Category: Popular

Is Egypt Safe?

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“Grace Cheng say she felt unsafe during her week-long holiday”

What can I say other than “Boo Hoo!”

This is one the most damaging and biased reports from the Daily Mail that I have read in a long time and I hope they follow it up with something more accurate soon.

This could have been written by so many people visiting so many countries simply because they don’t like being hassled. Thieving  and scamming is altogether different and to make statements like that because you personally feel unsafe being hassled is simply not on!

Is it safe to travel to Egypt?

How Safe is Egypt?

First of all, if a holiday is your ‘trip of a lifetime’ and you don’t do the simplest of research first then you only have yourself to blame.

Egypt is a very poor country where begging and hassling is common place outside the resorts. It will take you about 5 minutes online to find that out. In addition, there are numerous reviews with authors you can chat with that are more than happy to discuss the culture with you.

My sister and I have traveled many many times unaccompanied and never once felt unsafe. We like Sharm el Sheikh for beach holidays but our preference is for Luxor where we feel quite comfortable walking the streets alone.

Is it safe to travel to Egypt?

Is it safe to travel to Egypt?

How Safe is Egypt?

Yes the children beg in the streets and if you are daft enough to hand money out or show you are intimidated then you are going to get mobbed, but rarely have I  known these children steal. We feel more comfortable in Luxor that many many other large cities where stealing is rife.

We take school materials and sweets to hand out and a few loud words in my ‘teacher’ voice, soon has them lining up quietly.

Is it safe to travel to Egypt?

You may think the staff and locals are all about money and tips but most are simply proud to have ‘English’ friends. Stealing or fleecing tourists is very much frowned on culturally. Working hard in the hope of tips, yes, but typically, if you have tipped someone at the start of your stay and they are moved to another hotel, they will seek you out to return the tip.

Similarly, begging is frowned on unless ‘necessary’. Locals would often discretely nod when someone was in genuine need so we could go back quietly and give a small amount, which to a widowed mother and child, is a huge amount but very little to us

Is it safe to travel to Egypt?

Is it safe to travel to Egypt?

Holiday Cottages Moray

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Looking for Cottage Holiday Reviews for Moray?

See reviews for Holiday Cottages Moray

More UK Holiday Properties

Holiday Cottages Scotland

Book Rural Properties in Moray

In Scotland, few things are finer than drinking a whisky while taking in a view of the countryside. Head to one of the five whisky-producing regions (Campbeltown, Highland, Islay, Lowland, and Speyside) for a behind-scenes tour. Loch Ness may be more famous, but Loch Lomond, the largest inland stretch of water in Great Britain (by surface area), stands out for its islands (more than 30), scenery, and wildlife. Held every spring and summer throughout the country, the Highland Games are a celebration of all things Scottish and Celtic—think bagpipes, kilts, dancing, and traditional Scottish sports like the caber toss and hammer throw.

Country Cottages Scotland

more Rural Cottages near Moray

Some thoughts for things to do for those troublesome teens and young family members when they get bored! Consult the map for suitable areas!.

  • Dedicate a day to laughing and do everything that gets you to laugh.
  • Dress up as fancy as you can and go to a classy restaurant.
  • Love your muscles by getting a massage.
  • Organize an outdoor 5-on-5 basketball game.
  • Play golf without throwing a club.

Inchberry – Laggan – Bridge of Tynet – Leanoch – Moy House – Slackhead – Conicavel – Davoch of Grange – Cummingstown – Knockandhu – Marypark – Spey Bay – Torbain – Edintore – Findrassie – Pittendreich – Mayen – Craigend – Ardgye – Orbliston – Drumnagorrach – Lhanbryde – Quarrywood – Drummuir Castle – Auchmair – Kingston – Glenlatterach – Whitemire – Kinloss – Presley – Braes of Enzie – Ianstown – Roseisle – Bishopmill – Farmtown – Miltonhill – Hopeman – Delnabo – Portknockie – Robertstown – Mosstodloch – Moss Side – Newmill – Wellhill – Auchenhalrig – Ardiecow – Forgie – Tullich – New Elgin – Carron – Garmouth – Califer – Aldunie – Weston – Lintmill – Burghead – Haugh of Glass – Rosarie – Duffus – Barnhill – Logie – Boat O Brig – Fochabers – Fodderletter – Cloddach – Auchlunkart – Crannach – Milltown of Rothiemay – Upper Knockando – Findochty – Dava – Dandaleith – Arradoul – Ardoch – Alves – Bardon – Hillside – Berryhillock – Mulben – Braehead – Rothes – Muirhead – Sheandow – Mains of Sluie – Palmerscross – Phorp – Drybridge – Badnafrave – Briach – Floors – Broadrashes – Cullen – Edinvale – Drumin – Oakenhead – Grange Crossroads – Bridge of Avon – Stotfield – Elrick – Forres – Portgordon – Knockando – Archiestown – Springfield – Daugh of Kinermony – Lossiemouth – Clochan – Craigroy – Dalestie – Urquhart – Keithmore – Rathven – Portessie – Chapeltown – Aldivalloch – Hoggie

Holiday Cottages Moray

Moray Cottages

Want a cottage with a hot tub in Moray?

