Valley of the Kings, Egypt – Information and Tips

Decked out at the west bank of the Nile across Luxor, lies the Valley of kings in Egypt, which is another place of undying mystery. The kings of the new Kingdom during the eras including 16th to 11th centuries BC were mainly buried here. Besides, it is believed that the Pharaohs chose this particular isolated valley to build their tombs because a Theban Peak evocative of the shape of a pyramid stood towering over it. The Valley of the Kings is divided into two parts which are the east and the west valley.

The East Valley
It encompasses most of the tombs of Pharaohs from the new kingdom which are open to the public.

The West Valley
It has only one tomb open to public because of which tourist mainly flock to the east valley. One can explore the tomb of Ay who succeeded the Egyptian throne after Tutankhamun.

Tomb of Tutankhamun
The most famous of all tombs is of the King Tutankhamun which is the most recently discovered tomb and has been named KV 62 as per the tomb naming convention. Tutankhamun died unexpectedly at an early age of around 19 years following a brief reign. The tomb is considerably smaller as compared to those of other Egyptian Pharaohs. The linen wrapped mummy of the king still rests in the tomb. A number of artefacts were gathered during the excavation of the tomb. This intriguing legacy of Tutankhamun has travelled all over the world. The gold burial mask remains one of the most popular and fascinating symbols.

Best Time to Visit Egypt
Longing to unveil the mystical saga of the Valley of Kings? Don’t forget to plan the trip to Egypt during the favourable seasons. Although, winters from December to February may be the perfect time to visit the country, it may be difficult to net cheap flights to Egypt for these months. Spring lasts from March to May and autumn from September to November. These are good times to explore most attractions in the country including the Valley of the Kings. Flights to Egypt with number of airlines are usually more easily available for these months as compared to the winter peak season.

Practical Information for Visiting Valley of the Kings
The visitors require a standard ticket to explore the three tombs however they need to buy a separate one for the tomb of the King Tutankhamun.

Some of the tombs can be closed from time to time for the renovation.

Necessary things to carry include sunglasses and sun blocking lotion. Often tourists are seen in the valley with terrible sunburns. Durable and comfortable shoes are must as there is a lot of walking around, climbing down and up the various tombs.

Tombs can be oppressively hot especially in summers and it is important to take ample amount of water irrespective of the season. Water can also be purchased at the visitor center.

Photography is allowed against a permit in most tombs however flash photography is prohibited. Take plentiful batteries for your camera to the tombs. Although these are sold within the Valley of the Kings, the price will be exorbitantly high.

Reaching Valley of the Kings, Egypt
A number of international airlines connect Egypt to the rest of the world. One can find a number of Egypt holiday experts who can book cheap tickets for flights as well as budget accommodation at the destination. Luxor is the most convenient launch pad for starting Valley of the Kings expedition. Arrive in Luxor which is connected to Cairo and other major cities in Egypt by regular trains service, buses and taxis. While in Luxor, there are ferries or private motor boats to get you to the Valley of the Kings. At the ferry terminal, there are taxis to take you around the sites.

Strikes Loom For IAG As It Begins First Day of Trading Today

International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG) that was created after the merger of British Airways and Iberia made its debut today at the stock market with a valuation of £6.1 billion. IAG shares started trading at 8 a.m. in London, which is the company’s main listing. The company will also be listed in Madrid.

British Airways ended its 24 years of trading on the stock exchange. From Monday, the airline’s shares will be traded under the name of International Airlines Group.

BA and the Spanish giant Iberia will both retain its brand names as part of the deal that is supposed to make them collectively the second largest airline by value after Germany’s Lufthansa. Both the airlines are expected to benefit hugely with the merger as they are likely to save 400 million euros a year by its fifth year of collaboration. Other than that, IAG will now have more than 400 aircrafts and is expected to handle passenger travel traffic of 60 million people annually. IGA will now maintain a network of flights that will connect to more than 200 destinations around the globe.

BA and Iberia also complement each other in terms of operations and especially long-haul flights. British Airways has a major presence in North Atlantic and Iberia is a popular option between Europe and Latin America. Add to it the anti-trust immunity awarded to both the airlines as well as American Airlines for their transatlantic business.

IAG has no plans to rest as it hopes to expand further through some aggressive acquisitions in the near future including some even outside Europe. IAG’s chief executive Willie Walsh believes that the merger is going to be the perfect springboard for further growth of the company.

BA’s Cabin Crew Votes for Strike

However, everything is not hunky dory for the UK’s flag carrier as BA’s cabin crew voted overwhelming in support of another strike as the showdown between Unite and the airline continues. This could be bad news for those travellers who have already landed up with cheap tickets on flights for their Easter vacations. With long weekends of Easter and the royal wedding in April, cheap tickets on flights are indeed few and far between.

