Luxor

Luxor is the premier travel destination in Upper (southern) Egypt and the Nile Valley. The dynastic and religious capital of Middle Kingdom and New Kingdom Egypt, Luxor has much to offer the traveller, from vast temples, to ancient royal tombs, via spectacular desert and river scenery and a bustling modern life.

Although a relatively small town by Egyptian population standards, Luxor is quite extensive and is best divided up into several 'districts' or areas that group the main attractions on their respective sides of the river Nile:
Luxor, East Bank the town, hotels
Luxor, West Bank ruins and other sights
These areas may then be divided into small sub-districts....

Get in
By plane
Luxor International Airport is a destination for flights on several European and Middle Eastern routes, as well as the main southern hub for domestic flights within Egypt.
Internal flights (duration approx. 1 hr) from Cairo to Luxor are maintained by Egyptair and cost about $230 for a return trip ticket.

Direct charters from Europe (London Gatwick, for example) are common in the winter high season. From the airport in Luxor, you will probably take a shuttle provided by your hotel. Note that the Airport in Luxor is very small, and getting luggage off the belt is a challenge.

EgyptAir also arranges day trips from Cairo which is an easy way for those who can stand long days to cover the main attractions of Luxor. Taxis are in abundance everywhere for local transportation.
As of Jan 2006, visitor visas are available on arrival to many foreign nationals, just after you enter the terminal building. (LE 150, most major foreign currencies accepted.)

A taxi from the airport into town should cost no more than 20EGP. Do not be fooled by the cartel of taxi drivers outside the doors to the airport. keep walking until you find a taxi driver in his car and then negotiate. Half the people you think are taxi drivers are just touts, so don't waste your time negotiating. All taxis in Luxor have an official rate card (in English) in the corner of the windscreen which states the price from the airport to town as 12 EGP, you can point out and demand this price if you feel like a good haggle.

By train
For those unwilling to purchase an expensive plane ticket, who have more time in which to travel and / or who wish to see more of the country, train travel to Luxor is a great and amazingly inexpensive option.
Four different modes of train travel exist between Ramesses Station Cairo, Luxor and on to Aswan (some trains even start in Alexandria):
Air-conditioned express train - travellers to Luxor can choose from 1st and 2nd class carriages, both with comfortable aircraft-style seats. The journey down the Nile Valley takes the larger part of the daylight hours (approx. 9 hrs), but is a relaxing way to sit back and view the lush rural landscape of Egypt, its many towns, people and animals. 1st class tickets Cairo-Luxor cost about LE 65, 2nd class LE 40 (the extra LE 25 is worth it!) Refreshments are served, but are basic and lacking in choice: a good tip is to go shopping before your journey to stock up on water, chocolate and nibbles. A good book also helps while away the hours.

Overnight air-conditioned express train - the night service, otherwise identical, saves sightseeing time compared with travelling by day and costs far less than the deluxe sleeper. Cairo-Aswan costs about LE 60 one-way 1st class air-conditioned.
Overnight deluxe sleeper [www.sleepingtrains.com] - saving time and discomfort, modern air-conditioned sleeping-cars are run between Cairo and Luxor by a company called Abela Egypt. Each train has a selection of 1- and 2-berth rooms and a club / lounge car. An evening meal and breakfast are included in the fare. Note that passengers travelling alone who don't opt for a single-berth compartment will be booked into a 2-berth compartment with another, random traveller of the same sex. Prices currently 55USD each one way from Cairo to Aswan.

By bus
Buses leave regularly from behind the Luxor Temple, to most major cities. For connections to Aswan and Cairo, the train is recommended, but it is a good alternative to get to Sinai (via Hurghada--Sharm el Sheik, or over the Suez canal).

By boat
There are boat trips from Cairo to Luxor and sometimes further up the Nile to Abu Simbel. These are reportedly the most pleasant and interesting way to get there if you have the time and money. The train is a close second and both cheaper and faster.

Luxury Hotels
The Winter Palace ,built in Victoria's reign, is the place to stay in Luxor. It is very central, well-appointed, and has good service and quite a bit of history. It was on the bulletin board in their lobby that Howard Carter first announced his discovery of King Tut's tomb. Prices are reasonable for this class of hotel.
Various large chains like Hilton, Sheraton, Novotel and Meridien also have high-end hotels in Luxor.

Cairo Weather

To Speak about weather, it is important to realize that in Egypt weather is different from one place to another/
The high season for tourism in Egypt is in winter and spring. Weather in Egypt is perfect for many kinds of tourism, just try to avoid coming in June, July and August , as they are too hot: the temperatures can reach around 45 degrees C. and the humidity is about 70 to 80%.
However, the period of high summer season is also crowded as hotels offer big discounts at this time or also because of the good rates for flights. It is also a primary vacation time in Europe, mainly in Spain. If you come in the deep summer season you can still enjoy it because you can always sightsee early in the morning and go again at night when the sun sets. You will definitely need good sunscreen and lot of liquids to drink with a nice hat on your head.

It is not true at all that Egypt has only 2 seasons with 9 months of summer and the remainder winter. There are 4 distinguishable seasons.

The best times to visit Egypt are from September till March, during which time the weather is good; and from September till mid-November, when it is very nice and the temperatures are pleasant for all activities - around 25 C to 15 C. Mid-Nov till the end of February is winter time when temperatures during day are around 12 or 15 degree C, and at night can drop to about 7 or 8 C.

From March until the end of April, there is usually some sand blown about by high winds. However on some days--perhaps only two or three during this two-month period, the weather can be so dusty that you may be not able to go outside. But the majority of days there is just a small amount of dust in the air because of wind that blows through the desert from the west.

Egypt is perfect all year for snorkling, diving, and so on, in the Red Sea area in Hurgada where it is always warm and nice. In winter time it gets a bit windy there, so it is then also perfect for windsurfing and kiting. Sharm is mainly recommended to visit only through winter time from the end of October till the end of February, as in summer is too hot. Sharm has 2 seasons, so it is not like Cairo where there are 4 seasons.

So in speaking about when to visit, it's all up to you. If cost doesn't matter, then winter is when you will want to go, especially Christmas and New Year or the period of Easter from mid-March till end of April. That is when the best weather will occur, even though it gets chilly in December and January but it's still suitable for many aspects of tourism during that time.

From mid-March till end of April, is the Easter season for Orthodox and Catholic Easter celebrations - the weather is so nice, but rates increase as it is a high demand period.

May till September is the summer season. May and September weather is not so hot as indicated above, while June, July and August are so hot, but rates are really cheap for flights and also for accommodations.

Hotels :

Garden City Hotel behind the Semiramis, Garden City. Used to be a well-run hotel owned by Italians, now just an average grimy but functional hotel. Staff don't particularly care, they know you won't be back. It has clean bedding and big rooms. Guidebooks claim Sat TV in all bedrooms - no sign of any TVs. 55EGP a night inc. breakfast. No air con.

Hotel El Hussein 5918089, Hussein Square at the Khan El-Khalili bazaar is a clean basic hotel in an interesting area. Prices from EL 45 for single rooms with shared baths on each floor to LE 75 for doubles with en suite bathroom. AC is extra, but the ceiling fans works well. Ask for a room with a balcony.

