Spinx in egypt

I pride myself on having traveled all over this great planet of all and I have seen a great many things – from the wonders of Africa and the Orient to the sandy beaches of the Caribbean and South America I have seen it all. Throughout all my journeys, however, I have encountered a more amazing sight than the wonders of ancient Egypt. Most spectacular of all and sitting in the shadow of these great pyramids can be found my favorite wonder of ancient Egypt: the great sphinx at Giza.

The Great Sphinx of Giza is popularly known and features the body of a lion and the head of an Egyptian Pharaoh and, at 65 feet high by 20 feet wide and 241 feet long, it is by far the most impressive standing monolith structure in the world. Older than the great pyramids, it’s believed the Great Sphinx was built in the third millennia BC by the ancient Egyptians. However, several other potential theories of origin abound.

Long a source of controversy and intrigue, there are many theories out there as to the true origins of the Sphinx. While some scholars and scientists date it to the time of the builders of the pyramids at Giza or at least their immediate predecessors, some archeologists hypothesize that this structure was in fact built hundreds if not thousands of years earlier. According to some studies based on the erosion caused by rainwater and other hostile elements, it would not be physically possible for the Great Sphinx to have built at the same time as pyramids. These studies, however, have been widely criticized, although there is evidence to support both positions.

Regardless of whether you follow one theory or the other, the Great Sphinx is an absolutely breathtaking example of humanity’s long standing creativity and ability to sculpt their surroundings. As one of the more awe inspiring instances of human ingenuity the Great Sphinx and Pyramids at Giza are more than just great wonders of Egypt – they are truly wonders of the world and no trip to this ancient land of Pharaohs, curses, and buried treasure would be complete without a tour of these amazing sites. Take it from someone who has both seen the pyramids as well as many of the other great wonders of the world, the ancient structures of Egypt’s Giza area might just be the most amazing place of them all.

Source: _http://www.mytravelingstory.com/

We were staying for 5 days in Dahab in Sinai, on the Red Sea coast. From Dahab I made a trip to Sinai mountain, which is an hour or so away, and climbed this holy mountain... at night !

The reason many people climb this mountain at night is obviously to see the sunrise at the top, which is, I must admit, absolutely stunning. Some people tend to forget that it gets cold at night in the desert of Egypt, especially on top of a mountain.

Mount Sinai

Our trip started at the hotel at 23:30, I had taken a short nap before I went to diner, so we went shortly after diner, already in complete darkness, on the road with the small bus that would bring us to the base of the mountain.  The temperature was a pleasant 27 degrees Celsius.  When we arrived at the parking lot near the Saint-Catherine monastery, we started walking the 'camel route', which is the easiest way to get on top of the mountain.  There exists also 'stairs', some 3000 of them, which is not only the shortest route but obviously the strenous route and at night a little bit dangerous route.  After escaping from the camels - obviously someone taking the camel route wants a camel ...? - we arrived after an hour or two at a small tea house nearly on the top, we drank a tea and ate a sandwich, and were ready to go the last part - here you have to take the last part of the stairs route, which took another half hour.  We were the first persons on the top this night, so we had a good spot to sit behind a rock, protected from the wind, and I started to get dressed for the night, which means get out the gloves, woolen hat and down jacket out of my bag... The temperature : near to zero degrees Celsius.  It was a clear night, and it was so quiet up here - till the masses arrived... it was getting soon too crowdy to stand and more and more people were hiring blankets from the bedouins, some people were only dressed in T-shirts , shorts and slippers...

The wait till sunset was still a couple of hours, but the spectacle during the last half hour when the sun slowly came from behind the mountains was spectacular.  After the last stars were gone, the mountain silhouets were becoming visible, but only faintly - it took still quite some time till the sun was appearing, first as a tiny dot , then in all its grandeur and brightness.  The mountains were coloured in red all over now and only at this moment one could see how fantastic this point was we were standing...  Most people hurried down immediately, I stayed a while to enjoy the feeling, and to go to the worst bathroom of my life on top of Mt. Sinai (highly not recommended).

