Top Ten Places To Visit In Egypt

There’s no other place in the world that holds more mystery than the country of Egypt. The smell of the mysticism of the ancient Egyptians still lingers over the place. This ancient atmosphere seems to fill its every nook and cranny with secrets yet untold.

1.) Pyramids of Giza

Perhaps there is nothing more mysterious, and more worthy of seeing in Egypt than the esteemed Great Pyramids of Giza. These are the pyramids of Khufu, Kafhre, and Menkaura. These perfectly shaped structures leaves everyone in awe and in wonder about how exactly they were made, considering that the ancient Egyptians had no advanced technology to work with.

2.) Sphinx

Of course, if you’re going to go to the Great Pyramids, then you might as well go to the Sphinx. This is one of the most mysterious structures in Egypt. Even now, archeologists are still arguing about its origin and its purpose, making it the subject of the famous phrase, “the Riddle of the Sphinx.”

3.) Abu Simbel

These two temples were built by Pharaoh Ramesses II to commemorate himself and his wife, Nefertari. It’s a breathtaking place, and its temples are hailed as one of the most beautiful in Egypt. What’s even more interesting about the Abu Simbel is the amount of effort put into relocating and preserving it.

4.) Cairo

If you really want to immerse yourself in Egyptian culture, it would be best for you to go to the capital city, Cairo. The place is teeming with bazaars and restaurants where you can buy your taste of Egyptian culture. It’s surely not a place to miss.

5.) Temples of Karnak

What better way to experience ancient Egypt than to visit the very place where they worshipped their gods. The Temples of Karnak is the biggest site for Egyptian worship. It has a monument to just about every god in the Theban religion.

6.) The Nile River

And of course, you can’t miss out on the famous Nile River. It is, after all, what nourished Egypt and turned it into the place of wonder that it is. In fact, what’s great about visiting the Nile is that you can take a Felucca and sail down the legendary river, taking in the sights of the city and the sunset.

7.) Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings or Biban El Moluk is the place where Egypt’s most esteemed pharaohs were buried. This place is teeming with mummies and undiscovered treasures. In fact, this is the place where archeologists found one of the most famous mummies of all time – Tutankhamun. 8.) Egyptian Museum

Of course, since it would be unwise to leave the Egyptian treasures in the tombs they were found in, the archeologists put them in the Egyptian museum where they would be put under high security. If you want to learn about Egypt, this is the best place to start. There’s no other place with a higher concentration of Egyptian artifacts, and you can even follow the tour so that you can be oriented with the history of each of the artifacts.

9.) Siwa Oasis

Egypt isn’t all about temples and pyramids, there’s a place where you can just let loose and have fun – the Siwa Oasis. Here, you can take a swim in the cool waters to ward off the desert heat. It is rumored that Alexander stopped here during his great conquest.

10.) Necropolis of Sakkarah

And indeed, you can’t miss something as intriguing as a ‘Necropolis’ or, if translated, a City of the Dead. Here, you will find the less popular pyramids of Egypt, the step pyramids. However, though they are less popular than the great pyramids, they’re still suffused with great history and culture.

Ten Things To Do If You Visit Bangladesh

Rich culture, beautiful tourist spots, and hospitable people. These are the qualities that all great tourist spots have. And, incidentally, these are also the very qualities that you will find in the beautiful country of Bangladesh.

1.) Catch a glimpse of the Tigers

Tigers, specifically the Royal Bengal Tigers, are magnificent creatures, with their proud and noble bearings and beautifully patterned coats. Watching these tigers gives us a sense of excitement and danger all rolled into one. It’s too bad that they’re endangered, but still, in Bangladesh, you can see these beautiful creatures by visiting the Sundarban National Park.

2.) Fun in the Sun and Sand

If you’re looking for beautiful blue beaches to sunbathe, to swim, or to simply walk around in, then you must go to Bangladesh’s Kuakata. Kuakata is a beach resort that has been recently developed. It is located in the southern part of Bangladesh, but the sea isn’t the only thing this place offers though, because in Kuakata, you can also observe the culture of the Rakhane Tribe. 3.) World’s Longest and Broadest Beach

If any old beach just doesn’t cut it, why don’t you try going to Inani beach found in the South of Bangladesh. It is the world’s longest and broadest beach and is found in Cox’s Bazar. Inani Beach, however, is not as developed as the other beaches such as Patenga, so if you want all the tourist perks, then it’s probably best if you just go to Patenga.

