WORLD BEST TRAVEL

The village of Etretat is situated north of Le Havre on the coast of Normandy- France. It’s beautiful white cliffs – The Falaises d’Etrat are the pride of every French with a very good reason. The artists like Courbet, Degas and Matisse drew it, Victor Hugo loved it, and Guy the Maupassant lived it.

Even today it’s a popular summer resort, but only in winter times it gets to being the beautiful quiet place with the sweeping promenade and the empty beach for the  solitary walker.

You can climb a path to the western cliff – the Falaise d’Aval, formed into an arch, from which you can enjoy the magnificent view of the sea and the rock formations including “The needle” – l’aguille, which rises from the water up to a height of 700m (2300ft).

On the eastern cliff – the Falaise d’Amont there is a chapel, a museum and a statue dedicated to the two French aviators who made the first attempt to travel the Atlatic, and were lost off the coast.

During the low tide you can walk through the rock arches from one beach to another.

The two of the world’s most beautiful fjords – Geirangerfjord and Naeroyfjord, located in South-west Norway are often proclaimed as Norway’s natural wonders. They happen to be among the world’s longest and deepest fjords, and were formed about 1 000 000 years ago by glaciers carving their way down the mountains.

They lie approximately 120km (75mi) apart from each other north-east of the city of Bergen.

The Geirangerfjord is about 16km (10mi) long. The water inside being saline prevents freezing during the winter period. There is practically no tide so the water is still and reflecting the sky and 2000m (6600ft) mountain walls on each side of it. While sailing with a cruise ship you can enjoy the astonishing waterfalls and abandoned farms scattered on the mountains.

The Naeroyfjord is said to be the narrowest in the world being less than 250m (820ft) wide at a certain point, but still having huge mountain walls of more than 1500m (4900ft) from each side.

During the winter months, the sun never reaches the bottom of the fjord.

WHAT TO SEE THERE

Take a trip down the fjords, and look out for seals lying on the rocks. Among these two fjords visit the Sogne fjord, the Flam Railway and Stalheimskleiva.

WHERE TO FIND IT

South-west Norway, north-east of Bergen. They lie 120km (75mi) apart from each other.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT

Being of an exceptional natural beauty, they’re said to be the most beautiful fjords in the world.

• Ensure that you have a signed, valid passport, visas, and all travel documents. Fill in the emergency information page of your passport.
• Read all tour and travel related information about the country you are visiting. This can be obtained from the embassies or authentic travel agents.
• Familiarization with local laws and customs of the countries to which you are traveling is important. Remember, while in a country, you are subject to its laws.
• Notify the embassy or consulate upon arrival.
• Do not leave your luggage in public areas.
• Stay away from conspicuous clothing and expensive jewelry
• Deal only with authorized agents when you exchange money or purchase art or antiques.
• If you get into trouble, contact the embassy or the consulate if you are in any emergency.

The Bedouins call it the Wadi Gazar – Valley of the Carrots, as this surreal landscape offers a stunning view of the rock formations clearly defying the laws of nature and gravity.

The formations, together with the white sand, are giving a high contrast to the surrounding yellow of the desert, and during the sunset they even tend to change tints of blue and orange making the feeling even more unique.

If you wouldn’t feel the heat, you could easily misplace the landscape for an Arctic area.

The area has also some local stories, as formations offer a variety of shapes and figures that easily remind characters from mythology and everyday life.

While in the area be sure to take a trip to the springs in the zone as they offer a glance to the natures dramatic set of hills created by the persistence of the plants over the overwhelming sand.

WHERE IS IT
The desert is located in Western Egypt, the trips can be arranged from the town of Farafra.

WHEN TO GO
The most popular times to visit are from October to March.

Climate
Egypt: Spring temperatures vary between 70oF-85oF. Temperature during summer is between 80 oF -130 oF, and winter is 60 oF -85 oF.

Greece: Spring temperatures vary between 60oF-80oF. Temperature during summer is between 85oF -95oF, and winter is 40oF -50oF.

Turkey: Spring temperatures vary between 50oF-65oF. Temperature during summer is between 70 oF -90 oF, and winter is 40 oF-55 oF.

Languages Spoken
Egypt: Arabic and limited English

Greece: Greek and English

Turkey: Turkish and limited English

Passport and Visa requirements
Egypt: Passport and visa required.

Greece: Passport required. Visa not required for stays up to 90 days.

Turkey: Passport and visa required.

Currency
Egypt: Egyptian Pound

Greece: Euro

Turkey: Turkish Lira

Conservation:
Egypt: Islam influences Egypt and its traditional customs. Egyptians are generally courteous and hospitable. Handshaking is traditional form of greeting and dress should be conservative, especially in religious buildings.

Greece: Greece is renowned for its history than shopping. Casual wear is acceptable; however, formals are required in some restaurants, hotels, etc. Handshaking is the normal form of greeting.

Turkey: Handshaking is the norm. Visitors are expected to abide by Islamic customs. Informal wear is acceptable and beachwear is confined to the beaches.

Driving
Egypt: Road conditions are good, especially along the Mediterranean and the Red Sea coast. Traffic drives on the right.

Greece: Greece has a good road network covering 116, 150 km, all paved. Traffic drives on the right.

Turkey: Road conditions range from satisfactory in the interiors to good in the southwestern coastal region. Traffic drives on the right.