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Enjoy EXCLUSIVE use of the stunning Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau dahabiya for up to 12 people!  Perfect for a large family, multi-generation travel or a special occasion.

Agatha Christie set Death on the Nile at the cataracts of Aswan. It’s likely she opted to travel the Nile in a dahabiya.

For your classic Nile cruise the old-world charm of these river-going sailboats is perfect. This is how aristocrats travelled in the relaxed age of Egyptian monarchs (1920-40).

The Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau is today’s luxury dahabiya. Effortlessly blending old-world elegance with modern comforts, you’ll feel thoroughly spoiled as you explore the temples and tombs of Ancient Egypt. With just six cabins it’s ideal for a group or family trip. This classic Nile cruise is executed with elegance and flair.

Holiday Length: 7 nights

Day 1 to 3: UK – Luxor

Fly overnight to Luxor where you will be met and transferred to your private dahabiya, the Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau.  Your own crew and Egyptologist, awaits. Your classic Nile cruise begins at the Temple of Karnak and its halls of giant pillars. The spectacular 3km corridor of Sphinxes magnetically draws you into the Temple of Luxor. Gain a fast-track lesson in Egyptian antiquities at the Luxor Museum before returning to your dahabiya and trading ancient splendour for timeless elegance.

A trip to the West Bank takes you to the Valley of the Kings, home of Tutankhamun’s burial chamber. You’ll also find the temple of the female pharaoh Hatshepsut, and have the chance to admire the artwork on the walls of the stonemason’s homes in nearby Deir El Medina.

Day 4 & 5: Luxor – Esna – El Kan – Edfu

Enjoy breakfast onboard your dahabiya while cruising up river to Esna. Once there and after lunch, your Egyptologist will guide you around the Temple of Khnum at Esna, devoted to the crocodile god. Afternoon tea and views of the Nile are the order of the day as you relax onboard afterwards.

In the morning of day 5, set sail for El Kab to visit the prehistoric and Pharaonic settlements, rock-cut tombs of the early 18th Dynasty, remains of temples dating from the Early Dynastic period, as well as part of the walls of a Coptic monastery. Continue on to Edfu and the Temple of Horus – the most completely preserved Pharaonic temple in Egypt. Your final destination today will be El Fawaza, where you’ll moor overnight.

Day 6: Silsila – Kom Ombo

Sail on to Jabal Silsila in the morning over breakfast. After visiting the ancient sandstone quarries, cruise over lunch to Kom Ombo. In the afternoon, your Egyptologist will show you the Temple of Kom Ombo, a temple devoted to two gods – Sobek and Horus the Elder. As such, all the hallways, doors and chambers here are duplicated symmetrically. You’ll overnight moored at a nearby island.

Day 7 to 9: Aswan – UK

You set sail this morning for Aswan. In the afternoon, visit the spice market followed by a visit to the Nubian Museum. Called the Land of Gold by the ancient Egyptians, Nubia extended from Aswan in the north to Sudan in the south, and had its own distinct culture and language.

On day 8 at Aswan, the choice is yours. Visit Philae Temple, which stands proud on Agilkia Island and is devoted to Isis, the goddess of purity. Take a trip to the half-hewn Unfinished Obelisk at the nearby granite quarries. Explore the Temple of Kalabsha, built by the Romans around 30 BC. Whatever you choose, a gourmet on-board dinner and spectacular sunset awaits you.

On your final morning after breakfast on board, it’s time to disembark and be transferred to the airport for your flight back to London.

Best time to go: September to May

Price: From £1,895pp for 7 nights cruise based on 12 people travelling together

If you wanted to hire the Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau dahabiya exclusively for 4 nights and include it in a larger itinerary, then this element would be available from as low as £700pp (based on 12 travelling), inc FB and guided tours, for a 4 night cruise as part of a tailored FIT package.

The price shown is a guide. Your holiday will be tailor-made to suit you and there are many factors that can influence the price, such as standard of accommodation, class of flight and time of year. Please do provide us with your chosen dates and we can provide a more accurate cost – 01428 658777

Explore the wonders of Ancient Egypt as you marvel at pyramids, discover temples, stroll through medieval streets, bustle in bazaars and cruise down the majestic River Nile. Your own private Egyptologist will be on hand to unravel all the mysteries of classical Egypt as you follow in archaeologist Howard Carter’s footsteps and peek inside Tutankhamun’s final resting place in the Valley of the Kings.

Holiday Length: 10 days

Days 1 to 3: Cairo

You will be met at at Cairo International Airport and take you to Fairmont Nile City, a centrally located hotel with views of the mighty river, the bustling city and the pyramids of Giza.

On day 2  you will plunge straight into the ancient world with a trip to Sakkara. Here there are hundreds of tombs and among the 14 pyramids is the oldest stone structure in the world: the Step Pyramid of Djoser. Having served your appetiser today’s main course is some of the most iconic monuments in the world. At the Sphinx and the Great Pyramids the ancient stonemasons’ feat of engineering will leave you speechless.