4.) Boating through Bangladesh

If you’re in the mood for boating through the rivers and observing the lush jungles in Bangladesh, then you could try going the Sunderbands National Park. This is a park with several beautiful areas which can only be accessed by using a row boat. If you’re lucky, you’ll also see some of its beautiful wildlife.

5.) Try some Fresh Water

If you’re tired of the salty waters of Bangladesh’s beaches, why don’t you try going to the Rangamati Hill district where the Kapati Lake is located? There, you can indulge in several activities such as swimming, sailing, and fishing. The Kapati Lake is an ideal destination for anyone who likes peaceful outings rather than busy and noisy ones.

6.) Cleanse your Soul with Some Tea

People who don’t like the strong taste of coffee usually prefer the much smoother and cleaner taste of tea. So, if you’re a tea fan, you certainly can’t miss going to Sylhet, located just North of Dhaka. Sylhet is known for its tea-growing traditions, and Srimongol, a place in Sylhet, is the center of the tea gardens in Sylhet.

7.) Games up!

If you want to satiate your sporty side and get away from nature a bit, why not head on to the City Stadium? There, you can enjoy a game of hockey, football, and cricket. You might even get a chance to play with the locals in the playgrounds if you so choose.

8.) Go Bird Watching

If you want to see a sample of Bangladesh’s exotic wildlife, why not go to Rajendrapur National Park, located just 31 miles north of the capital city. Bring your binoculars with you, maybe even your camera and take a few snapshots of the beautifully colored birds residing in the area.

9) Take a walk in the Zoo

Unfortunately, being constantly on the move to look for various animals can be slightly tiring. And there’s always the chance that you’ll get disappointed at the end of the day because of the poor turnout. If you don’t like taking this risk, why not just go to the National Zoo located at Mirpur near the River Turag?

10) The City of Mosque

If you’re going to Bangladesh, you absolutely can’t miss going to Dhaka, the city of Mosques. The wonderful architecture and designs are to die for. Visit Baitul Mukkaram Mosque, the Star Mosque, and the Chawkbazar Mosque, and you’ll be sure to gape in awe at the magnificent designs.

Ten Spectacular Things To Do When You Visit Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an intriguing city to visit with its rich history and culture. Like all other countries, it would be a site to behold when one compares it to what you have been used to. There are several things you can see and do in this place to make this an enriching experience.

1.) Yala National Park

This park is also referred to as Ruhunu National Park and can be located in the southeast region of Sri Lanka. One can start enjoying the refreshing sight of the park. You can also stroll in the area while seeing leopards here from a safe distance.

2.) Temple of the Tooth

Here is the temple which houses the tooth believed to have been one of the Buddha’s teeth and is a relic that they guard in the temple. It is a most sacred site to believers which you may care to visit and view. They even have a website for this in case you’re interested to know more about it.

3.) Colombo

The country’s capital is a nice place to be in where you can visit a few museums for a little trip to history. What you can find are the National Museum, Natural History Museum, Dutch Period Museum, and the Bandaranaike Museum. All attest to several aspects of Sri Lankan history that visitors can view and be amazed at.

4.) Art Galleries

Art lovers will find something to talk about when they go and visit the National Art Gallery. You may also find similar viewing pleasure by visiting the Sapumal Foundation and the Lionel Wendt Center. It is good to see and compare some things that may be different from your own culture with those of others and appreciate the things that we see.

5.) Zoo

The Colombo zoo is a delight for the children and their parents, and this can be found on the southern area of the city. It is indeed a fine place to be in with an aquarium and night house to view, and there are also elephant shows you can watch. Are you fond of butterflies? Then, come on and see their butterfly park and a few more animal exhibits, and it’s quite large so give it at least two hours to make the entire rounds.

6.) Festivals in Jaffna

It will not surprise you to see some more temples to visit in this place. It has the Nallur, Selva Sannithi and Ninatheevu temples. Festivals that are religious in nature is something you would also expect from this place, and there’s the Chariot Festival which is a considered a big event in Sri Lanka as well as the Harvest festival obseved every January.

7.) Kinchigune Nature Trail

This trail starts at the Sabaragamuwa University which runs along a forest and river. By following this trail, you can get to see paddy fields, village houses and vegetables, and this is a way to get a tutorial on their agricultural system and sample simple living the Sri Lankan way. You may also come across waterfalls, a few more birds and butterflies to enjoy the hike.

8.) Canoeing

If canoeing happens to be your favorite pastime, then indulge in the Samanalawewa reservoir with its still waters that make this a good activity to try. You can even paddle to the river of Belihul Oya for more adventure. Or you can simply explore the entire reservoir for a relaxing ride in the water.

