Find out more about Egypt and Cruising The Nile…
Ancient Egypt posts and information from Nile Cruises 4u.
Over the weekend I read the announcement that the are a series of new museums that have either just opened or are due to open shortly.
The Museum of Crocodiles , which displays mummified crocodiles and statues of the crocodile god “Sobek”, is near to the Temple of Kom Ombo in Aswan.
Another new museum is The Suez National Museum which houses 2,500 archaeological artefacts that tell the story of the history of Suez. Continue reading “New Museums in Egypt”
That was the title of an article in the travel section of yesterday’s Sunday Times.
The subtitle was: “You can see the ancient wonders without the crowds“.
The article written by Anthony Sattin, a writer and traveller suggested that:
“Despite the problems, the arguments FOR visiting Egypt are now compelling“.
He went on to say: “Tourist numbers have plummeted since the Arab Spring, so it’s gloriously quiet at the moments and the sights. The other reasons to go are perennial – stunning antiquities, beautiful landscapes, friendly people, the Nile, Tutankhamun’s treasures – oh, and sun”
He then described the situation in Luxor, where Nile cruises start and finish:
“Being almost entirely dependent on tourism, Luxor has been particularly hard hit, with visitor numbers between a half and a quarter of what they would normally be. In the first days of the revolution, guards mounted a 24-hour watch on Karnak Temple to stop it being looted – but, since then, the city has been as quiet as a tomb. There have been no incidents on the Nile and Aswan is as sleepy as ever. Continue reading “Egypt: Should You Go?”
Following on to my earlier post about The Valley of The Kings here is a short description of what you will see and experience when you visit the Temple of Karnak at Luxor on your Nile cruise itinerary..
 
The Temple, or more correctly, The Temples of Karnak lie about 1.5 miles north of Luxor city centre and comprise of up tp 100 acres and consist of the remains of a vast temple complex.
Over the next few days I am going to be adding posts about the various sites and temples that you will visit on your Nile Cruise.
I am going to start with The Valley of The Kings.
One of the most jaw-dropping sites you will visit is the world famous Valley of The Kings on the Westbank of the Nile. The first few times we visited the Valley we took a small boat across the Nile and then a short mini-bus journey to reach it but the last time we visited we were taken all the way by coach. It’s only a short journey, maybe 20 minutes, but it is a little easier than taking the boat and mini-bus.
Situated opposite Luxor, the Valley of The Kings is really a giant complex of burial chambers of tombs, including that of the “Boy King” Tutankhamun. These were tombs or burial chambers reserved for royalty.
This week the Sunday Times Review chose as their “Our Choice Book of the Week” the title “The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt” by Toby Wilkinson saying…
…”The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt is a thorough, erudite and enthusiastic gallop through an astonishing 3,000 years. From Narmer to Cleopatra, it is the sheer longevity of Egyptian civilisation that commands awe“.
If you are taking a Nile Cruise in the near future this book will certainly give you a great overview of Ancient Egypt and I think when you visit such sites as The Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple for instance, you will be able to put the history of these wonders into their historic perspective.
You can read more about “The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt” on the Amazon.co.uk website here.