Hot Tub Holidays Scotland

Holiday properties in Moray with hot tubs are popular with families and couples looking for something extra. UK weather can be unpredictable so a warm hot tub is a great idea. Many cottages are very scenic so you can enjoy the spectacular views. Cottages with Hot Tubs mean you can take your holiday at the start or end of the season so getting a bargain. Scotland has much to do and see but the hot tub will be there when the weather is not!


Knabbygates – Dalchirach – Branderburgh – Gordonstoun – Lochhill – Milltown of Auchindown – Kellas – Craggan – Kintessack – Grange Hall – Kirkhill – Relugas – Blervie Castle – Cloves – Charlestown of Aberlour – Tauchers – Garralburn – Parkmore – Glenconglass – Altonside – Mains of Burgie – Blackhills – Newton of Dalvey – Tomnaven – Coltfield – Auchbreck – Tomnavoulin – Ardwell – Moss of Barmuckity – Whiteacen – Covesea – Dufftown – Fife Keith – Bracobrae – Speyview – Backies – Thomshill – Tomdow – Ringorm – Lagganvoulin – Tomintoul – Hempriggs – Blackhillock – Cardow – Miltonduff – Limehillock – Redhill – Longmorn – Craigellachie – Tomnamoon – Glenlivet – Knock – Keith – Seatown – Elgin – Maggieknockater – Aultmore – Mains of Tannachy – Muir of Lochs – Milton – Toreduff – Achnastank – Dallas – Shenval – Milltown of Edinvillie – Clune – Bogmoor – Cabrach – Bauds of Cullen – Lynemore – Brigehaugh – Craigroy Farm – Crofts of Buinach – Buckie – Blairnamarrow – Slate Haugh – Branchill – Nether Dallachy – Sillyearn – Invererne – Kirktown of Deskford – Rafford – Inverharroch – Grantown on Spey – North Bogbain – Whitewreath – Upper Dallachy – Paddockhaugh – Bridgend – Bakebare – Favillar – Inchrory – Ballochford – Buthill – Deerhill – Tulloch – Towiemore – Dipple – Auchtertyre – Dyke – Delavorar – Craibstone – Ordiequish – Findhorn – Clashnoir – Findron – Broadley

Single Travelers Tenerife

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Tenerife and Only Me

Hi I am looking for advice on solo travel to Tenerife for a holiday.  I hear Tenerife is ok fos single travelers but I’m worried I will look silly being on my own and whether it’s safe? I hope people won’t judge me? My friend cancelled and I don’t want to lose money and I was also really looking forward to it. Any advice or has anyone traveled on holiday solo?     Sound familiar?

A group for solo travelers to meet others is a great idea.  Hostels are a good idea too.  They have the added advantage of being cheap.  Some people are a bit intimidated by the idea that hostels are full of hikers, backpackers, surfers etc., in other words really active people.  This is not true of all hostels but a group like this is a great place to find out.

Tenerife for Single Travelers

Tenerife and Only Me, an innovative idea using Facebook to bring solo travelers together in Tenerife South.  Hostel accommodation can also be found on this group.  Mandy Green writes:  Welcome to my group, this is for people in Tenerife either resident or traveling on there own that would like to meet other people to enjoy the pleasures of Tenerife. This is not necessarily a dating site, it is for people to enjoy things together.  I will be arranging dates and venues for people to meet for coffee or drinks and arrange trips if anyone would like to join us.

 

Veronicas Tenerife

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Verónicas Strip

Veronicas Tenerife

For nightlife in Tenerife South, endless party nights and fun. Start off around 10pm amongst a neon extravaganza of pulsating bars. Dance until dawn –  famous non-stop parties 24 hours a day, modern, lively bars and wild fun, especially if you are under 25 years old. The best international DJs come to the Verónicas Strip.