9.) Bambarakada Falls

This waterfall is a sight to watch because it is found inside a basin-like valley and surrounded by steep rocks and forest filled with tropic and pine tress. It is the highest known waterfalls in Sri Lanka which tumbles down to a height of 240 meters. Waterfalls will remain a favorite spot for tourists because of its sheer beauty.

10.) Galle

You should not miss the temple Kalutara located in this city. It is considered good luck if you come over to the Seenigama temple and offer a donation after murmuring a little prayer. There’s also the Fort where you can walk through especially to view the majestic sunset.

Ayurveda Honeymoon Tour Packages

Ayurveda honeymoon tour packages are the latest craze among young tourists visiting Kerala. Honeymoon with Ayurveda packages receive tourists to a one of a kind travel experience, where they experience abundance and fullness of life.

Welcome to a land where the lifestyle of people is their best defense against diseases, a land so blissfully blessed by nature and a land where you can keep your peace of mind while staying away from mental turbulences, tensions and worries.

Newly weds or people looking to refill their life with youthfulness, and people keeping a youthful charm in their minds can come to Kerala to an Ayurveda honeymoon tour. Ayurvedic packages for honeymoon tour are so unique and new that it is not copied anywhere else.

Ayurveda package honeymoon tours mostly include a stay in a luxurious Ayurvedic cottage or in a luxurious houseboat, where the couple receives Ayurvedic healthy diet, medicated oil massage and directions for a healthy life. Visitors take home golden words of healthy, blissful living. Receive advice on everything from healthy lifestyle, food habits, daily yoga practice, meditation and requirement of keeping minds happy, fresh and lively.

Not many Ayurvedic resorts in Kerala offer specialized Ayurveda honeymoon tour programs. The resorts in Kerala that offer Ayurvedic honeymoon trips provide world class living environment, usually in a calm, serene location. Visitors to Kerala utilizing Ayurvedic honeymoon packages also closely watch preparation of healthy food.

Honeymoon Ayurveda packages also come with plenty of opportunity to explore serene backwaters, hill stations, beaches, cardamom hills, tea plantations, coffee plantations, wildlife, boating, trekking, and fishing among many lively locations and activities. Ayurveda honeymoon packages are both thrilling experience and is the where you will be more dedicated to your health, happiness and enjoying life meaningfully.

Ayurveda honeymoon packages can be rightly called holistic healthy Ayurveda yoga tour programs. Come to Kerala, the land blessed so abundantly by God with blissful environment, and the science of life called Ayurveda. Come and take away all your heart can take and prepare to return to this land so often.

Where to visit in France for a Holiday - Seine-Maritime

The Seine-Maritime (department number 76) is located in the region of Haute-Normandie and has an estimated population of 1,245,457 (approximate in 2004). The department was originally known as Seine-Inférieure (Lower Seine) until 1955 when it changed to its current name Seine-Maritime (Coastal-Seine) because Inférieure was regarded as derogatory by the inhabitants of the department.
The capital of the department is the city of Rouen, with the coastal towns of Dieppe and Le Hâvre also featuring within the immediate area. The landscape of the department is typically coastal as you would expect with historic ruins and Norman castles dotting the landscape. Along the coastline is stunning cliff scenery and half-timbered villages. In addition to the gastronomy offerings you would expect in Normandy, namely the cider, fish, meat and cheeses other delectable delights specific of the department include Bénédictine liqueur and apple sugars from Rouen.
Why you should visit Seine-Maritime for your next holiday in France
If you enjoy sightseeing and places with an interesting historic past then you need go no further than Seine-Maritime. Teamed with its magnificent beaches, divine gastronomy and its close proximity to the UK, this department is a perfect destination for a long holiday or short break. The department enjoys a similar climate to the UK but its location means it is slightly milder year round. As with England, summers are warm with temperatures in the mid 20C and in the height of the season, temperatures can reach into the 30's.
What to see in the Seine-Maritime:
Rouen
Rouen is brimming with monuments, medieval streets and churches. The city is particularly famed for the Place du Vieux Marché, where Joan of Arc was martyred. The town's gothic cathedral was a favourite of Claude Monet and he famously painted the cathedral's facade at almost every moment of the day. One of these priceless pieces of art is on show today at the Musée des Beaux Arts. The main routes through the city may be less picturesque but they do keep traffic away from the prettier, medieval pedestrianised centre.
Places of particular interest include:

The Rue Gros Horloge with its big clock.

