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#41
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What is your favorite European megalithic? (other than Stonehenge)
On Sunday, March 17, 2013 2:25:18 PM UTC, David Horne wrote:
Surreyman wrote: On Saturday, March 16, 2013 9:36:20 PM UTC, David Horne wrote: [] If you're still reading, we're closer to an itinerary. No hotels booked yet (availability seems fine) but probably Tel Aviv for the first 3 nights (we arrive on the Thursday and travel on the sabbath is problematic) then fly to Eilat, but stay in Taba (Sinai) 3-4, then to Jordan, finally to Jerusalem. So, St. Catherine's is definitely on the list, then Petra and Wadi Rum. We're looking into staying in a tent at Wadi Rum. [] Looks good - envy you! Taba's on the Egyptian border, of course. Nothing there apart from a resort hotel or two (unless it's expanded since I was last there). Eilat or Aqaba could have been more interesting, & the distance differences are negligible. But your choice, of course. We'll be in Taba Heights which is about 15km further south- yes, just resorts but we wanted a few beach days and it made a slightly easier base from which to St. Catherine's. We really didn't fancy either Eilat or Aqaba... hope we made the right decision. Around the St. Catherine's area there's a delightful Wadi Gazella area if you can persuade your guides to divert a little! When I was last at St. Catherine's they were just starting to build a hotel complex nearby. I assume that's finished now. Again, depending on your own tastes, that could centre you amongst glorious desert scenery rather than in the less dramatic coast resorts - but I'm getting subjective again! Above all, enjoy! Look forward to hearing from you afterwards. Many thanks! D -- (*) of the royal duchy of city south and deansgate www.davidhorne.net (email address on website) "[Do you think the world learned anything from the first world war?] No. They never learn." -Harry Patch (1898-2009) Yep, fair enough. Your thinking is spot on. It's just that isolated beach resort hotels are the last places we'd choose ourselves, but that's purely subjective. Must admit we did drop down into them now and then to re-fill with safe water! :-)) One last thought - it's apparently 'the thing' to overnight at St. Catherine's (or leave your hotel xxxxxx early a.m.) and to climb Mount Sinai to see the dawn - not a vicious ascent, I'm told. I haven't done it, but if it appeals, your local guides will obviously advise. Whatever, you've a great time ahead. |
#42
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What is your favorite European megalithic? (other than Stonehenge)
Surreyman wrote:
[] Yep, fair enough. Your thinking is spot on. It's just that isolated beach resort hotels are the last places we'd choose ourselves, but that's purely subjective. Must admit we did drop down into them now and then to re-fill with safe water! :-)) One last thought - it's apparently 'the thing' to overnight at St. Catherine's (or leave your hotel xxxxxx early a.m.) and to climb Mount Sinai to see the dawn - not a vicious ascent, I'm told. I haven't done it, but if it appeals, your local guides will obviously advise. Whatever, you've a great time ahead. We'd have to leave from the hotel at 0030 to climb the mount in time- in the end we opted for a day trip and not climbing the mountain- leaving at 0700 with a private taxi and back in time for a late lunch. Very enjoyable visit, and you were right, the scenery on the way was just unbelievable. When I thought I'd seen the most breathtaking valley another unfolded. The resort at Taba Heights was wonderful though, you don't see Eilat or Aqaba, but instead look over to the dramatic scenery of Saudi Arabia. Fantastic snorkelling, which surprisingly I'd never done before and got completely hooked on... Will definitely return to the area. The trip eventually divided itself like this- 3 nights Tel Aviv, flight to Eilat, border crossing, 4 nights Taba Heights, two border crossings to Jordan (3 taxis), 3 nights Wadi Musa (Petra), then Jerusalem via Aqaba crossing (2 taxis, then bus) for last 4 nights. Israeli Egged buses have free wifi which works very well... the journey went quicker while listening to R4! Your advice to spend time at Petra was spot on. We got a 2-day pass, and could happily have spent another full day there... I like the government's pricing policy: 50 for a full day, 55 for 2, 60 for 3- but 90 if you aren't spending a night in Jordan. Didn't go to Wadi Rum, for another time... D -- (*) of the royal duchy of city south and deansgate www.davidhorne.net (email address on website) "[Do you think the world learned anything from the first world war?] No. They never learn." -Harry Patch (1898-2009) |
#44
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What is your favorite European megalithic? (other than Stonehenge)
On Sunday, April 14, 2013 10:56:05 AM UTC+1, David Horne wrote:
Surreyman wrote: [] Yep, fair enough. Your thinking is spot on. It's just that isolated beach resort hotels are the last places we'd choose ourselves, but that's purely subjective. Must admit we did drop down into them now and then to re-fill with safe water! :-)) One last thought - it's apparently 'the thing' to overnight at St. Catherine's (or leave your hotel xxxxxx early a.m.) and to climb Mount Sinai to see the dawn - not a vicious ascent, I'm told. I haven't done it, but if it appeals, your local guides will obviously advise. Whatever, you've a great time ahead. We'd have to leave from the hotel at 0030 to climb the mount in time- in the end we opted for a day trip and not climbing the mountain- leaving at 0700 with a private taxi and back in time for a late lunch. Very enjoyable visit, and you were right, the scenery on the way was just unbelievable. When I thought I'd seen the most breathtaking valley another unfolded. The resort at Taba Heights was wonderful though, you don't see Eilat or Aqaba, but instead look over to the dramatic scenery of Saudi Arabia. Fantastic snorkelling, which surprisingly I'd never done before and got completely hooked on... Will definitely return to the area. The trip eventually divided itself like this- 3 nights Tel Aviv, flight to Eilat, border crossing, 4 nights Taba Heights, two border crossings to Jordan (3 taxis), 3 nights Wadi Musa (Petra), then Jerusalem via Aqaba crossing (2 taxis, then bus) for last 4 nights. Israeli Egged buses have free wifi which works very well... the journey went quicker while listening to R4! Your advice to spend time at Petra was spot on. We got a 2-day pass, and could happily have spent another full day there... I like the government's pricing policy: 50 for a full day, 55 for 2, 60 for 3- but 90 if you aren't spending a night in Jordan. Didn't go to Wadi Rum, for another time... D -- (*) of the royal duchy of city south and deansgate www.davidhorne.net (email address on website) "[Do you think the world learned anything from the first world war?] No. They never learn." -Harry Patch (1898-2009) Ah - memories! So glad you enjoyed. |
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