Travel Blog

As an independent traveler, you have a distinct advantage over tour groups. You have the ability to do whatever you want whenever you want. This means you can get to important sites before the mobs, only see what you want to see and also get off the beaten path to explore wonderful sites that aren’t on the typical tourist route. Here are some tips, based on my own experience, to help you along your journey.

Arriving By Air? Pre-Arrange Transportation to Luxor

Most people arriving in Luxor are part of larger tour groups. As such they have large buses waiting to take them to town. Luxor’s airport does not contain a flat-fee/organized taxi service for visitors. If you don’t have anything arranged, you’ll have to negotiate with one of the taxi drivers waiting outside the terminal. Given that there aren’t many people looking for taxis, these drivers tend to charge well above average and don’t negotiate. Make sure you arrange for someone to pick you up at the airport. Your hotel can probably help here. Though the hotel rate may be slightly higher than going with an independent company, the advantage is that there is accountability. If someone happens your hotel will have to make it right. An independent company may not.

Start Your Day Early

It gets very hot in Luxor. The earlier you start the better off you’ll be. In addition to avoiding the heat, you’ll also beat the crowds. The Luxor Temple, on the East Bank, is a great place to start. When I visited the site there were no other tourists. I was able to explore and take amazing photos. By the time I left it was difficult to get around without running into others. Hatshepsut Temple, on the West Bank, is another place worth seeing at the crack of dawn.

Use Taxis & The Ferry

Taxis are abundant in Luxor. As a result, they are quite cheap. Make sure you negotiate the rate before leaving. Using a taxi to see the sites of the East Bank, including Karnak and Luxor Temple, is a great option. Many taxi drivers will tell you they’ll wait until the end of your visit to take you somewhere else. There’s no need. They’ll likely try to get extra money from you for the wait time. If you’re staying on the West Bank, or you want to arrange for a tour of the West Bank

sites, use the ferry to cross the river. It’s extremely cheap and very fast. Taking a taxi from one side to the other will cost quite a bit because there aren’t many crossings near the center of town.

Find a Taxi/Tour Guide on the West Bank

Once you’ve reached the West Bank, you’ll find a number of taxi drivers waiting around if you arrive early in the morning or in the late afternoon. Some will try to approach you, as they are hoping to be your personal guide for a day. Most of them know the sites well and charge reasonable rates. Talk to a few of them, and make sure to ask about references. Many carry notes from other tourists endorsing their services. It’s important that you are comfortable with your driver, so don’t be afraid to ask questions.

The typical route will take you to Colossi of Memnon, Hatshepsut Temple, Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Medinet Habu, and Ramesseum. It’s possible that your driver will try to convince you to stop and see an ‘alabaster factory’ along the route. These factories are built for tourists, and the driver will earn commission on anything you buy. They can be interesting to see, but just be aware that the prices tend to be higher than average.

Be Careful With Horse Buggy Operators

Taking a ride on a horse buggy on the East Bank sounds like a nice relaxing experience. It can be but know that many buggy operators will try to get you to take a ride and then make some additional money. If you’re going to take a ride, negotiate the price and ride time up front. It’s very likely that the driver will try to take you to an ‘art store’. Drivers will get commission if you purchase anything. They’ll also charge you extra at the end of the trip if you spend any time shopping. If you want to stop, make sure you clarify how the stop will impact the total charge before getting out.…

The Nile River is 6,650 km or 4,132 miles long. The only larger river is the Amazon, which is 7,062 km or 4,400 miles in length. An excellent way to travel Egypt is to take a river trip down the Nile. Take some binoculars to spot the many birds that live on the river and its banks. Egypt is also on the migratory path of hundreds of bird species, and millions of birds pass through each winter on their way south and return each summer.

About half way between Luxor and Aswan is Edfu and The Temple of Horus. The main tourist spots are Cairo and Luxor; fewer tourists come further south to this part of Egypt. Crowds can be avoided by visiting the temples and monuments early in the morning. It’s best to be there as soon as the gates open to visitors. It is a wonderful experience to wander through the ancient monuments with only a handful of fellow tourists.

The Temple of Horus is huge, something akin to a large cathedral. Buried under the sand for centuries the temple is well preserved. It is a magical place and its hieroglyphs and statues seem like a giant newspaper proclaiming ancient news to the world. Every stone wall and pillar is covered in pictures and writing. The Pharaoh Ptolemy, who was Greek, built this vast temple. He used it to convince his subjects that he was the rightful ruler descended from the god Horus. It seems his strategy was to cover the place with plenty of propaganda to assert his dynasty.