Jump to Videos
Map Veronicas Tenerife

Veronicas Best Clubs and Bars

  • Sound of Cream: Electro house music.
  • Jumping Jacks: Hip Hop, Dubstep,  D&B, Latin.
  • Sugareef & O’neils: Dance to UK charts.
  • International Tramps: Three different areas: Coco Bongo, with music from the 80s, 90s and 00s, Notorious, latest Hip-Hop songs and the main area, house and electro house.
  • Papagayo Beach Club: Chill house music, cocktails overlooking the sea
  • Rags : House, Dubstep, D&B, Garage, Bassline or Hip-Hop depending on the night.

Video Veronicas Strip Tenerife

Diving in Tenerife

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Scuba Diving in Tenerife

Scuba diving is not just a fun way to stay fit, but it provides the sights and experiences that are simply unique. Perhaps the widespread availability of equipment and certified instructors in Tenerife induce more people to explore.  Scuba diving is not only a popular activity worldwide, but an experience that will be etched in your heart forever.
Dving in Sharks Bay

Diving in Tenerife is fun, – you will see turtles, sharks, coral, fish, invertebrates, crabs, molluscs, shellfish, eels, sting rays, manta rays, and shrimp. It’s easy to take video and pictures of the reefs, reef, fish, fish, invest, invertebrates, lobsters, octopus, octopuses, octopi, and coral.

Granadilla Diving Tenerife is highly recommended.  Granadilla Diving are a diving Club where you can experience Scuba Diving safely for the first time through an approved PADI Discover Scuba Diving Programme; improve your existing knowledge and gain experience through PADI certified courses; or for those already qualified, join like-minded fellow divers and club members for a truly memorable diving experience; all whilst having fun in the water with your qualified guides and instructors!

Hotels Sri Lanka

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Cheap Hotels in Sri Lanka

Sri-Lanka Hotels

If you opt for cheap accommodation in Sri Lanka do not have to compromise the level of comfort and facilities. Even if you have a low budget, Sri Lanka’s cheap hotels offers a convenient range of facilities, services and accommodation throughout your stay. This is one of the main reasons why Sri Lanka receives a large number of tourists throughout the year.

Cheap hotels in Sri Lanka offer comfortable rooms without compromising the standard of their service or amenities. Usually the guest rooms offer the standard amenities and are well-maintained. Although the number of amenities may be lesser than that of higher star hotel rooms, the quality remains the same. For an affordable price you can easily find a good room with equally good meals.

Most travel enthusiasts visit Sri Lanka to explore the many historical places located in various parts of the country. Cities such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla and Kandy offer a plethora of tourist attractions which cannot be covered in one day. The places you can visit in Sri Lanka are endless. Most travellers simply look for a comfortable place to rest at the end of their day’s activities. Most cheap hotels in Sri Lanka are located within easy access from tourist sites saving time and money by staying at a low-cost Sri Lankan hotel.

Sri Lanka Hotel Reviews    Sri Lanka Cheap Hotels

The Best Sri Lanka Hotels

Without question 2 of the hotels considered the best on the island of Sri Lanka are The Amanwella and The Kahanda Kanda. They’re all alike though. A little inland from Koggala Lagoon, Kahanda Kanda Hotel is small and select with just eight guest suites, amidst pavilions separated by lily ponds, surrounded by a  tea plantation. Amanwella (is full of character and all about personal service. The restaurant’s delightful with  local food and it’s an amazing location. It is in a secluded crescent of golden sand bookended by rock pools and fringed with palms. The 30 suites including  ocean suites.

Luxor Restaurants

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Our recommendation:  The Jewel of the Nile

Jump  to Luxor Restaurants

Notice re Trip Advisor:  Have recently had unfavorable reviews removed  without explanation?  Read more about this here—>>>> Trip Advisor deleted my review.

Jewel Of The Nile Luxor  Jewel of the Nile is rated number one of the Luxor restaurant.

On our return to Luxor this year we visited as many restaurants as possible to enable us to provide a detailed review on the best and shall we say the ‘not so good’ restaurants on offer.  We visited Luxor restaurants to suit all pockets to able us to give a comprehensive view for Egypt tourists.  Although we have frequented some of these old established restaurants for numerous years we returned to our top 3 restaurants before leaving Luxor to ensure that we could confirm that the quality of the food and service was consistent.  For up to date, genuine unbiased information and comments we list below our findings.

Jewel Of The Nile Luxor  Jewel of the Nile is rated number one of the Luxor restaurant.

