As the snow piles on outside and the layers of blankets inside, consider getting out from your hideaway and to some of these hot destinations this winter.

• Cuba
  Grab your sunscreen and dancing shoes and head to Cuba! With its fascinating Spanish colonial architecture, stunning Caribbean beaches, famous cigars and energetic music, it’s bound to be a hot adventure. Whether you’d rather spend time lazing around in one of the magnificent classical mansions, hang out in a bar frequented by Hemingway or dance the night away to salsa or jazz, you certainly won’t run out of things to do.
• Miami
  Welcome to Miami, city of sunshine where the party never ends. From gorgeous stretches of beaches dotted with hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs, Miami caters to visitors of all ages and of all interests. Take a walking tour and experience the city’s architecture, shop at one of the many shops, watch a play on the street theater, watch a parade, or simply relax on the beach and soak up the Miami heat.
• Egypt
  Paradisiacal beaches, world-wonder pyramids, world class hotels or off-the-beaten track adventures, Egypt is a fabulous way to soak up the sun and experience a rich culture, fascinating history, and spectacular scenery all in one trip. From camel rides to cruises down the sparkling waters of the Nile, the longest river in the world, be sure you get to experience all this country has to offer from the ancient Egyptian temples of the north to the traditional villages of the south.
• South Africa
  South Africa is one of the most developed countries in Africa that offers the conveniences of the modern world and also the charms of ancient African culture. Spectacular beaches, shopping malls, and gold mine excursions all add up to one great vacation.

So pack your bags and get insured, check out the best rates at InsuranceQuotes.org, then say goodbye to your jealous winter buddies and head to your preferred hot winter destination this year!

The majestic River Nile, considered by many to be the lifeblood of Egypt and the Middle East, offers the ultimate in luxury river cruising. Temples, sacred valleys and amphitheatres abound on a cruise between riverside destinations. Few places on earth continue to captivate from one century to the next.

All luxury river cruises in this region feature Cairo as a top sightseeing destination. Cairo is the capital and largest city of Egypt and aptly translates to “the triumphant.”

Cairo is located on the banks and islands of the Nile River in the north of Egypt.

Cairo is a fascinating juxtaposition of ancient and modern architecture, citing such monuments as the Pyramids, the Hanging Church, the Sphinx, and Heliopolis as its own. The oldest part of the city is east of the river.

The Egyptian pyramids are essential viewing when in Cairo. There are over 100 pyramids in Egypt. The best known Egyptian pyramids are those found at Giza, on the outskirts of Cairo. The Pyramid of Khufu at Giza is the largest pyramid and the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still in existence.

No luxury river cruise is complete without a visit to the city of Edfu – situated on the west bank of the Nile River. Edfu is the site of the Ptolemaic Temple of Horus and an ancient settlement, Tell Edfu. Of all the temple remains in Egypt, the Temple of Horus is the best preserved.

Esna is a city that is situated on the west bank of the River Nile, 55 kilometres south of Luxor. This city was built in the area of ancient Latopolis and is the site of a major temple dedicated to the god Khnum. Ancient texts mention that it was built on the site of a temple that may have been constructed as early as the reign of Tuthmosis III.

Aswan is the ancient city of Swenet, which in antiquity was the frontier town of Ancient Egypt. It stands on the east bank of the Nile and is a busy market and tourist centre and one of the driest inhabited places in the world. The stone quarries of ancient Egypt were located at Aswan, due to its abundance of Syenite, a granitic rock.

One of the highlights of an Egyptian river cruise is a stop at Luxor. Translating to ‘the palaces’, Luxor is home to the most awe-inspiring collection of ancient monuments in the world. From the magnificent temples of Karnak to the Valley of the Kings on the river’s West Bank, Luxor is the jewel of any journey.

One of the first stops in the city must be the Temple of Luxor – built by Amenophis III.

The Temple of Luxor is a large Ancient Egyptian temple complex located on the east bank of the Nile. The temple begins with the 24 metre high First Pylon, built by Ramses II. The main entrance to the temple complex was originally flanked by six colossal statues of Ramses – four standing, and two seated – but only two have survived.

