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| Egypt |
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Egypt enjoys a distinguished geographical location at the juncture of the ancient world continents of Africa, Asia and Europe. It has always been a place of inter-civilization reactivation between the East and the West as well as the North and the South. Egypt was also the crossing road of the heavenly religions of the world.
Most people who think of Egypt think of antiquities, but Egypt offers much more. Certainly it is a prime location to see our great heritage from the ancient world, including Pyramids and wonderful temples, but it is also part of the Holy Land, and tours to Christian and other religious monuments are popular.
Yet Egypt also offers nature and desert treks, great scuba diving and even golf, fishing and birding expeditions.
One may choose to relax on the wondrous Egypt Red Sea or Sinai coasts, take in the high culture of Cairo, or even leisurely float down the Egyptian Nile on a luxurious river boat. |
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| Turkey |
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Whether you are an art and history buff, an archaeology nut or a nature lover, enjoy browsing through markets or going diving, the different regions of Turkey offer endless possibilities all year round. Each area has its own personality, history, landscape and even cuisine, and with so much on offer to visitors it is not surprising that one trip to Turkey is never enough. Surrounded by four different seas, Turkey is a beach paradise with over 8000 km of sunny strips of sand. It also has an abundance of plant and wildlife species that can be enjoyed while camping or trekking in the many national parks which are dotted around the country.
Home to more than 20 different fascinating civilizations, Turkey has a 10,000 year-old heritage, much of which is still being uncovered. Its rich history is very much part of the present, with temples, ancient theatres, churches, mosques, tombs, statues of gods, palaces and fortresses, and of course the many detailed and fascination museums which bring the past to life. And of course in cities like Istanbul, there is a modern, lively ambience of contemporary society living alongside tradition, where art and music can be enjoyed whether it belongs to today or yesteryear. |
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| Europe |
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2,000 years of brutal, fascinating history lurks behind the civilized facades of most Euro cities. World changing civilizations like ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, Napoleonic France, Victorian England, Turkey's Ottoman Empire, Spain's conquistadors and Germany's Third Reich rose and fell in Europe - and the scars are still visible. This crammed and chaotic part of the world has a stunning variety of architectural styles, both public buildings and private. From Paris' Eiffel Tower to the cramped but character canal side housing of Amsterdam, from Barcelona's melting Sagrada Familia to Venice's decaying palazzos, and from London's Houses of Parliament to Vienna's backstreets, the area has the greatest concentration of sensational old buildings in the world.
And don't forget some amazing post-modern architecture too, ranging from Bilbao's wacky Guggenheim museum to Berlin's crystal Reichstag.
Most Euro city centers are compact, reasonably well preserved and have developed car-free or car-limited pedestrian areas that make traveling around the city centers a pleasure. The cultural heritage on show in every Euro city is staggering. Among the world beating museums and galleries are St Petersburg's Hermitage, Paris' Louvre, London's British Museum, Madrid's Prado, Istanbul's Topkapi palace, and Rome's Vatican. In most cases the building housing these treasures are treasures themselves.
Europe's cities also offer a rich crop of strange and wonderful festivals, like the Bull Running in Pamplona [Spain], the masked Carnival in Venice [Italy], Edinburgh's [Scotland] huge and crazy International Festival, Salzburg's [Austria] prestigious music Festival and... Finally, when you're tired of the cities, there's plenty of travel interest in the countryside: castles and palaces and ancient ruins and mountains and lakes and sports of every description to refresh you before |
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| Dubai |
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The major part of the Dubai emirate consists of rolling sand dunes lapping the foothills of the arid Hajar Mountains in the east. Until a decade or two ago, the dunes were inhabited by nomadic bedouin roaming with their flocks and herds. Today the nomads have all settled, in villages in the few fertile oases or valleys, or else in the city. Modern Dubai is the product of the past 20 years of intensive development. Prior to that, Dubai was a small trading port, clustered around the mouth of the Creek.
It had grown gradually from a fishing village inhabited in the 18th century by members of the Bani Yas tribe. Its origins, however, go back into the far more distant past. The town's museum displays a rich collection of objects found in graves of the first millennium BC at nearby Al-Qusais, while a caravan station of the sixth century AD was excavated in the expatriate suburb of Jumairah.
Sun drenched Dubai offer travel enthusiasts the opportunity to experience unique sights and sounds. All tours and safaris are organized to the highest international standards, allowing visitors to relax and drink in enough memories to last a lifetime. Specialized shopping tours offer an introduction to selected souks and major shopping areas in Dubai and nearby Sharjah. Such tours are especially attractive to visitors with limited time to organize their own shopping expeditions. Driving in sand is an adventure in itself, combining the excitement of a roller-coaster ride with the challenge of remaining mobile on the shifting surface. Courses in sand driving are available, with four-wheel-drive vehicles provided along with expert instruction. There are also other attractions such as horse riding, bird watching, camel riding, sand skiing etc. |
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| Thailand |
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The kingdom of Thailand lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, making it a natural gateway to Indochina, Myanmar and Southern China. Its shape and geography divide into four natural regions : the mountains and forests of the North; the vast rice fields of the Central Plains; the semi-arid farm lands of the Northeast plateau; and the tropical islands and long coastline of the peninsula South.
The country comprises 76 provinces that are further divided into districts, sub-districts and villages. Bangkok is the capital city and centre of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities. It is also the seat of Thailand's revered Royal Family, with His Majesty the King recognized as Head of State, Head of the Armed Forces, Upholder of the Buddhist religion and Upholder of all religions.
The Kingdom of Thailand draws more visitors than any other country in Southeast Asia with its irresistible combination of breathtaking natural beauty, inspiring temples, renowned hospitality, robust cuisine and ruins of fabulous ancient kingdoms. Few countries are so well endowed. From the stupa-studded mountains of Mae Hong Son and
the verdant limestone islands of the Andaman Sea, to the pulse-pounding dance clubs of Bangkok and the tranquil villages moored along the Mekong River, Thailand offers something for every type of traveler.
Thailand’s cultural heritage was influenced by ancient India when the Indian merchants and scholars set foot and gradually settled in Southeast Asia some 2,300 years ago. It continued for several centuries. Buddhist religion and popular myth are the most obvious examples. Much of Thailand’s royal tradition is also rooted in Indian culture. |
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