Just a little further south down the Nile is Kom Ombo and its temple. The temple at Kom Ombo is often quite empty too. It is located right on the banks of the Nile and in the afternoon light it is simply beautiful. There is a very unique hieroglyphic of a woman giving birth in the temple; a must see. Feral cats fill the place. It is easy to imagine they were descendents of ancient Egyptian cats. They still slink around the stones much like their ancestors must have thousands of years ago.

Join me in my next article as we continue our travels down the Nile.

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Aswan has to be one of the most beautiful places in Egypt. Rolling dunes of golden sand brush the edges of the cool Nile River. Bright green palm trees contrast starkly against the dusty buildings and golden tones of the desert. In winter the temperature can be quite mild often in the seventies, but it can get cold at night. As soon as you step from your boat you will be barraged by taxi drivers, of the horse drawn kind. It is a very small town so you will absolutely not need one.

You will discover there is a trip to Abu Simbel Temple while in Aswan. Before the Aswan dam could be built this magnificent temple had to be relocated; it is now a six hour round trip bus ride from Aswan. The road is rough and somewhat dangerous from natural and human threats. It is supposed to be a wonderful temple to visit, but the trip is not worth the effort. If you have been visiting the other temples on your way to Aswan then skip this one.

What is worth a visit is one of the many old hotels in town. Most of them have spectacular views and cool drinks. A sail in a felucca (sail boat) is a must do while in Aswan. In fact, it is best to take a felucca to Kitchener Island. This island and botanical garden is in the middle of the river and is one of the most beautiful spots on the Nile. Take a walk through the park and observe exotic birds while breathing the excellent Nile air.

No stopover in Aswan would be complete without a visit to a Nubian village. This excursion could be the most rewarding experience of your whole adventure. You can spend the evening with a Nubian family in their home and have tea and dinner with them. The Nubian’s live very modestly in a medieval style, but they are welcoming and seem very happy with their lives. Nubian guides are happy to talk about Nubian history, but it is difficult to know what they are saying as their English can often be limited. If you are carried away by the Arabian Nights atmosphere henna tattoos are available. They say it will wear off in several weeks. And finally, the villagers are more than happy to sell you their arts and crafts. A wonderful experience! Of course, watch out for the food and drink as it can leave you with a gift that keeps on giving.

On the other side of the Nile from the town of Aswan, you can ride a camel across the desert to the Saint Simeon monastery. This is one of the oldest known Christian monasteries and reflects a time when Christianity was an influential religion in Egypt. Riding camels is fun except they are smelly and dusty, and make the strangest gurgling sounds from time to time. Make sure that the price of your ride includes a saddle and camel boy.

The Philae Temple on the island of Aglika is also worth a visit. The temple was moved from its original island after the building of the Aswan dam, which was a mammoth task as the temple is enormous.…

Egypt, the ancient land of the Pharaohs, is one such country. It is a remarkable travel destination for many reasons. In short here are five of them:

* It is ancient. It was old when the Greeks discovered it, but its temples and tombs stayed hidden, long enough so that we can protect the fragile mummies and paintings today.

* It is cheap. Compared to most countries it is relatively cheap and you see things you can only see in Egypt. The food is different but cheap and good.

* It is never cold. That is for sure. Being on the northern tip of Africa and being a desert, you can leave your winter gear at home.

* It is mysterious. This is an understatement. It is filled with so much mystery that even respected Egyptologists can’t foresee what still lies buried below the sand of this land.

* It is romantic. A cruise along the Nile will evoke passion long forgotten and arise new ones. It will also bring you to temples built by rulers for the women in their lives.

In conclusion for a traveler, especially those who won’t stay in top hotels, Egypt can be a shock. Touts are everywhere and I think only in India will you find more of them. But they tap your energy and patience as they are very persistent. The heat, the traffic, and the noise just enhance the rude awakening. Still, if you have the right attitude you’ll discover a destination many only dream about visiting. And you’ll see things that you can’t describe when you return home. But you’ll always remember them.…

Egypt has been a family hotspot for years; the country is ripe with history and culture. Tourism in the country has significantly dropped due to political upheaval and the country going through a turbulent depression; however, it’s begun its fight back and is beginning to establish itself as a tourist favorite once more. Here are a few reasons why it’s so popular.

The first reason behind its popularity is its rich history. With some areas dating back over 7000 years, the abundance of temples, treasures and museums continue to astound visitors year after year. The most famous of these are the pyramids of Giza, built for each pharaoh to enjoy the afterlife when they passed away. The deep tombs containing the pharaoh’s were relished in rich gold and treasure and sealed away from the world until recently excavated by archeologists. Activities around the area aren’t hard to come by, whether it’s a camel ride across Giza, or a breathtaking hot air balloon trip across the Valley of the Kings at Luxor, there’s something for everybody to enjoy.

