Marsa Matrouh Egypt.

Location :

Marsa Matrouh lies 180 miles west of Alexandria , 138 miles from Sallum and 267 miles far from Cairo . It has a beautiful 4.5 miles beach with almost pure white sands.

How to reach it?

There is an international airport at Marsa Matrouh. If you are inside Egypt , you can go to Marsa Matrouh by bus or train. Our staff can assist you to book a ticket and reach the bus or train station to go to Marsa Matrouh. If you need a private air-conditioned vehicle, Memphis Tours can arrange that for you.

Sightseeing:

Marsa Matrouh is famous for its beautiful beaches with soft white sands remains, along with the serenity of the crystal clear sea water, protected from the high seas by a series of rocks forming a natural wave breaker. Shatt Al-Gharam, Lido, Rommel, Cleopatra , Al-Obayed and Agiba are the best places that can be visited in Marsa Matrouh, characterized by its wonderful enchanting natural caves like rocks and clear turquoise sea water

Agiba 

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The botanical garden of Aswan ( Kitchener's Island )

Among the famous visits in Aswan is to see the botanical gardens of Aswan , you can sail in a local felucca boat or take a motor boat to the eastern bank of the Nile to reach this island. where this botanical island is located opposite the city of Aswan and the elephantine island.

History of the Island: 

other names of the island is Kitchener island because in 1899  lord Kitchener  during his military campaigns in the Sudan made the island his head-quarter for his army, it was then known as the lords house.

Soon after the lord left the island it was given back to the ministry of irrigation  and was then known as the kings island.

Ever since 1928 and the ministry of irrigation has transferred the island into natural part full of trees from the 5 continents. 

How to visit this Island:

The island has 3 entrances,  The main entrance is located on the northern tip off the island, the entrance fees is 10 EGP. The best way to see the island in full and save walking is to get of at the main entrance and walk the full length of the island till you reach the southern tip of the island and get  your felucca from there. You may need to ask  your felucca man to wait for you at the other end. The Aswan botanical island is divided into 27 squares with  veridical and horizontal paths cutting each other making it like a chess board.

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Saqqara / Sakkara pyramids

Saqqara / Sakkara pyramids

Saqqara is one of the most extensive archaeological sites in Egypt! It was the cemetery for Memphis, the capital of Ancient Egypt, yet it is still one of the virgin archaeological sites, despite the fact that so much has already been found here!

The site is dominated by the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, which goes back to 2700 BC. It is one of the oldest stone structures in the world!

Sakkara is also the site of many tombs from the 1st and 2nd Dynasties. Most are made out of mud bricks, but some tombs are made of limestone, decorated with daily life scenes. When you are at Sakkara, you will notice that it is divided into:

 
Southern Sakkara, which is dominated by the step Pyramid.
-Northern Sakkara, which is dominated by the Pyramid of King Titi, and Mastaba tombs of the old kingdom.

 
When conducting a visit to Sakkara don’t miss the following sites:

• The Step Pyramid of King Zoser, and it surrounding complex:
• The Pyramid of King Titi
• The tomb of Mereruka and the tomb of Kagimni
• The Mastaba tomb of Ti, and the tomb of Ptah-Hotep

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Sharm el-Sheikh

Sharm el-Sheikh considers itself and indeed is the seaside resort in Sinai. Large numbers of visitors holiday here every year.

After sunset, visitors have the choice of touring the shops, which open quite late and offer the usual souvenirs or of frequenting the café terraces strung out along the main road running parallel with the beach. Those not worn out by their day of sun and sand can head off to one of the numerous hotel discos.

One advantage of the resort’s well-deserved success has been that the airlines now provide not just one daily scheduled service between Sharm el-Sheikh and Cairo but also direct charter flights from Europe. Sharm el-Sheikh is now therefore about five hours from London.



Ras Umm Sid Beach

Sharm el-Sheikh considers itself and indeed is the seaside resort in Sinai. Large numbers of visitors holiday here every year. Sharm el-Sheikh Bay, Naama Bay and Shark Bay are about 6 km apart but the development of the resort is such that they will soon form one settlement. The long beaches of fine sand already attract visitors and since the small town has grown rapidly, there are more and more tourists enjoying the charms of the place.

Corals Diver

Visitors love to lie and roast in the sun but beware of too much exposure, as it is very fierce. They also love to swim in the extraordinarily clear waters and to hire windsurfing boards, ideal for making the most of the ever-present breeze. The seabed close to the coast is like some gigantic coral aquarium, home to coral grouper (red fish with blue spots), Napoleon wrasse, parrotfish, butterfly fish (always in pairs), map angelfish (blue and yellow), threadfins and scorpion fish with long, elegant fins.

Sinai, Travco Marina Port in Sharm el-Sheikh

Luxury hotels with swimming pools have flourished along the coast. They offer all the facilities, including plenty of sports and leisure activities, demanded by an international clientele who make for the resort summer and winter. Highly qualified instructors offer an introduction to scuba diving for those wishing to swap the snorkel for a tank. Those already familiar with the sport can make the most of the wonderful “drop-offs” and night dives.
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Oases

 The Siwa Haven is anchored in the Western Desert abutting to the Libyan border. It is Egypt's best alien haven boondocks and the Siwans accept developed their own audible Berber culture. Siwans allege their own accent and their jewellery and crafts are exquisite. A appropriate alley and a baby airport accept absolutely put the Siwa Haven on the day-tripper map but it is still off the baffled track. As able-bodied as its different culture, the Siwa haven is accepted for its bounded beauty, hot springs and the actuality that Alexander the Great catholic actuality to appointment the Oracle of Amun.

It's a admirable abode to relax, bathe and eat some olives. The old boondocks of Siwa dates aback to the 13th aeon and its mud and brick architectonics looks bent and absolutely unique. See the Siwans own web armpit for added advice on how to get there, area to break and what to do.

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The Mosque of Amr Ibn El-Aas by Ismail Abaza,cairo

This is the first and oldest mosque ever built on the land of Egypt. Erected in 642 AD (21 AH) by Amr Ibn al'As, the commander of the Muslim army that conquered Egypt, the mosque is also known as Taj al-Jawamie (Crown of Mosques, al-Jamie'al-Ateeq (the Ancient Mosque) and Masjid Ahl ar-Rayah (Mosque of Banner Holders).



The mosque is said to have been built on the site of Amr Ibn el-As's tent at Fustat, is the oldest existing mosque, not just in Cairo, but the entire African Continent. Located north of the Roman Fortress of Babylon, it is actually on the edge of Fustat, the temporary city founded by Amr, and was an Islamic learning center long before El-Azhar Mosque. It could hold up to 5,000 students.



