21 - 27 March 2002
Issue No.578
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 21 - 27 March 2002 Issue No.578 |
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Easter getaway
This year the non-Orthodox or Western Easter falls on 31 March, five weeks short of Coptic Easter and the Egyptian spring festival Sham Al-Nessim. If you are among those who celebrate the Western holiday and want to spend a few days out of town, Aswan is a perfect destination.
This is indeed a favourite getaway for Easter, which falls just before the summer heat sets in in earnest. And there is no better way to forget one's cares than watching the sunset from the Old Cataract terrace or drifting in a fellucca at the end of the day.
If you are going off sightseeing don't forget your Easter bonnet -- sorry, sun hat -- and pack a supply of sun lotion. The weather forecast is -- as always -- hot, with guaranteed sunshine.
Thomas Cook arranges tailor-made and scheduled cruises and hotel breaks, with flights. Flash is offering Nile Cruises on its floating hotels at advantageous rates -- call the number below for price details -- with three to seven-day cruises taking in the monuments.
You can also make your way there on your own, but if you are travelling at a busy time like this you would be advised to check hotel availability beforehand. EgyptAir runs daily flights to Aswan, but if you prefer a more leisurely journey and would like to go a step up from the usual first class train, try Abela's luxury Pullman sleeping service. A return ticket from Cairo to Aswan for all foreigners (under railway authority rules this also includes foreign residents) is $142.50, and for Egyptians LE206. This includes breakfast and dinner.
The Abela train leaves Cairo at 8pm and arrives at 8.15am. The return train leaves Aswan at 6.30pm and arrives in Cairo at 7.45am.
Practical information
EgyptAir Tel: 579 3049/393 0831/392 2835
Abela (beside Ramses station) Tel: 574 9474/ 574 9274
Flash Nile Cruises: 419 3451
Thomas Cook Tel: 417 1260Aswan Web sites:
www.tourism.egnet.net/attraction/cities/aswan/
For a comprehensive list of Aswan hotels and online booking, go to www.dunia.net/egypt/city/aswan.htm
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