The Sphinx at Giza, Egypt

Our new North Africa & the Middle East brochure, which replaces the North Africa & Arabia brochure, is now available. Written by our North African and Middle East specialists it features a selection of popular itineraries, along with information on the best places to visit, favourite accommodation options and practical advice on planning a trip to this region.

Also featured are travel guides for cruises on the Nile in Egypt, Jordan’s beautiful nature reserves and archaeological sites in Tunisia, as well as information on walking in the Moroccan High Atlas Mountains, camping at the heart of the desert dunes in Morocco, Jordan and Oman and diving on Egypt’s Red Sea coast.

For the new 2012 brochure we have also discovered a range of new hotels and excursions, and for the first time we also feature Jerusalem, and showcase self drive holidays in Oman.

Take a look at the brochure:

• View the online version (you will need Adobe Flash Player). 
• If you would like to download any of our brochures as a PDF, view online versions of them, or request a free physical copy, simply go to our brochures page.

To book a tailor-made trip to North Africa & the Middle East, call one of our specialists on 01993 838 400 or contact us online.

Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford recently opened the doors to its new galleries of Ancient Egypt and Nubia. Its old Egyptian galleries have been redesigned and extended with state of the art facilities. This means that more than double the number of mummies and coffins are now on display, along with many of its other artifacts that have been in storage for decades.

The galleries have been designed to take visitors on a chronological tour covering more than 5000 years of human life on the Nile valley, from prehistory to the 7th century AD.

As well as the mummies and coffins on display, you will also be able to see the museums other iconic objects, such as  the wall painting depicting Akhenaten and Nefertiti’s daughters, the Shrine of Taharqa from the temple at Kawa; and the enormous limestone statues of the fertility god Min which date to 3300 BC.

Visit the Ashmolean Museum website to find out more about its new galleries and when to visit.

To book a tailor-made trip to Egypt, call one of our Egypt specialists on 01993 838 410 or contact us online.

The ubiquitous smartphone: fast becoming the ideal companion when abroad

Today, there are literally thousands of travel apps (or applications) on the market for smartphones. I’ve picked my top 10, some of which are free to download.

Have a look and see if you agree?

If you have a favourite travel app which isn’t on this list, send it to us via the comments field!

1. Postagram Travel App

Take a photo with your smartphone and with the click of a button, Postagram will mail a physical postcard, along with a 140-character message of your choosing, anywhere in the world. It currently costs the equivalent of 99 US cents per postcard.

2. Off Exploring

There’s no need to lug a heavy laptop around anymore. With the Off Exploring app on your smartphone you can add your locations and photographs. You even get your own free web address so that friends and family can not only see what you’re up to, they can leave comments as well.

3. Google Translate

Often the most daunting aspect for many people when abroad is the language barrier. However, with Goggle’s Translate app things are now a whole lot easier. Type or speak into your phone and let it instantly translate into 17 languages. You’ll need to speak clearly though!  

4. GeoTipper
Tipping can be a bit of a minefield when abroad, sometimes leading to embarrassing situations. Geo Tipper works by giving you recommendations on how much you should add to your bill. It currently covers 42 countries in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

5. Photosynth

Reviewing your photos often comes with a tinge of disappointment and the reason is often because you’re only seeing a part of what your eyes originally saw. With Photosynth, however, you can stitch together your photos to create real panoramic images. You can even send 360-degree views to friends and family while you’re abroad. 

6. TuneIn Radio

It’s comforting to take some old favourites with when travelling. With the TuneIn Radio app you can now take with you your favourite radio stations, music artists, sports and many more. It currently offers over 50,000 stations for you to choose from.

 7. Google Sky Map

Some locations in the world are perfect for the Google Sky Map app; if you’re in the middle of the Outback or Atacama Desert, simply point your phone at the night sky and it will show the planets and constellations.

8. Currency Exchange

We all need to know how much our money is worth when abroad. With the Currency Exchange app you can make sure you haven been short-changed, or are getting the best rate. This app is always up-to-date as well as it tracks currency changes around the world in real time.