The mosque was originally built on an area of 1,500 square cubits, overlooking the Nile. The initial structure was quite simple; with walls bare of any plaster or decorations, but without niche (miharb), minaret or ground cover. It had two doors on the north and two others facing Amr's house.



The mosque area remained unchanged until 672 AD (53 AH), when Musallama al-Ansari, Egypt's ruler on behalf of Caliph Mu'awiya Ibn abi-Sufian undertook expansion and renovation works for the mosque. Walls and ceilings were decorated and four compartments for "muezzins" (callers for prayers) were added at the corners, together with a minaret, while the mosque ground was covered with straw mats.

In 698 AD (79 AH), the mosque was demolished and expanded by Abdul-Aziz Ibn Marwan, Egypt's ruler. Once again in 711 AD (93 AH), the mosque was demolished by Prince Qurrah Ibn Shuraik al-Absi, Egypt's ruler. Upon the orders of Caliph al-Waleed Ibn Abdul-Malek, the mosque area was enlarged, a niche, a wooden pulpit (minbar) and a compartment and copings of four cloumns facing the niche were gold-coated. The mosque had then four doors to the east, four to the west and three to the north.

Under the Abbasid state, successive additions and repairs were introduced. In 827 AD (212 AH), Abdullah Ibn Taher, Egypt's ruler on behalf of Caliph al-Ma'moun ordered an equivalent area to the north to be added to the mosque, thus bringing its total area to its present level of 13,556,25 square metres. (112.3m x 120.5m). However, the Fatimid period was the gold era for the mosque, where gilted mosaics, marble works, a wooden compartment and a moving pulpit were introduced and part of the niche was silver-coated.








The last structural amendments in Amr Mosque were made during the rule of Murad Bey under the ottoman era, in 1797 AD (1212 AD). Because of the collapse of some columns, the interior of the mosque was demolished and rebuilt. As a result, eastern arcades were repositioned so as to be perpendicular to the mihrab wall. Accordingly, arches were extended across windows. Two minarets were built and are still extant.

Amr Mosque was not merely a place of worship but also served as a court for settling religious and civil disputes. Moreover, teaching circles were organized either for general religious preaching or teaching lessons in Quranic sciences, jurisprudence and Prophet Muhammad's Tradition (Hadith) as well as letters.



The mosque incorporates elements of Greek and Roman buildings, and has 150 white marble columns and three minarets. Simple in design, its present plan consists of an open sahn (court) surrounded by four riwaqs, the largest being the Qiblah riwaq. There are a number of wooden plaques bearing Byzantine carvings of leaves, and a partially enclosed column is believed to have been miraculously transported from Mecca on the orders of Mohammed himself. There are many other ancient legions related to the Mosque.

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Cairo, Egypt has always been attracting travelers, dating back over 10 centuries ago to the time of the Mamluks. However, the beautiful, hectic, crowded, surprising, enchanting (and every other cool sounding adjective) city of Cairo is still in the eyes of the Egyptians the City Victorious, known officially as al-Qahirah or simply “Masr”, the name for Egypt as a whole. Cairo is one of the world's largest urban areas and offers many sites to visit. It is the administrative capital of Egypt and, close by, is almost every Egypt Pyramid, such as the Great Pyramids of Giza on the very edge of the city. There are also ancient temples, tombs, gorgeous Christian churches, magnificent Muslim monuments, and of course, the Egyptian Antiquities Museum all either within or nearby to the city.



As long as you’re willing to loosen your senses and lose yourself to this majestic city, you can discover the sweetness of Cairo; the coziness of small cafes and the pleasure of strolling along narrow streets. It would be impossible to accurately describe Cairo fairly; it is truly one of a kind.



Cairo, Egypt is an amazing city full of life and movement, and it is that way almost 24 hours a day, with the noisy honking of horns, children playing in the streets and merchants selling their wears and services.



The city provides great culture; including art galleries and music halls, such as the Cairo Opera House, Sawy Culture Wheel, Ahmed Shawky Museum as well it should, being one of the largest cities in the world. It also provides accommodations fitting every budget from the grandest in the world, such as the Four Seasons and the Cairo Marriott to budget hotels and hostels.



When you’re done with the sightseeing and morning exhaustion, embrace Cairo’s incredible selection of shopping, leisure and nightlife activities. Shopping ranges from the famous Khan el-Khalili souk, (or bazaar) largely unchanged since the 14th century, to modern air-conditioned centers displaying the latest fashions. All the bounty of the East can be here. Particularly good buys are spices, perfumes, gold, silver, carpets, brass and copper-ware, leatherwork, glass, ceramics and mashrabiya. Try some of the famous street markets, like Wekalat al-Balaq; for fabrics, including Egyptian cotton, the Tentmakers Bazaar; for appliqué-work, Mohammed Ali Street; for musical instruments and, although you probably won't want to buy, the Camel Market makes a fascinating trip. This is, and has been for over a thousand years, truly a shopper's paradise.



Go for shisha (water pipe) in one of the old cafes on the street, you can try cool flavors like apple, coconut or even Red Bull. Get yourself a nice meal of koshari for as little as 4 pounds, and eat like a true Egyptian. Have a nice Faluka ride down the Nile, and enjoy the cool breeze glancing at the different Faluka decorations.



In a city as lively as Cairo, with diversity, culture and good hearted people who are always willing to help, you’ll never run out of things to do.

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The City of Aswan, Egypt

Aswan, Egypt's sunniest southern city and ancient frontier town located about 81 miles south of Luxor, has a distinctively African atmosphere. Its ancient Egyptian name was Syene. Small enough to walk around and graced with the most beautiful setting on the Nile, the pace of life is slow and relaxing. Days can be spent strolling up and down the broad Corniche watching the sailboats etch the sky with their tall masts or sitting in floating restaurants listening to Nubian music and eating freshly caught fish.



In Aswan the Nile is at its most beautiful, flowing through amber desert and granite rocks, round emerald islands covered in palm groves and tropical plants. Explore the souk, full of the scent and color of spices, perfumes, scarves and baskets. View the spectacular sunsets while having tea on the terrace of the Old Cataract Hotel (Named due to the location of the Nile's first cataract located here). Aswan has been a favorite winter resort since the beginning of the nineteenth century, and it's still a perfect place to get away from it all.



Every night Nubian dancers and musicians perform in the Cultural Center, just off the Corniche. Folklore troupes recreate scenes from village life and perform the famous Nubian mock stick-fight dances.