The road down was easy and no problem at all for me with the hiking boots, the 'hikers with the slippers' had more problems.  And it is getting hot very soon ! When we arrived at the parking lot again, we waited to be allowed inside the Saint-Catherine monastery, which is an orthodox monastery and has a nice collection of old icons - too bad the monks don't allow you to look carefully and the lighting is really bad inside.  Also inside is the burning bushes that Mozes encountered. A great way to end the climb of a holy mountain.

By the way, after you have visited the monastery, there are some cafés around, so relax, have a drink and wait till your bus arrives.  Another refreshing experience.

Waterfall

The North Carolina area contains a vast number of stunning waterfalls in a variety of locations. It is an area which is home to over one million acres of forests, national parks, state parks and activities such as hiking, horse riding and cycling to enjoy.

To fully explore such a vast area is impossible so focusing on a certain area and walking in it is a popular way for people to take in their surroundings. You can take advantage of various well established trails within the forests and parks.

If you are visiting the North Carolina area to experience the scenery then there is also accommodation which can fit right in with your plans. There are a number of campgrounds and hostels across the area which welcomes walkers and those wishing to explore the area. The accommodation may be on the basic side of things but you are there for the outdoors but it is still clean and well equipped for all of your needs.

You should not expect to spend time in expensive theme parks during a stay in this area. Instead your main expenses apart from accommodation and food shall probably turn out to be the hiring of a bicycle so you can go along the paths that cut through the area. There are several companies that can provide such a service for you at perfectly reasonable rates both daily and weekly.

Food in the area can involve a lot more traditional food rather than having a range of cuisine from around the world. From steak houses to more up market food you can certainly have some excellent cooking without feeling you have paid over the odds and after a hard day of walking or cycling in the parks and forests you shall really feel the need to refuel with a good meal.

So visiting the North Carolina waterfalls can be a holiday that helps bring you closer to nature. It is a holiday designed for relaxation and enjoying the peace and quiet in the great outdoors. All you need is some basic accommodation and good footwear and a sense of exploration to get the most out of your holiday.

Source : _http://www.mytravelingstory.com/north-carolina-waterfalls

Holidays in Turkey are increasingly embraced by package holiday tours and budget airlines, are far from restricted to basic sun, sand and sea breaks. It is an ever increasingly popular destination for travelers, especially as the country has been in the new a lot lately, it’s easy to get to from Europe, and it is very cheap.
You can take the grown up approach to Turkey and do things your friends may not have considered. Cheap Turkey Holidays usually means the flight itself and possibly accommodation. Once you are there, take advantage of the many east-meets-west cultural opportunities. Here are some things you can do on your trip:

Don’t miss the Sultan Ahmet Mosque during your holidays to Turkey. A series of magnificent domes and a feel of space, coolness and holiness. This is one of the most famous mosques in the entire world and whose size will truly awe you. Don’t go during prayer time as access to parts of the mosque is limited.

A holiday to turkey mean you can go to the moon. Not the real moon, but the lunar landscape that is Cappadocia, full of white volcanic ash, odd rock formations and a real sense of otherness. Turkey has amazing cities but to see the real natural beauty that is Turkey, you need to take a trip to Cappadocia.

Take a Blue Cruise. This is a boat trip along the Turquoise Coast, a lovely breezy coastal trip that takes in all the major ports, including Bodrum. Cruise around the Caspian see or down the Mediterranean and relax in the azure blue waters that surround Turkey.

Do make a visit to Asia Minor, or as it is know today, Ehpesus, home to one of the seven wonders of the world, the magnificent Temple of Artemis. This was one of the central sites for Roman civilization in Turkey and contains a lot of historic ruins.

Adventurers on holidays to Turkey will not want to miss kayaking in the Coruh River, a white water haven and home to the most exotic of flora.