Secondly, it’s the sunshine, the fundamental drive behind anyone’s summer getaway. Among the most luxurious of these is Sharm-el-Sheikh. This hugely popular tourist area is the home to sumptuous 5 star hotels, crisp sandy beaches accompanied with crystal clear ocean waters. All these combined with intense sunshine (which usually soars into 40 degrees in the summer) result in the perfect place to relax and unwind.

Sharm-el-Sheikh is also excellent for diving, regarded among the best areas in the world. Egyptian waters are among the most bio-diverse in the world, with millions of species residing among the 2,000 kilometers of reef. Dive down and see it for yourself, trips are available with your very own internationally certified instructor all year round. For those after a bit of a fright, there’s even the opportunity to get up, close and personal by swimming with sharks.

The Sahara desert may seem desolate and baron, but why not try quad biking or windsurfing in the great sandy plains. These are things guaranteed to get your heart racing.

And of course, who forgets the River Nile. Flowing through 11 countries it’s regarded as the longest river in the world. Why not take yourself on a day cruise of its calm waters, giving you your own little bit of paradise.…

In Korea, the seat of the government is in Seoul. In this city you would notice a great mixture of culture and tradition. Of course, in this article, when we say visit Korea, it would automatically mean South Korea for North Korea is a little bit difficult to get into.

Below is a list of the favourites that people who already went to South Korea listed to help you in deciding which places to visit.

1. Top one in your to visit list is the Gyeongbok Palace

This is difficult to miss given that it is located at the northern end of the main boulevard in Seoul which is Sejongro. This is the most famous royal palace in Korea.

2. Next thing to do when in South Korea is to experience the yore living in Bukchon Village

This village is surrounded by the Gyeongbok Palace on the west and Changdeok Palace on the east. It houses the largest group of privately owned hanok (traditional Korean homes) in Seoul.

3. Then you should experience shopping in Shinsegae Department Store

Being one of the biggest department stores in the city, Shinsegae offers staples such as prepared food at the base, expensive shoes and bags at the next level and the rooftop offers a beautiful garden where the shopper can relax after a tiring day of walking and shopping.

4. You should also experience mountain climbing in Bugaksan

Seoul’s ancient fortress walls and its 15th century gates await hikers who would take any of the numerous trailheads here in Bugaksan.

5. Visit Itaewon neighborhood

This is located near the former U.S. army base. Here bars, clubs, restaurants and shops are what attract tourists.

6. Another market is the Namdaemun Market

This serves as a 24/7 market for those who are searching for less expensive clothing, accessories and almost everything a tourist could possibly want to buy.

7. Then you should experience walking along the Cheonggyecheon Stream

Quiet and beautiful, this place is located 15ft below street level. It is best for strolls and relaxation.

8. No trip to Korea is complete without learning about their history in the War Memorial of Korea

Here you would learn about the history of relationships in Korea.

9. The Seoul City Tour Bus

A less expensive way to tour the city.

10. Visit Baedongbaji

Lastly, you should experience full Korean cuisine for about 15usd. This is in Baedongbaji, Samcheong-dong.…

Korea isn’t a big place. It’s roughly the size of the state of Minnesota for my fellow Yankees.

But you know what they say: great things often come in small packages. One benefit of living in such a geographically compact place is that you can visit just about anywhere in the country in a day or over the weekend.

If you’re eager for an outdoor adventure but only have a single day or weekend to spare, Chiaksan in Gangwon-do, Korea is a great choice. Read on for details and directions!

A Mountain of Myth and Beauty

If we’re talking mountain ranges in Korea, the best known are Jirisan and Seorraksan. These are beautiful places to visit and worthy of their reputations, but they’re often crowded with hikers.

Chiaksan isn’t quite as spectacular as its more famous brethren, but it still makes for a worthwhile destination and — bonus! — it’s far less crowded.

Chiaksan is located in Gangwon-do about 30km from the city of Wonju.

Like all but the most remote and abandoned trailheads in Korea, the base of Chiaksan is a busy place. You’ll find an array of stores and vendors selling everything from reliquary beads and Buddhist trinkets to kimchi pancakes and rice wine.

It might be a good idea to fuel up before your hike and the kimchi pancakes sizzling on griddles are sure to satisfy a hungry stomach.

Once you make your way through the distractions and delicious smells of this mountain bazaar you’ll arrive at the entrance to Chiaksan. The entry fee to Chiaksan is 2,500 won per person, cash only.

Not far from the entrance is Guryeongsa Temple.

