Smithsonian Journeys Announces Egypt Tours for 2011

Smithsonian Journeys provides more ways than ever to experience the cultural treasures of Egypt’s Old Kingdom in 2011. Travelers can join “Egyptian Odyssey” as a general escorted-highlights tour, an exclusive women’s departure or a family adventure. These popular tours feature a unique aspect specific to each audience, yet all visit World Heritage sites in the company of an Egyptologist, who makes travel more meaningful by providing lectures and informal commentary.

“We’ve taken special note of the different ways our travelers want to experience a destination and have applied those insights to our most popular destinations,” said Amy Kotkin, director of Smithsonian Journeys. Yet another way to see Egypt is “Ancient Civilizations of the Red Sea” featuring a four-day cruise of the Red Sea along with land excursions to important sites in Egypt and Jordan. Photographs, video and specific details on itineraries, experts and hotels can be found at www.SmithsonianJourneys.org.

“Egyptian Odyssey” (multiple departures February through May 2011), begins with a visit to Cairo’s Museum of Antiquities then on to sites related to the more modern influences of Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Flying to Luxor, travelers will experience an in-depth view of the ancient Pharaohs during visits to the Temples of Karnak and Luxor and the Valley of the Kings. They will also veer off the beaten track to the Valley of the Nobles. Following a four-night cruise up the Nile with stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo, the highlights in Aswan include the Nubia Museum, a traditional felucca ride and the Aswan Dam. Travelers then spend a morning at the World Heritage site of Abu Simbel, the colossal temples of Ramses II and his queen Nefertari. Returning to Cairo, the tour concludes with excursions to enjoy the timeless beauty and mystery of the Pyramids of Giza and Step Pyramid of Sakkara, followed by an engaging panel discussion about modern Egypt. Prices start from $4,995,airfare included, and can be found at www.SmithsonianJourneys.org/Egypt.

The Nov. 23, 2011-Dec. 4, 2011, departure of “Egyptian Odyssey” is exclusively for women. Only women guides and Egyptologist are featured, which enables lively discourse with Egyptian women, something rarely featured on other programs. This departure also embodies women-focused conversation and lecture topics, which allows an often eye-opening perspective on Egypt’s contemporary culture and society.

Special family departures of “Egyptian Odyssey” (Dec. 27-Jan. 3, 2011, and July 6-13, 2011) feature a similar itinerary along with family-friendly activities such as a camel ride, special four-wheel drive excursion into the desert, sound and light show at the Pyramids, scavenger hunt in the bazaar and family bike ride along the Nile. Additional staff also provides special enhancements for the children’s program (ages 7-12). Prices for the December departure start from $4,145, airfare included, based on a child rate and special offer. Further information can be found at www.SmithsonianJourneys.org/EgyptFamily.

Smithsonian Journeys also features a unique cruise of the Red Sea, “Ancient Civilizations of the Red Sea” (Jan. 23, 2011-Feb. 7, 2011), which combines a five-night cruise with in-depth land tours of Egypt and Jordan. Following tours of important sites in Cairo and Luxor, and an opportunity to take a sunrise hot-air balloon ride over the Nile, travelers embark the 52-passenger Harmony V. The ship calls at ports along the Red Sea, including the World Heritage site of St. Catherine’s Monastery on the Sinai Peninsula. On arrival in Jordan, passengers travel by land to other significant sites such as Petra, Mount Nebo, Jerash and Amman. (Prices start from $5,995, airfare included from New York City if booked by Sept. 30, 2010.) A pre-tour extension in Syria features sites along the old Silk Road, including Damascus, Palmyra and Krak des Chevaliers, and a post-tour extension in Alexandria, Egypt, features the new Royal Library of Alexandria. More information can be found at www.SmithsonianJourneys.org/RedSea.



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Three Simple Tips for an Affordable Family Camping Trip

(ARA) – When faced with financial challenges like those posed by the recent economic downturn, American families tend to react to their decreased discretionary dollars by getting “back to basics.” They pursue different leisure activities and ones that offer quality time that can bring them closer together.

While the jury is still out on exactly how many families will forgo their traditional, theme park destination vacation in lieu of a “staycation” -- the more eco-friendly option that is closer to home -- for those that do, they will find plenty of good news. Not only can staying closer to home be fun, but it’s relatively inexpensive, too. And unlike the typical blow-out summer vacation, staying close to home takes only a little bit of sensible planning, imagination and budget.

One of the best imaginable staycations for families is a return to the great American camping experience. For those who really enjoy roughing it, there are terrific products out there, but if you are among those who are shedding the conveniences of a hotel room for the first time and are seeking a more comfortable experience, consider these top tips for an incredible camping trip:

1. Pick the right campsite.
Backyard or backwoods? Chances are, your backyard is a wonderland that you’ve never truly experienced, and camping there allows you to do so without forfeiting your creature comforts. And it’s free, making this a great first option. But if you’re in the mood for a little more adventure and the idea of getting away inspires you, check out your local campgrounds and parks at koa.com or reserveamerica.com. Many campsites are available, including prime waterfront sites if the deep woods are not your thing, with basic fees of less than $20 per night.

2. Choose the right gear.
Borrow or buy? If you’re staycationing for the first time, borrowing camping gear from a friend is a great idea. It will allow you to try it out without risk and gain a better idea of what features you like when it does come time for you to buy. If you are ready to buy, remember that although purchasing gear is the most expensive part of camping, it is just a one-time expense and with care, your gear will last for years to come at little or no additional cost.

Whether you’re going to be staying at a local campground or in your own backyard, choosing a quality tent is key. Resist the temptation to buy an inexpensive one; with tents, you typically get what you pay for, and if your bargain tent ends up leaking during a sudden storm, you’ll regret the entire experience and be less likely to camp again. To be safe, avoid discount stores and choose a tent from a well-known manufacturer. When shopping, remember that size is very important, too; manufacturers typically list tent sizes according to how many sleeping bags or camp pads can fit inside, so if you need to store extra gear, you’re better off choosing a tent that sleeps more people than you need or that includes added storage space. Consider the Eureka! N!ergy tent -- it incorporates a 12-volt wiring harness and when used with the E! Power Pak (sold separately); it powers 12-volt accessories like lights, fans, radios, and cell phone chargers inside. Available in three sizes, it sleeps anywhere from four to 10 people. Visit www.epowertent.com for more information.

Sleeping bags go a long way to bring added comfort and convenience to a camping trip. When purchasing, look for bags that are rated to the lowest temperature you’re likely to see and let the kids take part in the selection; there are several fun and colorful sleeping bags sized just for them on the market. To make the campsite more user-friendly and comfortable, consider adding camp pads beneath your sleeping bag and additional furniture such as tables, folding hammocks, cots and chairs. Visit www.eurekatents.com for more information.

3. Bring the right essentials and be creative.
With the destination set and the gear selected, the rest of the essentials can be quite simple for a brief weekend trip, and often they’re items you already have at home. So, be creative. For example, because camping makes even the most mundane chores fun, even the kids will want to help, so make cooking a family affair by bringing your own portable grill and easy camp recipes from the Web. Let the kids share in the cooking fun by toasting marshmallows and making s’mores for dessert. For personal care, most family campgrounds offer basic amenities, although sometimes they can be limited, so stick to bringing the basic toiletries but skip the extras, like blow dryers. Lastly, remember to bring these inexpensive items that become absolutely priceless in the outdoors: first aid kit, flashlight, pocket knife, charcoal and starter fuel, trash bags, dish soap and for the kids -- cards, books, board games and ghost stories for having fun no matter what the weather brings.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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