Finally, for history buffs there is the lost city of Troy. This is where the famous story the Illiad takes place as it chronicles the end of the city of Troy and the war with Greece. It was thought to be a myth for many years until it was discovered in the 1800s. You will discover alters, remains and 4000 year old history galore.

Shop ’til you drop. This is an essential with cheap Turkey Holidays. Put on your bargaining head for the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. The vibrant colours, the negotiations, the jewellery, ceramics and carpets will entice you, but do make sure you contain yourself – think baggage allowance.

We were staying for 5 days in Dahab in Sinai, on the Red Sea coast. This place is often referred to as the Ibiza of Egypt. But we found it a very relaxing place, an ideal base for trips into the surrounding mountains, learning about local culture, and of course swimming and snorkeling. It was our first snorkeling experience and it was really and eye opener - the beauty of the underwater world is truly amazing !
On one of the excursions we made, we started in a place called 'Blue Hole', near Dahab, and from there on , the only way further is by camel or by foot - but we even encountered one mountain biker !

The path winds along the shore of the Red sea, in the shadow of the rocks of the Ras Abu Gallum National park.  Also the camel ride was a first time experience for us - our total time on the camels was 3 hours, which is actually quite enough (at least to me it was more than enough - I walked the last hour).  Each camel had its camel driver, which were in our case a boy of 10 and one of 14.  They were from a bedouin family, which we would meet later,  understood only the words 'pen' and 'money', and I hoped they went to school instead of doing this job... I already started to feel guilty because participation into this excursion meant they were succesful in their job and this meant... right, no school - on the other hand with the money they got maybe the parents could pay for school ... Like so many situations in the world, also here exists no clear answer.

All of the bedouin people used to be nomadic people, trekking with camels in the Arabian desert. Although a lot of the bedouin live nowadays in a 'modern way', the bedouin culture remained alive in the Sinai.  The bedouin are one of the most hospitable and enjoyable people we met during our stay in Egypt.  When we arrived in the village - which lives of course mainly from tourists and divers - we were welcomed with the typical bedouin tea, which tastes just great and is really bringing energy - in fact some herbs are used that bring this effect.  In any case, this is the best tea of Egypt !

The food these people made for us was not only delicious, there was also plenty !
Of course they also tried to sell some stuff, but without being agressive sales people , like in the rest of Egypt.

So we went a lot of snorkeling, and this place was just fabulous !  As soon as you get into the water and put your head under water, you are in a different world, a world of colours and full of life.  We saw many of the species which were in our book, even the poisonous ones we discovered later in our book.  Main rule stays: don't touch anything, only leave your footprints on the beach.  We had our own hut on the beach, which was ideal for relaxation after swimming and snorkeling - the bedouin manage to make huts that not only protect you from the sun but also provide a natural air conditioning effect - no matter how hot it is in the sand, it is cool inside ! just great !

After swimming, a bedouin man came with hot water, to rince the salt from our bodies ! A real luxury place ! And then it was time to get on the camels again and go home ...

 With a rise in the number of budget airlines offering cheap flights to Dublin, the city has become one of the hottest destinations for weekend breaks. No matter what sort of escape you are looking for ñ be it a relaxing cultural getaway or a party with friends ñ the charming Irish capital will easily provide.

Dublin’s history dates back to the 10th Century, when Vikings came to settle on the fertile banks of the River Liffey. Since then the city has seen a turbulent and captivating history and the remnants of which can still be seen in the center to this day. Dublin has always been noted for its Georgian buildings, but there are some stunning examples of architecture from a number of different time periods and some of the highlights including Trinity College, Christ Church, Central Bank and the GPO on O’ Connell Street.