St Ouen is in some people's opinion more impressive than the cathedral as its interior is often empty leaving the sun to cast colored images from the stained glass across its flagstone floor. Place St Marc on Sunday mornings is the setting for the giant flea market with the majority of the shops open until lunchtime.

The Rive Gauche near the Eglise St Sever hosts a bric-a-brac market on Thursday mornings.
Dieppe
The major cross-Channel port is the main feature of this seaside town but Dieppe has in some ways benefited from the arrival of the tunnel. The seafront has been given a face-lift and the streets are now lined with welcoming cafés and restaurants. The château-musée is situated high on the hill top and boasts panoramic views across the long pebble beach which is host to an annual kite festival. Dieppe continues to be a bustling port and a large Saturday market draws big crowds from the villages around.
Le Havre
Le Hâvre is still a major western ferry port and dominates the mouth of the Seine. The port is a popular choice for holiday makers who would rather spend longer on the crossing than the drive. Places to visit include: Eglise St Joseph Musée Malraux (also known as the Musée des Beaux Arts) houses a fine collection of canvasses by the Impressionists, who painted extensively in Normandy.
Caudebec-en-Caux and Lillebonne
These lovely towns offer several attractions, some still undiscovered to a certain degree. These include the abbey at St Wandrille near Caudebec-en-Caux where the monks sing the Gregorian chant every day, the surprisingly well preserved Roman amphitheatre in the centre of Lillebonne, and the gorgeous cheese from Neufchâtel-en-Bray whose heart-shaped form dates from the Hundred Years' War.
Etretat
Etretat is located along the Alabaster Coast (Côte d'Albâtre) and is famous for its chalk cliffs and needles which were popular subjects by the Impressionists. The town is looking a little weathered but is still worth visiting for its breath-taking scenery and selection of restaurants.
Fécamp
The town is known for its infamous Bénédictine liqueur and guided tours in the palace in the centre of town offers visitors a chance to sample this tipple. Fishing boats still land their catches at Fécamp, guaranteeing fresh seafood in the harbour-front restaurants.
Gournay en Bray
A small town, Gournay en Bray has a lovely little romanesque church.
Le Tréport
Le Tréport is located in the north east of the Seine-Maritime and was popular as a beach resort with Parisians in the late 19th century thanks to a rail link. Surrounded by white cliffs, the quayside houses many hotels and restaurants that enjoy views of the fishing boats and yachts.
Saint Valéry en Caux
St Valéry en Caux is situated west of Dieppe. The towns centre and marina was entirely rebuilt after WWII and the nearby nuclear power station has brought prosperity. A little further west of the town, little rock pools can be found, which are always popular with kiddies of all age.
Yvetot
The capital of Pays de Caux, Yvetot, is an important market town completely rebuilt after WWII. The Wednesday and Saturday markets take over the central streets and it's still possible to hear the ancient dialect Cauchois being spoken. The circular pink church dating from the 1950s may seem an eyesore from outside but the stained glass inside almost makes up for it. How to get there
Holiday accommodation in the Seine Maritime is easily accessible.
By Air
Skysouth are the only direct airline and they fly six times a week direct from Shoreham (ESH) to Caen (CFR). Prices start at around £70 for a single trip.
By Car
Driving would be the common mode of transport to get to the department as Seine-Maritime is just a quick hop across the channel to either Le Hâvre or Dieppe, both conveniently located within the department.
By Train
Go by Eurostar from the UK to Calais and then take the TGV to Le Havre or Rouen.

Elephant Safari in Kerala

The adventure tour in India is popular and especially the elephant safari trips. Elephant safari helps the visitor to travel through such difficult terrains where even jeeps cannot venture. And why not, riding an elephant takes you back to the royal era, when only the kings use to ride on these majestic beasts, since nothing can even compare to the majesty of a Pachyderm. Equipped with a howdah, a large seat on which they would sit, complete with soft silk cushions, and with a ceremonial umbrella over the rider's head, modern day elephant safaris may lack in comparison with the ones that use to be done by the kings, but are no less regal on that account.

The elephant moves slowly and steadily, that's why this type of safari is ideal in and around the wild regions or within the vicinity of the wildlife sanctuaries, where riding the elephant can give you an easy excess for viewing the wildlife. More of all, an elephant safari tour in the tropical wildlife sanctuaries of India gets you up, close and personal with these majestic animals.

