Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Visiting the Last Surviving Wonder of the World in Egypt

As many a student and scholar will know, one of the great stories and legends of the ancient world is that of the seven wonders of the world. These truly great constructions are often considered as the ultimate pinnacle and towering feats of human endeavour - and were once collectively considered the main architectural achievements of a society that existed long before our time. While 6 of these 7 great monuments are no longer of this realm, it is an impressive omen in itself that the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt still remains intact - and therefore survives as a towering example of what humanity could achieve in the ancient world so many hundreds of years before modern building technology or construction techniques was even dreamt of. The Great Pyramid of Giza today forms one of the major visitor attractions and key places of interest for any tourist visiting Egypt. Incredibly this magnificent structure remains intact today in spite of being completed in around 2551 BC - making it the oldest of all the seven wonders of the ancient world. If you are on a backpacking trip or a holiday to Egypt this truly stunning structure is an absolute must see on your visit to the country. The pyramid is truly something magnificent to behold, and it is mind boggling to comprehend how such things could be achieved over two and a half thousand years ago.





Saturday, February 6, 2010

Best European Backpacking Destinations: Bucharest

It seems to me that the city of Bucharest is often overlooked by people planning holidays here in the UK - which is quite surprising considering that the city has a lot to offer for anyone looking to take a short break in Europe, particularly on a tight budget. If you are on a backpacking trip around the region of Eastern Europe then without a doubt, you must at least pop in and visit the city for a few days. While it may not have the glamorous image held by many of its European counterparts, Romania’s capital has some real hidden gems amongst the concrete blocks that tend to dominate the skyline - with neoclassical architecture that has a style all of its own hidden away, just waiting to be discovered by the young intrepid traveller. Although the city is still shadowed somewhat by its Communist history and former leader Nicolae Ceausescu, with Romania joining the EU at the start of 2007, the city is becoming increasingly accessible for outsiders such as holidaymakers and backpackers. In Bucharest the temperatures can be very cold in winter - but the summer offers very high temperatures and a very dry climate. Accommodation is very cheap and accessible, with Bucharest apartments in particular offering excellent value for money if you are backpacking on a tight budget.