Have you flown within the last year? How about within the last month? Even if you have, there is there is a good chance that things have changed since the last time that you were at the airport. While you may be thinking about the airport layout, it is actually the air travel rules that have likely changed. As more security issues arise, often on a daily or weekly basis, the airlines decide to enforce new travel rules. In the event that these new enforcements do go into effect, do you know how to go about finding what they are?

All Air Travel Rules
Before you can learn to famialrize yourself with new air travel rules, if there are any, you will want to understand the benefits of learning those rules. Unfortunately, too many travelers are worried about having the proper forms of identification that they dont always worry about the items that they pack. If you are one of those individuals, there is a good chance that you may, unintentionally, pack items that are prohibited past airport security checkpoints. Depending on the prohibited item, you may be required to make additional accommodations, discard of the item, or turn it over to airport security.

In addition to prohibited items, there are also new air travel rules that apply to security screening procedures. For instance, all air travelers are now required to remove their shoes. Your shoes will be scanned along with the rest of your carryon luggage. While this may pose an inconvenience, it is a requirement. Failing to comply with this requirement, as well as others, may lead to you being detained by airport security or local authorities. In addition to missing your flight, you may even face prosecution for your actions. However, this can all be prevented by knowing and understanding the new air travel rules, as well as the old ones.

Travel Rules
Perhaps, the best way to famialrize yourself with air travel rules is to go directly to the source. That source is the organization that makes and essentially enforces those rules, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). You can obtain valuable information from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), including information on air travel rules, by directly contacting them or by visiting their online website. That online website can be found at www.tsa.gov. You are advised to fully examine this online website. You will find that it has a large amount of information that you need to know.

In addition to using the internet to examine the online website of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), you can also use it to perform a standard internet search. By searching with the words new air travel rules, you should be provided with a number of different results. Those results are likely to include websites or news reports with information on air travel, including the rules that are enforced aboard all airplanes or in all airports. When doing this, it is important to keep your source of information in mind. A large number of websites with inaccurate, misleading, outdated information can be found online. More on Travel Resources.

Egypt boasts extensive network of air, train and bus routes that connects all the major tourist destinations. As with any country, it is far easier and quicker to travel by Air. Egypt’s national carrier has routine flights to more remote destinations such as Luxor, Aswan and Sharm al Sheikh. The tickets are little expansive and are sixty percent higher then the first class train tickets. Normally it will cost anywhere from £60 to £80 for a round trip train ticket between Aswan and Cairo. The journey on popular routes to Upper Nile Valley can take 12 hours from train and is usually carried out on night sleeper cars. It is not very safe to travel in the regular commuter train in third or fourth class. These trains stop at every station and are very crowded.

Major tour operators can arrange for a car rental. The streets of Egypt are notorious for wayward traffic. There are few rules, if any. Without proper signs in outskirts of Cairo, you will need a NASA quality GPRS to reach your destination. While, it is not a problem asking for directions from friendly natives but getting the exact direction might still pose a major problem. What if the old Oak tree on the second left, has been cut down? If you ever want to visit a non-tourist site outside Cairo, make sure that it is with a private chauffer of a reputable agency. Try to accompany someone on such trips and inform the local Police Station before embarking on such a journey.

All the major airlines in the world serve Egypt. Depending upon your country, it is much better to fly, without the hassle of changing flights. Apart from United States, European and Asian operators fly non-stop to Cairo. From US, only Egypt Airways will fly non-stop to Cairo. Always check in advance for the visa requirements. Normally, Western passport holders can get a visa on arrival but it is highly practical to apply for a visa beforehand. It will not only save your time on arrival but limit you from problems encountered by many first time tourists.

There are lots of quality hotels all over Egypt. Taxi drivers understand English and French. Some even understand a multitude of languages. If you ever decide to take your car, better think again. Normally it is much safer to rent a car or take a Taxi. There is a variety of international food available in restaurants and side stalls. Their flavors also vary and the taste is usually mild but visitors less accustomed to spice should have an antibiotic. Remember! the quality of the food differs from street vendors to shops to popular restaurants.

Bottled water is cheap and easily available in Egypt. Don’t drink tap water; only if necessary. For a taste of adventure, try staying at many boutique establishments which provide a unique insight into culture of this ancient civilization. A few boutique hotels are located inside old bazaars and souks and provide much privacy.