During your ride, you can watch the wild elephants taking bath in the water ponds. The photographers can easily take pictures of the wilds while riding and as a souvenir of the amazing journey into the wilds, take one with the elephant too.

Elephant Safari in Kerala

Take a tour of the Periyar sanctuary in search of wildlife and you'd be surprised with what you see. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is the best elephant hub that any animal lover would love to check out. From the rooms of the forest rest houses provided by the Kerala forest department to the tourists within the vicinity of Periyar, you can get a wide-screen view of the whole sanctuary.

Visiting the Lake Palace in Kerala's lake centered wildlife sanctuary of Thekkady, also referred to as the Periyar sanctuary is an experience to remember. When a Maharaja ruled this land, he had a dam thrown across the Periyar River. The backed up waters of the dam flooded a valley, partially submerging trees, leaving their bare trunk standing over their reflections like a Daliesque waterscape. Visitors put-out around this surreal lake, delight in spotting wildlife including herds of foraging wild elephants.

Periyar is, clearly, the safest elephant sanctuary of India and the world. Elephants have never been known to attack a tourist launch, even as the vehicle passes by a herd of elephants taking a royal bathe. Elephant, Wild Pig, Sambar and Guar are the four most popular element of wildlife at Thekkady.

Birds Sanctuary in Kerala

You can watch a wide variety of beautiful exotic birds at the birds' sanctuaries of Kerala. Birds sanctuaries of Kerala have excellent moist deciduous teak forests and marshes dominated by bamboo and other grasses, most favourable environ for aerial population in India. These forests are also said to be amongst the most extensively forested belts in the Indian Peninsula housing some of the most desired homes of migratory birds in Kerala. On the travel vacations to Kerala the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, and Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary offers some of the excellent photography options.

Kerala Birds Sanctuaries

The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary (also commonly known as the Thattekad Sanctuary) is located in the Kothamangalam Taluk of Ernakulam district on the northern bank of the Periyar River. The sanctuary was notified in 1983 based on a recommendation made by Dr. Salim Ali many years previously. Ali described Thattekad in the 1930's as the richest bird habitat in peninsular India, comparable only with the eastern Himalayas. The reserve boasts of a variety of migratory and resident bird species, including the rare Ceylon frogmouth and the rose-billed roller.

The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary lies 12km from Kottayam bordering the Vembanad Lake, and spread over 14 acres of land. This famous sanctuary is a haunt for migratory birds like darters, egrets, herons, teals, waterfowls, cuckoos and wild ducks amongst others. One can even get a glimpse of the Siberian storks that migrate to this place almost every year.

The Kumarakom bird sanctuary, an ornithologist's paradise, is a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and teal. Other common varieties like the woodpecker, skylark, crane, water hen and parrots can also be spotted here. A cruise along the Vembanad Lake is the best way to experience the sanctuary.

Pathiramanal, an enchanting island on the lake, can be accessed by boat from here. People seeking the thrill of exploring the natural beauty and its habitants in India will get the enchanting pleasure and enthusiasm from the bird's sanctuaries of Kerala.

While tour through the bird sanctuaries of Kerala you come across rare species of birds. Birds are everywhere-a paradise of birds. The bird's are gifted by the mother nature with various colours the bird species are making the bird sanctuary a multi-hued heaven, beside, the shrill voices of the birds are adding more liveliness to the park’s atmosphere. The acrobatic skills of birds, eye catching migratory birds and after all the euphony of birds every morning and evening in the green patch of Kerala is joyful.

The Birds of Kumarakom Sanctuary

The sanctuary is a home to most of the avian species. Some of these permanently live and dwell here while there are other species of birds that migrate here from far off continents. Migratory birds which visit the sanctuary every year are Siberian Cranes, Indian Peafowl, Egrets, Darters, Herons, Parrots, Larks, Flycatchers, Wood Beetles and Teals. Resident bird species include Waterfowls, Cuckoos, Owls, Egrets, Herons and the water duck.

The Birds of Thattekkad Sanctuary

Rare birds like the Crimson-Throated Barbet, Bee-eater, Sunbird, Shrike, Black winged Kite, Grey Heron and the Night Heron are also commonly sighted. Indian roller, cuckoo, common snipe, crow pheasant, jungle nightjar, kite, grey drongo, Malabar trogon, woodpecker, large pied wagtail, baya sparrow, grey jungle fowl, Indian hill myna, robin bird, jungle babbler and darter are some of the common birds found here. There are a few rare birds as well which include: sunbird, shrike, fairy blue-bird, grey-headed fishing eagle, blackwinged kite etc.