Unite’s General Secretary-designate Len McCluskey appealed to BA for negotiations and was quoted by internet sources as stating, “Surely BA management must now wake up and listen to the voice of their skilled and dedicated employees.”

However, BA refuted the union claims of majority support of the cabin crew. "Unite has lost about 2,500 cabin crew members since this dispute started, as crew have voted with their feet. Even with a smaller membership, the proportion of Unite members supporting disruption continues to fall, contrary to the union's claims,” the airline said in a statement.

British Airways insists that even in the event of strike ticket holders shall not be troubled and it will be able to operate almost normal timetables from different airports.

Valuable Information on Holidays in India

With its charming diversity, India remains one of the leading tourist destinations around the world. The place brims with different traveller delights – scrumptious food, magnificent historical monuments, beautiful gardens, beach and mountain resorts and remarkable wild life. Indeed, India offers it all and how!

Top Indian Tourist Destinations
India is huge country that is dotted with marvellous tourist attractions. Each part of the nation is a tourist paradise in its own right. Be it the wonderful beaches down south, the tantalising cuisines of the north, or the mesmerising natural beauty of the east – holidays in India are surely a treat for tourists. Here is a look at some highlights of Indian vacations that must not be missed.


Golden Triangle Tour
The Golden Triangle Tour is India’s exceedingly popular tourist circuit that is favoured by domestic and foreign tourists alike. It is called so because of the vague triangular shape that can be made out between Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. Each of the three destinations is full of world class attractions and offers India’s finest in terms of historical monuments. Delhi charms and enthrals travellers with its overwhelming structures like the Red Fort, India Gate, Jama Masjid and wonderful colonial architecture. Agra remains unmatched with the incredible Taj Mahal as well as the Agra Fort. Jaipur is a leading tourist destination that floors all with its splendours like Hawa Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, and Amber Fort and Palace.

Kerala
Kerala is an enchanting tourist destination that features wonderful landscapes, serene backwaters, remarkable wildlife parks and glittering beaches. Kerala offers numerous opportunities for travellers looking for adventurous getaways against the backdrop of extreme natural beauty. An incredible blend of multiple cultures, Kerala is also renowned for religious pilgrim spots and magnificent historic monuments.

Goa
The ultimate party place, Goa is perhaps the most westernised region of India and one that is completely relaxed and laidback in its character. Strong Portuguese influence has fashioned Goa into an irresistible destination for fun lovers. Mouth-watering cuisines, amazing water sporting action and never-ending beach fun make Goa an indispensable part of India holidays.

Ideal Time to Visit India
Generally, the best time to visit India is the period between November to February as the climate is quite cool and the festivals taking place during the period offer the perfect opportunity to revel in the cultural extravaganza. The time is also ideal for outdoor sightseeing in South India as well as in the plain areas of North India. If one is interested in winter sports, Gulmarg is the perfect location to chill out.

Monsoon in India is considered the off-season as far as tourism is concerned. Budget travellers can take advantage of off-season discounts during the period.

Getting There
A number of airlines operate direct as well as indirect flights to India from the UK. Jet Airways, British Airways and Kingfisher Airline are a few of the preferred airlines for flying from the UK to India.

Some Important Travel Tips

• Getting a visa before travelling to India is compulsory and for transiting through India, one needs a transit visa. Travellers with a transit visa can not stay for more than 3 days in the country. For more information regarding visa and other related issues, check out the official website of FCO.
  
  
• Important documents like passports, flight tickets and identity cards must be photocopied and kept separately from the originals.
  
  
• It is best to avoid intermingling with strangers in cities. Travellers can contact police PCR vans that patrol different parts of the cities for any assistance.
  
  
• Crime against foreigners is not unheard of in India. It is best to take basic safety precautious to avoid any unpleasant scenario.
  

Book your flights to India now to enjoy the best holidays in 2011.

Reasons Most Youngsters Book Flights to Perth for!

Perth, supposedly the sunniest capital city of Australia is a big hit with young people. Hundreds of youngsters save hard to fund their cheap flights to Perth as the destination is full of spoilers. Be it taking a romantic helicopter ride across the clouds, gyrating away booze fuelled night in some pub, or indulging in heart thudding adventure sports, Perth sets many a youngsters on a quest for tickets with cheap airlines to the destination. Here are some of the reasons that make Perth a hot favourite destination for the young.