King Tut Hostel Sharia Talaat Harb, opposite McDonalds. Good, well-run hostel with private rooms available. At 40EGP a night for a private single room with AC, it's hard to find better value in Cairo. The staff are amiable and competent, though hardly conversationalists. There is a comfortable lounge. 40EGP single room, with AC and breakfast.

Mayfair Hotel 7357315, www.mayfaircairo.com, Zamalek. is a great mid-range hotel in Zamalek. The people were nice, rooms clean, prices reasonable, and atmosphere peaceful.

Dahab Hotel 5799104, mahmoujd basiony st 26, downtown cairo by midan talaat harb. This hostel was formerly well regarded by backpackers. It has now changed hands and sadly lost much of its former charm. The internet cafe has gone, as has the rooftop restaurant. Guests now seem to only stay for one night - arriving on the basis of an old guidebook and leaving the next morning. 20EGP for a single room, no AC, no breakfast.

Luna Hotel www.hotellunacairo.com Talaat Harb 27, downtown Cairo. One of the best hostels in Cairo, Hostel/Hotel Luna offers both quiet and noisy rooms (depending on the orientation towards Sharia Talaat Harb, incredibly noisy street below), for prices that soared lately, but the cleanliness of rooms is beyond comparison. If you arrive at night, prepare for long and hard discussion with Hany Moussa concerning your Egypt tours. Ignore the overpriced tours, and stick to the basics - sleep and shower!

Windsor Hotel Is a great place to stay if you want to get ripped off and made to feel uncomfortable. This place will most likely be in your guide book, but in my opinion it is past its time. The prices are well above similar hotels in Cairo.

Grand Hyatt Cairo Grand Hyatt Cairo is a semicircular hotel situated on the tip of Roda Island, linked to the city center by a private bridge, and approximately 14 miles from Cairo International Airport
Conrad Cairo The 24-story Conrad Cairo is located in downtown Cairo, eight miles from the Pyramids at Giza

Cairo maps

Cairo is the capital of Egypt. The city is officially known as al-Qahirah, which means "The Subduer". The Arab invaders seized it in 642 and gradually it grew into a small city and the North African Shi'i Fatimid Dynasty conquered it in 972. Later in 1100s the Seljuks captured Cairo and the city was further expanded. Baghdad was sacked in 1258 and this enhanced the importance of the city making it into an intellectual and artistic center in the Middle East. Cairo was the largest city in the world from 1315 to 1348. The Ottoman Empire took over the city in 1517 and later in the 17th and 18th centuries the Mameluks captured it. By 1798, Egypt was annexed by Napoleon, and Cairo was surrendered to him. The city was rebuilt during the era of colonization in 1882. It was the central city of Egypt during the course of British rule and presently it is the Arab world's cultural center.

Get in :

By plane
Cairo is served by Cairo International Airport [CAI] [1], which is the hub of the Egyptian national airline, Egyptair. Many of the world's popular airlines also fly into Cairo on a regular basis, including British Airways, Air France, Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa.
The airport is located on the north-eastern outskirts of the city at Heliopolis. To get into downtown Cairo you can get a fixed-price limousine (60 EP) or negotiate a lower price with one of the small black taxis. You could negotiate down to as little as 40 EP. Back from the city a normal price would be 20-30 EP, depending on the traffic.

By train
Cairo's main railway station - Ramses Station (Mahattat Ramses) is located on Midan Ramses. Unsurprisingly, trains run to Cairo from most other regions and cities within Egypt.

By car
For those unfamiliar with Cairo traffic, one shouldn't expect to drive. The traffic is, at the least, overwhelming for the common traveler. Road signs, lanes, right-of-ways, etc. are not adhered to. The driving has a consistency, but not in any official way.

By metro
Cairo has the only metro system on the African continent. While its two lines are all too limited in scope, they're a major boon in the areas they do go to and the flat fare of 1.00 pound per trip is a steal. The key interchanges are Mubarak, at Midan Ramses, and Sadat, below Midan Tahrir. Note that in each train, the first car is reserved for women.

By taxi
The fleet of black-and-white taxis that ply Cairo's streets are convenient but a hassle: communication can be an issue and the meters, which are heirs from antique eras of gas prices, are not normally used. Prices are, however, not erratic, and any Cairene knows how much the driver expects depending on time and distance spent in the car. Because of a recent 20% raise in gasoline prices, prices could be slightly higher, but still very cheap for most tourists.
Ordinary Egyptians will never state prices beforehand. Instead the correct sum is payed through the window after leaving the car. Some drivers might protest as they expect tourists to pay more than the standard rates. Avoid negotiations - it takes lots of time and you end up at a price you won't like. Instead, use the "walk-away"-technique if they don't agree to your (reasonable) price. As long the driver does not leave the car, you're all right. If this happens, consult someone nearby.

By bus
The large red, white and blue public buses cover the entire city and are much cheaper, but are usually crowded. However, there are the similar air-conditioned buses that charge 2 L.E. for the trip and prohibit standing on the bus. They can be found in the main squares in Cairo. Also found in main squares are the smaller mini-buses that are usually orange and white or red, white and blue. Because of problems with sexual harrasment women travellers are advised only to take the small micro-buses and buses which prohibit standing.

Cairo Art and Culture :

Pyramids of Giza. The only remaining monuments of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it is the country's most famous touristic attraction and the icon that is most associated with Egypt.
Egyptian Museum. The world's premier collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts.
Saqqara.
Memphis.
Citadel. A grand castle built by Mohamed Ali.
Al-Azhar Mosque. One of the pillars of Islamic thought and home to the world's oldest university.
The Coptic Museum.
the "Hanging Church" (Church of the Virgin Mary).
the Al Rifai & Sultan Hassan mosques (19th C & highly decorated: 14th C & beautifully austere).

Alexandria maps

Alexandria, the second-largest city in Egypt and travel to Alexandria is one of the most visited place there and was founded by Alexander the Great in 334 BC. The city was named after its founder. The city was earlier known for the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was one of the greatest cities of the Hellenistic world. However, its status as the country's capital ended when Cairo was founded by Egypt's medieval Islamic rulers. At present, the city is Egypt's leading port, a commercial and transportation center and a major industrial area of the country.So when you are on a travel to egypt travel to Alexandria is a must visited place.

Area & Location:Lies along the coast of the Mediterranean sea in the northwest of Egypt, Alexandria is located at 31.198° Latitude North and 29.9192° Longitude East. The city is home to 3.5 to 5 million of its residents.

Tourist Attractions: The city, which has several historical monuments attract tourists to its soil.

Get in :

By plane
The small Alexandria Airport (ALY) is served by occasional domestic flights, and two times a week from Athens on Olympic Airlines. Lufthansa also operates direct flights from Frankfurt. The airport lies 8km/5 miles to the south east of the city. A taxi will take you 15-20 minutes and should cost no more than 40LE. Drivers always prefer to paid in sterling or in US dollars.
The equally small Borg el Arab Airport (HBE) is some 60km/38 miles to the south west of Alexandria taking about 40-45 minutes by taxi, which should cost you no more than 100LE. As always, agree the price before you get in the cab. British Airways fly to Borg el Arab from London Heathrow on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Thursday, with flights arriving at around 20:20. They do fly on other days via Beirut. Travellers from outside the UK can connect easily in London. Emirates will also fly you in via Dubai. BA prices start around £300 from the UK and Emirates from £330 return.