The temples at Karnak are one of the greatest architectural achievements besides the Pyramid. Located a few kilometers north of Luxor, it spreads on approximately 250 acres. This is the largest religious complex in the world. The construction continued over an elongated period of thousand years and was contributed by more than thirty Pharaoh. The temple of Amun is the centerpiece of the site which is surrounded by a multitude of giant columns, obelisk, pylons and many statues.

Further down the site, the magnitude of the Hypostyle Hall leaves visitors breathless. It is the most documented site outside Cairo. The ceiling was 82 feet high and supported by twelve columns in rows of six. Natural earth tones are used to provide a dazzling effect of limited light that crept into the halls. Once inside the hall, visitors can feel how it would be like to stand in the great hall underneath the shadowy reflections of great columns, which itself created a powerful image of foreboding.

If you plan to stay late, don’t miss the light show at night. It covers the history of the complex and that of the great city of Thebes. The show is presented in six different languages. It is a good idea to hire a tour guide who will provide you an overview of the history and guide you to the locations seldom visited by other tourists. Later on, you may continue your tour, in private. It is a huge site that can take hours to uncover. Therefore, it is suggested that you take a lot of water with you and wear comfortable shoes.

Following from our earlier blog, our trip continues…

The tickets prices differ for locals and foreign visitors. Keep in mind that there is a separate entrance fee for visiting the Giza compound and entering the Pyramids. The ticket collection offices are brick enclosures which can get very crowded and are easy to miss. Don’t look for signs. There are none. As for the taxi drivers, it is customary for them to stop before the main entrance, for a camel or horse trip. If you don’t want a ride, politely ask the driver not to stop before the main entrance. Also make sure that you do not take any sharp items with you as the security checks are rigorous. Once inside the compound, you will encounter numerous vendors who insist on initiating a conversation so that the visitor may buy. Do not start haggling if you don’t want to.

The most famous of the monuments remains the great Pyramids at Giza. The compound is located just a few kilometers south of Cairo. Due to the massive intrusion of the nearby real estate, the last house is just a few hundred meters, from the Giza site. Yet, the entire site feels a world apart. What attracts visitors most is the location of the three larger pyramids and sphinx. The complex also contains many temples, outer buildings and other places of worship.

It is not only the great pyramid that demands attention but the two sister pyramids also offer a glimpse into an intriguing art of ancient engineering. On arrival, the pyramid of Khafre greets the visitors which to an on-looker looks larger than the Great Pyramid. Experts believe that it was purposely built on a high mound with steep angles to create an illusion of its greater size. Just for this reason, it is mistaken as the great Pyramid, itself. The smallest of the three is that of the Menkaure. It too has its fair share of legends and myths that far outweigh its larger neighbors. The pyramid is half limestone, half brick and the mechanical engineering and design doesn’t match its cousins. Stories abound and the pyramid reveals its secrets every year. Talk about the giant and fully functional boats discovered beneath the Great Pyramid.

Heat dictates the tourist season. As with many warm destinations, peak tourist season starts in November until March. This is when most tour groups visit Alexandria and the upper Nile Delta, near Aswan. The temperatures are bearable but still hovers around 60 to 80 Fahrenheit. Beware! The hotel prices hike during this period. Visitors who are not pre-booked can find charges as much as fifty percent more than it would have been with an advance booking. It is not only the hotel rooms but everything from shopping and food that takes it tolls on visitors. Despite the fact, many westerners find Egypt much cheaper because of relatively strong currency exchange rates.

If you are not afraid of the scorching heat and dust storms than early or late in the summer season is the best time to land really inexpensive deals around major cities. Just to give you a hint, major five star chains offer prices less than hundred, per night. It is not unusual for travelers to lodge near the Pyramid for less than seventy pounds. Another good idea is to visit in April or October months, which marks the end and start of the tourist frenzy in Egypt.

Holidays should not disrupt your travel plans but be informed of the conditions during religious holidays. During the Eid festival, which is twice a year, public transport is overly crowded and you can forget any activity during the Morning Prayer hours. Just as critical is the month of fasting (Ramadan) during which food shops are mostly closed until the sunrise and business hours, much shorter.

Welcome to the most insightful and interesting holiday blog on the bloggosphere.

The Team.