9. Weather Pro

If you’re British, chances are you’ll be obsessed by the weather, so you’ll definitely want this app. It features seven-day forecasts and reports for over two million locations around the world, which includes Europe, America, Africa and Asia.

10. Trailhead

If your holidays are activity based then the Trailhead app could be for you. It finds walking/hiking trails and bike routes in your location, based on your GPS coordinates. It also tracks your route, distance, speed and elevation in real-time. You can then download this data onto a map to see exactly where you’ve been.

Grand Mosque in Muscat, Oman

I’ve just heard from our North Africa & Middle East Regional Manager, Matt, that Muscat has been voted the second best city in the world by Lonely Planet in their ‘Top 10 Cities for 2012′ poll.

This is exciting news, not least because this area of the world has seen its fair share of trouble over the past year - I really think this can be seen as yet another positive sign that travel to the Middle East remains high on the agenda for many tourists.

A number of other Audley destinations were included in the poll too. Santiago in Chile was named seventh best city in the world, closely followed in eighth by Hong Kong. Darwin in Australia completed the list with a highly respectable tenth position.

With thousands of cities around the world for Lonely Planet to choose from, it’s no small feat that these cities made it into the final 10 and we are pleased that so many of them can be visited on a trip with us!

The Golden Triangle

This fresh and varied exhibition will run from 8/10/2011 to 29/10/2011 at the John Davies gallery in Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, and features a selection of new paintings of Rajasthan by Charles MacQueen.

Inspired by his memories of  trips to Rajasthan in India and Morocco, MacQueen comments:

‘I work on my paintings building upon a series of layers which allows me to rub back and keep the painting fluid. I enjoy using glazes and until they are all finished all paintings could either be blue, green, red, yellow or purple.’

Influenced by Bonnard, Matisse and the art movements which became progressively abstract during the last century, MacQueen uses small abstract collages as a starting point for his much larger paintings, preparing the boards with gesso and liquitex modelling paste, a paste made of marble dust and 100% polymer emulsion which dries as hard as stone. The surface can then be sanded, carved or scored.

For more information about Charles MacQueen and his paintings visit the exhibition website. Our India specialists can put together an individual tailor-made trip for you which could incorporate Rajasthan or the Golden Triangle. Give them a call on 01993 838 330 or make an enquiry online.

Audley Food Festival 2011

Friday 23rd September 2011 was the date of the first ever Audley Food Festival and, as with anything food related at Audley, the event was tipped to be a merry affair!

With each department given the task of cooking food from their region of the world and decorating their stands accordingly, the pressure was on to outshine the rest. More importantly, the event was being attended by Masterchef runner-up (and brother to Ben Whitaker, one of Audley’s India specialists) Tom Whitaker, whose job it was to taste test all of the food on offer before choosing a winning department.

For those of us who do not cover a specific area of the world, we were able to pick another country or region not covered by our programmes. The Ticketing department chose to represent Italy, while the Upper West Wing, which consists of e-Commerce, Marketing, I.T, Finance, HR, Commercial, Operations and Journey Desk, went with a USA theme, or more specifically, the TV programme, ‘The West Wing’.

With a fine spread on offer, the tasting began and not surprisingly it didn’t take long for the rest of the company to follow suit, tucking into such delights as Hoth’s Khmer curry and a tasty North African tagine.

After Ticketing and Upper West Wing were crowned the overall winners by Tom, it was time for the Masterchef contestant to give a select few employees a lesson in butchery and knife skills before the two winning teams went head-to-head with a Ready, Steady, Cook style omelette making competition. After some more taste testing by Tom, who was faced with some very dodgy-looking omelettes, the Ticketing department finally walked away with the prestigious title of ‘Winning Stand’.

The evening’s festivities continued with a bake sale and more food and drink before the sun went down.

Many thanks to Tom for popping along to teach us a thing or two about cooking, as well as judging some appealing (and not so appealing!) dishes! A big pat on the back also to Audley’s social committee for arranging such a successful social event, I certainly hope we will get to indulge again next year!