By train
Frequent trains from Cairo's railway station on Midan Ramses are probably the best way to get to Alexandria. Trains run at least once every hour from 6 AM to 10 PM, but try to choose either an express or the pride of Egyptian Railways, the French-built Turbo, which takes only 2 hours 10 minutes for the journey. 1st/2nd class tickets LE 25/20 one-way. Some trains (mostly slow ordinary ones) also continue on to Port Said.
Trains to Cairo depart from the aptly named Cairo Station, a 10-minute stroll south of the Corniche along Nabi Daniel St.

By car
There are two options when travelling by car, either taking the Agriculture road, which has various farms surrounding its sides, or the Desert road, which as the name implies, is through the desert with only some cafeterias and local peasants located on both sides every couple of kilometers. The journey usually takes around 3 hours, depending on speed and surrounding traffic
It should be noted, though, that driving in Egypt is not advisable unless absolutely necessary!

By bus
Taking the bus from Cairo to Alexandria is by far the most cost effective and comfortable way of transfering. Several bus companies offer the service which travels 224km/139 miles. The price, however, is well worth it: about 35LE (compared to a 100LE air fare), which converts to about $5.50. Buses are air conditioned and come complete with a hostess trolley service. Companies include Golden Arrow, West Delta and the larger firm, Pullman. Buses leave Alexandria in the mornings between 7:15am and 8:30am, although Pullman do now offer at 5.00pm service as well.

Hotels: The hotels in Alexandria serve host to the tourists coming from far and wide to know about the historically important city.
The famous hotels in the city are Renaissance Alexandria Hotel, Helnan Palestine, Sheraton Hotel Montazah, Union Hotel, El Salamlek, Palace Hotel, Sofitel Cecil Alexandria, Metropole Hotel, Movenpick Resort, Spa El Alamein AND Windsor Palace Hotel.

Places of Attraction:The well-known ancient monuments in the city draw in thousands of tourists from all parts of the globe. Although most of the monuments were destroyed in the earthquake, some of them remain in tact. "Pompey's Pillar", is one such famous monument that exists even after the destruction of others. Alexandria's catacombs, known as Kom al Sukkfa also attracts visitors on travel to Alexandria. The ruins of the ancient monuments remain in the city. A recent excavation has unearthed a well-preserved theater the remains of Roman-era baths. Some of the ancient valuables have been looted. Bibliotheca Alexandrina -an eleven-story, cylindrical-shaped building that houses more than eight million books is a real experience for the book lovers. Cisterns of Alexandria-a labyrinth of cisterns that supplied fresh water to the citizens of ancient Alexandria, Alexandria National Museum that preserves ancient artifacts, Fort Qaitbey- that resembles an imposing castle fortress, King Farouk Palace- the summer home of controversial King Farouk, Sarapeum - a temple dedicated to the god Serapis, Graeco-Roman Museum, Montazah Palace Gardens-Royal gardens of King Faruk are the other interesting ruins in the city.

Manchester Maps

Manchester is a relatively new city in U.K, which was born as a result of the industrial revolution. It is a metropolitan borough in the North of England with city status. The city is also one of the largest metropolitan conurbations in the United Kingdom. Manchester is considered as the center of the arts, the media, higher education and commerce. Greater Manchester County consists of the City of Manchester and the other metropolitan boroughs. The city leads in textile manufacture and production that is a major source of income to the city. It is represented by four tiers of government such as Manchester City Council, North West Regional Assembly, UK Parliament and European Parliament. The city is also part of the Metropolitan County of Greater Manchester.

Area & Location: Manchester sits on the east bank of River Irwell. The city is bordered to the north and east by the Pennine moors and to the south by the Cheshire Plain. It is located 53°29' Latitude North and 2°15' Longitude West. Its geographic features have made it the world's first industrial city. Covering a total area of 115.65 sq. km, Manchester has a total population of 441,200.

Transportation: Manchester is a city well known for its transportation facilities that makes it easier and convenient for those who drop in here. The city has an extensive road system that has more percentage of motorway networks than any other city in U.K. It also has a large railway system, which holds the title of the 'first passenger railway in the world'. Manchester has an underground railway system that links it with other main stations. Manchester International Airport, one of the busiest airports in U.K handles 22.1 million passengers and provides direct flights to over 180 destinations worldwide. The city also holds a tram system called 'metrolink' that carries passengers from one city to another.

Hotels: The city is known for its world class restaurants, bars and clubs. Hard RockCafe, chain restaurants such as Wagamama and the coffee chains Starbucks give custom made reception to its guests.The city is famous for beer and Hydes brewery is a long established independent one. Lowry Hotels, Travellers Retreat, Stay Inn, Gardens Hotel, Midland Hotel and Malmaison Manchester are some of the hotels in the city that provide its guests with sumptuous food and comfortable accomodation.

Tourist Attractions: The city of Manchester is a very interested spot for the tourists. The rivers surrounding the city itself add charm to it. The tourists reach here to relax themselves from their hectic routine activities.

Places of Attraction: Besides various skyscrapers in the city, it is also known for many architectures such as Victorian Architecture, Beetham Tower etc. Bridgewater Hall, The Corn Exchange, G-Mex Centre, John Rylands Library, The Royal Exchange, South Manchester Synagogue, Strangeways Prison, Sunlight House, Trinity Bridge over River Irwell, Victoria station, The Victoria Baths and Urbis Museum are other points of interest in the city. Its two large squares, Albert Square and Piccadilly Gardens that hold many of Manchester's public monuments attract toursists from far and wide.

Liverpool Maps

Liverpool is a U.K city and metropolitan borough in North West England. It is one of England's core cities and its fifth most populous city in the Merseyside conurbation. The city is one of the UK's fastest growing cities. Liverpool was the "Second Port of the Empire", handling more goods than any British city outside London during the 19th century. In 1699 Liverpool was made a parish by Act of Parliament. The city is also regarded as a major industrial center. Liverpool is famous as a cultural center and is also expected to hold the European Capital of Culture title by 2008. The city established in 1880 is in a move to celebrate its 800th anniversary in 2008. Liverpool is governed by Liverpool City Council.

Area & Location: Located across a ridge of hills rising up to a height of around 70 meters above sea level, Liverpool spreads across a total area of 111.84 sq.km. It faces Wallasey and Birkenhead across the River Mersey to the west. Liverpool which is located 53°25 Latitude North and 3° Longitude West has a population of 447,500 and is the fifth most populous city in U.K.

Transportation: Transportation facility in Liverpool makes it easy for the tourists to access the city. The port, railway system, airport and mersey crossings link the city with other regions. The Liverpool Airport which is in the heart of the city help the tourists to reach Liverpool easily. The Port of Liverpool is used by many passengers. The Isle of Man and Ireland are the two most important passenger routes. Merseyrail urban rail network serves the city. The sections in the city centre are mostly underground. Lime Street station is the city's main railway station for longer-distance services. There are three tunnels under the River Mersey one railway tunnel, the Mersey Railway Tunnel, and two road tunnels such as Queensway Tunnel and Kingsway Tunnel. The Mersey Ferry provides an important link between Liverpool and the Wirral.