Beaches

Perth is full of magnificent beaches and there is world of choice for indulging in people watching, swimming, snorkelling, surfing, and other adrenalin pumping water sports. The Scarborough Beach is a hot choice amongst teenagers and young adults for kite surfing, body boarding, and wind surfing, and the night parties. For scuba diving enthusiasts as well as other beach bugs, there are quite a few options in Rockingham, while Trigg makes for some heavy duty surfing. Although, there is no end to the number of beach attractions, one of the most popular places for beach hunting is the Rottnest Island. Beaches are definitely one of the biggest lures that attract young people in droves to embark on flights to Perth.

Adventure Sports

Adrenalin junkies booking flights to Perth are in for some unforgettable treats. Those who want to conquer the fear of heights can indulge in bungee jumping or trying out different forms of rock climbing such as multi-pitch climbing, sport climbing, crack climbing, face climbing, and aid climbing. Perth is also home to Western Australia’s award winning and supposedly biggest Skydiving centre and provides mind numbing Accelerated Freefall and tandem Skydive experiences. Similarly, there is no dearth of choice for indulging in caving expeditions and mastering the art of abseiling. For yachting aficionados, the lower regions of the Swan River Valley are amongst the most desirable places.

Tracks and Trails

Perth also offers plenty of biking, hiking, and walking trails. Many of these trails have provisions for guided tours and visitors can treat themselves to myriad exotic sights and smells of nature along the way. A popular bike trail is the Munda Biddi Trail, which runs across mesmerising wooded areas and gently rolling hills and treats one to wildlife like brush wallabies, western grey kangaroos, and brushtail possums. Another choice is the award winning Bibbulmun Track, which runs across mesmerising hills, river valleys, and forests. The walk covers seven rural communities and stretches for about a thousand kilometres between Perth Hills and Albany.

Nightlife

Perth’s electrifying nightlife sees happy crowds of youngsters painting the town red in the numerous pubs and discotheques dotting the city. The hottest centres of action are concentrated around Northbridge, Subiaco and Fremantle and some of the most popular venues are Must Winebar, Varga Lounge, The Moon & Sixpence British Pub, and Sapphire Bar. Those with more intellectual pursuits can stake out numerous venues like Perth Concert Hall, His Majesty’s Theatre, Subiaco Arts Centre, Yirra Yaakin Theatre, Buzz Dance Theatre, and Burswood Dome.

Shopping

Youngsters bitten by the shopping bug find themselves spoilt for choice in Perth. Some of the popular European type markets are the Galleria Art & Craft Markets and Art Gallery and Museum Concourse. Those looking for souvenirs can pick up authentic Aboriginal art from places like Creative Native and Indigenart. Perth is also the place to pick up Western Australian wines and crocodile and sheepskin leather products. Most of the duty free shops are located in the vicinity of Hay Street, Murray Street malls, and Forrest Chase complex. The area also has some of the main department stores, Myer and David Jones, and numerous fashion franchises, duty free shops, and historic arcades.

Thai airline to take off next month

It has been confirmed that a new airline will start offering new flights to Thailand at the start of next month.


Crystal Thai Airlines (CTA) is set to introduce flights from Bangkok to Incheon and Muan in South Korea on February 3rd.

The airline, which plans to become Thailand's third largest carrier, has confirmed that the new service will operate twice-weekly and will meet growing demand from travellers in both countries.

Other possible destinations in the future include flights to Mumbai and Cochin in India as well as Dubai and Phuket in Thailand.

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Queensland launches new tourism campaign

Tourism Queensland is hoping a new campaign will encourage holidaymakers to take flights to Australia.


Despite recent flooding in the region, the local tourism body is keen to stress that it should not deter people from heading to Queensland to enjoy its attractions.

The new campaign will involve print, radio and the internet to help promote Queensland and ensure both domestic and international visitor numbers remain strong.

"Travellers will be directed through to Tourism Queensland's website for a range of holiday deals," explained Tourism Queensland's chief executive Anthony Hayes.

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Emirates introduces Seychelles to Dubai flights

Dubai-based airline Emirates has begin a new initiative to promote flights to Dubai from the Seychelles.

The island nation in the Indian Ocean will benefit from three new flights to Dubai per week starting on March 28th.

Proving the extra services will boost capacity between the two destinations by 42 per cent per week as well as increasing the travel options for holidaymakers.

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Mumbai wins 'unique hotel award'

Le Sutra in Mumbai has been named India's Most Unique Hotel at the Indian Hospitality Excellence Awards (IHEA).

Ranjan Gupta, head of operations at Le Sutra, explained to HBI that the award recognised the work the hotel has done to promote the region's culture and art.

