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Luxury Nile cruise

Luxury Nile Cruise…

Oberoi Zahra

I mentioned in an earlier post that when I take a holiday that, if I can possibly afford it, I like to stay in as luxurious surroundings as possible. After all most of us only get away once or twice a year.

Well…I just came upon news that a brand new luxury Nile cruise vessel, The Oberoi Zahra, set sail for the first time this week.

Here’s what I read…

“The Oberoi Zahra casts off on October 2nd as the hottest ship under the Egyptian sun. With only 27 spacious, panoramic-view suites, the Zahra is like a boutique hotel sailing down the Nile. Its five decks hold a four-suite Banyan Tree spa, a landscaped pool and the river’s only floating cigar lounge (lest your midnight Cuban craving go unfulfilled). If you’re feeling Pharoah-level-indulgent, spring for a 645-square-foot Grand Suite (the largest on the Nile) and watch Egypt pass by from the Jacuzzi on your private terrace”.

It sounds fabulous and it will be very expensive but you’ll be sailing in the height of luxury and, as you know, you get what you pay for.

I think you’ll agree by looking at some of the photos here that the Oberoi Zahra looks a fabulous vessel.

Oberoi Zahra bathroom

If you’d like us to arrange a Nile cruise on the Zahra please call Barbara on Freephone 0808 1089 100.

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Fabulous Resource

I would like to recommend a wonderful resource for anyone thinking of taking a Nile cruise or for those of you who have travelled to Egypt and would like to find out even more about this mysterious and wonderful country.

I came across EgyptSites when doing some of my own research and realised immediately what a fabulous resource it would be for anyone hoping to visit Egypt.

Egyptsites.co.uk

The site has been lovingly created by Sue Bayfield who obviously has a great passion for the country.

Here, in her own words, are Su’s reasons for putting together such a wonderful resource…

“The website has been designed with two aims. The first is an introduction for first-time visitors to the ancient sites they may encounter on a package tour or Nile cruise – a taster with photographs of what they may see. My second aim is to provide a greater level of detail on the history and archaeology of the monuments for those with a deeper interest in the study of Egypt’s ancient history”.

If you are cruising from Luxor you will be visiting Upper Egypt and if you visit our “typical Nile cruise itinerary page” you will see which of the sites, temples and monuments you will be likely to visit.

Rather than nipping out and buying an Egyptian Travel book I would suggest you visit Su’s website and read her descriptions instead. Su is also an accomplished photographer and she illustrates her descriptions with wonderful photographs that will really whet your appetite. Here is the “Upper Egypt” page from the website…

Egypt Monuments Upper Egypt

I have asked Su for permission to link to some of her website’s content as I feel it is truly wonderful resource so please visit the website and enjoy the excellent resources Su has provided. And perhaps you might want to drop her an email telling her what you have enjoyed when exploring the site. If you do please mention that you came across the site whilst reading the Nile Cruises 4u Blog.

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The Valley of The Kings – Luxor

One of the most spectacular destinations we visited on our first Nile cruise was to The Valley Of The Kings at Luxor. It truly is a breathtaking sight when you arrive at the site.

The Valley Of The Kings, Luxor

Once again I would recommend you visit the Tour Egypt website where you will be able to read a really informative article about The Valley of The Kings, its’ history and what to expect when you get there.

Tutenkamun

Usually on the King Tut and El Fostate cruises The Valley of the Kings is a featured trip towards the end of the week but please call us on our Freephone number 0808 1089 100 to check if the excursion is included on the Nile cruise you may choose to book.

To give you a flavour of the Tour Egypt article here’s a snippet:

The Egyptian belief that “To speak the name of the dead is to make him live again” is certainly carried out in the building of the tombs. The king’s formal names and titles are inscribed in his tomb along with his images and statues. Beginning with the 18th Dynasty and ending with the 20th, the kings abandoned the Memphis area and built their tombs in Thebes. Also abandoned were the pyramid style tombs. Most of the tombs were cut into the limestone following a similar pattern: three corridors, an antechamber and a sunken sarcophagus chamber. These catacombs were harder to rob and were more easily concealed. Construction usually lasted six years, beginning with the new reign. The text in the tombs are from the Book of the Dead, the Book of the Gates and the Book of the Underworld. See also a history and overview of the Valley of the Kings.
Click here to read the complete article.

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The “other” Luxor

I’ve just read a fascinating article by Jane Akshar who operates “Flats in Luxor” a leading accommodation agency in Luxor itself.

In her article she describes her favourite part of Luxor, the East Bank.

Here’s a brief snippet:

To get to my Luxor you have to go through the other Luxor. Some people love the East bank but I find it artificial with loads of hassle. My Luxor is the West Bank. The character of the two places is totally different; it is not a case of the river separating two districts. The East Bank is much more developed and along the Nile there are many five star hotels cheek by jowl. Most of the tourist shopping is on the East, but few of the sites. The West Bank is more rural; hotels are small, family run businesses in the middle of the village. Although there are many alabaster factories and a couple of papyrus institutes, the attraction for the tourist is the masses and masses of sights.

To read the whole article I would recommend you click here.

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Nile Cruise Podcast

I’m in the middle of creating the first Nile cruise podcast. The Podcast, which you will be able to listen to online or by downloading to your iPod or MP3 player will include an interview with a guest who has enjoyed a Nile cruise recently.

It will also include Nile cruise news, some Egyptian music (to get you in the mood!) and the latest developments and prices for forthcoming Nile cruises.

As soon as episode 1 is ready I’ll upload it here and I hope you’ll find it useful and enjoyable.