Hotels: The city offers an array of hotels that provide delicous food and luxurious treatment. There are four star, fiver star hotels as well as cheap hotels in Liverpool. Montreal Ltd, Liverpool Serviced Apartments, StayinLiverpool, The Dolby Hotel, Radisson SAS Liverpool, Britannia Adelphi Hotel, The Beatles Story, Crowne Plaza Liverpool and The Suites Hotel are some of them that provide all facilities for their guests according to their requirements.

Tourist Attractions: Situated across River Mersey, the city draws in thousands of tourists from every nook and corner of the world. Its world famous monuments and architecture attracts worldwide attention.

Places of Attraction: Many well known architectures such as Peter Ellis, Harvey Lonsdale Elmes, John Foster, Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Frederick Gibberd represent the city of Liverpool. Liverpool's waterfront declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site, reflects the city's importance in the development of the world's trading system and dock technology. Albert Dock, a well known non-combustible dock ware is also an attraction to the city. Merseyside Maritime Museum, Museum of Liverpool Life and the Tate Liverpool. Pier Head- the historic location of Liverpool's landing stages lure the tourists to the city. The city with many chrches is also a pilgrim center. It is also a home to one of the earliest mosques in Britain.

Birmingham Maps

Birmingham is a U.K city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands. Being the largest of England's core cities, it is considered as the second city in U.K. Birmingham is known as the "the workshop of the world" or the "city of a thousand trades. The city, which began as a tiny Anglo-Saxon farming village, has grown and developed into a major industrial and commercial city. It is an ethnically and culturally diverse city, which forms part of the larger West Midlands conurbation. The city also includes several neighboring towns and cities, such as Solihull, Wolverhampton and the towns of the Black Country. Birmingham City Council is the largest local authority in the United Kingdom. The headquarters of the council are based at the Council House in the city center.

Area & Location: Located just to the west of the geographical centre of England, Birmingham has a total area of 267.77 sq. km. It is situated across an area of high ground ranging around 150-200 meters above sea level. The city is surrounded in the south and west of the city by Lickey Hills, Clent Hills and Walton Hill. The city is a home to 1,001, 200 people.

Economy: Much of the Birmingham's economic strength lies with the major industries. Considered as an important manufacturing and engineering center, the city receives billions of pound from its industries. Pen manufacture began in the city has revolutionized writing across the globe. One third of U.K's jewellery is manufactured in the city center.
Design and construction of railway carriages, steam engines, motorcycles, bicycles and automobiles were the main source of income for the city. It was also home to two major car factories. The other major products of the city include motor vehicles, vehicle components and accessories, weapons, electrical equipment, plastics, machine tools, chemicals, food and glass. Arms manufacture in Birmingham became a staple trade. Birmingham, which has over 500 law firms, is known as Europe's second largest insurance market.

Tourist Attractions: Birmingham is known for its museums that preserve the industrial history of the city. The Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery that contains collections of archaeological findings, ethnography, natural history and social history delights the visitors. The Birmingham Thinktank, one of the newest museums in the city, Sarehole Mill, a water mill museum and Cadbury World, a museum that shows the stages and steps of chocolate production not only gives real pleasure to the visitors, but also help them learn much about the city and its industries. Birmingham, which has over 8000 acres of parkland open spaces, has number of parks where the tourists can enjoy along with their children. Sutton Park, the largest park that covers 2400 acres, is the largest urban nature reserve in Europe. Another major park in the city is Cannon Hill Park and Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The city is known for numerous squares in Birmingham city center that contain memorials and pieces of art. Four major squares in the city center are Centenary Square, Chamberlain Square, Victoria Square and St. Martins Square in the Bullring. source : mapsofworld.com

London Map

London, the capital city of the United Kingdom, is one of the major global cities of the world. The city is spread over an area of approximately 609 square miles and houses a population of around 7.5 million. The Metropolitan Area Population of London ranges from 12 to 14 million and it has a population density of 12,331 per square mile. London is the major cultural and economic center of the world with an immensely diverse population in cultural and linguistic terms. This is more evident because about 300 languages are spoken in the city.
Planning your trip to London :
Planning by length of stay - if you're only in London for a day, a weekend or a week use our SHORT STAY pages where we show you how to cram as much into your days as possible.

Weather - likely to make or break your visit. Although there are plenty of things to do in London in the rain, a week of low slate-grey skies and constant rain is not condusive to having a good time. The best season to come weatherwise is Late Summer or Autumn - latterly we've been having Indian Summers from mid-September to the end of October with clear blue skies and 20 degree temperatures. Eventually the weather breaks as the storm fronts move in off the Atlantic, then clears up for Christmas. February - April can be dire, and the heights of summer are very unpredictable. Consult the Meterological office here for facts and figures but beware predictions - they are so often wrong.When it's raining there are plenty of museums and galleries to visit - and the tube system is generally very good outside of rush hour. What you'll miss out on is strolling through London and seeing the many unique pleasures by the wayside.

Hotel Location Best to be near a tube station, buses can be slow and unreliable, and taxis expensive. The yellow circle line on the tube map marks the division between central and not-so-central London. Outside of that Zone your transport bill will rise - and once you're in LT zone three, considerably. The best restaurants are in Islington, Soho/Chinatown and the south west of London which is where the life is. The City is a dead zone evenings and weekends.

TRANSPORT All the airports have good rail links into the centre - Heathrow is on the tube, it takes about an hour and costs about £4. High speed rail links have been built to Heathrow and Gatwick and Stanstead, and as they are run by private companies they're very reliable and clean. However they are expensive and often not much quicker than normal trains - which are rarely advertised, but run in parallel - often on the same tracks.

London for Kids :
If you are traveling to London, the capital of England, for any length of time, whether it be a week or a day, you need to find some fun, child-friendly activities to keep your little people happy! It would also be helpful to know that many places in London that are open to the general public now have child-changing facilities so there won.t be any unexpected problems!

The first thing you should do is to take your kids on the different modes of public transport available in London. There is the underground ride, which can be exciting if it is any child's first time. You could also consider taking them on top of the one London's infamous red buses. Get a map of the city and get your children to try and make a route that you can travel along. This way it means that your children can get involved in the planning also and it will seem less boring for them.

As for the main sightseeing attractions in London, take them to fascinating and large attractions. Tower of London and Tower Bridge for example. They will not really care about the history of the famous landmarks, but the sheer size of them will amaze even the most grown up of kids!

If you have kids that are slighter older, why not consider taking them to the grue some London Dungeon! This can scare small children, but older kids, especially boys seem to love it! There iss the world famous waxworks - Madame Tussauds as well so your son or daughter can have their picture taken standing next to their idol!

London Restaurant Guide :
London is a cosmopolitan city where it is possible to sample cuisine from all corners of the world. There are establishments to suit every taste and pocket, from burger restaurants like the Hard Rock Cafe on Piccadilly and Planet Hollywood near Leicester Square, to those serving exquisite modern cuisine such as Quaglino's near Piccadilly or the Blueprint Cafe at the Design Museum. Britain is famed for its pubs and London has literally thousands to choose from, where you can sample a pint of British beer, enjoy good-value bar meals and savour the friendly atmosphere.

So, here are some top restaurants in London, you can decide to dine in one of these fantastic restaurants or one of the other 100 more London restaurants.

Indigo is set in Convent Garden, right in the middle of London. It is an informal restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere with an inspired, yet modern European menu. During the day you can either have breakfast, lunch and also pre-theatre suppers and dinners.