Dancers at the Cultural Center

Aswan is a strategic location which currently houses a garrison of the Egyptian army, but which has also seen ancient Egyptian garrisons, as well as that of General Kitchener, Turkish troops of the Ottoman empire and the Romans.



The city proper lies on the east bank of the Nile. Relax here, visit a few mosques, but then prepare for an adventure. The bazaar runs along the Corniche, which continues past the Ferial Gardens and the Nubian Museum, and continues on to the Cemetery, with its forest of cupolas surmounted tombs from the Fatimid period. Just east of the cemetery in the famous area quarries is the gigantic Unfinished Obelisk. Just to the south of this, two Graeco-Roman sarcophagi and an unfinished colossus remain half buried in the sand.



The most obvious is Elephantine Island, which is timeless with artifacts dating from pre-Dynastic times onward. It is the largest island in the area. Just beyond Elephantine is Kitchener's Island (Geziret el-Nabatat). It was named for the British general Haratio Kitchener (185--1916) and was sent to Egypt in 1883 to reorganize the Egyptian army, which he then led against the Sudanese Mahdi. But the island is known for its garden and the exotic plants the Kitchener planted there, and which continue to flourish today.



On the opposite shore (west bank), the cliffs are surmounted by the tomb of a marabut, Qubbet el-Hawwa, who was a local saint. Below are tombs of the local (pharaonic) nobles and dignitaries.



Upriver a bit is the tomb of Mohammed Shah Aga Khan who died in 1957. Known as the Tomb of the Aga Khan, it is beautiful in its simplicity. A road from there leads back to the Coptic Monastery of St Simeon, which was built in the sixth century in honor of Amba Hadra, a local saint.



Just up river a bit, there is also the old Aswan dam, built by the British, which was enlarged, expanded, but unable to control the Nile for irrigation.

Elephantine Island

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Luxor/Karnak/Thebes

Luxor has often been called the worlds greatest open air museum, as indeed it is and much more. The number and preservation of the monuments in the Luxor area are unparalleled anywhere else in the world that know of. Actually, what most people think of as Luxor is really three different areas, consisting of the City of Luxor on the East side of the Nile, the town of Karnak just north of Luxor and Thebes, which the ancient Egyptians called Waset, which is on the west side of the Nile across from Luxor.





To say that the Luxor area is a major attraction for tourists in Egypt would be an understatement. It has been a tourist destination since the beginning of tourism. Even in ancient times, during the late Dynasties of the Greek and Roman periods, the area drew tourists, and has been doing so ever since. Today Luxor is well equipped to accommodate tourists with many hotels and in general a tourist industry ready and willing to serve the people from many countries that descend on this area of the Nile Valley every year.





Above - The west bank across the Nile from Luxor.

Within Luxor, there are only three main streets consisting of Sharia al-Mahatta, Sharia al-Karnak and the Corniched, next to the Nile. The street in front of the train station is Sharia al-Mahatta and runs away from the Nile where it meets the gardens of Luxor Temple. Sharia al-Karnak, or Maabad al-Karnak which means Karnak Temple Street runs along the Nile from Luxor Temple to Karnak Temple. However, Sharia al-Karnak is known as Sharia al-Markaz where it meets Sharia al-Mahatta street, and to the south around the temple it is known as Sharia al-Lokanda. Along this street one will find the colorful signs of restaurants and cafes, as well as bazaars where the usual variety of Egyptian souvenirs can be found. Of interest is the alabaster, which is plentiful along the west bank and miled not far from here. Also look for the clay pots used by the locals for cooking, which are more unusual.

Luxor at the Nile

Luxor today is a city of some 150,000 people and is governed by special statues that allow it more autonomy then other political areas of Egypt. One thing you might notice is that various government and other buildings confirm to an 'ancient' building code. Particularly, the National bank of Egypt (located near the winter palace), the spa south of the police station, and the railway station are all designed to appear as pharaonic constructs. All of this occurred after the Egyptianization of the modern town resulting mostly from the mania that resulted from Howard Carter's discovery of the Tomb of Tutankhamun. As one might think, the city has all the amenities tourists might expect, including a variety of hotels, bars, nightclubs and restaurants.







In Luxor proper on the East Bank, one of the first stops must be the Temple of Luxor built by Amenophis III. Head south on Sharia al-Karnak to reach the temple, which was connected to the Karnak Temple via a long stone processional street called a dromos. The dromos (Picture at right) was built by Nectanebo I, and originally was lined on either side by sphinxes. In front of the Luxor temple, the dromos is well preserved, and on the way to the entrance one passes by a Roman chapel of burnt brick dedicated to the god Serapis, which was built during the rule of Hadrian. There is a path that leads to the Nile side of the Temple where one enters the complex.



One of the Luxor Bazaars

After leaving Luxor, head back to Sharia al-Karnak and go north towards Karnak. Down the road, near the police station which is near the tomb is the oldest mosque in Luxor, the El-Mekashkesh Mosque. It contains the remains of a 10th century Islamic saint who rumor has it was a monk prior to converting to Islam. The mosque is a popular pilgrimage destination. Here also is the Franciscan Church and its schools, one for boys and the other girls. Beyond this lies a great Coptic basilica.



At the Police station, head towards the Nile Corniche. Here, opposite the Mina Palace Hotel you will find the Mummification Museum, which has most anything you would ever want to know about mummifications. From here, head north towards Karnak.



About halfway to Karnak, you will discover the Luxor Museum. (The image at left is a Block Statue of Iamu Negh from the Luxor Museum). It should certainly be visited if you plan a well rounded and educated experience. While this is a small museum, most of the relics are from the surrounding area and provide considerable insight to the monuments you will visit.








From the Museum, head back to Sharia al-Karnak and continue north towards Karnak. After crossing a small bridge one will begin to see the excavated dromos off the road and running through a small village. A little further on you will pass the ruins of the Temple of Mut where another dromos leads to the gateway of the tenth pylon. The road finally arrives at the domed tombs of two saints, Sidi Ahmed and Sidi Ali, where a road leads past the Department of Antiquities leads to the main Temple of Karnak entrance. This road is built along a canal that once connected the Nile to the Temple. There was a dock in ancient times, but now all that is left is the quay and the raised dais. Just past that is a red brick Roman dock and past that two paved ramps led to the river bank. They are bordered by stone parapets, and were built during the rule of Taharqa. Past these is the Chapel of Achoris, which received the sacred boat of Amun when it was used in ceremonies.



To arrive at the entrance one follows the dromos with its crio-sphinxes. They have the head of a Ram and the body of a lion and are symbolic of the God Amun. Arriving at the temple, there is a statue of Ramesses II with his son between his feet.




