River Nile near Aswan by Alchemica (Creative Commons)
Steeped in history, there are so many things to see and do in Egypt that it is often too much to pack into one holiday. Red Sea cruises are often one of the best ways to explore Egypt and the surrounding area, as they visit a number of destinations ensuring you get the full Egyptian experience. Here is our collection of the top things to see and do on your Red Sea cruise…
Pyramids and Great Sphinx of Giza
No trip to Egypt would be complete without a visit to Giza to see the impressive pyramids and wondrous sphinx. Many cruises offer excursions to Giza where you can immerse yourself in Ancient Egypt and take-in three of Egypt’s oldest and greatest monuments, the pyramids. Nearby, you can marvel at the Great Sphinx and ponder over the legacy of his missing nose. There are even locals offering camel rides for an extra slice of Egyptian culture.
Valley of the Kings
The Valley of the Kings provides a fascinating historical day out for all to enjoy. Explore the tombs of ancient Egyptian royalty and look on in awe at the exquisite decoration of the tomb. Tutankhamun’s tomb is a popular choice for most tourists; however it is actually is not the most impressive tomb that Egypt has to offer. Most of the tomb’s original decoration is stored in a Cairo museum. The tombs of Ramses III and Ramses IX offer far more to see, with beautiful engravings that are still in excellent condition.
River Nile
Taking a river trip along the Nile is an excellent way to see a lot of what Egypt has to offer. The longest river in the world is flanked with Egyptian beauty and culture. Most boats provide lunch or dinner and traditional Egyptian entertainment is available.
Aqaba, Jordan
Most Red Sea cruise itineraries call at Aqaba in Jordan. From here, you can visit the Dead Sea; a saltwater lake that is over eight times saltier than the sea. Hundreds of tourists flock to the Dead Sea every year as the high salt content of the usually warm water makes it easy to float and unwind in the Jordan sun. The black mud of the sea bed is packed with essential vitamins and minerals, making it a perfect face mask.
Petra
A visit to Petra is a must if you want to visit a world-famous location. Petra has featured in a number of blockbusters, with the impressive architecture of the temple of Al Kazneh featuring in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Likewise, Petra was a key location in the 1942 film Arabian Nights and the more modern Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Excursions regularly run to the local area, where you can experience the real-life movie sets.
Al Kazneh, Petra (Creative Commons)
Choose a cruise itinerary that will allow you to visit as many of these attractions as possible to be sure you have the best Red Sea experience possible.