The Langtry Restaurant is set in Knightsbridge, London and is a restaurant that is simply full of history. Again, part of a hotel, but this time the Cadogan Hotel, this restaurant offers a warm and intimate setting with foods that are imaginative yet delicious.

The Tamarind Restaurant is for those that want to experience Indian glamour mixed with 60.s modernism but in a subtle way. Situated in Mayfair, this restaurant offers everything that you would expect from the high class area.

If you are looking for a more cosmopolitan setting for your dinner, then why not come to the Artisan Restaurant in Mayfair? It is elegantly designed with beautiful chandeliers and dark wood features.

Lille Maps

Lille is the capital of the Nord-Pas de Calais region. In the 19th century, Lille became the centre of French industry. The city has large coal deposits. Lille is also the central part of the country's rail network. The city has one of it's nation's largest university student population. It was once known as "the Manchester of France". Slowly over the years, the city has transformed itself into a cultural hub with the help of government investments.

Area & Location: Lille is located in Northern France and is the main city of France's fourth largest metropolitan area. The city is located on the Deule River. Lille covers a total land area of 39.51 square kilometer. The 2004 population estimate is 226,800 with a density of 5,740 per square kilometer. 50°37'57?N latitude and 03°03'30?E longitude pass through Lille.

Transportation: The city is well connected. Lille lies on the Eurostar line to London and the French TGV network to Paris. The city has two train stations. Lille-Europe station (Gare Lille-Europe) serves high-speed trains and Lille-Flandres station (Gare Lille-Flandes) serves lower speed trains. Lille is the city where you'll find the densest confluence of highways in France after Paris. Autoroute A27, Autoroute A23, Autoroute A1,Autoroute A25 and Autoroute A22 are the five autoroutes that pass by Lille. The Lille Lesquin International Airport that is located at a distance of 15 minutes from the city center serves Lille. The city is the third largest river port after Paris and Strasbourg.

Hotels: The hotels in Lille provide the tourists with the best services. Some popular hotels of Lille are Exclusive Hotel L'Hermitage Gantois, Couvent des Minimes - Alliance Lille, Crowne Plaza Lille, Hotel de la Paix, Mercure Lille Centre Opera, Ibis Lille Centre Gares, Hotel Lille Europe, Best Western Bellevue, Brueghel, La Howarderie Hotel, Citadines Lille Centre, Hotel des Tours, Ibis Lille Hotel de Ville, Hotel Chagnot, Novotel Lille Centre Grand Place, Hotel de la Treille, Sofitel Lille Metropole, Hotel Atlantic, Wimereux, Hotel Continental and Le Chateau des Ormes.

Places of Attraction: Lille is a city that has a lot to offer its students. Some popular attractions of Lille are Palais des Beaux-Arts, Wazemmes Market, Vieille Bourse (Old Stock Exchange), Grande Place, Euralille Mall etc. There are many speciality shops in the city where shopaholics can indulge in shopping. Authentic Licence, Bidule, Michel Ruc, Carrefour, Philippe Olivier, La Cave d'Annie Paule, Balade nocturne, Chez Paul, Cle Astrale, Du Pareil au Meme, Eric Bompard, Godon and Harmonie Nature are some shops in Lille.

PARIS MAPS

Paris is the largest city of France and also its capital and hence Paris tour are increasing. It is also the capital of the Ile-de-France region of France. It is an important cultural and political hub of Europe. Paris is one of the cities of the world that receive the largest number of tourists in Europe. It's commonly known by the nickname "the City of Lights" as a tribute to its intellectual and artistic renown, as well as its exquisite beauty. Paris is considered an artistic and romantic city by the natives as well as by the people of the world. One important landmark of Paris which you must visit while on a Paris tour is famous throughout the world is the Eiffel Tower. This is an important tourist destination of Paris and about 5.5 million tourists throng to it every year. Paris is considered one of the top world cities along with New York City, London, and Tokyo.

Economy: France is among the major economic powers of the world. The metropolitan area of Paris is one of the most important areas in the world economy. The Gross Domestic Product of the Paris metro was US $506.7 billion in 2004. The Paris metro ranks as the 15th largest economy in the world. The economy of Paris is very diverse. The main core area of the Paris economy is the services sector. This sector employs about four-fifths of the working population. Paris receives about 28 million tourists and business travelers each year. Thus, tourism is also an important area of its economy. It has a strong manufacturing base also. The largest number of manufacturing industries are in the high technology areas, including electronics, automobiles, and chemical industries.

Climate: During the summers, the weather in Paris is usually warm and dry. July is a pleasant month with average high temperature of 79o F. It rains throughout the year in Paris. The hottest summer months are from July to August. August also experiences the maximum amount of rainfall and occasional storms. Paris has an extremely pleasant climate during the spring time. The coldest months are from December to January. The average cold temperatures during winter are 37o F. Paris receives occasional snowfall in winters. The best times to visit Paris would be from May to mid-September. You should try to avoid the wet months of March and April.

Government Type: Paris is divided into 20 sub-divisions, known as municipal arrondissements. Each arrondissement has a City Council, which elects the Mayor of the arrondissement. Selected members from the City Councils of each arrondissement form the City Council of Paris. This council elects the Mayor of the city of Paris. Most of the power for formulating laws vests in the Mayor of Paris.

Population: The city of Paris has a population of 2.1 million people. The Paris metropolitan area has a population of 11.1 million people.

Paris Airport Transportation : Paris is served by two main airports - Charles de Gaulle International Airport and Orly Airport. The Charles de Gaulle International Airport is situated 23 km to the north of Paris. This is France's largest airport and handles more than 200,000 passengers everyday. Orly Airport is situated 14 km south of the city. Orly Airport is also one of Europe's busiest airports. It is situated at a convenient location and has its own rail station.

Paris Public Transportation : The train network of Paris is run by the RER. The RER consists of suburban rail tracks and subway tracks. The RER network connects with the national rail network of the super fast trains and normal speed trains. The RER also connects to the underground Metro rails of Paris. The Metro network of Paris is 211 km long. The Paris transportation authority is called Syndicat des transports d'Île-de-France (STIF). The STIF operates buses in Paris and its suburbs, the Metro, and the RER. The bus network of STIF consists of 7,400 buses on 1,254 lines.

Transportation in Paris : There are about 15,100 taxis in Paris, which transport more than 500,000 people everyday. You can locate a taxi at any of the airports of Paris, railway stations, hotels, and more than 460 taxi ranks in the city. You can hail a taxi on the streets of Paris, call one of the ranks, which have a telephone, or order a taxi by phone. When the board on the top of a taxi is lit up, this means that the taxi is free. When the sign is switched off, this means that the taxi is occupied. The starting charge for the taxis is €2, after which the charge per kilometer is added.

Paris Restaurant Reviews : The cuisine of France is considered one of the most refined and delicate of all world cuisines. Some French dishes, which are famous throughout the world, are the French breads, Blanquette de veau, Boeuf a la mode, Coq au Vin, soufflé, and croissants. You will find many restaurants in Paris serving delicious French cuisine, as well as many world cuisines. For instance, if during your stay in Paris, you would like to savor traditional French cuisine in a restaurant, some of the best restaurants that you will find serving this cuisine, are Laduree, Chez Castel, and Bermuda Onion. Laduree is a famous French restaurant on the famous Laduree avenue. A special dish served by this restaurant, which is the favorite of everyone, is "macarons" (biscuits).

