Thursday, November 27, 2008

Egypt: My Most Rewarding Holiday Ever

By Jared Conley

An Egypt holiday is one of the most memorable and rewarding holidays that you can possibly take due to the wide range of activities, historic value, sites, and travel options available.

When most people think of Egypt, they picture monuments, pyramids, and the desert. But there is much more to Egypt than that, and each location has its own offering from the others. For example, Alexandria and Luxor are well-known for their historic value, Hurghada and Sharm are well-known for their beaches, resorts, and watersports, Cairo is known for its culture, and so on.

You will also find that travel to Egypt is moderately, with accommodations, airfare, and entertainment being quite reasonable considering its popularity. A local caveat is adult beverages, however, which will set you back anywhere from US$8 to $12 per drink.

Unfortunately, because of the wide range of activities, if you want to participate in a variety, e.g. exploring the beaches of Sharm Egypt, then on to Luxor or a Nile River cruise with a safari and horseback ride along the way, your travel plans become much more cumbersome to implement. Luckily there are a good number of qualified travel guides who can assist you with numerous plans, from group tours to fully escorted Egypt packages.

If, like me, you're a do-it-yourselfer, there are some exceptional travel books that will give you the inside scoop on destinations, customs, and prices, which will all be immensely helpful in planning your trip. But this approach isn't recommended for everyone, because we all have different tolerance levels for chaos!

One of the aspects of Egypt that struck me even more than the surroundings was the people, who are largely friendly, hospitable, and helpful. Ask a local a question, and you're likely to draw a crowd of people with suggestions on the best answer!

A popular fear when traveling to Africa or the Middle East is one of safety, but Egypt is one of the safer destinations you can visit. Aside from the tourist bombings in 2005, purportedly orchestrated by Egyptian radicals bent on ruining Egypt's rich tourism industry, Egypt is largely free from violent crime. Pick pocketing is the most common form of crime, but security is placed in most public places to discourage this from happening.

The best time for Egypt travel is between November and March, when the temperatures are the most accommodating. During this time, you'll likely see temperatures in the 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit range. Of course, this is also the most expensive time to travel! If you're willing to brave the off-season heat, you will be able to find some incredible deals on lodging.

Egypt packages are a great approach to what will be one of the most memorable vacations during your lifetime, almost assuredly. Prepare fully, plan in advance, and enjoy one of the most beautiful regions in the world, along with one of the original seven wonders. - 16887

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