Egypt is a land full of historical landmarks. One of them is the Abu Simbel Temples where travelers can find one of the most beautiful temples in Egypt. They can visit the temple during the day and be in awe of its sheer size.
But traveling isn’t only about the historical landmark. It also covers places to eat and stay. After all, traveling is about refreshing your mind and body before returning to work.
Egypt is one of the best places to travel to. Other than the historical landmarks, the country also has numerous activities for all ages. They can go on a camel ride, explore the Nile on a ferry, or walk around the many historical complexes. Abu Simbel is one of the places in Egypt that cover them all.
What makes the Abu Simbel Temples famous?
Abu Simbel Temples are famous mainly for the two temples it has. The great temple of Ramesses II and the small temples of Hathor and Nefertari. All temples build in a complex similar to the open-air museum in Luxor and the Giza Necropolis.
The main reason why the Abu Simbel complex is the most famous one is its sheer size of it. Upon entrance to the large temple, travelers will see two statues of Ramesses the Great. This egregious size continues inside the temple.
The smaller temple also has an imposing figure of the Pharaoh with Nefertari, his favorite wife. Both at the entrance and inside the temple. And since it also holds a religious nature, travelers should wear appropriately in the complex.
However, not many people know that in the 1960s, the Egypt government work with a Polish Archeologist, Kazimierz Michałowski to relocate the temples. They moved the temple to an artificial hill nearby to prevent the risk of having the lake submerge the site. This necessary relocation is also part of the UNESCO Nubian Salvage project.
How much time is needed to visit Abu Simbel?
Technically, Travelers can spend a day only exploring the complex. They can hop on the plane from Cairo or take the road from Aswan. However, most people choose to spend a night in the area and enjoy the view at night. Travelers who want to explore their travel options can contact us for more information.
5 Tips for finding a good restaurant
Many travelers disregard the importance of finding a good restaurant near a landmark. Undoubtedly, there are numerous food joints nearby. But the ones that offer good food and service are rare.
Travelers often choose the first restaurant they like to replenish their energy. Something that they may regret later when the food or bill comes. That is why we compile the top 5 tips to find the best restaurant during their vacation.
· Always read the reviews
Many review websites that travelers can consult. They can check on Yelp!, TripAdvisor, or even Google Review. Keep in mind that reviews are more important than ratings.
To know the latest condition of the restaurant, travelers can sort the review from the most recent. Many restaurants with the good rating are declining in service.
· Talk to the locals
Never forget that locals know best. Travelers will meet a lot of locals during their stay in Abu Simbel. It can be their guide, driver, or any local they met at the site.
At any rate, locals will introduce travelers to several hidden gems. It can be a unique but authentic Italian place, a tapas bar, or a local specialty. Locals also can give insider tips on the best time to visit and other details.
· Consider the price
Price and review are two things that travelers shouldn’t ignore. Unfortunately, they will know the price after they sit down and read the menu. But thanks to the Internet, travelers can look at the menu while looking for a restaurant.
Each traveler has a different budget for their vacation. Therefore, they need to find a restaurant that will fit their budget. And they need to consider their return trip from Abu Simbel.
Another thing to note is travelers need to have a good estimate in converting the price from EGP to their native currency. And like many other estimates, it’s better to expect more than to have less.
· Measure the restaurant distance
Even when travelers found a local for an insider tip, they still need to measure the distance to the restaurant. Most travelers often forget that they’re only visiting the country. Thus, they have a different understanding of distance from the locals. A local may call a 10-minute walk a short walk, but the tourist may disagree.
And due to the weather in Abu Simbel, distance can be the most important value for some travelers. They will prefer a restaurant that is still within walking distance from their hotel.
· Check their social media
Nowadays, many restaurants are active on social media. Travelers can check the restaurants’ posts in advance to see any latest updates on their work hours, or if they have any events during their visit. Travelers can also use social media to contact the restaurant beforehand in case they are a reservation-only place.
Another great thing about social media is travelers can use it to measure the service they will receive. A restaurant with a lot of followers and good communication in the posts and comments mean they will provide a better-than-average service.
Some restaurant recommendations
As an example to travelers, we have compiled some of the best restaurants around Abu Simbel. This recommendation list is in no particular order and covers several types of cuisines. Travelers should not miss any of these restaurants during their visit.
- Eskaleh Eco-Lodge
- Elmodesh
- Sobek
- Alaa Al-Rahman
Any travelers planning for a family vacation in Egypt should not miss the Abu Simbel temples. They can enjoy the beautiful scenery while introducing history to their children. And if they need any help with their travel, they can contact http://exodustravel.net/ to get the best price and day tour activities.
Read More : 3 Parts of Abu Simbel Tours of Egypt Itinerary