Paris Hotel Reviews : Hotels of all types, suiting all types of purses can be found in Paris. For instance, if you are looking for a good, high-priced hotel in Paris, then some hotels that would match your requirement would be Hotel la Villa Saint Germaine des Pres, Au Relais du Vieux Paris Hotel, and Hotel au Relais Saint Jacques. The Au Relais du Vieux Paris Hotel once belonged to the Duke de Luynes.Among the facilities provided by the hotel are room service, baby sitting, television, satellite TV, telephone, non smoking room on request, a safe, hair dryer, laundry service, minibar, and Internet access.

Online Booking of Hotels in Paris : Many hotels across the world provide the facility of online booking. There are many hotels in Paris too where you can book rooms online. Some of these are Hotel Prince de Gaulle, Hotel Meurice, Paris Airport Hotel, and Hotel Raphael. The Paris Airport Hotel is built in the terminal area of Charles de Gaulle International Airport. You can walk off the plane and walk into the airport. The 242 guestrooms and 14 suites are furnished comfortably. The efficient room service will surely make your stay a pleasant one. Some of the amenities that each room is equipped with are telephone, minibars, Internet connection, television, and tea and coffee machines. The hotel has on its premises two elegant restaurants - Les Etoiles and Les Saisons. There is a bar also on-site where you can unwind in the evening after a busy day. For the business travelers, the hotel provides a business center also. source:mapsofworld.com

Avignon Maps

Avignon is the capital of Vaucluse department. It belongs to the Provence-Alpes-Cote-d'Azur. Avignon is often called the city of Popes. Also, the city's architecture is marked by papal history. The most popular piece of architecture of the city is the Palace of the Popes that was built in the 14th century. Between the 10th of July and the 5th of August, a theatre festival is organized in the city. Jean Vilar started the festival in 1947. A series of street shows also take place at the Off Festival.

Area & Location: The city is located on the left bank of Rhone river. The 43°56'58?N latitude and 04°48'32?E longitude pass through Avignon. The total land area occupied by Avignon is 64.78 square kilometer. The altitude varies between 10m and 122m. Around 85,935 people reside in the city with a density of 1,326 per square kilometer.

Transportation: The airport serving Avignon is Aeroport Avignon-Caumont. From Paris, you can reach Avignon in just an hour from Orly Airport. From Aeroport Avignon-Caumont you can reach Avignon by taxi. The Marseille-Provence Airport is located at a distance of 50 miles southeast of Avignon. Tourists can reach Avignon from Paris in three hours in TGV trains from Gare de Lyon. By road A6 south to Lyon and A7 south to Avignon can be taken. If you're departure point is London, then you can take the Eurostar high-speed train from Waterloo station.

Hotels: Hotel d'Europe, Le Clos du Rempart - Guest House, La Banasterie - Guest House, De l'Horloge Hotel, Holiday Inn Express Avignon, La Mirande Hotel, Best Western La Magnaneraie, Concept Nurys Agramonte - Appartments Avignon, Avignon Grand Hotel, Clarion Cloitre Saint Louis Hotel, Kyriad Avignon Palais des Papes, Auberge de Noves, Hotel d' Angleterre, Bristol Hotel, Hotel Roques Les Angles, Hotel de l'atelier, Mercure Cite des Papes, Mercure Avignon Sud and Hotel Golf Avignon are some popular hotels of the city.

Places of Attraction: Avignon has a lot in store for the visitors. The most popular attractions of Avignon are Palais desPapes (Pope's Palace), Rocher des Doms, St. Benezet Bridge (Pont d'Avignon), Cathedrale Notre-Dame des Doms, Fondation Angladon-Dubrujeaud, Musee Calvet, Musee Lapidaire, Musee Requien, Musee du Petit-Palais, Rue de la Republique, Chartreuse du Val de Benediction, Musee Louis-Vouland, Tour Philippe le Bel, Place de l'Horloge, Rue de Teinturiers (Street of Dyers), Avignon Synagogue and Eglise Notre-Dame des Anges.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is located in southwestern France. This port city is the capital of the Aquitaine region. It is also the prefecture of the Gironde departement. Bordeaux is popular as 'world's wine capital'. Bordeaux has been producing wine since the 8th century. The city also hosts Vinexpo, the biggest event of the wine industry. This French city also carries research in military, space and aeronautics. Bordeaux's wine trade with the British Isles and Germany flourished during the 18th century and it was the golden age of the city.

Transportation: The international airport serving the city is Aeroport de Bordeaux Merignac. The public transportation system of Bordeaux includes buses, trams, a trolley system and a water shuttle. The public transport system of Bordeaux is called TBC and is run by the Connex Group. TBC comprises of 3 tram lines, 75 bus routes that are connected to the tramway network, 12 night bus routes, an electric bus shuttle in the city center and a boat shuttle on the Garonne river.

Hotels: Chateau de Mirambeau, Chateau Lamothe, Hotel de la Presse, Hotel Burdigala, Chateau Cordeillan-Bages, Hotel des 4 Soeurs, Les Sources de Caudalie, Une Chambre En Ville, Hotel de la Tour Intendance, Chateau Camiac, Acanthe Hotel, Hotel Boulan, La Tupina, Quality Hotel St. Catherine, Victoria Garden, Best Western Grand Hotel, Hotel Continental, citea Residence Bordeaux, La Reserve and Amarys Royal Saint Jean Hotel are some popular hotels of Bordeaux.

Places of Attraction: The most popular attractions of Bordeaux are Gourmet Touring, Musee des Beaux -Arts, Les Sources de Caudalie Spa, Grand Theatre, museum of the New World (Musee du Nouveau-Monde), Rue Ste Catherine, St. Andre Cathedral, Notre Dame Church, Baptistere St-Jean, Cathedrale St-Pierre, Chateau Lafite, Chateau Margaux, Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Hotel de Ville (City Hall), Musee St-Croix, Musee d'Orbigny Bernon, Socite Duboscq, Tour St-Nicholas, Chateau Maucaillou, Bordeaux Wine School, Musee des Chartrons, Musee d'Art Contemporian CAPC and Pont de Pierre. source : mapsofworld.com