To the right is a structure that has red steps, a red front colonnade and red brick walls. Inside there are pedestals. inscribed with the names of Roman emperors, that once held their statues. This was a Roman chapel dedicated to imperial worship. After leaving the Temple complex on the left is the Franco-Egyptian Center which has managed the temple complex since 1967. Down on the shore of the Nile is the Centre National dl la Recherche Scientifque, or CNRS, which houses the French and the Chicago House, a project of the University of Chicago is near by.



After this, you will wish to take a boat trip over to the West bank. This trip had a special meaning to the Egyptians, for they were more crossing the way to the West and life, then to a necropolis. The Valley of the Kings is as good as any to try first, with tombs from the 18th and 19th Dynasties. Outside the Valley of the Kings, the road leads past Antef, named for the 11th Dynasty prices who were buried here. Some tombs can still be seen as one heads towards the Temple of Seti I. Most of what is left of Seti's Temple is the view. The court is entered by the ruined gate of a pylon The court has what is left of a palace on the south side. The road continues south passing Dra-Abu el-Naga necropolis.








Sculptured Walls



The road eventually winds itself westward until reaching the Valley of Asasif. These are 25th and 26th Dynasty tombs. At the end of of the Valley of Asasif at the foot of a cliff named Deir el-Bahri is a spectacular complex of temples. The Temple of Mentuhetep I, Hatshepsut and Thotmose II here must be seen. Much of the architecture here seems so very powerful against the towering cliffs in the background. From here, the road continues past the remains of the temples of Ramesses IV and Thutmose III, eventually reaching the Necropolis of Sheikh Abd el-Qurna. This 18th Dynasty necropolis sits amidst houses where there are hundreds of holes. And below here, one comes to the famous Ramesseum, built by Ramesses II, a huge complex that took twenty years to complete.



As the road runs along past the remains of Thutmose IV, Merneptah, Ay and Horemheb's Temples, it finally comes to the huge complex known as Medinet Habu, which is another of Thebe's major attractions and a must see sight. The gate has square towers and appears almost oriental. Behind the complex is the workmen's village called Deir el-Medina. Out in the fields near here is the Colossi of Memnon, one of the major tourist attractions throughout time. Southwest of Deir el-Medina is the Valley of the Queens, where queens of the 18th and 19th Dynasties were buried.



From here, the road continues past the mudbrick remains of the Amenhotep III's palace called Malkatta. There is a lake to the east and at the other end of that, a small Roman temple called Deir Shelwit and built at the end of the 1st century.





Luxor has a wonderful Sound and Light Show

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Luxor

Luxor (Arabic: الأقصر‎ Al Aqṣur) is a city in Upper (southern) Egypt and the capital of Luxor Governorate. The population numbers 487,896 (2010 estimate),[2] with an area of approximately 416 square kilometres (161 sq mi).[1] As the site of the Ancient Egyptian city of Thebes, Luxor has frequently been characterized as the "world's greatest open air museum", as the ruins of the temple complexes at Karnak and Luxor stand within the modern city. Immediately opposite, across the River Nile, lie the monuments, temples and tombs on the West Bank Necropolis, which include the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens. Thousands of international tourists arrive annually to visit these monuments, contributing a large part towards the economy for the modern city.
Luxor was the ancient city of Thebes, the great capital of Egypt during the New Kingdom, and the glorious city of the god Amon-Ra. The city was regarded in the Ancient Egyptian texts as w3s.t (approximate pronunciation: "Waset"), which meant or "city of the sceptre" and also as t3 ip3t (probably pronounced as "ta ipet" and meaning "the shrine") and then, in a later period, the Greeks called it Thebai and the Romans after them Thebae. Thebes was also known as "the city of the 100 gates", sometimes being called "southern Heliopolis" ('Iunu-shemaa' in Ancient Egyptian), to distinguish it from the city of Iunu or Heliopolis, the main place of worship for the god Re in the north. It was also often referred to as niw.t, which simply means "city", and was one of only three cities in Egypt for which this noun was used (the other two were Memphis and Heliopolis); it was also called niw.t rst, "southern city", as the southernmost of them.

Luxor Temple

The importance of the city started as early as the 11th Dynasty, when the town grew into a thriving city, renowned for its high social status and luxury, but also as a center for wisdom, art, religious and political supremacy.[3] Montuhotep II who united Egypt after the troubles of the first intermediate period brought stability to the lands as the city grew in stature. The Pharaohs of the New Kingdom in their expeditions to Kush, in today's northern Sudan, and to the lands of Canaan, Phoenicia and Syria saw the city accumulate great wealth and rose to prominence, even on a world scale.[3] Thebes played a major role in expelling the invading forces of the Hyksos from Upper Egypt, and from the time of the 18th Dynasty through to the 20th Dynasty, the city had risen as the major political, religious and military capital of Ancient Egypt.

The city attracted peoples such as the Babylonians, the Mitanni, the Hittites of Anatolia (modern-day Turkey), the Canaanites of Ugarit, the Phoenicians of Byblos and Tyre, the Minoans from the island of Crete.[3] A Hittite prince from Anatolia even came to marry with the widow of Tutankhamun, Ankhesenamun.[3] The political and military importance of the city, however, faded during the Late Period, with Thebes being replaced as political capital by several cities in Northern Egypt, such as Bubastis, Sais and finally Alexandria.

However, as the city of the god Amon-Ra, Thebes remained the religious capital of Egypt until the Greek period.[3] The main god of the city was Amon, who was worshipped together with his wife, the Goddess Mut, and their son Khonsu, the God of the moon. With the rise of Thebes as the foremost city of Egypt, the local god Amon rose in importance as well and became linked to the sun god Ra, thus creating the new 'king of gods' Amon-Ra. His great temple, at Karnak just north of Thebes, was the most important temple of Egypt right until the end of antiquity.

Later, the city was attacked by Assyrian emperor Assurbanipal who installed the Libyan prince on the throne, Psammetichus.[3] The city of Thebes was in ruins and fell in significance. However, Alexander the Great did arrive at the temple of Amun, where the statue of the god was transferred from Karnak during the Opet Festival, the great religious feast.[3] The grandeur of Thebes would still remain a site of spirituality, and attracted numerous Christian monks in the Roman Empire who established monasteries amidst several ancient monuments including the temple of Hatshepsut, now called Deir el-Bahri ("the northern monastery").[3]

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Royal Caribbean Ships - Second To None

The Royal Caribbean Cruise ships are top of the line vessels that will amaze you with their offerings of daily surprises and activities that range from sports to health, magic, music, and other forms of entertainment. Their vacation packages cater to children, teenagers, and adults of all ages. You will find excitement for romantic couples, family vacationers, corporate employees, best of friends, while meeting new and interesting friends.

