Wednesday, 8 February 2012

A guide to diving in Sharm el Sheikh

Sharm el Sheikh is one of the finest dive spots in the world and is within bearable travelling distance from all major European airports. This red sea paradise offers not just a fantastic range of budget and luxury holiday deals, but also a myriad of dive sites for beginners and veterans alike.

Once you have booked your holiday to this Egyptian paradise, it's time to really have some fun and start planning which sites you intend to visit!

The Wreck of Thistlegorm is one such must-dive site. You;ll have to be an experienced diver to visit this underwater museum and have nerves of steal to traverse the narrow corridors that were once inhabited by army personnel.

Ras Bob is a wonderfully sheltered site that offers great protection from the currents of the red sea. It is a rather shallow area, making it a great day trip for those who prefer to snorkel and spot the likes of stingray and huge Napoleon fish.

White Knight is a paradise for those who enjoy spotting species of eel. The area is home to a vast eel garden that showcases all manner of the slippery fish as well as a huge reef wall with thousands of species of fish and a range of swim-throughs that more experienced divers will enjoy.

The Tower site that lies a few miles of the coast of Sharm el is a vast canyon that delves deep into the red sea - 120 metres to be more precise! Here, you will spot all sorts of deep sea fish and appreciate a sea garden that is rich in underwater scenery and reef.

Amphoras is the wreck of a 17th century Turkish vessel combining a sandy slope with many coral pinnacles that are ripe for exploration. The wreck itself is also a great point of interest for those who enjoy wreck dives and is a real eye opener into vessels from this period.

Diving paradise!


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Wednesday, 1 February 2012

Luxor - top 5

Known as 'The World's Greatest Open Air Museum', Luxor is the home of some of the most impressive and well-preserved ancient structures and monuments on the planet. Being central to ancient Egypt's great civilisation and the site of the ancient city of Thebes, Luxor holidays offer you the chance to see all manner of historical sites and cultural curiosities and creating an itinerary for such a trip can be a rather daunting process.


Below we provide you with a quick glimpse at the best of these must visit attractions enabling you the chance to spend more time enjoying your holiday rather than planning it!


1. Valley of the Kings
The Valley of Kings is a colossus of an attraction demanding your attention for a whole day. It is also Luxor's most famous attraction and it draws millions of visitors every year. It's the home of 63 royal tombs and the most famous of all Pharaohs,Tutankhamen.

2.Temple of Karnak
A huge religious temple that attracts millions of pilgrims every year. It is also the home of some of Luxor's greatest treasures including many shrines that have survived over thousands of years and some of the most valuable of Egyptian treasures and jewels.

3. Valley of the Artisans
The tombs of the 'real' Egyptians. Many of ancient Egypt's working class were buried in these tombs and some of they kept the best designs for themselves rather than their rich rulers. The tombs and decorations here are far more colourful than those in the Valley of the Kings making it an often more interesting visit.

4. Luxor museum
For the most comprehensive look at the history of this culturally rich area, you should certainly head to this small yet interesting museum. Many treasures are on show including mummies and various treasures and head dresses from the ancient period.

5. The Avenue of Sphinxes
Located in Luxor temple, this long stretch of huge sphinxes has recently been renovated and are now back to their glorious standard of old.


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Malta - a Mediterranean mix of history and culture

Malta is a perfect for families and couples looking for a holiday spot with a rich history and a plethora of historical ruins and cultural sights that are perfect for exploration. It's also the home of many Hollywood blockbusters and for this reason is a perfect destination for exploring the many film sets that this sunny archipelago is famous for.


Malta's fantastic natural beauty will appeal to all and for those of you looking for a holiday in Malta where quiet time together is top of the agenda, then you should certainly consider the sandy bay of Mellieha. Mellieha bay is home to one of the few sandy beaches on the Maltese islands and is perfect for a combination of quiet snorkelling, bathing and exploring the nearby coves by kayak. The area is home to many hotels offering luxury fully inclusive breaks but you should make sure you sample Mellieha's fantastic restaurants at least once during your stay.

Gozo is Malta's second island and is significantly less populated then Malta and a touch more tranquil. In this respect, Gozo is a better option for those looking for somewhere a little more easy-going. Xaghra is a great option for your Malta holiday if you choose Gozo. Its famous red sand beach is something out of the ordinary and a great reminder of the Maltese island's volcanic beginnings. Xaghra is also a town of great celebration and fiestas with the dedication of the Virgin Mary taking place every October, transforming the town into a cacophony of lights and mass crowds coming from all over Malta.

During your stay in Malta, you simply must visit the ancient cities of Mdina and Valletta. Mdina was the medieval capital and was once one of the most important towns in the whole of the Mediterranean with its well preserved walled old town that was utilised by warring factions such as the Greeks and the Knights of St John. Valletta, on the other hand, lies in stark contrast to Mdina's rustic charm, with baroque styling which has been influenced by countries all over Europe. Being Malta's modern-day capital there is plenty to do in Valletta for both couples and families, such as the interesting Lascaris war rooms, which detail Malta's turbulent history of war, and the opulent centre-piece of the city, St John's cathedral.

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