Uluru or Ayers Rock in Australia has been shotlisted for the new 7 wonders of the natural world

A global campaign organised by a Swiss philanthropist has begun to decide the seven wonders of the natural world, out of 28 that have been shortlisted.

Voting will take place until November on the New 7 Wonders of the World website, so get your vote in soon if you would like to take part.

From the Galapagos Islands to Halong Bay in Vietnam, many of the 28 wonders on the shortlist can be visited on a tailor-made trip with Audley. The finalists include:

• The Amazon
• The Galapagos
• Iguazu Falls
• Komodo National Park, Indonesia
• Milford Sound, New Zealand
• Table Mountain, South Africa
• Angel Falls, Venezuela
• Jeita Grotto, Lebanon
• The Maldives
• Uluru, Australia
• Bay of Fundy, Canada
• Dead Sea, Jordan
• Great Barrier Reef, Australia
• PP Underground river, Philippines
• Halong Bay, Vietnam
• Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

 Don’t miss out on your opportunity to vote now!

Royal Opera House in Muscat, Oman

I’ve just heard from our North Africa & Arabia Regional Manager that a brand new, state-of-the-art Royal Opera House is to open in Muscat, Oman on 14th October 2011.

With a capacity of 1000, the venue will showcase a number of world-famous productions during its first season, including Swan Lake, Carmen, Giselle and Turandot.

Described as “A unique art and cultural edifice with no parallel in the Middle East region“, it will be possible to include a visit to the Opera House in a tailor-made trip to Oman with Audley.

To find out more about tailor-made holidays to Oman, please visit the Oman section on our website, or speak to one of our Oman specialists directly on 01993 838 430.

The Royal Opera House in Muscat, Oman

The amphitheatre at El Jem

Way back in December 2010, Tunisia was the first of the countries across North Africa and the Middle East to be hit by popular uprisings. This unrest lead to the collapse of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali’s regime and ended his 23-year rule of the country.

As a popular tourist destination that relies heavily on inbound travellers, Tunisia’s tourism was badly affected, but in the last couple of weeks the country has been encouraging people to venture back to its shores, embarking on a brand new (and some might say, slightly controversial) marketing campaign targeted at travellers from the UK and other countries.

This is great news for tourists who wish to visit the country as it shows Tunisia is well on the road to recovery and is keen for travellers to return after a difficult couple of months.

If you would like to find out more about arranging a tailor-made trip to Tunisia, visit the Tunisia section on our website, or call our Tunisia specialists on 01993 838 445.

Steve during his trip to Morocco

Steve Howes, one of Audley’s Morocco specialists, recently returned from a trip to the lesser-visited northern region of Morocco, where he spent time exploring the  cosmopolitan cities and quaint fishing villages of this relatively untouched area. Here, he talks about his trip in detail:

“Having seen the usual sights of south Morocco, it was time to visit the less explored north, an area that seems to have avoided most travel brochures. It seemed strange that a country with a Mediterranean coastline and a picturesque mountain range running parallel could offer nothing of interest. So after a holiday enjoying the sights of the south I jumped on a train that took me from Marrakesh to Fez, the starting point for my exploration of the north.

Having visited Fez on a few occasions, it was a brief stopover with a couple of riad inspections before my driver and I headed north into the heart of the Rif Mountain range. The Rif is less rugged than the High Atlas and very green in April, with rolling hills and patchwork fields interspersed with small hamlets drawn to the eye by their mosques’ towering minarets.

Eventually we descended from the Rif to our first port of call, Al Hoceima, a small fishing town and beach resort popular with Moroccan tourists in the summer. I think I was the only foreign tourist in Al Hoceima and after strolling along the coved beach and the old town I eventually found a nice fish restaurant at the port and tucked into a delicious plate of fried fish as the sun came down. Al Hoceima seemed a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of Marrakesh and Fez’s medinas, and it was a nice break after a long drive. A night or two here is enough.