Mitali Bajaj, head of the design studio that created Le Sutra, said: "Our uniqueness lies in the hotel being a virtual art installation where every element narrates a story from Indian ethos.

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Starwood plans 25 hotels in Dubai

Starwood Hotels is set to open 25 new hotels by 2015 as it expands into the Middle East region.


A spokesperson confirmed that the additional properties would equal a 50 per cent growth for the chain.

"With more than 70 per cent of the world’s growth over the decade coming from fast-growing markets such as the Middle East, the region plays a central role in our global expansion and development strategy," said Frits van Paasschen, president and chief executive officer.

It is anticipated that Starwood will add ten new hotels across the UAE in the coming years - making it a key base for their Middle East operations.

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Rail check-in 'benefits Thai flyers'

A new check-in option for those taking flights with Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways could improve efficiency for passengers travelling via Suvarnhabhumi Airport.


Australia Business Travellers reports that special check-in counters have now opened at the Bangkok Suvarnhabhumi Airport Rail Link so that passengers can complete check-in before leaving for the airport.

It is a 15-minute trip to the airport, which is 25km away from Bangkok, using the rail link and offers an alternative to taking a taxi or car hire and is a popular destination for those taking flights to Thailand from the UK.

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Dubai shopping festival to be major event

Fireworks are expected to signal the start of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) on January 20th.


It is the 16th time the event has been held and it has developed into a major attraction for locals and those taking flights to Dubai.

Lasting 32 days, the festival includes a whole host of attractions ranging from special in-store price reductions, a Disney show, music concerts and raffles to win new cars.

Ibrahim Saleh, festivals coordinator-general and deputy chief executive officer of the Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment, believes the 2011 event will be the best yet.

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IndiGo set to offer international flights to India

Budget airline IndiGo is planning to offer international flights in the near future as it expands its fleet.


The carrier is hoping to eventually offer flights to India from a number of destinations in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, according to IndiGo's president, reports Bloomberg News.

Aditya Ghosh explained that the airline is unable to offer the new flights until August because of regulations but is already considering a sale-and-leaseback of 180 Airbus A320 planes.

The additional aircraft could help IndiGo compete with other India-based airlines such as Air India and Jet Airways.

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South Africa 'to welcome' more Brits this month

There could be an increase in visitors taking flights to South Africa during January and February.


Independent Newspapers reports that more Brits and Americans could travel to the country in the next two months despite the stronger rand.

A number of airlines are already reporting high passenger numbers on flights to Johannesburg and Cape Town, with many Brits travelling via Heathrow opting for direct flights to Cape Town with SAA.

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Dubai set to see tourism growth

Dubai's real gross domestic product could increase by 4.6 per cent in 2011, according to the director-general of the emirate's chamber of commerce and industry.

It is thought that the growth could be boosted by growth in investment in sectors such as tourism, trade and transport, reports Emirates 24/7.

Hamad Buamim explained that recent data shows that hotel activity in Dubai rose by 18 per cent in the first six months of 2010 and this could be set to continue meaning more people could be encouraged to take flights to Dubai.

"Dubai is now marching with firm steps towards growth.our expectations are that its real GDP will record growth of around 4.6 per cent," Mr Buamim told the Dubai-based Albayan newspaper.

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Dubai World Trade Center to welcome record visitors

The Dubai World Trade Center has announced that it will host a record-number of exhibitions in 2011 as the venue continues to prove popular with the event industry.


It is expected that the center will welcome over 100,000 visitors and 4,500 exhibitors in January alone as more businesses opt for Dubai to promote their products and services.

Helal Saeed Almarri, chief executive officer of the Dubai World Trade Center, said: "The commencement of 2011 showcases the growth of a number of the region's most significant sector-specific shows, highlighting the positive market outlook of the events industry, as it continues to drive business tourism and economic growth to the region."

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Taj President Hotel, Mumbai – A great Place to Stay on Mumbai Holidays

Mumbai, the financial capital of India, is home to some of the most luxurious hotels in the country. One such name is the Taj President Hotel, one of the paramount hotels in Mumbai. Despite being conveniently close to the main business district of Mumbai, the hotel remains an oasis of serenity. Right from the best of multi ethnic cuisines to exquisite entertainment facilities, the hotel offers some of the best services available in the city’s hotels. Read on for what you can expect in the rooms alone.

Accommodation Facilities

Take your pick from as many as 20 executive suites amongst 292 mind blowing rooms of the Taj President Hotel Mumbai. There are four broad categories to choose from. Read on

Lady Executive Rooms

These rooms have an overwhelming feminine appeal and are specially designed for travelling ladies. Pink satin bathrobes as well as numerous other special toiletries have been thoughtfully provided. Keeping security in mind, these rooms have been built on the lower floors and there is no interconnecting doorway. For added security, the rooms are also equipped with video phones.

