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.

Andrew lived in various countries in the Middle East for 10 years and has travelled extensively throughout Arabia. His academic studies have also focused on this part of the world.

This event will take place on Thursday 19th May 2010 from 2-3pm in gallery 61 and is free to attend.

Jamie Oliver Does Marrakesh

The latest in a long line of culinary TV series featuring Jamie Oliver began last night on Channel 4. ‘Jamie Does’ follows the one and only Mr Oliver as he travels around North Africa and Europe meeting the local cultures and putting his own spin on some of their traditional dishes. 

There is something very endearing about Jamie Oliver and his one man quest to educate the masses through his immense passion for food, and I was keen to see what this new series would offer. As always, Jamie is his cheeky self and his ability to form a genuine bond with the local people makes for good television. The recipes looked pretty tasty too! 

If you missed last night’s episode you can watch it again on 4OD. Alternatively, take a look at the Morocco section on our website for more information on tailor-made holidays to Morocco. 

If you watched last night’s programme why not let us know what you thought below?

Joanna Lumley's Nile is now showing on ITV1

Joanna Lumley’s Nile, a new, four-part documentary series, began on ITV1 last night.  The highly anticipated programme follows Joanna as she travels the entire length of the Nile, meeting the local people who depend on the Nile for their livelihoods and learning about local history and culture along the way

Episode one saw Joanna travel through Egypt on the first leg of her journey. If you missed last night’s episode you can watch it again on ITV player.

If you caught last night’s episode why not let us know what you thought below?

Laura and Natalie from the North Asia and Arabia team

The first Audley fundraising event of 2010 saw the North Asia and Arabia (NAA) team host the Big Soup Kitchen in aid of two of the charities they support. 

With an array of homemade soups including spinach, mascarpone and nutmeg, bacon and tomato, and chorizo and pearl barley winter broth on offer, the rest of the company were encouraged to hand over their pennies in return for a bowl of the good stuff and a helping of bread. For an extra 50p the NAA team also offered a heating and delivery service. 

The event, which took place yesterday, raised £220 for the Hannan School in Morocco and the Christina Noble Children’s Fund in Mongolia. Mongolia is currently in the grips of one of the most severe winters in recent years and the money raised will go towards clothes and fuel for the worst affected families on CNCF’s sponsorship programme, many of whom have lost most of their livestock, the main source of income for nomadic families. In Morocco the money raised will go towards supporting the education of children in El Borj, a remote village in the Middle Atlas Mountains. 

Well done to the North Asia and Arabia team for all of their hard work.

Umayyad mosque in Damascus

Those with a keen interest in the Middle East may be pleased to hear the British Syrian Society are running an exhibition at the Royal Geographical Society. The event is scheduled to run from Tuesday 27th to Friday 30th April 2010 and will be open daily from 10am to 5pm.  

‘Damascene Days’ will feature a photography exhibition, book launch, dance workshop and lecture, as well as a preview of the BBC documentary ‘Ancient Worlds’, not due to air until autumn 2010.  

Entry to Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s programme of events costs £15 and £10 respectively. Entry to the photography exhibition is free. Tickets are available in advance through the British Syrian Society. 

For more information on this exhibition please visit the British Syrian Society website.  

If you’re interested in travelling to Syria, visit our website for more information. Alternatively, speak to one of our Syria specialists directly on 01993 838 425.

For the last couple of weeks I have been working with the North Africa team to add Lebanon to our website and today I was pleased to be able to finally put it live.

Lebanon will sit next to Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Syria and Tunisia under the North Africa & The Middle East section of the website. The comprehensive information included on the Lebanon section means it’s easy to learn more about travelling to this fascinating destination; a country that we’ve missed having on our site since the new website was launched two months ago.

Find out about some of Lebanon’s highlights, read about some of the places in Lebanon you can visit on a trip with Audley, or discover a number of the experiences and excursions available to travellers.

Alternatively speak to our Lebanon specialists directly, on 01993 838 400.

On Monday 29th September, Audley launched its new updated North Africa and Arabia brochure.

A launch party was held at our New Mill offices, a 17th-century converted woollen mill on the outskirts of Witney, and was attended by staff from all departments.

The North Africa and Arabia team baked various cakes and biscuits, which were then sold to staff, along with raffle tickets. In the end they raised £500 which went towards their charity of choice, the Hannan School in Morocco.