The best part of the trip lay ahead, as the following morning we retraced our steps towards Ketama. Heading east along the scenic backbone of the Rif, a blue town slowly began to emerge in the distance. Chefchaouen is vertiginously perched on the mountainside, with the blue and white buildings of the old medina providing colour to the atmospheric narrow streets and alleyways. It is a wonderful place to explore at your own pace, with a strong Andalucian feel to the city and many of the residents speaking Spanish, influenced by the first European visitors in the early twentieth century. Chefchaouen is also an excellent base from which to explore the scenic surrounding countryside on foot. It is a beautiful town and well worth a visit.

The following day I arrived in Tangiers, a cosmopolitan city across the straits of Gibraltar and a popular spot with Bohemians in the mid twentieth century, with visitors such as beat poet Jack Kerouac and author Paul Bowles. I spent a couple of nights at the characterful and well-known Hotel el Minzah, whose past guests include Sir Winston Churchill and Rita Hayworth. Although a little faded now, the hotel is still a great place to stay and its location is perfect. Tangiers offers great food, an interesting medina (especially the food and fish souks), and a huge city beach if you are looking to chill out for a while or take a stroll.

After visiting Cap Spartel, a view-point and lighthouse where the Atlantic and Mediterranean meet, and the Caves of Hercules, where you can see a cave window shaped like a map of Africa (let your imagination go wild), I began my journey south. This time I followed the course of the Atlantic Ocean, where just a short drive from Tangiers is the laid back white-walled medina of Asilah. Like Chefchaouen, some of the locals speak Spanish and if you have had your fill of tagines and couscous you can indulge in paella and seafood dishes. Asilah is small and its medina seems immaculate, with artwork covering most corners (it hosts an annual art festival in the summer). Great sunsets, food and a relaxed atmosphere are the hallmarks of a visit to Asilah, and it is well worth one or two nights. Accommodation is simple but charming, usually a blend of Moroccan and Spanish architecture with rooftop terraces providing the perfect place to unwind and relax after a day’s sightseeing.

En route to Casablanca I stopped off to visit the Romans ruins of Lixus, located on a hilltop overlooking the city of Larache. Although less immediately impressive than other ruins in parts of Europe and the Middle East, they are definitely worth an hour or so of your time. The complex is surprisingly extensive and you can clearly make out the amphitheatre, baths and acropolis, while large birds of prey fly low above. The great thing about Lixus was also that I had the sight absolutely to myself!

Further south I stopped for lunch at Moulay Bousselham, a great spot for bird watching where the highlight is the regular visit of flamingos. I hired a boat but unfortunately the flamingos had picked a spot too far in the distance for my limited time frame, so I had to be content mainly with gulls and terns. Still, it was a nice spot and a pleasant experience , so I was glad to have stopped. Afterwards it was back to the beaten track territory with a final night’s stop at Casablanca, where a steak meal at Rik’s Café provided the perfect end to a great trip.”

If you would like to find out more about tailor-made trip to Morocco, please visit the Morocco section of our website.

The McCurdie family celebrate Christmas Day in the Masai Mara, Kenya

“Our visit to Malacca was an intriguing end to our visit to Malaysia, a country where numerous traditions, religions, cultures and cuisines meet and blend harmoniously.”
Nigel Wright, Malaysia

“Our heads and hearts are full of the images, sights, sounds, and smells, but perhaps the most lingering image of all is the one of the Cambodian people.”
Valerie and Raymond Gatward, Cambodia

“To have spent the time with the wonderfully friendly people of the Governor’s Camp among the enchanting wildlife of the Masai Mara made it an experience we shall treasure forever.”
Dr Ian McCurdie, Masai Mara in Kenya

These are just some of the comments we have received and which you can read in full in our Client Stories section of the Audley Magazine.

How to send us your Audley travel stories
It’s easy, if you’ve been on a trip with us simply click on this link and upload your text and photos. If you do you’ll also have a chance to win a £50 Bobbooks’ photobook voucher.

The pyramids of Giza

We added a blog back in April, called Client feedback from Egypt and Jordan, which featured the accounts of two Audley clients who had returned from trips in that region since the troubles there.