For comfortable surroundings, delicious food and friendly service this is without doubt is the first restaurant you should visit on arriving in Luxor.  You’ll be amazed at the warm welcome you’ll receive on arrival, with genuine Egyptian and International cuisine on offer, all freshly prepared, you won’t  fail to be pleasantly surprised at how reasonable the cost of your meal will be.   (read our full review)

No. 2 Best Restaurant in Luxor – Maxim’s 

Long established restaurant providing excellent food and service in pleasant surroundings, again at very reasonable prices. (read our full review)

No. 3 Best Restaurant in Luxor – Jems

Top class food from a top class chef. This very under-rated restaurant suffers from a poor frontage, which I feel sadly puts people off.  Do try it though I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed.  Albert the owner will prepare you mouth-watering food again at a price that’s easy on the pocket. (read our full review)

No 1 Worst Restaurant in Luxor – The Lantern Luxor 

Once a very popular restaurant with returning visitors to Luxor, we found this restaurant to be overpriced, food of poor quality, although plentiful, and staff with selective hearing when the quick round of ‘have you enjoyed your meal’ is nightly banded about. The standards of this restaurant have slipped to say the very least, certainly one to avoid.  (read our full review)

No.2 Worst Restaurant in Luxor – Castello

Newly opened this restaurant seems to have more than a few teething problems, we would give this one a miss for the time being.  Maybe they will turn things around given time. (read our full review)

Jewel Of The Nile Luxor  Jewel of the Nile is rated number one of the Luxor restaurant.

Trip Advisor deleted my review

We have recently had some very disturbing emails from a number of holiday makers we met whilst in Luxor.  These people have no connection with one another or with this site  other than the fact that they, like us, were staying at the Hotel Nile Palace and we all got talking about where was good to eat and we spent an hour or two reading Trip Advisor reviews on my laptop in the bar.

There were half a dozen restaurants we pretty much all tried and found without exception that The Jewel in the Nile was excellent and the Lantern varied between extremely disappointing to totally revolting.  Now I rarely post to Trip Advisor – I have enough to do maintaining my websites, but when I heard reports back from the people we had met saying that every time they posted a couple of good review and a bad one, their reviews were removed, I decided to post my own.

I gave an excellent review to the Jewel of the Nile, Jems and Maxims, a reasonable one for Snobs and one or two others and a poor one for the Lantern. Sure enough my reviews were posted then 2 weeks later they were all deleted without explanation.

There has been some suggestion that if a hotel or restaurant complains after a poor review, suggesting that a competitor is behind it, Trip Advisor will take the easy route and remove the reviews.  I can’t comment as to whether this is true or not.  I do know that all those who had reviews removed  complained and were told they didn’t meet the guidelines.  What utter rubbish.  I have a long standing account on Tripadvisor and although I don’t post much, I have posted about other areas including places like Sri Lanka.  I could hardly be mistaken for the owner of the Jewel or Jems posting their own fake reviews.

If poor hotels and restaurants can manipulate the system like this it’s about time Trip Advisor looked at there procedures.

If this has happened to you, please drop us a line.

Restaurants in Luxor

Egypt Maps

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Egypt is located in northeastern Africa. Egypt is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, Libya to the west, Sudan to the south, Israel and the Gaza strip to the east. Egypt constructed many resorts like Hurghada and Sharm El Sheik (The City of Peace) to highlight the natural beauty of the red sea Rivera. Egypt is one of the top tourism countries all across the world, so if you plan a trip to Egypt, then check our Egypt tour packages and Nile cruise to enjoy your dream vacation.

Maps of Egypt on Google Earth: Google Earth is a free program from Google that allows you to explore satellite images showing the cities and landscapes of Egypt and all of Africa in fantastic detail.

Find your Hotel Location at Hotel Map Sharm El Sheikh

Egypt Weather

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Summer in Egypt

The temperature in Egypt during the summer months is 28 ° C on average, with a minimum of 22º. That’s quite hot for visitors, and remember that in the desert there is not much shade.

Winter in Egypt

The average temperature in January and February are 14 ° C, with a minimum of 9. It is better than in summer, although at night it’s best to have a jacket.

Best time to travel to Egypt

If we only consider the climate, the mildest months are March, April, October and November. If you choose these months, you won’t regret your choice. Minimum of 14º and 20º.

Egypt Weather

The climate in Egypt and temperatures

Egypt in general is a hot, dry and arid country but the climate in the Nile Delta and Upper Egypt Valley is different. The Delta has a moderate climate with summer temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius and high humidity, a Mediterranean climate. The rest of the country is dry and can reach temperatures of over 50 degrees at times. The desert nights can be cool and heat difference is very marked.

From April to May is a great time to travel and enjoy some heat without being overbearing.

In the Red Sea water temperature is nice but due to strong currents can become very cold, but usually is warm in summer. Throughout this coast and Sinai wind blows almost daily and it ideal for practising certain water sports.

Egypt Weather