Family Holidays with Pharaohs and Pyramids
Egypt: Gizeh (Photo credit: Brooklyn Museum)
Every school year, children come home with a new topic to study; the Carmargue region in French studies, the effect of the Gulf Stream in geography, or the life and works of Chaucer for English Literature. The reality is that topics rarely vary, and you can guarantee that somewhere down the line the old favourites will rear their heads, topics that we as parents undoubtedly studied at school ourselves. So when it comes to helping with their homework, do you reach for your old encyclopaedia, or dust off your faded fourth year exercise book? With worldwide travel much easier these days, why not whisk your children off to visit their subject of interest in person, giving them a personal experience they can really relate to and having a unique family holiday at the same time? Let’s take Egypt for example.
Without doubt history classes will cover the Egyptians at some stage during any child’s period of education. It’s one of those subjects that is as popular as the Sphinx’s themselves. And a visit to Egypt is well within reach. Here are a few sights you could visit to compound all that learning they’ve been doing, as well as enjoying one of your best family holidays abroad.
Pharaohs
Pharaoh was the title given to an Egyptian King, although the term only came into existence in the 18th Century. These monarchs were the rulers of their domain and were attributed with having great power and influence over their people. Over the centuries a large number of rulers adopted the title, and several of these held great significance in Egyptian history. Most notable was Tutankhamen who came into power at the tender age of nine, and died when he was 18, allegedly murdered by his wife who was making her own bid for power. The tomb of Tutankhamen has become a popular tourist attraction and can be found in the Valley of the Kings, although the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt has become so concerned about the wear and tear at the site that plans are in place to build a replica for the purposes of allows visitors uninterrupted access.
Pyramids
Formidable, daunting and impressive – the Egyptian pyramids are all of these, and much more besides, and no visit to Egypt would be complete without seeing them in all their glory. In fact, the sheer magnitude of these structures can only be comprehended when you’re standing at their base, staring skyward. The Giza Plateau, the pyramid field of Djoser, and a similar site at Dahshur are by far the best places to go if you’re looking to visit these remarkable constructions. Most tour operators run trips to all three, but it’s possible to book independently which will certainly give you more time.
Sphinx
The Egyptian Sphinx, for the Greeks have a version of their own as well, is often found guarding temples and pyramids. They are believed to be strong spirits with the purpose of protecting those who have passed to the afterlife. With the body of a lion, wings of a bird and a human face, these statues are based on mythical beliefs that have become an important part of Egyptian culture. The most famous of all is the Sphinx at Giza. Carved from the natural rock, it forms a structure that is 150ft long.
Felucca
A felucca is a traditional wooden sailing yacht that was favoured by early Egyptians. It’s a unique boat that is highly manoeuvrable thanks to the lateen sail, a triangular piece of cloth that runs up easier than the square shaped sails of early western sailing craft. Feluccas are rarely used as commercial craft anymore, but they still exist on the Nile for the pleasure of tourist cruises.
Nile
Although it actually passes through a total of ten countries and is considered the longest river in the world, the Nile is most closely associated with Egypt. Running northwards, the Nile has been attributed as being the reason Egypt grew to its position of power in the early years of civilization. The silt it brought with it from more fertile lands allowed areas near its banks to be cultivated, in turn giving rise to cities like Cairo. It was used as a means of transportation, trade and ultimately war, and it played an important role in the spirituality of early Egyptians who worshiped its waters and the special powers it held. Tour operators run cruises down the River Nile, and these can be a great option family adventure holidays because they bring all the best tourist sites that Egypt has to offer within reach.
Byline: Fiona Galloway is a travel writer who travels frequently with her family. One of her favourite family adventure holidays was travelling through Colorado by motorhome.