While their positive feedback was welcome, the raison-d’être here at Audley is Specialists who know a country intimately from their own personal experiences; this is one of the most important facets that sets us apart from many other travel companies.

This ‘tell it how it is’ approach can be seen in the following comments by three of our Egypt Specialists, in which they declare the country very much open for business.

Nik -  arrived back in UK 5th June

Having literally just got back from Egypt yesterday I can report that most sites were very quiet (in a good way!). Cairo, obviously, still felt busy as it is in the largest city in Africa with up to seven million people.

At most of the sites I visited there was never more than one or two groups, and even at the big three (the Pyramids of Giza, Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings) there were no queues - something I’ve never experienced in five times of visiting.

The other advantage to the current lack of tourists (as well as some great deals on accomodation) was that the Nile was almost almost boatless which gave a real feeling of exclusivity.

All in all I had a great trip and the magic has still not been lost on what is still a fantastic destination.

Fiona – arrived back in UK 30th May 

Egypt is a country that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime, but many people have been put off by images of large crowds of tourists and shop keepers desperate for you to buy a glass souvenir pyramid.

On my recent trip there I found that people are delighted to see tourists, regardless of whether you buy anything or not, and are incredibly warm and welcoming. Post-revolution, many Egyptians feel that they have the freedom to do whatever they like, resulting in many being much more happy and relaxed.

A huge majority of the Egyptian population is dependent on tourism, and with the lack of visitors, I was warmly greeted wherever I went.

Megan – arrived back in the UK 18th May
Like most people who have visited Egypt post-revolution, the anticipation of witnessing a country at such a monumental point in its history was coupled with a slight apprehension in the weeks leading up to my departure.

On arrival in dusty Cairo all worries were dissolved instantly; the calls of “welcome back” were accompanied by warm smiles and a genuine sense of pride in what has been achieved in the recent few months.

In terms of safety, being accompanied by an excellent Audley driver and guide really left a feeling of complete ease throughout the trip, which extended to cover the visit to the now famous Tahrir square. In fact, the peaceful square is now a real draw in itself, and it is fascinating to see the patriotic graffiti as well as more sinister remnants of the revolution such as burned buildings.

The firm conclusion that can be safely drawn is that, in fact, it could not have been a better time to visit Egypt.

If you are interested in a trip to Egypt, or another Audley destination in the region, please visit the North Africa & the Middle East section of our website or call us on 01993 838 400.

Latest official advice

The lastest from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website is that there are no travel restrictions to visiting Egypt.

Nick on his honeymoon in Morocco

Nick Ghosh, one of Audley’s Southeast Asia specialists recently tied the knot and, working in the travel industry, he was spoilt for choice when it came to choosing a honeymoon destination.

Nick and his new wife decided to visit Morocco and on his return he had this to say about his trip:

I’m just back from a superb honeymoon in Morocco (thanks Natalie!) Never having travelled in this area before I was unsure of what to expect, but absolutely loved it and am already planning a return journey to see the bits we missed. It’s hard to pick highlights from our trip but if I had to it would be the superb Kasbah Tamadot, the excellent trekking in the High Atlas mountains, and mesmerizing Marrakesh.

Richard Branson’s Kasbah Tamadot lived up to our high expectations: gorgeous gardens, superb views and friendly and excellent service. The three days previous spent trekking were the perfect preparation as we hiked through beautiful Berber villages surrounded by lush valleys and stunning views in the High Atlas. We trekked in and out of Toubkal Lodge, perfectly perched with a magnificent vista of the snow-capped mountains and green valleys.

Obviously we were a little apprehensive about visiting Marrakesh after the recent bomb there, but are so glad that we did as we felt completely at ease and loved it. There really is nowhere I have been as atmospheric and vibrant as the Djema El Fna (the main square) as the sun sets. Hundreds of food stalls, street entertainers and hawkers created a riot of amazing sights, sounds and smells each night.

After a hectic wedding Morocco turned out to be the perfect destination for us – just three hours flight away, with a whole host of beautiful riads and kasbahs to choose from and plenty to do once you get itchy feet and want to start exploring the country. I hope I can get back there soon!