Can you imagine? The wonder of operating from your very own floating luxury "hotel stateroom", while enjoying five course gourmet meals, and participating in the best of non-stop activities. You may well wish there were more than 24 hours in each day. And that is supplemented with stops at exotic shore locations, that force some to agonize over whether to stay on board while in port, and miss the shore activities, or whether to get lost in those very activities.

Did you know that Royal Caribbean and DreamWorks have teamed up to bring you DreamWorks Animation on their Oasis class ships? They feature DreamWorks cartoon characters of hit animated movies through 3D movies, aquatic shows, ice shows, character parades, table-side visits, along with great photo opportunities.

If the already mentioned activities are not enough, on Royal Caribbean Ships you will find ice shows, aqua parks, night clubs, casinos, Big Band shows, comedy shows, arts and cultural experiences, nursery centers with nannies, and retails shops with items straight from the Ports of Call you visit. When you are ready to drop you will do so back in your luxurious cabin.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Liljestrand

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How to Plan a Peru Vacation With Offspring

As many know traveling with your offspring, especially if they are young, requires a lot more planning than if you're on your own. It's not just you, you need to take care of them as well. Therefore it's important to research your destination extensively prior to your vacation to make sure you find the best family-friendly spots and activities, and ensure you have a great vacation. Peru is a wonderful country filled with many attractions that can suit the tastes of parents and children alike. You should also be aware of all health/dangers considerations you are likely to meet as you travel, to avoid any bad surprise during your trip to Peru.

First of all, it's important to know that many of the most famous attractions of Peru, such as the magnificent Machu Picchu citadel, Cusco and its beautiful historic buildings, or the Lake Titicaca, highest navigable lake in the world, are located at very high altitudes, which requires some acclimatization. Many travelers are affected by altitude sickness, and children are generally more prone to experience it. Just make sure you don't rush, take your time to get acclimatized, ideally in the surrounding Sacred Valley which is at a lower altitude, and use traditional medicine such as coca tea, or more modern medication which you can find in virtually every pharmacy in Peru.

Now for the fun part. Kids may get bored after hours and hours of visiting Inca ruins, colonial churches and such, so it might be a good idea to balance your trip with some fun activities which are available throughout the country. For example, if you are not scared of heights, you can plan an afternoon zip lining in the Sacred Valley, rafting or horseback riding. If you are looking for some local handicrafts and great action, check out the market in Pisac. The market is generally teeming with activities and children are guaranteed to fill their eyes with extraordinary images, and maybe their pocket with souvenirs. If your kids like animals, take them to a llama and alpaca farm where they will get the chance to pat and feed these odd animals. And it's just as fun for adults as well.

For day trips out of Lima, you can travel to Paracas and nearby Huacachina, where kids will without a doubt enjoy a boat tour of the Ballestas Islands, known as the "poor man's Galapagos" where you can observe colonies of hundreds of sea lions as well as an infinite number of birds. An hour away is the beautiful oasis of Huacachina, where you can take your offspring for an exciting dune buggy ride and some sand boarding down the slopes of the dunes!
This guide to traveling in Peru with offspring was written by an Peru travel expert at Peru For Less available to help you custom design your exciting Peru tours.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hortense_Soulier

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The Turkish Taka

Those taking Turkey tours in the north of the country will witness the full breadth of Turkish maritime culture and engineering. The Gulet is a two-masted sailing boat that originated from the south west of the country, on the Mediterranean coast. Gulets are a very popular form of transport for those enjoying Turkey tours in the south and west of the country. But if your tour takes in the Black Sea, you will probably encounter the famous taka. The taka is a fishing vessel smaller than the Gulet, but more robust and better suited to the rolling waves of the Black Sea.

The Black Sea

Turkey tours to this region will introduce visitors to a very different side of Turkey. For millennia, the Black Sea has been a vital trading route for the civilisations living on its banks. The numerous groups included the Eurasian tribes from the Balkan to the Caucasus, and what is now Georgia, at the eastern end of the sea, represented the furthest edge of the known world for the ancient Greeks. The sea was an important source of both food and trade, and the Laz people of north eastern Turkey and neighbouring Georgia developed the Taka as a vessel to cope with the sea's heavy waves.

The Taka

Takas are usually 8 to 12 metres long and designed to be able to carry a cargo of 5 to 10 tonnes - although the boats designed for fishing are often smaller than this. They are usually built in boatyards run by ship-builders from the eastern part of the Turkish Black Sea coast. The taka began to develop its strong character in the 19th century, when the accumulated knowledge of the shipwrights had become specialised enough to build a particularly stable craft.

The Taka's role in Turkey's past

Visitors will be made particularly aware of the rich political and cultural history of Turkey. Tours allow you to learn about the culture first-hand, and the taka has played its own role in the development of the modern Turkish state. During the Turkish War of Independence, takas and their crews helped to smuggle arms and equipment to the pro-Independence forces, providing a vital lifeline across the Black Sea.

The taka is a common sight and has an important iconic role in the Black Sea regions of Turkey. Tours to the area are a perfect opportunity to experience the small boats with a big place in the hearts of the locals, and a trip in a taka is a perfect way of enjoying this part of the world.
Gordon Trevennan works for Peter Sommer Travels, a company specialising in cultural, educational, and historical Turkey tours as well as gulet cruises and charters in Turkey, Greece, and Italy. Our experienced guides bring the past to life on all of the Turkey tours that we offer.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gordon_Trevennan

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Southern Italy at a Glance

Visitors to southern Italy find a rich array of archaeological remains. Although those of the Romans at Pompeii are high on everyone's list, Greek ruins are found in Sicily and the southern coast and there are mysterious ancient structures, called nuraghe, in Sardinia. Campania, Puglia, and Sicily are admired for their architecture, while across the south there are magnificent landscapes, abundant wildlife, and endless opportunities for outdoor activities.

The cuisine alone, with its eclectic heritage and diversity of tastes, provides the excuse to dawdle on the coast or in the mountain villages.

The Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, a vast unspoilt wilderness, is home to wolves, bears, and many species of birds.

Su Nuraxi at Barumini, built around 1500 BC, is the most celebrated of Sardinia's mysterious stone nuraghe sites.

The cloister decoration at Monreale cathedral is a legacy of Sicily's Arabic past,with elaborate columns adorned with fine mosaics and splendid sculpted capitals.

