Egypt for Children is Wonderland

Many would-be tourists, traveling with children, wonder whether their own trip of a lifetime would appeal to the young. Would the Nile cruise, the pyramids, the Cairo museum and the zoo be a good substitute for Playstations and computer games? The answer can only be a resounding "yes!" as provided by those who have visited Egypt with their children, and were so pleased with the whole experience.

Several years ago, I took my two young children, a girl and a boy, to Cairo. They still remember their adventures and cherish their photographs laughing by the pyramids. They enjoyed the simple things in Cairo: the baby animals in the zoo, the swings in the park, the gold of King Tut in the museum and an Egyptian neighbor 's wedding that they were invited to attend. They remember most of all how people loved them and spoilt them so much to the point of teasing them.

Other travelers who went to Egypt more recently with their children may look at the experience more seriously as a learning experience; and it is - in every sense. The German novelist Herman Hesse once said that education should be breathed in, not won in dull toil. Children may not ask many questions about the Old Kingdom but they would listen and observe more than the adults; they also absorb the kind of knowledge that comes only from experience. Their experience in Egypt will last them a lifetime.

There are many attractions geared for children, which may need a little research, such as Dr. Ragab's Pharaonic Village, which gives a glimpse of what life used to be 5,000 years ago. The live action atmosphere, with its village scenes and actors in period dress, suits children more than still museums.

Other pleasures may come as a surprise to parents, the bustle of the Cairo streets, the noise of the souqs, and a walk in the sand. They would also love the stories of ancient Egypt, of gods and kings, myth and discovery, and ancient visitors who came to Egypt as tourists. They are attracted to the genius of simplicity in the ancient Egyptian inscriptions.

And they can also have their balloons and ice cream and a dip in the swimming pool. Egypt for kids is history's greatest theme park.

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Gold Medal Win for Egyptian Tourism

Egypt took part in the Milan International Tourist Fair, held in February 2001 in the Italian Renaissance city, with a delegation of 40 companies, headed by the Minister of Tourism Dr. Mamdouh El Beltagy. The Minister received a gold medal from the organizers for his efforts in promoting Egyptian tourism and for developing Egyptian - Italian tourist exchange. This is the first time ever that the organizers decided to give the gold medal to an individual rather than to a participating company.

Among the more than 5,800 companies from 140 countries the Egyptian participation was a focal point of attention. Italy now stands second in the European league of tourists to Egypt with 750,000 tourists last year. Germany is still first. Italy is also the third largest investor in Egyptian tourism.

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When Egypt Was The Fashion in Rome

More information has emerged about the proposed exhibition at the British Museum entitled "Cleopatra of Egypt: From History to Myth". It is now confirmed that the dates will be from April 12 to August 26, at the Joseph Hotung Great Court Gallery. There is an admission charge to be set later.

The exhibition will include many new finds from Alexandria from recent excavations which provide a picture of life in the royal capital. The exhibits will reveal the impact of Alexandrian culture on the wealthier inhabitants of the Bay of Naples and upon Rome itself, where Cleopatra held court for nearly two years during Caesar's rule.

Cleopatra's life ended in 30 BC when she committed suicide rather than submit to the invading army of Octavian.

Egyptian Proverbs:

"Il Gamal Gamal Il Rouh "

Beauty is that of the soul.

The Nile, the Moon and Sirius: The Ancient Egyptian Calendar By Richard Weininger

The Egyptian Traveler's Survival Kit By Jimmy Dunn

The Tomb of Nefertari By Paul Groffie

Palace of the Sun King By Dr. Joann Fletcher

The Ecological Context of Ancient Egyptian Predynastic settlements By Michael Brass

Tunnel Vision By Ralph Ellis & Mark Foster

The Queens of Egypt - Part II By Dr. Sameh Arab

Cross Staff and Plumbline and the Great Pyramid By Crichton E M Miller