Guryeongsa Temple is a medium-sized temple complex built during the Silla Dynasty. Built on the side of a steep hill, you enter the temple complex through a pavilion, towering wooden statues of the “Four Heavenly Guardians” looking down at you, and then climb a steep flight of stairs into Guryeongsa Temple.

As with most Korean temples, the air will likely be faint with incense and the rhythmic chanting of monks at their prayers will echo off of temple walls. It’s a pleasant and relaxing environment to spend a few minutes before setting off on your journey.

Hiking the Trails

From Guryeongsa Temple it’s a 5km hike to Birobong, the peak of Chiaksan. For roughly half of that hike the trail is easygoing — more of a leisurely walk than a hike, really.

You can follow trails through forests of towering pine, through quiet bamboo groves, down into valleys where the trail runs alongisde a bubbling mountain stream, or criss-cross between the two.

About 2km from the base of Chiak Mountain is Seryeong waterfall and from there the hike gets steep. I’m talking about a Jekyll and Hyde transformation from the earlier part of the hike, so if you plan on trekking to the peak of Chiaksan make sure you’re well prepared.

If you’re not up to the challenge there’s a lovely botanical garden located between the Seryeong waterfall and Guryeongsa Temple. It’s a wonderful place to relax and simply enjoy the beauty of nature.

When you need a break from Seoul, or if you’re just in the market for your next outdoor adventure, head for Chiaksan. It’s the beauty of a mountain and one of Korea’s better kept secrets.…

The Maldivian islands have become one of the most visited locations. What makes them so special?

1. World-class Luxury and Hospitality Services

Spending time in the Maldives is so worth it if only for the relaxing luxurious services you have access to. Fun fact, the Maldives has the first five-star built-in-water hotel in the world. With its underwater restaurants, relaxing spas, and various relaxing destinations, it is the perfect place to blow some steam off and enjoy quality “me time”.

2. Wonderful Beaches

The Maldives have gained something of a reputation for having some of the best beaches on the planet. Relaxing on maldivian beaches is a delight in itself. With the tens of beaches around the maldives, there is one for everyone. Popular fun beaches, or more secluded and romantic beaches where you could have some quiet time and watch the sun set. 

3. Spectacular Dive Spots and Diverse Marine Life

The maldives has some diving and snorkelling sweet spots. If you are a fan of these underwater adventures, you can be sure you will have a great time. With the diversity of marine creatures, you could quite literally swim with sharks if you dive in certain locations. 

Summary

The welcoming culture of the people and delectable local dishes is also a major pro of visiting the Maldives. You should definitely visit this paradise-on-earth destination. It is totally worth it!…

It is one of the most romantic locations you could visit today. While getting there really does cost more than a few bucks and can be quite time-consuming, it is totally worth it. 

The serene atmosphere in Bora Bora cannot be found in any other similarly beautiful location. Few tourists actually choose to visit Bora Bora annually. Meaning that you do not have to deal with the “crowd condition” prevalent in other tourist hotspots. So if you are looking for a destination to “de-stress” Bora Bora is perfect for you. You can enjoy the sights and local cultures at your own pace.

The island cuisines in Bora Bora are all really tasty. The locals have made the best of their natural heritage. From interesting seafood options to mouthwatering appetizers made using exotic fruits and recipes. 

The natives are really welcoming. They have so many stories to tell and their culture and traditions are really fun. Here is a fun fact, did you know that the original name of the island was too long to pronounce so it was eventually shortened? Bora Bora is actually the mispronounced version of the shortened name. Interesting stuff.

The pristine nature of the island, paired with the lack of crowds makes it a really romantic destination. Then their above-water bamboo houses are a really attractive feature of Bora Bora. you would absolutely love the whole scenery if you choose to visit.…

Fun fact, the name Bora Bora initially came out as a result of explorers and settlers mishearing its initial name of Pora Pora (meaning firstborn). The island once menaced by the activities of a now dormant volcano is towered by two major peaks, Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahia.

Bora Bora is one of the most exotic spots on earth. It is habited by people who are welcoming and yet love to keep to themselves. This is why it never seems to be full even in its peak tourism seasons. In fact, it is said to get as many visitors in a year, as Hawaii gets in a week. Granted its relatively pricy cost has a part to play. But getting to experience true luxury and relaxation makes it worth the price.

Additionally, the natural heritage is mostly left untouched. So the water is as clear as it gets, its lakes are not littered, and the beaches are also really clean. So Bora Bora is basically paradise on earth. If you are a fan of IG stories, you would have various choice locations there.

Last but not least, it is absolutely romantic. It might not be Paris, but all of its little advantages add together to make it a perfect romantic getaway.

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