Sicily's Valley of the Temples at Agrigento contains some of the best ruins outside Greece.Mostly Doric in construction and style, they date from the 5th and 6th centuries BC.

The Museo Archeologico Nazionale in Naples is one of Italy's most important museums.

It houses the treasures of Pompeii, including sculptures, vases, and everyday artifacts which provide a detailed glimpse of Roman life.

The church of Santa Croce in Lecce is an excellent example of the exuberant Lecce Baroquestyle, from its elaborate rose window to the intricately carved capitals.

Mount Etna, one of the world's largest volcanoes, is still active, with lava erupting from fissures that dot its flanks. The nearby city of Catania has suffered repeatedly from volcanic damage.

The Ancient Greeks in Southern Italy

Some of the best ruins of the ancient Greek world are in Southern Italy. Syracuse, Selinunte, Segesta, and Gela are among the better known Sicilian sites while those on the mainland include Croton, Locri, and Paestum. Magna Graecia is the collective name given to these scattered colonies of ancient Greece, the earliest of which were founded in the Naples area in the 11th century BC. Many great figures of the age - including Pythagoras, Archimedes, and Aeschylus - lived in these far-flung settlements, and it was here that the ancient winemaker's art flourished. Artifacts from this age are exhibited in the excellent archaeological museums of Naples, Syracuse, and Taranto.

Ancient Herakleia (Herculaneum) was named after its patron deity, the mighty Hercules. It was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuviusin AD 79.

Poseidonia (today's Paestum), was the city of Poseidon, god of the sea. Its ruins, dating from the 6th century BC, include the hulks of two of the finest Doric temples in Europe.

Mount Etna was believed to be the forge of Hephaistos (Vulcan) - god of fire - and the Cyclops, the one-eyed giant.

Egesta (built 426-416 BC) was colonized by the Elymians, who may have originated at Troy. Among the ruins of this town are a half-completed temple and a theater. Ancient Greeks used theatres for plays and cultural entertainment rather than combat.

In about 540 BC Croton became the chief school of Pythagoras's philosophy. Here the great thinker and mathematician remained for about 30 years until the government (which he supported) was overthrown, and he was expelled.
For more information, please Visit best travel websites and naturist beaches in Italy

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristie_Haller

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Leisure Activities When Holidaying in Torquay, Devon England

The town of Torquay is located in Torbay in the south west part of England in the county of Devon. It is to be found to the south of Exeter and north east of Plymouth and very close to the small town of Paignton. It is the third largest community in Devon. Originally, the economy of the town was based on agriculture and fisheries, but in the nineteenth century the town started to turn into a very chic seaside resort. It is still celebrated as having a healthy climate and as such earned the nickname of the English Riviera some time ago. The celebrated author Agatha Christie was born here in 1890 and spent much of her life in the area. Torquay itself contains the Agatha Christie Mile, which is a tour with plaques and dedicated to her work and her life. In addition to this, there are numerous other attractions to be found.

There is the heritage centre called Bygones, which has life sized exhibition roads, together with replica period rooms. Once you enter, you are able to look back into a bygone era and imagine how the town looked in Victorian times. The World War 1 trench is also interesting.

If you favour swimming, then the Waves Leisure Pool is a must. This indoor pool provides exercise and fun for all the family. It has a great wave machine located in the pool's warm waters. This facility is available for private hire and also can be used for swimming lessons throughout the whole of the year.

A popular attraction is the Babbacombe Model Village, which is a miniature model village and located in four acres of attractive miniature gardens. It contains literally thousands of miniature buildings, vehicles and people and has animated scenes to capture the very essence of what happened in the past. The gardens have won awards.

For something different, Living Coasts is a really interesting collection of animals featuring a range of animals ranging from seals to penguins, puffins and all sorts of sea ducks. This attraction has sandy beaches and rocky cliff faces, together with an aviary where birds fly over visitors. With both outdoor and indoor exhibits, you can visit whatever the weather may be doing.

Visit the English Riviera Geopark Trail, situated in the stunning rolling hills of south Devon in Torbay's beautiful coastline. The historic site covers 400 million years of the locality's geology and is set within just 22 miles of English Riviera's coastline. It has a landscape that was not touched by glaciation, so reveals things that are unseen in other parts of the world, tracing hot deserts, drowned forests, early man and tropical seas.

If you are interested in prehistoric times, visit Kent's Cavern Prehistoric Caves located within the English Riviera's Geopark and which is one of the most significant Stone Age sites in the UK. These caves are more than two million years old having been miraculously uncovered by Victorian explorers. The attraction has won many awards and is well worth a visit.

If you visit the area and require high class accommodation, then why not stay at The Osborne Club in Torquay. Located in a stunning position just outside Torquay at Meadfoot beach, the apartments are available for rent all year round.
Carol Forrest is the owner of timeshare apartment The Osborne in Torquay which is a self catering apartment located on a stunning part of south Devon's coastline. Website: http://www.theosbornetorquay.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carol_Forrest

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5 Tips for First Time Cruisers

If you are a first time cruiser you are bound to have questions. We all did. Here are some tips to help you make some important decisions for you first cruise.

Cruise lines: how do you choose? The best way to do that is based on who is going. For a family I recommend Royal Caribbean, hands down they are the cruise line that will have something for all ages. Are you traveling in a group? Where does everyone want to go? Itinerary is probably most important. Do some research and decide where you want to go based on what time of year you are planning to travel. If you are going as couple you should probably choose based on your age and what the cruise line has to offer as far as activities. Do you want a nice spa with a thermal suite? Do you want a cruise that has cooking or wine classes? Do you like to go dancing at night? These are all things to research for you trip. Staterooms: how do you choose a stateroom? Now I know everyone says they are not going to spend a lot of time in their room so who cares what kind they get? I care! I am sorry but for me I am not going to enjoy cruising in a closet. No windows, no balcony, really? I don't think so. You are on the ocean and you want to see it. And you don't want to see it necessarily squished up against strangers. If you are going to cruise you should feel, hear and smell the ocean breeze. It is part of the experience. For me nothing less than a balcony will do. If you are traveling with kids, spring for the closet across the way to put them in. It will do wonders for your relationship. Trust me.

Shore Excursions: do you or don't you go on them while you are on your cruise. Well here is the thing, shore excursions over all are a great adventure. I am not saying they always end up perfect or go the way you plan but more than likely either way you will have some stories to tell when you get home. Honestly for every cruise I have been on when I have done shore excursions, that cruise was better. Walking around the town and shopping is okay but a shore excursion will make you feel like you are part of the culture. You are learning something you wouldn't if you just walked around and shopped. I am not saying do one in every port. Just most ports. Take a break and walk around the town of the port that has the best shopping. Do some research. See what everyone else liked doing there. Take an excursion. Have an adventure.