For more information on tailor-made holidays to Morocco, visit our website.

Abu Simbel, Egypt

A couple of weeks ago I blogged about Egypt and how the country is getting back on its feet after its recent troubles. With North Africa and the Middle East experiencing a number of issues of late, it’s not surprising that some people have their reservations about travelling to the region, but some recent feedback from two separate clients will hopefully help to quash any worries travellers may have:

Mary & Leonard Holland – travelled to Jordan in March:
“We both had a great holiday that was well organised and thought through. Everybody we met in Jordan was friendly, helpful and very proud of their country. It is a great shame that tourists are cancelling their trips. As far as we could make out there are no political problems and the areas where there are issues in the Middle East are miles away. We felt very safe and in “good hands” throughout.

David & Pamela Rogers – travelled to Egypt in March:
“The lack of tourists because of the political situation meant that there was little traffic on the Nile. Also the tombs and temples were relatively empty, giving us easy access to items of interest. There was no queueing to see anything. All the locals were genuinely pleased to see us and were extremely friendly. We are so pleased we went!”

We have had quite a few clients travel to Egypt in recent weeks, and feedback from them has been overwhelmingly positive, so if you have been wondering about what effects the revolution in January has had on travel in Egypt, or have any questions at all then please do phone one of our specialists on 01993 838 410.

Alternatively, visit the North Africa & the Middle East section on our website for more information on tailor-made holidays to the region.

Many people are returning to Egypt after its recent troubles

After all the recent troubles in Egypt it is nice to hear the country is getting back on its feet again. Only this morning I was looking through the Audley Twitter account and read a tweet from Travel Weekly’s blog saying their Editorial Assistant had just returned from Egypt, where ‘locals are delighted to see tourists’.

A recent blog by Jennifer Conlin on The New York Times website echoes this thought. Returning to Egypt after spending a year there in 2010, Jennifer found the scene in Tahir Square a lot different to how she remembered. Here is a short extract from her blog article:

“I slid my hand along the shiny hunter-green and silver railings, marveling that even the curbs had received new coats of black-and-white paint to prevent illegal parking — courtesy of the protesters.

A boy sold me a bottle of water from a small stand he had set up, also with coffee and candy bars, while young girls swept the streets. Everyone stopped to talk to one another, whether it was an old friend or a visiting stranger.

“Enjoy Tahrir,” a young man yelled to me before taking a photo of his girlfriend, her white headscarf blowing in the wind. I smiled, then joined the parade of Egyptians heading to the square”.

Many of Egypt’s top attractions, including the Egyptian Museum and the Pyramids of Giza have reopened to the public, and all seems very much ‘business as usual’. Indeed, many are beginning to venture back to Egypt; as a company we are pleased that we are able to send people once again.

As with all of the countries we operate in, we continue to monitor the situation in Egypt, however if you would like to find out more about travelling to this destination please do take a look at the Egypt section on our website, or speak to one of our Egypt specialists on 01993 838 410 for more information.

Visit Petra on a trip to Jordan

From the 27th March 2011, it will be possible to travel to Jordan with one of Europe’s leading low-cost airlines. EasyJet have announced they will be adding the capital of Jordan, Amman, to their flight routes and anyone wishing to travel will be able to do so three times a week from London Gatwick.

This is great news for us here at Audley, as our North Africa & the Middle East team often recommend EasyJet  to our clients as part of their tailor-made itineraries, meaning more choice and flexibility for our clients.

 At just over five hours flight time this will be EasyJet’s longest flight to date.

Members of the North Asia & Arabia team at their cake sale

I don’t think it’s possible for anyone to have escaped the media coverage surrounding Libya and the awful events that have been unfolding there in the last couple of weeks. The country is a place in which we normally operate and so it’s very close to our heart, which is precisely why the North Asia & Arabia team decided to raise money in support of the Red Cross Libya & Region Appeal, and the work they are currently doing in Libya and neighbouring countries.