Ifrane

Ifrane signifie en Tamazight (berbère) grottes, (singulier:Ifri). Nombreuses dans la région, les grottes ont transmis leur nom à la région, plus connue des juifs sous forme : Oufrane.
Les premières traces de l’installation humaine dans la région remontent au Néolithique. Des grottes telles que celles de Tizguite ainsi que les vestiges archéologiques remontant à la Préhistoire à Zerouka, Ghabt, Al Bahr et Itto en témoignent.
Par la suite, la région d'Ifrane fut habitée d'abord par les berbères puis par les juifs, et ce, depuis environ trois milles ans avant Jésus-Christ. On prétend qu'elle a été la cité de la plus ancienne colonie juive au Maroc.
Selon la tradition orale, les israélites ont quitté la Palestine au temps de Nabuchodonosor, roi de Babylone (160 Km au sud de Bagdad) après la première destruction du temple en 587 av.J.C. Il traversèrent l'Egypte et la bordure septentrionale du Sahara, puis parvinrent au rivage atlantique de l'anti-atlas en 361 avant Jésus-Christ et s'installèrent en premier lieu dans les grottes en bordure de l'oued Ifrane, et ce, après qu'ils aient pu acheter l'autorisation de s'installer aux autochtones.
A la suite d'une alliance avec ces derniers ils fondèrent un royaume dont le roi était "Ephrati" (de la tribu d'Ephraïm : l'une des douze tribus d'Israël). Ce royaume a été nommé "la petite ou la seconde Jérusalem" ou qui - selon leur croyance - fut chuté au moment ou ils ont refusé de répondre à l'appel de leurs prophète"AZAR" afin de pouvoir rejoindre "Jérusalem".
Les descendants d'Ephraïm perdaient alors leurs souveraineté au profit des berbèresIfrane renferme le plus ancien document historique au nord africain: c'est la tombe d'un juif nommé "Rabbin youssef ben Mimoun" qui serait mort en l'an 5 av.J.C. Elle se trouve au cimetière juif connu sous le nom de "Lmiâra" ( nom donné par les juifs marocains à tous leurs cimetières Ifrane est sera habitée plus tard par une population issue deux grandes tribus Sanhaja, les Béni M’guild et les Béni M’tir dont le flux vers le nord avait été "arrêté" au XVe siècle par la ceinture des Casbahs fondées par le Sultan Moulay Ismaïl, ce qui a eu pour effet de favoriser la création de noyau de sédentarisation des nomades et a permis la constitution d’agglomérations telles que Azrou et Aïn Leuh..Bien plus tard, Ifrane sera désertée pour les autres villes du nord nées de la naissance du Royaume chérifien du Maroc par Moulay Driss Premier, Roi fondateur de la Dynastie qui porte son nom ( ) et du Maroc.
Ifrane est le centre d’estivage marocain le plus fréquenté. La province d’Ifrane se trouve au cœur du Moyen-Atlas avec une superficie de 3573 km2. Elle est habitée par deux grandes tribus Sanhaja, les Béni M’guild et les Béni M’tir. Station de montagne, cette cité est devenue un haut lieu des sports d’hiver. Avec ses chalets aux toits couverts de tuiles rouges, elle est située à 1650 m d’altitude.Ses richesses naturelles ont amené les responsables de la région à créer un parc national de 53000 ha. C’est dans cette région qu’on trouve la plus grande forêt de cèdre du pays. De son vrai nom Ourti (jardin en tamazigh), Ifrane est le centre d’estivage marocain le plus fréquenté. Ses lacs sont incontournables pour la pêche à la truite et au brochet. Elle est également une région pastorale et possède une station expérimentale pour l’étude des comportements des animaux.

Ifran History

In the regional Berber language the word 'yfran' is plural for 'cave' and when you explore the surrounding limestone plateaus you will find an abundance of them. During the town's founding days, many homes were carved out of the surrounding rock. Today there are no people living in these caves which are now used as mangers and store houses. Most people prefer to live above the ground in houses. However these caves still make for interesting exploring - though sometimes they can be confusing so it is a good idea to get a trustworthy guide.
Modern Ifrane only truly began life around 1929 during the Protectorate period when the French decided to establish a 'hill station' here. The city rests on an elevation of 1600m above sea-level and is surrounded by pine, cedar and oak forests that make it a relatively cool city. As a result, many tourists from other parts of Morocco come here during the hot summer months to escape the heat. Perhaps the most distinguishable trait of Ifrane is its unusual Alpine architectural style - quite out of character with the rest of Moroccan architecture. The French villas are now predominantly Moroccan owned but they still retain their unusual charm.

Essaouira Weather & When to Go

Essaouira is located in a semi-tropical zone and generally has mild weather all year long. The average high temperature for the city during the summer is in the mid 80's, somewhat cooler than the temperatures in inland Morocco because of it coastal location. During the winter months, Essaouira's high temperatures average in the 60's during the winter (December - February), also a bit cooler than inland. Rainfall in Essaouira comes mainly from November through March, the rest of the year being very dry with little or no precipitation.

Visitors come to Essaouira all year long, but the majority in the warmer spring and summer months to enjoy the city's beaches and resorts. The weather in Essaouira is also quite nice in the wintertime, and many activities are available there during that time, but it is not generally warm enough for swimming.

Essaouira Tourist Board Info

Essaouira is a very popular tourist destination for people from both Western and Eastern Europe because of its warm year round climate and beautiful beaches. Essaouira.com is a local tourism website that visitors and would-be visitors can come to gather all sorts of information on the city. The site provides hotel and accommodations listings for the area which are searchable by price and and type. It also lists suggestions of things to do and see; these are also searchable, in three categories: sea, land, and cultural. In addition to this tourist information, Essaouira.com also provides real estate listings, important phone numbers, immigration requirements and area maps. Events listings and itineraries are also available.

One unique aspect of the site is its Culture and Traditions page which gives a nice background on Essaouira's traditional pottery, woodworking, music, and tile and carpet making. The page also talks about the local traditions, foods, and festivals.

Essaouira History

The area where Essaouira now stands has been determined by archaeologists to have been inhabited for thousands of years by native tribal people. The spot, because of its advantageous location on the Morraccan coast, has always been a desirable one, and from very early times the city served as an important port. The Portuguese claimed the city for themselves in the 16th Century, establishing a settlement there, but resistance from the local people to their presence caused the colony to fail. After the demise of the Portuguese settlement, several other European countries attempted to claim the city including Spain, England, France, and the Netherlands. None were successful for any notable period of time.
Essaouira as it stands today was built in the 18th Century by Mohamed III , the Sultan of Morocco, so that he would have a base from which to do business with the Western European countries. Prior to this time the city had been known as Mogador, named for Sigi Mogdoul, a Muslim saint who is buried there.

Essaouira Culture

For hundreds of years Essaouira has been Morocco's craft and cultural center. Its artisans and artists are world-famous for their unique pottery, intricate wood carvings, gold jewelry, hand-woven rugs, and ceramic tiles. The area is also well known for its music, including the Gnaoua music from the descendents of the region's sub-Saharan slaves, in celebration of which an entire festival is held for almost a week each June. Essaouira's traditional Moroccan Chaabi song style can also be heard at parties and celebrations throughout the city. Essaouira is also famous for its dance, its unique style a combination of Greek, Roman, Spanish, Jewish, and Arabic traditions developed over several centuries.

Also well known throughout the world is Morocco's cuisine, a style of cooking that uses lots of spices, fish, and dried fruits. Along with this cuisine is the country's argan oil, a nutritious oil extracted from the nut of a tree that grows only in southern Morocco. It is used in cooking in much the same way that olive oil is, as well as for medical and cosmetic purposes. The area is also famous for its mint tea. This drink is served throughout the country and is seen as a symbol of friendship.

Essaouira Health & Safety

Unlike many places in the Middle East, Morocco has a thriving tourist economy and is considered to be safe for travelers for the most part. However, if you are going to Essaouira, a large tourist destination, it is smart to keep a few key points in mind in order to avoid becoming the victim of tourist-aimed crime, something which is prevalent in the region. Always use your hotel's safe. Do not carry valuables on your person or carry more cash that needed. Men should avoid carrying wallets in their back pockets and women should pay close attention to their bags while dining or riding in buses or taxis. Avoid going out at night alone, especially on foot. It is better to hire a taxi, even if you are only going a short distance. Also be sure that you have all of your immigration papers in order, and to carry a copy of your passport with you at all times, not the real thing. That should be kept in a safe place. Be sure also to have emergency numbers for the police and fire department on hand.