Just outside of Luxor lies another spectacular destination for sightseeing. The Valley of the Kings is a valley where, for a period of nearly 500 years, tombs were constructed for the kings and nobles of the New Kingdom. The valley stands on the west bank of the Nile, within the heart of the Necropolis. The area has been a focus of concentrated archaeological exploration since the eighteenth century. In 1979, it became a World Heritage Site.

Outside Egypt, you may also want to explore Dubai by water. Dubai is a modern metropolis situated on the Persian Gulf coast of the United Arab Emirates. Dubai Creek is a large body of water (suitable for large ships to enter) running northeast-southwest through the city, making for an ideal destination for river cruises.

A Dubai river cruise offers stunning views of the city. Tour Dubai and the Arabian Gulf and witness the beauty of Dubai in all its present and former glory. Points of interest along the way include: the National Bank of Dubai, the Heritage Village and Sheikh Saeed’s house.

Dubai is known internationally as a premier tourist destination. Dubai offers an endless array of unique opportunities for things to see and do. Highlights include: desert safaris, dune driving; sand-skiing; moonlit Arabian desert barbecues, camel racing, horse racing, falconry, and exploring the old city markets.

Sightseeing opportunities include: traditional architecture; ancient mosques, magnificent palaces, dusty Bedouin villages, lush oases, and beautiful sunsets.

Karen Cooke is a professional consultant with Travel Associates, an exclusive Australian travel agency catering to the premium travel market. More helpful travel tips and suggestions are available at http://www.travel-associates.com.au

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Cooke
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A Nile cruise is an essential part of any Egypt luxury vacation, and so important, in fact, that the cruise should comprise the entire vacation. Egypt is nothing without the Nile, and the ancient Egyptians even had a god devoted only to the Nile: Hapi.

Until the Aswan high dam was completed in July, 1970, the Egyptians depended on the annual ‘inundation’ for the water to irrigate their fields and provide them with the vital crops needed for survival in a country that was all desert other than the occasional oasis, and the fertile land each side of the Nile. The inundation occurred from June to September and came from summer floods in the highlands of Ethiopia. The Nile would break its banks and flood, leaving behind a rich dark silt essential for agriculture.

The inundation was a sign that Hapi had come, and the ancient Egyptians were very happy to see Hapi (sorry!). During the inundation the farmers had nothing to do, and in order to avoid paying taxes when they had no income they would work for the pharaohs by building pyramids: they were not built by slaves as popularly believed.

The whole of Egypt’s civilization was developed along the Nile, and a good Nile cruise should enable you to get a perspective on how the ancient Egyptians lived, in addition to how today’s population of this part of Egypt still rely on this vast river – the longest in the world, greater even than the mighty Amazon.

You should start at Cairo, not only the capital city of Egypt, but also one of the most populated in the world. This was not the important city it now is in the ancient days, but is a magnet for Egyptologists from all over the world. The pyramids of Giza are close by, and this is the permanent site of the Tutankhamun exhibition. However, there is more to modern Cairo than just ancient Egypt, and five thousand years of culture can be seen and visited here, including the great Mohammed Mosque and the Citadel of Sala Al-Din, commonly known as Saladin. The citadel dates from the time of the crusades, when Europe fought the Muslims to reclaim Jerusalem and the Holy Land for the Christians.

As mentioned above, Cairo was not the capital of ancient Egypt – that was Memphis, and not the Memphis that you know. This Memphis beat a different tune, and ruled the world as the Egyptians knew it for almost 600 years. You must visit the Saqqara, where the royals were laid to rest for the last time throughout the eras of the ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman periods. The Egyptian Pharonic dynasties lasted much longer than either of these other two, largely due to its means of succession although the Egyptians were not without their scheming and murdering for power.

‘Must visits’ are the Great Pyramids at Giza and the Sphinx lying beside them, and also St. Sergius church where Jesus and his parents stayed after leaving Jerusalem. The you should head off for Luxor(ancient Thebes) where the pharaohs stayed during the winter months. Try to book into the Winter Palace Hotel, and check up on the guest book. Here you will find Howard Carter, who discovered Tutenkhamun’s tomb, Agatha Christie while she was researching ‘Death on the Nile’, Henry Kissinger, Sir Winston Churchill, King Farouk, George Clemenceau and many, many more.

