Egypt - Land of the Pharaohs

With the pound not doing terribly well against the euro, holiday locations outside the eurozone are suddenly becoming remarkably popular. One country outside the zone that has always been well-loved, regardless of the state of play of international finance, is the fascinating and sun-drenched country of Egypt, which has attracted generation after generation of tourists. If you are intrigued by ancient history, and have always wanted to see the Pyramids and the Sphinx, then now is a good time to head for the Land of the Pharaohs. If along with your interest in history and ancient monuments you also enjoy fine beaches, with swimming and snorkelling in clear blue seas with wonderful coral reefs, as well as windsurfing, sailing and yachting, then Egypt wins hands down. Here you can enjoy sun, sea and sand, deserts and oases, the wonders of the Nile Valley, and some monuments that are not just world-class now, but were must-sees of the ancient world too. In fact the Great Pyramid of Giza is all that remains standing of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Head for the Red Sea Riviera and you will find top resorts such as El Gouna which is built on several islands connected by bridges, and is regarded as an Arabian Venice. You will also find resorts such as Hurghada with its great nightlife, Marsa Alam which is renowned for its natural beauty, and the top quality resort of Port Ghalib with its fine marina. On the southern tip of the Sinai peninsula is Sharm El-Sheikh which offers some of the best diving in the world.

So if what to do this summer is proving to be a bit of a riddle, let the Sphinx provide the answer and tempt you to Egypt.


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Grand Hyatt Doha - a lavish Arabian-style retreat

It is interesting to see that Hyatt Hotels & Resorts have opened the new Grand Hyatt Doha, an impressive hotel and residential complex, and the first Hyatt hotel to be built in Qatar.

Located in Doha’s new West Bay Lagoon district, Grand Hyatt Doha is situated in its own thirty-eight acres of grounds with 400 metres of beautiful private beach, and offers 249 guest rooms as well as 91 private residences. Despite its idyllic and peaceful location the hotel is actually only minutes away from the city’s financial and commercial centres, and places of cultural and historical interest, which include the newly launched Museum of Islamic Art. Another convenience is that the hotel is only 12.5 miles/20km from Doha International Airport.

The hotel combines a beautiful old-world exterior design with modern and artistic interior design. Key features include a huge atrium and a grand lobby featuring a floor-to-ceiling, 17 metre high glass window. The hotel has three outdoor swimming pools, one indoor swimming pool, a fully equipped fitness centre, and, very much in keeping with modern hotel trends, a large spa.

The hotel has some fabulous restaurants too: Issan serves authentic Thai cuisine prepared in an open kitchen, where the diners can see the spicy food being freshly prepared. The Grill has indoor and outdoor seating, and here you can enjoy grills of the finest meats and seafood.

Qatar itself has an interesting range of leisure activities on offer, including desert safaris, deep-sea fishing, various water sports, equestrian activities, and falconry. So if you would like to see something of this beautiful, warm Arab emirate, Grand Hyatt Doha could be just the place to head for.



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Ljubljana - a perfect rendez-vous

Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, is classified as a mid-sized European city, but it has preserved its small-town friendliness and relaxed atmosphere while providing all the facilities of a modern capital.

Irrespective of the weather and time of the year, it has plenty to offer to visitors. It boasts an extraordinarily large number of sights, picturesque areas and pleasant nooks and crannies. Distances within Slovenia are short, which makes Ljubljana a perfect base for exploring Slovenia's diverse beauty.

During winter, its dreamy central European character prevails, and during summer its relaxed Mediterranean feel. The unique-looking old city centre combines the heritage of the medieval period with Baroque and Art Nouveau masterpieces, ancient Roman monuments and the unique legacy of the famous architect Jože Plečnik. Ljubljana's surrounding areas boast a range of natural sights and a rich cultural heritage. Slovenia is famed for the beauties of its unspoiled nature. Ljubljana's green outskirts and surrounding areas offer excellent opportunities for all kinds of outdoor recreation. Anything is possible: from mere recreational activities to breathtaking high-adrenalin adventures, the most popular involving mountain biking, white water rafting, canyoning and mountain climbing.

The main feature of the evenings in Ljubljana is an abundance of cultural events. Ljubljana is a city of culture, which, among other things, boasts one of the oldest philharmonic halls in the world. Every year, it hosts over 10,000 cultural events, including concerts, theatre performances and exhibitions by some of the greatest names of the international art establishment, as well as a variety of events by alternative and avant-garde artists. Particularly worth mentioning are Ljubljana's 14 international festivals.

For those looking for more fun after the cultural events have been over, the entertainment in Ljubljana goes on until morning. The offer is, of course, adapted to suit various tastes. Quite late at night, you can enjoy yourself at restaurants with live music, various pubs and wine bars, or – especially during the summer season – have a relaxing sit down at any of the numerous open-air cafés located at the banks of the Ljubljanica river.

Learn more about Ljubljana on its official website at http://www.visitljubljana.si/. Spread the Word: Share/Submit or Bookmark this Post...