Of course, a chance to sample of a taste of the city’s famous export, Guinness, cannot be missed nor will a trip to the world-renowned Guinness Brewery. And in Temple Bar, you will find a wealth of traditional style bars offering a pint of the black stuff. This area of the city is immensely popular for nights out on the town and boasts a fine selection of restaurants, music venues and late bars and clubs.

Flights to Dublin can be taken from numerous destinations throughout the world and the city’s airport sees thousands of travellers each day. Many budget airlines operate routes to and from the Irish capital. Direct Flights to London, Berlin, Paris, Manchester and Milan are all available.

Source: _http://www.mytravelingstory.com

When in an unfamiliar country, it is easy to feel lost or out of touch with the local customs. And in Spain, if you don’t speak any Spanish, this feeling of alienation can multiply if you can’t communicate. So here are a few tips to make traveling through Spain a bit easier for someone foreign to Spanish life.

Remember that Spaniards’ eating schedule may be quite different than what you are used to. Dinner time is normally between 9 and 11 pm and lunch is usually eaten in the mid afternoon. When finding a place to eat, try to avoid chain restaurants where food can be rather bland. Look instead for Mom and Pop joints where the menu is most traditional and the food is most likely delicious.

Spaniards also are very dedicated to their daily Siesta time. Besides restaurants and retail stores that are located in touristy areas, businesses close down between the hours of 2 and 5 pm. So plan ahead – try to plan on eating lunch during this time period, as you won’t be able to do much of anything else.

Driving in Spain is probably not the greatest idea. Signs are often confusing and streets are poorly marked if at all. That is not a great combination when driving in a foreign country. Spain has a fantastic public transit system, and if you are going somewhere quite close, walking is a great way to take in all the sights. If you are traveling cross country, the train AVE in Spain is great. Public transportation is always a fabulous way to meet fellow travelers.

Lastly, when using public restrooms, toilet paper is not a sure thing. In fact it’s more likely that there will be none. It would be smart to travel with some tissues, so you don’t find yourself in this uncomfortable situation.

Source: _http://www.mytravelingstory.com/

With the recession in its full, fell swing, many feel that they cannot take proper vacations. Cheap holidays are the order of the day; shorter trips for smaller budgets, less exotic locales, fewer borders crossed and flights taken. Many days of vacation time are finding themselves unused simply because few believe cheap holidays are feasible.

Holidays in Greece are often thought of as pricey, high-class excursions to a luxury zone in an exotic foreign country, but in truth, holidays in Greece can be done on the cheap, on the quick, and with all the fulfillment and relaxation of a grandiose, expensive trip.

Greece is an historic nation, the root and foundation of Western civilization; for young adults, be they students or professionals, there is no better place to go to inspire awe and reawaken drive lost in the working day-to-day. Greece is home to the former city-state Athens, the prototypical democracy, and Athens is in turn home to the Acropolis of Athens, foundation of the Parthenon, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, some of the finest archaeological ruins open for public viewing in the world. Athens alone houses dozens of museums for both archaeology and contemporary works, displaying the best and most important elements of the past alongside the cream of our present and hopes for our future. The Grecian islands contain a splendor of their own, as well, with their beaches of white sand flung up and down the entire lengths of their coasts, with majestic outcroppings of cliff and rock to shield the shores from harsh wind and weather.

Greece is the perfect location for any young adults looking to take a cheap, affordable holiday in their time away from University or on their limited vacation. The modern nature of Greece coupled with the historic nature of its tourism centers creates a much more affordable holiday not centered on the stereotypical tourist culture of expensive food and overpriced souvenirs, allowing both starving students and overtired young professionals to find some respite from their day-to-day lives without breaking their banks for a luxury hotel. Greece is the ideal escape for those on a tight budget looking for a true escape from the mundane.