No Egyptian vacations are complete without a visit to the Valley of the Kings, just over the river from Luxor, or Thebes as the pharaohs knew it. It was here that the kings and nobles of the 18th through 20th dynasties were buried, from the 16th to the 11th centuries BC; a thousand years after the pyramids were built. The most famous temple here is the Temple of Karnak, built over many generations and that must be visited during your Nile cruise. The same is true of the Temple of the Goddess Hathor at Luxor. Hathor was depicted with a cow’s head, and was the goddess of family love, pleasure and beauty, sometimes associated with the Greek Aphrodite.

There are many, many more places to visit and sights to see on a Nile cruise, and most Egypt vacations will likely be unable to show you them all. The Aswan High Dam, which stopped the inundations and allowed more regular irrigation, is one of them. Abu Simbel is another, where two temples were physically moved to avoid flooding when the dam was built, one of these being erected by Rameses II.

Without a doubt, Egypt vacations that include a Nile cruise rank right up there with the best vacations possible. You are visiting the longest river on earth, and one that a whole civilization depended upon for its survival for thousands of years. Not only that, but a civilization that was greater than the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations combined, although it has not been given the credit it deserves.

For a luxury Nile cruise that offers all of the above, check out Ultitude a luxury travel company that provides the highest standards of travel and accommodation while ensuring that you get the most from your Egypt vacations. Also be sure to visit Ultitude-Travel.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Margaret_Winfrey
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Spending your holidays in Egypt, that’s a great idea but you need to know the ways to get the maximum out of your holidays in Egypt. Egypt is an exquisite place packed with a great deal of historical structures and some very exclusive places for adventure.

It has every thing to offer you for a luxurious holidays from spa, Red Sea, the Nile to golf Courses. It has everything to make your stay worthwhile in Egypt. Some ideas are mentioned below for luxurious Holidays;

Experience Scuba diving in Sharm El Sheikh

Egypt has some of the very best sites suitable for scuba diving. Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh are the most admirable places to go for scuba diving. Its underwater view is just amazing. The incredible underwater life is certainly going to make you stunned. If you are a novice in scuba diving, you can become an expert by attending their courses on scuba diving.

Enjoy a luxury cruise down the Nile

Cruise liners offer a country tour with top quality and luxurious service. They cruise down the Nile, touching in the best places of the country while comforting you with the five star services. These cruises depart from Luxor or Aswan, and take you through the prominent places like the Valley of the Kings, the Necropolis, and numerous ancient temples. These cruises are equipped with gyms, restaurants, shopping centres and boutique.

Play golf in Hurghada

Golf is a game that almost every one likes to play especially when they are on luxury holiday. Egypt offers some spectacular golf courses. Among these wonderful golf courses Hurghada – El Gouna and Cascades are the best. They are situated at the amazing beaches and they offer mesmerizing view along with the wonderful game.

Feel pampered at a luxury spa hotel

The necessary feeling on holidays is the pampering treatment to make it Luxurious. The spas in Egypt offer this treatment at its very best. Residence des Cascades in Hurghada and the Sheraton Hotel in Sharm El Sheikh have outstanding spa facilities, offering a range of sauna, and massage treatments. You can treasure the most relaxing moments at these spa centres. The ancient techniques of massage can make feel you young and revitalized once again.

Take a city tour in Cairo

Egypt has a lot of historical place to offer for the history lovers. The Pyramids and the Sphinx are two of the most visited and extraordinary sights in the world. No tour to Egypt can be considered complete without visiting these two iconic places of Egypt. The Cairo Towers has a revolving restaurant to offer you a unique experience. Citadel was chosen by Saladin for its pure nature. You can see the medieval time as you stroll through the Citadel.

The nights are even more spectacular in Egypt. You can enjoy the bustling of city life in the lights and can treasure the memories of some stunning Egyptian Dances at some wonderful restaurants. Your hunger for a luxurious holiday is fulfilled completely when you are in Egypt for a luxury holiday.

More info: Luxury holidays in Egypt – Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh

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