie hangout. The city is called Dahab and because it offers a relaxed and great atmosphere, cheap accommodation and endless exciting activities are up for grabs. Spend a vacation in Dahab and you’ll not feel sorry when you go for a dip in their crystal-clear beaches.

How to get in Dahab?

A bus ride is probably the easiest form of travel preference to Dahab. If you live in Sharm or nearby, you might choose to contact the Dahab Bus Office. Oftentimes, a jeepney takes you to the hotel upon your arrival at the station. The services are not for free and some operators may ask you higher rates. If this situation sounds strange to you, you better rent a minibus that costs 200 pounds.

What to Do in Dahab?

Diving

Diving is a popular sport in Dahab. There are numerous diving sites all over the place. If you are an enthusiast in the field, you might want to visit Abu Hetal, The Bells, Blue Hole, Coral Garden, Canyon, Lighthouse, Eel Garden, Three Pools, Mooray Garden and Ras Abu Gallum. The Bedouin Divers is a familiar dive center located inside the Bedouin Lodge Hotel. Book your schedule at this place and they can arrange everything for you. Perhaps, you may want to learn yoga diving, your destination must be Zen Sea.

Kayaking

Exploring the reefs through kayaking is great. For 50 EGP an hour, you can already rent kayaks in Sheikh Salem House. Try kayaking and allow yourself to experience delight even in summer nights.

Kite surfing

Kite surfing becomes popular in Dahab because you can perform this activity around the Lagoona Area.

Yoga

Come to Dahab and you can observe yoga is performed during the holidays, especially during Christmas. Whether you want to perform Ashtanga, Kundalini or Hatha, yoga is a good activity that protects your immune system from diseases.

Shisha

Smoking is bad for your health but for Duban people, smoking on a shisha water pipe with flavored tobacco is a favorite pastime.

Apart from these five activities, Dahab is also popular in:

1. Windsurfing
2. Quad-bike Trips
3. Horse and Camel Riding
4. Bedouin Safari Dahab

Cairo is the most populous city in Egypt and the largest in the Arab World. It has 214 kilometers squared and currently a developing country in the world. Cairo is marked by wide boulevards, public gardens and open spaces. It’s also the home of multiple famous attractions such as Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, Citadel, Ibn Tlun and Al-Azhar Park.

The Lifestyle

Visiting Cairo is going to the city of the thousand Minarets. It’s a vibrant modern society where men and women dress in modern clothing. One is not allowed if you walk around and reveal your thighs, upper arms, backs and cleavage. Especially inside the mosques, it’s truly a disrespectful demeanor once you wear shoes.

Activities and Attractions

There are numerous interesting activities you can do once you’re in Cairo. Apart from its rich and abundant form of lifestyle, you can walk around the city’s recreational places, the most popular being the Al-Azhar Park. This park is a good placeto relax. It has a landscape garden that overlooks the grand castle known as Citadel.

Other great attractions to explore in Cairo are:

1. Giza Zoo
2. Cairo Botanical Gardens
3. Mena House Golf Course (famous place for golfing, overlooking pyramids)
4. The Media Production City (Egyptian Drama Sets and Studios)
5. Riding a Felucca along the Nile River (available across the Four Seasons Hotel in Garden City)
6. Wadi Digla Protected Area (ideal for trekking, cycling, rock climbing, jogging and other exciting activities)

What and Where to Eat

A-Class restaurants are mostly found in Hotels and Nile boats. Get in here and you’ll enjoy Egyptian delicacies and special list of options. Staple food can be bought everywhere and these include kushari (macaroni with lentils and chick peas), fuul (bean paste), taa’miya (falafel) and fetyeer (pancakes).

Western and Asian food are also available. Fast food outlets such as McDonalds, Pizza Hut and KFC are all over the place and the trendiest places to hang out. Yet, to those who want to relax while reading daily newspaper, traditional coffee houses are nearby.

The North part of Egypt’s Red Sea is picked as one of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the World. This crystal clear blue water is the home of 800 species of fishes, 200 coral species and thousands of migrating birds in the shorelines. With its red tint mountain ranges around, there are also numbers of great resorts all over and Hurghada is the biggest resort of all.

Speaking of Hurghada, the place has now first class hotels and sports facilities like snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, yachting, windsurfing and sail boarding. The Hurghada Aquarium and Museum is probably the perfect place to explore marine creatures so fascinating to look at. For those people who simply want to look around, numerous bars, restaurants and boutique to keep you entertained.

7 Reasons Why Visit Red Sea Coast

1. Perfect Destination for Summer. Summer months in Red Sea Coast are warm. You and your friends surely have a great time in place. The attractions are breathtaking and you can enjoy bathing under a scorching sun.
2. Easy Accommodation. Hotels and Inns are all around even if your destination is not in Hurghada. As long as you research the specific place you want to stay, there is no problem in spending a vacation in Red Sea Coast.
3. Adventure. As mentioned above, water sports are longer an imagination in Red Sea. All what your dream of is all here. Getting wet and having fun is 100% reality.
4. Cruising.Go and find yourself a cruise line that meets your demands and budget. All my friends told me cruising is the best way to go through the wonders of Egypt.
5. Visit Monasteries.The oldest monastery is located Red Sea. The Coptic Christian Monasteries is probably the most peaceful place to meditate, reflect and relax. However, as a respect for the place, you can only see the whole area when you hike on a hill.
6. Underwater at its finest. Visiting Red Sea Coast is like exploring the wonders under the blue sea. Once you dive underneath, the natural beauty strikes you with greatness.
7. Travel Packages. If you can’t wait for tomorrow, try browsing the Internet for some vacation packages in the Red Coast. I am sure you can find one and once you’ve the right one, the perfect escapade is not impossible to find.

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