Dining: Lots of people want to know early, late or my time dining? Which is best? Well in all honesty it is different for every cruise and for every person. Early is great if you don't have a lot of late port stops or you plan to get back on the ship by 3 or 4. Also if you want to catch the early show and do some of the other night life such as dancing or the piano bar, start early. Late is good if you are going to be in port late and are going to be just going to the show and going to bed because you are going to be up early to go into port. Now the difference between my time and traditional is a little bit of a different question. If you like meeting new people at dinner and dining with them for the rest of your cruise. Traditional is the way to go. The thing with My Time Dining is you may have to wait. If you aren't traveling with a large group and you just want to eat when you want for the whole cruise My time dining is the way to go. If you are with a group but you want a different time than the traditional dining My Time is a great option. Make a reservation for your group first thing in the morning so you don't have a long wait.

I am going to give you a bit of a trick to My Time Dining with a group. You don't have to make a reservation everyday. The first full day on your cruise call to make your reservation for My Time Dining when they open in the morning. When you go to dinner that night if you like your table, your wait staff and the time you are eating go to the Maitre 'd before you leave and tell him how much you loved it and ask if you can keep that table and time for the rest of the cruise. He will do it for you and you don't have to think about it again. If you didn't care for it, do it again the next night and if it is better keep it!

My last biggest tip for first time cruisers is this, use a travel agent! You knew that was coming, right? I know I have a biased opinion because I am one but here is the thing, we are an underused resource. Travel Agent services are free. We travel, a lot. We have knowledge of the itinerary, cruise lines, ships, shore excursions and ports. I do hours of research for my clients to make sure they get the vacation of their dreams. I want you to come back happy, relaxed and wanting to take another vacation! All the questions you have can be answered with a phone call. You can tell your travel agent where you want to go and then go back to what your were doing.

The last tip: Enjoy your cruise!
Elena Dillon is the owner of a Cruise Planners franchise. She has been booking travel for the last 20 years

Her Cruise Planners website: http://www.dillonscruisesandmore.com

Her blog: http://www.scvtravelblog.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elena_Dillon

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A Guide for First Time Cruisers

The term spoilt for choice was surely created for cruising. There are just so many wonderful cruises to choose from which take in some of the finest destinations in the world. With such choice it's no wonder there are an ever growing army of dedicated cruising enthusiasts who take a cruise holiday year after year.

With cruising becoming an increasingly attractive option more and more people are choosing to take a cruise holiday for the very first time. For those that are about to embark on their first voyage there are a few helpful tips they might need to know.

Packing for a cruise is not the same as packing for any other holiday. For a cruise you will need to take three different types of clothing, casual, informal and formal. The reason for this is that during your stay the evening meals on board will be split in to the three different dress codes. You can check with your cruise line before you leave to read their dress code and find out what you should and shouldn't take with you.

If you would like to go on an organised excursion you can check your cruise lines website a few months before you are due to set off to see their list of activities. If you can make any reservations in advance so you don't end up missing out. You can always book excursions once you are aboard if you prefer, though there may be a limited number available to you. You can always organise your own excursions or simply go off and explore from the port on your own if you prefer.

Before you leave you should read through all of the information your cruise line has provided and complete all the necessary boarding paperwork. You should also fit your entire luggage set with appropriate luggage tags.

If you have specific dietary requirements contact your cruise company at least six weeks before departure to discuss this and then make sure they send written confirmation of your request should there be any problems once you are aboard.

Many cruise ships will offer a number off different restaurants including, French, Italian, Chinese, pizza, sushi, steak house which can all be found on a single ship along side many more wonderful choices. You can of course just stay in your state room and have the food brought to you 24 hours a day.

If you have any more questions about your first cruise then you should visit their website or simply give them a call, then all you have to do is enjoy this amazing new experience.
This article was written by Thom Sander on behalf of NCL who offer fantastic cruising holidays including unforgettable Caribbean cruises

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thom_Sanders

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The New Face of Trendy India in Travel & Tour

Although booking on-line is straightforward and convenient, it is topic to many risks also. Do you actually understand what you are reserving, what it's good to do? Are you aware what visa may be needed to enter a country or the best way to get that visa? What about flights? Do you know the principles if it's worthwhile to change your flight, do you understand what a point to level airline is or what a minimal connection is.

Earlier than you begin taking a look at airways, inns and tours ensure that your type up your personal itinerary. Pretty primary stuff and never mind surgical procedure, but it is a basic factor that must be finished correctly.

Start together with your leaving date, and work out the place you wish to go, and what you want to do there and plan it from level A to B, then level B to C etc. I provides you with an idea of how the vacation will look and if your ideas are lifelike or not. Permit sufficient time to do things a soothing pace and embrace a relaxation day right here and there. Filling every day could appear to be a good suggestion, but after 24hours in a plane, do you really want to do this tour early the following morning while your jetlagged?

This is where your vacation can crumble before you even take off. Airlines is not going to even let you on the plane if you don't have a visa for a country the place one is needed.

Did you know, that to enter the USA you now need to apply for your visa waiver BEFORE you go? That is proper, you used to get it on arrival within the US but now it's a must to do it online. Are you able to think about flying all the way to the US with the family, solely to be put back on the following aircraft home since you didn't know you needed to get a visa waiver. You wouldn't imagine how common it is.

So you know the place you want to go and are able to guide online. It is relatively straightforward to book by way of airline websites however some issues to remember are:

Low-cost flights, great!!! But, all price range airlines regard themselves as point to point carriers. What is some extent to point service you ask? It merely means that they'll fly from point A to level B. EG: Gold Coast to Kuala Lumpur (Air Asia X). If you are flying on to London, you then must guide your flight from Kuala Lumpur to London separately.

This implies, if your flight arriving into KL is delayed and you miss your flight to London, they're under no circumstances accountable to put you on the next flight. You will have to buy a whole new ticket. So if you're booking budget airways, keep that in mind and allow enough time between flight. On this example I would cease in KL for a day or 2. Its a great metropolis and lodging is cheap, and its a destination value a minimum of a few days. While with reference to Budget airlines, be cautious of your baggage allowance as they charge for each kg over the allowance.

Do not forget that it is advisable to pay for every part on board, food drinks motion pictures and even the blanket and pillows. Most give the option to prepay for the whole lot online and I recommend you do as it will save you in the future.