Executive Suites

The discerning executive traveller will find a world of luxury in the Executive Suites of the Taj President Hotel, Mumbai. These immense suites have dining and living areas and besides having all the facilities provided in the other rooms, the Executive suites also come equipped with an additional minibar and television.

Executive Rooms

These rooms are located on the higher floors and offer spectacular views of the city as well as the harbour. A couple of thoughtful facilities are in room fax service and complimentary breakfast.

Standard City/Sea View Rooms

The Standard City/Sea View Rooms also put to shame many of the other hotels in Mumbai. Besides providing excellent views of the sea and the city, the rooms are well stocked with comfortable facilities such as Broadband wireless Internet connectivity, colour television with satellite programmes, channel music, personal safes, and 2-line telephone with international direct dial facility. It’s amazing experience to stay in the this hotel.

New app for those taking flights to Western Australia

A new iPhone and iPod app has been launched to help those visiting Western Australia.

The new application is designed to ensure that tourists make the most of their trip and is available free-of-charge from the iTunes store.

Tourism Western Australia (WA) launched Explore WA so that those taking flights to Perth and other visitors can have easy on-the-go access to an interactive map, which gives details of all the region's key attractions.

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Event leads to strong Indian hotel demand

The forthcoming Aero India 2011 has lead to many of Bangalore's main hotels being fully booked out.

Starting in February 9th, the event is a major international aerospace and defence exhibition that attracts visitors from around the world.

According to the Times of India, the ITC Gardenia, The Leela Palace Kempinski, Vivanta by Taj, The Oberoi and The Taj West End have all been fully booked by visitors for the duration of the exhibition.

In total, those taking flights to India and visitors from within India could rent out around 1,500 rooms over the four days that the event is being held.

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Finnair announces daily flights to Delhi

Finnair has confirmed that it will increase its flights to Delhi as it expands its Asian services.

The carrier will start offering travellers a total of seven direct flights to the Indian city from January 6th.

"Growth is excellent in our main strategy area, namely Asia-Europe traffic. We have gradually increased flights to a number of Asian destinations, the latest being Delhi," explained Finnair's senior vice-president of commercial division Mika Perho.

Finnair recently increased its services to a number of major cities in Asia including Osaka, Nagoya and Seoul. In addition, the carrier is to offer flights to Singapore from May and to Hong Kong in June.

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Flights to Dubai launched from Switzerland

Emirates has confirmed that it will increase the number of flights to Dubai from Geneva.

Starting on June 1st, the airline will expand its services between Thailand, Dubai and Geneva due to increased demand by adding a new daily flight.

Geneva is a key banking and financial hub and is home to a large number of major bodies including the World Trade Organisation, the United Nations and the World Health Organisation.

"Switzerland has been part of the Emirates network since 1992, when we began flights from Dubai to Zurich. The announcement of Geneva as our newest European destination underlines our commitment to this important country," explained Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Emirates chairman and chief executive officer.

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Higher Airport Taxes on Cards for Travellers flying from London

Proposals are being aired for charging higher airport taxes for passengers catching their flights from London Heathrow and other South-East England airports. The objective is to decongest these overcrowded airport terminals.

Media reports have been trickling in that passengers using London Heathrow Airport as well as other South-East England airports will have to pay higher airport taxes on their air tickets. These government proposals are an attempt to discourage travellers from using the already overcrowded airport terminals in the region. Plans are being studied by the Coalition government for charging a lower tax on travel from regions like Northern England but higher on the South-East airports. In fact, besides tax increase, there are also plans of using Birmingham as a London overspill airport and stripping almost hundreds of European and domestic flights.

Impact of the Move

The move will go a long way in decongesting the over clogged South-East airports. Presently, London Heathrow Airport is the busiest airport in the world and almost eighty percent of the UK flights are served by the South-East airports. The immense traffic at London Heathrow also makes the airport a fertile hunting ground for cheap flights, when travellers book their air tickets. Plans for overhauling taxes are being drawn up by the Treasury and a consultation is expected to be launched in the March Budget.

Few Reactions on the Move

Taxing travellers who use Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted is quite likely to ruffle some feathers. Many passengers feel that they are already being overtaxed, given the state of facilities at the airport. Some of the regional airport operators have claimed that uniformly levying higher taxes will prompt the bigger airlines to pull out of their airports and further focus upon the South Eastern airports. Quite a few of the bigger airlines are also popular amongst travellers because of cheap flight options.

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