So in true Audley style, a number of the NAA team and even some of their family members donned their aprons and got to work in the kitchen, producing a vast array of culinary delights ready for a cake sale of immense proportions. Today’s mammoth spread included  chocolate brownies, ginger & chocolate flapjacks, fruit & nut flapjacks, rocky road à l’Orient, carrot & orange muffins, fruit loaf, honey & almond cake, Laura’s tiffin, lemon cupcakes and strawberry cupcakes, as well as Steve’s squidgy chocolate log, marble cake, honey cake and tea loaf.

At 11am on the dot NAA’s colleagues began to stream into the Waterwheel room, tummies rumbling and money at the ready. The first round of cake munching raised over £250 with a second round of selling scheduled for this afternoon, just in time for an afternoon snack!

Here are just a few images of the cakes on offer:

Well done to the North Asia & Arabia team for all of their hard work. They hope to have raised over £300 for the Red Cross Libya & Region Appeal by the end of the day.

If you would like to make a donation to the Red Cross Libya & Regional Appeal, please visit the Red Cross website.

Egyptian hieroglyphics on the Kom Omba Temple, Egypt.

I wrote a blog back in June last year about the British Museum exhibition of the ancient Egyptians’ journey from death to the afterlife.

I just want remind everyone that the exhibit finishes on March 6th, so if you want to see it you’ll need to book your tickets soon.

For more details here’s a link to the British Museum website.

Silver samt necklace with Maria Theresa thaler pendants on indigo-dyed cotton, Oman, 20th century

The start of the year saw the launch of a new exhibition at the British Museum which showcases a unique display of jewellery and costume from Oman.

Running until 11th September 2011, this exhibition features a selection of 20th-century silver jewellery, weaponry and male and female dress, including bracelets, anklets, necklaces, earrings, hair ornaments, kohl pots, and men’s accessories.

The jewellery is decorated with coins, coral and glass beads, and gold leaf decoration, with many amuletic pieces incorporating elaborate Qur’an cases. Also featured are colourful embroidered costumes, including children’s outfits, from different regions of Oman.

The event is free to attend. To find out more about this exhibition visit the British Museum website.

To learn more about tailor-made trips to Oman, visit the Oman section of our website, or call an Oman specialist on 01993 838 430 to discuss your ideas further.

Wild Jordan wins Guardian-Observer Ethical Travel Award

As anyone who has been on a trip with us will know, travelling responsibly is a very important issue for us. We are passionate about the countries we specialise in and it seems only natural that we would want to help protect each region and maximise the benefits that tourism can bring. That’s why we support numerous charities and organisations around the world that aim to do just this.

So, we were more than a little pleased to hear recently that Wild Jordan, an arm of the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) in Jordan, and an organisation that we have supported for over five years, won the highly-regarded Guardian-Observer Ethical Travel Award for 2010! Chris Johnson, Wild Jordan’s director, picked up the award in Cardiff Castle, Wales, where this year’s ceremony was held.

Congratulations to Wild Jordan – keep up the good work!

If you would like to find out more about travelling to Jordan with Audley, visit our website or speak to a Jordan specialist on 01993 838 415.

Sir David Attenborough's First Life series explores the origins of life on Earth

The second and final installment of Sir David Attenborough’s latest wildlife series will air tonight on BBC 2 at 9pm.

Attenborough’s First Life brilliantly documents the origins and evolution of life on earth as we know it. In tonight’s episode, Britain’s favourite wildlife TV presenter will travel to Canada‘s Rocky Mountains and the arid deserts of Morocco to uncover recent fossil discoveries and explain how they are helping to shape our understanding of Earth’s evolution.

In last week’s show, Sir David travelled to Australia to investigate the fossilized remains of a 600 million year old animal. Journeying through Australia’s Queensland coastal region, Sir David also visited the Great Barrier Reef to explore recent findings made by scientists there.

Being one of our favourite regions of Australia, we’ve created an itinerary that allows you to follow in the footsteps of Sir David during the filming of the series, taking in places such as the tropical rainforests north of Cairns and the warm, pure waters surrounding Heron Island in the Great Barrier Reef – click here to find out more.