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Great pyramids of Giza facts and history

Ancient myths and latest research began as a supplement to reach the same conclusion: the pyramids were not built by Egyptians and dated for quite some time before the development of Egyptian civilization …

Ancient historical sources

None of the ancient historical sources (besides Herodotus, “father of lies”), makes no mention of the pyramids built by Egyptians. In one Egyptian text, but we know that the Egyptians are doing very detailed reports and statistics, no information about constructing such a magnificent, grandiose monuments – the pyramids at Giza (the three great pyramids). Pharaoh, built such monuments, it would not have missed his name to perpetuate itself in or around the monument. As we have already learned one of the inscriptions in the chambers of the Great Pyramid of counterfeit and other pyramids have not found any inscriptions. Only a stele, which connects with monuments Khufu is clearly mentioned that he only carried out some remedial work.

However, nearly all sources indicate that the pyramids are a creation of “The Age of the Gods”, which was over thousands of years before the Egyptians. Again and again, from Roman to Coptic Martselinos Al Arab Ibn Mas’ud Abd Alokim, dvardyat ancient legends, the gods built the pyramids to preserve their incredible knowledge of civilization than the expected deluge them, which led to the end of “The Age of the Gods.” In different chronologies of the legendary rulers claimed that “the era of the gods is done later in 10.000g BC. This is the time at which, according to Plato became the destruction of Atlantis. This is the date when the most recent research has been enormous climatic, geological and geomagnetichni shocks, accompanied by a major mass extinction of species on the planet, which place the boundary between Ice Age and today’s era.
Floods, glaciers …

Geologists, studying fossils in Egypt reported that the combined effect of melting glaciers and the sharp increase in the flow of the Nile, causing enlargement of the riverbed, the water caused erosion of kilometers from the present riverbed. At the same time the Mediterranean Sea also increased levels due to melting of northern glaciers and the overall rise in sea level. As a result, water flooded the Mediterranean Sea for a short period, the Nile Delta. This, according to geologists, is the last major floods in the history of Egyptian fossils before rekta be established at its current level of relatively small floods. Once you know these facts raises the question – how to explain the existence of a 14-foot (4.34 meters = 14 feet) layer of silt sediment around the base of the pyramid, which contains many shells and fossil of manatee, all dated with radiocarbon analysis 11.600g of time before the current plus or minus 300 years.

Legends and records say that before the Arabs to move the external coating of the pyramids, at a height of about half a pyramid, about 240 feet (74 meters), it was noted that traces of water. To this level (about 174 meters. The current level) Nile is not reached in any flood after the Ice Age. Medieval Arab historian al-Biruni notes in his treatise “The chronology of the ancients” the following: “The traces of water from the flood and the impact of waves on the walls are still visible on the pyramids of height in the middle of the Great Pyramid, over which the water has not climbed . Furthermore, observations made at the opening of the pyramid for the first time reported found in. thick layering of salt inside. Most of this salt is naturally on the walls of the chamber, but the chemical analysis show that part of a mineral salt content as sea salt. The evidence suggests that flooding in BC 10.000g. entrances are gone and the shafts were flooded. Then water is evaporated, leaving salt on the walls of the chamber. Salt deposits containing sea salt does not reach higher than the middle of the pyramid.

Floods from 12.000 years ago were the last of scale that result in the water to reach the pyramids and the pyramids are signs showing that the water rose to the middle of the Great Pyramid. The conclusion is that the pyramids existed prior to these events, ie before 10.000g BC.

Prez 1983-48, historian Robert Wenck from Washington University and president of the American Research Center in Egypt, is authorized to collect samples from several ancient monuments, pyramids and Sphinx vklyuchitlno. The samples contain particles from ancient plants, insects, pollen and other organic materials that can be subjected to radiocarbon analysis. Using two different laboratories for radiocarbon dating – the American Institute for the study of man’s Southern Practical and physical Institute University of Zurich. Samples causing great confusion. Those big pyramid made in a laboratory, differ by several thousand years than the second laboratory! The result was 3809g in Dallas. BC. and dating, according to Zurich is 2869g. BC Hr.Sled they were made some “adjustments” was announced that samples are dated from 3100 to 2850g. which is still 400 years before 2700g. BC. More large anomalies encountered in dating. The age of the samples taken from the top, was a thousand years more!

Radiocarbon method can not be regarded as reliable in this case, since the samples were taken from surfaces exposed to external influences. If you can adopt these years, they indicate that repairs were made even earlier than is accepted by most scientists.

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Liguria

Liguria
DESCRIPTION
WHAT TO SEE
WHAT TO DO
WHAT TO TASTE



Liguria is in the north-west of Italy and borders with France. This region has impressive mountains and sweet hills, colored by the green Mediterranean turf and overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea with high and indented coasts.
This region has multiple facets, different yet indissolubly bound up with each other, to offer a wide range of opportunities to those who choose to spend their holidays in this land.
It offers nature, sea, mountains and culture as well as entertainment and night life: you only have to take your pick.
The sea is the great resource of this region, with its rocky coasts interrupted by small coves and beaches of fine golden sand. The Cinque Terre and the Gulf of Poets, the Gulf of Tigullio, Genoa and Paradise Gulf, the Riviera delle Palme and the Riviera dei Fiori make up the famous coast of Liguria which stretches from Ameglia to Ventimiglia, for more than 300 km. In this itinerary, spectacular for the beauty of its land and seascapes, we can see the most famous tourist resorts of Liguria: Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure, Rapallo, Sestri Levante, with its enchanting Baia del Silenzio, and Chiavari.
There's a succession of ample beaches, little ports and amazing sceneries to explore, which turn into lively centres by night, with plenty of entertainment and shopping on offer. There's Sanremo, the city of flowers, famous for the Italian Music Festival and for its Casino. The refined towns of Bordighera and Alassio, with its 3 kilometers of fine sand, along with Laigueglia and Varigotti are some of the “gems” embedded in the Riviera di Ponente.
Then comes Portovenere, in front of Palmaria Island, and Lerici with its grand medieval castle, elegant villas and lush gardens.
The sea is so beautiful that it also attracts several specimens of sperm whales, rorquals and dolphins, which found their natural habitat and live safely in this area, called the “Sanctuary of Cetaceans”.

The great woods of Liguria with their century-old trees, a real natural heritage, are a good alternative to traditional tourism. You will plunge into nature to get to know and see the places where man, with love and dedication, managed to obtain the best fruits from this territory. Places full of history, culture and traditions, which witness the passage of ancient peoples coming from the sea.

The provinces of the region are: Genoa (capital region), Imperia, Savona and La Spezia
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