Source: _http://www.mytravelingstory.com/

When you look at the most significant historical moments in the history of Germany, it is no surprise that a large percentage of these moments occurred in the nation’s capital city, Berlin. For those who have an interest in history, visiting these historical landmarks in Berlin will be an absolute treat. For those who are not necessarily interested in history at the moment, you may well find that you are after visiting the following sights:

Checkpoint Charlie
One of the most prominent images in German history is the Berlin Wall being torn down. This wall was built in order to separate the communist west from the east of the city and was one of the most controversial structures in modern history. Checkpoint Charlie was formerly the third checkpoint for the Americans, and the line showing where the divide once stood is somewhat eerie and evokes thoughts of how such pain and suffering could be bestowed in what was in reality a relatively modern era.

Victory Column
This column serves as a reminder of the military power that Germany used to be, even in the days before the Nazis. It was built to celebrate successful military campaigns and is as artistic as it is imposing. The statue offers more than just something to look at as you can walk up the stairs within the statue itself and experience some beautiful views of the city, and in particular the Reichstag.

Reichstag
This building has featured highly in the colourful past of this city. Those with an interest in World War Two will be more than familiar with this building as it played a significant role in the Nazis attempt to gain power in the country. Prior to the Nazi rule, the Reichstag has a rich history as home to the German government.

Charlottenburg Palace
Taking your place on one of the hourly tours around this palace is highly recommended. One of the few buildings to remain from the Prussian times, it serves as a perfect indication of the luxury in which the Prussian rulers used to live. The Palace is now home to various exhibitions, with some including prehistoric artefacts. The gardens are delightful on a sunny day.

Contribution by James of holiday-velvet, who offer Amsterdam apartments and Accommodation in Amsterdam for European travellers.

Source : _http://www.mytravelingstory.com/historical-landmarks-in-berlin

Answer me quick - "what is the first thing you think about when I mention Normandy ? " ... right : world war II, D-Day, Utah and Omaha beach ...
A history that is maybe lesser known is that Normandy got its name from the Vikings (mainly Danish and Norwegian) that conquered this land in the 9th and 10th century.
But this story is not about war, it is about good living in France and about the beauty of nature.

It has been quite a while since I visited the Atlantic coast in Normandy and the different cities and villages, but while I am writing this story, the images of the walks into the fantastic landscapes are still vivid in my mind.  In the countryside, a hilly terain awaits you - ideal for a couple of days hiking with friends, in the midst of beautiful nature. This countryside is also known for its apple trees - after a nice day of hiking, a good Calvados brandy in the evening ... this must be France !

The name appears on millions of bottles of wine, one would almost forget it is also the name of a town in France.  The place is crowded with cathedrals, statues and other monuments that remind you of its great history and cultural importance.  The city became rich some centuries ago thanks to the two rivers 'Garonne' and 'Gironde', as overseas ships from many continents used the port for trading.  Nowadays the port has lost its importance, but the name of Bordeaux did not lost its prestige, thanks to the sweet gold... wine !

A visit to the vineyards is a pleasure in many ways.  The landscapes are just fantastic - this countryside is ideal for a bicycle trip - it is great way to explore the little villages, meet the locals, experience the 'couleur locale'...
The landscapes are dotted with castles (chateaux) , which makes the experience sometimes like being in a fairy tale.  A lot of these 'chateaux' can be visited, often a guided tour with explanation about the wine making process and wine tasting is offered - this is really the good life ! A little word of warning however : it can become hot , very hot, and when with a bicycle, one better not exagerate wine tasting along the way...
Real caves, full of wine bottles...     ... and barrels !

But don't worry , the good life can be continued when one comes back in the evening and can enjoy the richness of the French cuisine.  Oysters, 'Foie gras', different 'Patés', of course with the appropriate choice of Bordeaux wine...it is difficult to make a choice from the menu here and did I mention the deserts yet ?  Many nice restaurants, often at great locations with a nice atmosphere.  And dfter dinner a nice stroll in town, watch the sun set, and then a nightcap in  the hotel - good life can be simple !

Bordeaux, a place to remember and return to !

Source : _http://www.worldtravelstories.com/france_story1.htm