Where is Menorca?

Menorca, the smaller neighbour of the Balearic island of Mallorca, lies off the coast of Spain and draws in thousands of visitors seeking sun, sea and sand every year. It is a great place for a traditional beach holiday – many of the most popular hotels in Menorca are dotted along the coastline – but for the more adventurous traveller who wants to do more than dip their toes in the water, this island is home to some of the best snorkelling hot spots in the Mediterranean.

In 1991, Menorca became a UNESCO (United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization) designated Biosphere Reserve, which means Menorca has been recognised as an area of natural beauty and conservation and is now protected as such. This is great news for visitors, as the landscapes, ecosystems and features which helped Menorca gain its reserve status have been protected during the surge in tourism over the years.

The lagoons, marshes, wetlands, caves, dunes and islets are just some of the features which have been preserved, and it is here where snorkelers and divers will find real the gems. Some of the top snorkelling spots are Cales Coves, Es Grau, Macarella and Cala Galdana and it’s these areas which are home to hundreds of exotic fish and sea life.

Whether you’re an amateur snorkeler or avid diver, you will find the underwater wildlife surrounding Menorca incredible. Damsel-fish, Perch, Sea Bass, Cardinal fish, Barracuda and Octopus are just some of the species which call these waters home and with sea temperatures barely dropping below 20c in the summer months, you can swim with these fish in just your swimsuit or speedos – no wetsuit required!

If it is beaches which float your boat, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Cala Pregonda. This bay, which lies completely unspoilt, is surrounded by woodland and can be quite difficult to get to. For those that do venture to this part of the island however, why not pack a picnic of local delicacies and make a day of it? Sparkling blue waters and pristine sands are your reward and it would be a shame not to make the most of them.

This post is part of a monthly Spanish Series sponsored by www.hotels4u.com, where you’ll find plenty of Menorca hotels suitable for all tastes and budgets.

The Rough Guide to Mallorca & Menorca

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TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Menorca

One Great Reason to Visit Menorca

One great reason to visit this travel destination is for snorkeling and diving the hideaway inlets of the island offer.

Menorca Holiday Guide – My Travel

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• Wikipedia
• Guide to Menorca

Where is Cairo?

Cairo, Egypt

Of all the countries in the world, Egypt is perhaps the best known for its historical sites and the sense they give of being truly in touch with the past. From the Pyramids of Giza, to the Colossus of Ramesses II in the ancient capital of Memphis, Egypt is an archaeology buff’s dream – and the scope of Egypt’s archaeological past is certainly beyond the one trip. At the same time, there’s so much more to Egypt holidays than merely touring around the pyramids and being pushed through the crowded Cairo museum. With that in mind, here are three different activities that give a truly unique perspective on this mysterious country.

Cairo Tower

Nestled in the heart of modern Cairo is the Cairo Tower – shaped as a Lotus flower, a symbol of the pharaohs, it is the tallest building in the country. Located on Gezira Island on the Nile, the tower is currently undergoing restoration in preparation for the tower’s 50th anniversary in April 2011. The tower sports a moving restaurant that completes a full rotation every hour, though those on a budget can still travel to the top and make use of several telescopes to view all of Cairo in detail.

Camel riding

Camel riding by starlight

Savvy travellers familiar with Egypt will have definitely experienced this one at some point. From the Harem district in Cairo it’s possible to hire horses or even a camel to ride out into the desert, taking in the pyramids and the Sphinx. The best time to do this is at night – few things are as memorable as approaching the pyramids by moonlight. Alternatively, if you’re in the mood for something a little more adventurous, several companies within Egypt offer camping trips to the hauntingly beautiful white desert, where lavish tents will be set up for your stay and delicious barbecue treats served up each night. Travel is usually by jeep, but intrepid travellers can stay truly authentic by hiring camels.

Ballooning over the Nile

Hot-air balloon over the Nile

If you’ve got a bit of spare cash, it’s worth considering a hot-air balloon ride – which can take you towards the Valley of the Kings or the Nile at sunrise for a truly unforgettable experience. Remember to take your camera – you’ll be witness to views only a small number of people will have seen! Just make sure that you go with a reputable company – many hot air balloon companies are in stiff competition with each other, desperately undercutting each other on price and hence avoiding some of that important stuff like, well, insurance.

Top 10 Cairo and the Nile

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TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Cairo

One Great Reason to Visit Cairo

One great reason to visit this travel destination is without a doubt, for the history, the pyramids and the Egyptian museum which houses such treasures.

Cairo – Egypt

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Iconic Guides

I’ve recently had the pleasure to review one of the available MP3 audio tours from the ‘Iconic Guides‘ collection. Iconic Guides is a newly launched online business offering extremely high quality audios from historic destinations around the world. Dr Benedict Davies is a freelance writer and the founder of Iconic Guides and Della Phillips is the well-known and highly experienced voiceover artist used for the audios.

The ‘Tomb of Tutankhamun’ MP3 Audio Tour comprises 8 audios and each MP3 is relevant to a supplied PDF numbered plan of the tomb. The total tour time is approximately 27mins. The audio is made up of the following:

1. The discovery of the Tomb
2. An Introduction to the Tomb
3. The Antechamber
4. The Burial Chamber & the King’s Sarcophagus
5. The Wall Decoration of the Burial Chamber
6. The Treasury
7. Tutankhamum, Child of the Revolution
8. The Amduat

The audios provide an unprecedented level of detailed information into the cultural, artistic and architectural heritage of the Tomb of Tutankhamun. This is an excellent way to learn about the site without having to tag along with numerous tourists listening to a tour guide, or lug around that travel guide book!

A detailed ‘How-To‘ explains how you can purchase and download the guides.

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TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Tutankhamun Tomb at the Valley of the Kings

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Where is Leptis Magna?

Leptis Magna

Situated on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and 130km east of the capital Tripoli, lies the ancient Roman ruins of this once beautiful city of the Roman Empire.

Leptis Magna was enlarged by Septimius Severus who later became emperor. There is evidence of public monuments, a busy harbour, market place, storehouses, shops and residential regions. Some of the buildings are beautifully preserved all these years on. Leptis Magna gained UNESCO inscription during 1982.

Unfortunately, when I travelled throughout North Africa during the late 1980’s, the borders to Libya were closed to foreigners and I was unable to visit Leptis Magna. This travel destination remains on my Bucket List to this day!

Libya – Lonely Planet’s Country Guide

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TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Leptis Magna

One Great Reason to Visit Leptis Magna

One great reason to visit this travel destination is to enjoy the splendour of a once grand Roman city that is not that well known.

Michael Palin at Leptis Magna

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