Tangier Arriving & Departing

Most non-African visitors arrive in Tangier via the ferry from Spain.
The ferry from Algeciras, Spain, leaves every 90 minutes or so. Some lucky fellows say that the journey will take a little over an hour. Count on double that just buying the tickets and waiting for the ferry. Perhaps it's best to count for at least 5 hours between the arrival at the Algeciras port and getting out of customs in Tangier, as factors like not being able to cope with the confusion at the ticket booths and ending up in a slow boat, badly shaped cars stopping when they are leaving the ferry and so happen easily.
Some, if not all of the ferry companies have websites where it's supposed you can buy a ticket. Then, it is not clear there are reserved seats for those tickets, as things on the port seems to work simply "buy any ticket, put yourself on the line and wait for your turn to enter the boat".
Ferry companies websites: http://www.euroferrys.com , http://www.comanav.ma , http://www.comarit.com , http://www.nautas-almaghreb.com , http://www.trasmediterranea.es

The ferries from Tarifa are quicker (35 min, they say) because the distance is shorter and only fast boats operate this route (FRS http://www.frs.es/). In 2006, FRS didn't take cars during Summer, only passengers.
There are also ferries from Gibraltar, but they are much less frequent (normally less than one per day).

This is a common entry port, and many visitors are here just for the day before they venture on to their ultimate Moroccon destination. The port is adjacent to the medina, and tends to be flooded with taxi drivers, money changers, would-be guides, and the like. Until you get situated, keep your hand on your wallet, your jewelry out of sight, and feel free to say no as often as it takes.
If you are flying in, arrive at the Tangier Ibn Batouta, also konow as Boukhalef Souahel, Airport (TNG). From there it is easy enough to grab a taxi for the less than 11 Km ride into the city center, which typically takes 20 minutes.
You can also access Tangier by train, arriving at either the Tanger Ville or Tanger Morora station. Both are on the outskirts of the city, so plan to grab a taxi upon arrival. If you are traveling in from Europe, consider buying a couchette ticket and making it an overnight trip, which is more comfortable and less expensive than a first class ticket.

Tangier History

Located in northern Morocco, Tangier was a vital city for the Berbers, whose legend says that the city was built by Sophax, the son of Tinjis, who was married to the giant Berber hero Antaios / Antaeus. Other legends says that Sophax's father was the Greek demi-god Hercules, the son of Zeus, who married Tinjis after he killed Antaeus in a struggle during which Africa from Europe were separated.
Tinjis is the Amazigh (Berber dialect) word for marsh, so it's commonly accepted that it's origin is indeed Berber.
Tangier has had a tumultuous past. In the 7th century BC it was colonised by the Phoenicians, a people originally from actual Lebanon who then had businesses and colonies all over the Mediterranean Sea. Then came the Carthaginians, originally from the important ancient Phoenician colony of Carthago.
In the 5th century BC, it was ruled by the Romans, then free, then again ruled by Augustus. During this period, it was an important city, capital of the Roman territories of North West Africa, the province of Mauretania Tingitania. In 429 AD it was taken by the Vandals, one of the Barbarians tribes that swepted the Roman Empire. About a century later, the city became part of the Byzantine Empire, and eventually fell under Arab rule in 707, who used it as a base for the invasion of Iberian peninsula four years later.

Although in several ocasions Portuguese had plans to abandon the city, it was kept by them until 1661, when, along with Bombay in India, it was given to the British as part of Portuguese princess Catarina's dowry on her marriage with King Charles II. The resident Portuguese people abandoned the city soon after the arrival of the British, accusing them of raping and looting.
The British only stayed until 1684, when Moroccan Sultan Moulay Ismail tried to take over and established a blockade that led to a retreat by the British, preceded however, by the destruction of Tangier’s ports and fortresses. Some say that with Moulay Ismail in charge, the city steadily declined, but others say that he rebuilt the city and it maintained its importance as the main port of the region. source : www.tripadvisor.com

Tangier Culture

Tangier has a hugely multicultural society, predominantly Muslim, but with small Christian, and Jewish communities. Over the years Tangier has attracted famous writers including Paul Bowles, Tennessee Williams and Truman Capote. Beat writers who visited or lived here include Jack Kerouac, William S. Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg and Brion Gysin, who was also a painter. Notable artists who lived and painted here were Eugene Delacroix and Henri Matisse.
Celebrities who have stayed in Tangier include The Rolling Stones, who also recorded with the Master Musicians of Jajouka and Bachir Attar in the kasbah in 1989. Tangier was a favorite home to Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton, whose lavish parties at Sidi Hosni put Tangier on the map in the international press during from the 1950s through the early 1970s. Forbes magazine publisher Malcolm Forbes held his 70th birthday party in 1989 at his Palais Mendoub for 800 guests, flown in from all over the word, spending over $2.5 million in a week-end celebration.

Tangier seems to have attracted writers. Paul Bowles first visited the city in 1931 and moved there permanently in 1947, remaining until his death in 1999. He wrote his famous novel The Sheltering Sky in Morocco. In 1954 beat writer William S. Burroughs arrived and wrote the Naked Lunch, which alludes to this city. William Ginsberg, another beat writer, also arrived in 1954 with his friend Peter Orlovsky, and again in 1961 along with Jack Kerouac and Gregory Corso, staying at the Muniria. Writers Gavin Lambert, Gavin Young and Tahar Ben Jelloun also have writen and lived here at various times. Perhaps the most famous Moroccan author was Mohamed Choukri to live in the city was Mohamed Choukri, best known for his controversial and candid aubobiography For Bread Alone. Paul Bowles collaborated with Choukri on the translation and he wrote the introduction.

Tangier Health & Safety
Safety should be a concern if you are traveling alone or arriving at night. If you are taking a ferry over from Spain, you will be pressured into getting a "guide" to show you around the city. Be warned that you will most likely be given a little tour but then taken to a "School of Rugmaking" where you'll be pressured into purchasing overpriced rugs/blankets. Ideally, you should have a map of the city before you arrive along with accommodations and arrangements on how to get to them.

Don't feel pressured into getting a guide. If you get one, be prepared to a quick stroll pointing to "this house is from an Italian artist that bought it for X thousand Euros", that one is where Paul Bowles lived, my grandfather was the gate keeper of the Kasbah, blah, blah", all stories that only by accident will be true. Then you'll be asked some money to help his family, "anything you feel it's fair", but don't think they will be happy with just 20 or 30 Dirham for a 15 min. "tour". Perhaps worse is when the tour is bigger or they try to take you to their friends' shops, which happens more frequently than not.
If your concern is safety and you feel that your attention may be not enough, or you simply like to have guidance, try to get an official guide. They exist, in theory, and they can be easily identified because they have some badges or id. cards and must be dressed in c"jellabas". And you can allways ask at the hotels, tourism information offices and travel agencies. As almost everywhere, safety is hardly measured, as one's bad experience can have been only "bad luck" in the most peaceful place on Earth and there are situations where everybody you know that went to place that is famous for its crime rate had no problems. To make thing even more complicated, you have places where the crime rate is high but tourists are rarely involved and the contrary - relatively peaceful places where there is much pitty theft targeting tourists, so the actual numbers on crime and theft, if they exist also don't help much on clarifying the situation.