Find out more about Attenborough’s First Life series (link opens in new window).

Why not enjoy your Easter break on a Thai beach.

A late Easter weekend in 2011 means that you can take just four days out of the office to enjoy a 11 day long break.

Here’s how it works…

Good Friday is April 22nd and Easter Monday is April 25th. The following weekend is the May Day Bank Holiday, so you get 2nd May off too.

In other words, there are only four working days from the 22nd April to the 2nd May, meaning you can fit in a 11-day break for the price of four!

UPDATE: Since writing this it has been announced that the Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton will be on the 29th April, meaning that you now need to take just THREE days off to fit in an 11 day break. 

Take a look at our magazine article on Easter trip ideas for a little inspiration for your next holiday in 2011.

Statue at Luxor Museum, Egypt

If you’ve been to Egypt or are considering a trip there in the near future you might like to know there is a major related exhibition this autumn at the British Museum.

This exhibition focuses on the ancient Egyptians’ journey from death to the afterlife, focusing on the famous Book of the Dead. This ‘Book’ was not a single text but a compilation of spells designed to guide the deceased through the dangers of the underworld, ultimately ensuring eternal life.

The exhibition will be displaying many never before seen papyrus and linen texts, some over 3,500 years old. There will also be funerary figurines, amulets and jewellery on display.

Exhibition details

For more details visit the British Museum website.

Audley Charity Trek 2010 in Morocco

 In May nine Audley clients, one specialist and one tour leader travelled to Morocco to embark on a five-day trek for charity. Here, Morocco specialist, Donna Piccini, talks about their journey.   

Jebel Toubkal in Morocco was the setting for the 2010 Audley Charity Trek. Myself plus the trek leader, Alan Ward and nine clients spent five days hiking in stunning High Atlas Mountains. The trip got off to an interesting start as Royal Air Maroc cancelled flights. However determination and a very long coach ride got us to the starting point, the Kasbah de Toubkal in the village of Imlil. From here we spent a few days enjoying long acclimatisation walks in the mountains.  

On day three, with everyone in good spirits we set out for the Neltner Lodge, base camp of Jebel Toubkal. The scenery was stunning and we passed local farmers and walked through mountain villages. After a few hours we followed a zigzag path to the scree faces of Jebel Toubkal and the lodge which was our camp site for the night. After a very filling evening meal we watched the full moon illuminate the snow-covered peaks of the surrounding mountains then climbed into our sleeping bags for an early night.  

Early the next morning we began our assent of the mountain using a reasonably clear approach up the south corrie. The hike got harder the higher we climbed with snow cover and scree really pushing the leg muscles! With the help of Alan and the guides from the Kasbah de Toubkal we all reached the 4167m summit. We were rewarded with magnificent views of Jebel Siroua to the south and Marrakech to the north.  

After a well-earned rest we began our decent and our journey back to the Kasbah de Toubkal. The snow that had made ascent quite difficult proved very useful on the way down! Everyone made it back to the Kasbah for our final night in the mountains. We enjoyed a late evening meal and a celebratory glass of champagne before bedding down for an excellent nights sleep!  

Well done to all who took part in the charity event which so far has raised £1,700 for two different charities – the Hannan School in Morocco and Orbis, the flying eye hospital.

The streets of Beirut

Spirit of the Phoenix: Beirut and the story of Lebanon has been organised by the Arab British Centre and CAABU, and is being presented by Tim Llewellyn, ex Middle East Correspondent for the BBC and author of ‘Spirit of the Phoenix’. His latest work attempts to answer questions about this tiny, fertile Mediterranean country, and asks why it has become a byword for violence and chaos in the minds of much of the world.   

Taking place from 6pm until 8pm the talk will be held in the Khalili Lecture Theatre in Russell Square College Buildings. Following the lecture there will be a question and answer session, and drinks reception. This event is free of charge, and seating is assigned on a first come, first served basis. 

For more information on this event visit the Arab British Centre website or contact Imogen Ware at The Arab British Centre on 020 7832 1310.