On day 3 a trip to the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities will reveal the ancient mummies and opulent burial treasures of Tutankhamun’s tomb. You can explore the maze of medieval alleys in Cairo’s Old Town and visit Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, home to hundreds of tightly packed stalls selling a huge array of goods.

Day 4: Cairo to Luxor

Hop on a plane to Luxor and myriad more ancient wonders await you. The Sanctuary Sun Boat IV will transport you down the meandering Nile, past treasures and temples and ethereal landscapes. This will be your home for the next seven nights.

Day 5: The Nile is the perfect vantage point from which to appreciate the wonders of this ancient land. The banks of the river have set the scene for daily life for thousands of years, and today it can seem as though nothing has changed. Dendera is home to the Ptolemaic Temple of Hathor, complete with underground passages and pillars covered in inscriptions. Later, enjoy dinner on board, accompanied by traditional Egyptian dance. Note, this day may be done overland if water levels are low.

Day 6 & 7:  Luxor – Kom Ombo – Aswan

The Sun Boat IV will head south today, past the city of Esna, with its ancient Temple of Khnum. You’ll reach the Temple of Horus at Edfu, dedicated to the falcon-headed god. After a day’s sightseeing, head back to the cool environs of the cruiser at Kom Ombo, for a delicious Egyptian supper.

Today you’ll head for Aswan and the Temple of Philae on Agilkia Island. The temple didn’t start life here – it was moved when the Aswan Dam was constructed across the Nile, flooding its original home. Watching the sun set over the Nile from the deck of the Sun Boat IV has to be the perfect way to round off the day.

Day 8 & 9: Aswan – Kom Ombo

You get the chance to explore beautiful, ancient Aswan today. Right on the river, this city has been a place of strategic importance since antiquity. Today you can peruse its vibrant souks and take shade under the palm trees. Catch a single-sail felucca and visit some of the small islands around here, which are home to some important ruins.

We head back up the river and the Temple Kom Ombo now, home of 300 mummified crocodiles dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god. When you return to the Sun Boat IV this evening, take your time relaxing and getting ready for dinner – an Egyptian banquet awaits.

Day 10: Nom Ombo – Luxor

We’re coming to the end of the trip, but there’s still much to see and do. Your Egyptologist will guide you through the Temple of Karnak. After lunch, you’ll visit the Valley of the Kings, where Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered nearly 100 years ago. Over at the Valley of the Queens is the resting place of the female pharaoh, Hatshepsut.

Day 11: Luxor – UK

After breakfast, you’ll be transported to the airport so you can catch your flight back to the UK.

Best time to go: September to May

Price: From £2,325pp

The price shown is a guide – based on two people sharing and generally includes economy flights. Your holiday will be tailor-made to suit you and there are many factors that can influence the price, such as standard of accommodation, class of flight and time of year. Please do provide us with your chosen dates and we can provide a more accurate cost – 01428 658777

NB: Gemma took a very similar trip in October 2017.  She stayed 2 nights in Cairo at the Four Seasons First Residence followed by 3 nights cruise on the Sun Boat IV – a shorter itinerary to above.  This itinerary would be from £1,775pp

Following on from the hugely successful Haslemere Easter Bunny Trail, the 50 business that took part are now embarking on Phase 2 of the initiative.

From Easter weekend until the end of April 2017, every purchase made in any one of the 50 participating shops in Haslemere will be entered into the ‘Spend & Win’ competition.  All you have to do is fill in your name and telephone number at the participating outlet, for your opportunity to win (this data is not retained).

Every one of the 50 participating shops has donated a prize for the lucky winner.  Within the ‘hamper’ of goodies the winner will find items including champagne, a giant rugby ball, 2 train tickets to London, a lunch, travel products for your holiday, dog food, beer glasses, and a besom broom….to name but a few.

Its very simple to enter.  Just keeping shopping in your local participating Haslemere shops and businesses.  The more you shop the greater the chance of winning!

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Haslemere Travel along with 49 other local businesses are joining together to promote the Haslemere Bunny Trail.

From Brook to Beacon Hill the bunnies will live in the shops and busniesses until Easter when they will find new homes with the winners of the trail.

Collect your trail form from the Haslemere Educational Museum or one of the participating businesses, then set to discover what the bunnies are eating, wearing, sitting on or with.

The fifty bunnies will then be awarded to those with the best answers, and three of the bunnies will have a real pearl on their necklace!

There is also a large fluffy bunny looking for a good home, so do join in the fun, but please take great care of your surroundings as you go!

Haslemere Travel is delighted to announce that Gemma Antrobus, owner of leading, independent Surrey travel agent, has been awarded a prestigious international travel award at a glittering gala dinner in Deauville, France (February 27^th).

In a vote by luxury hotels from around the world, Gemma and the agency have been awarded the title of “Most Creative Designer 2017” of travel experiences.

Presented at the annual luxury travel industry organisation Traveller Made awards in Deauville, beating agencies from as far afield as France, Brazil, India and Switzerland.

The selection criteria demanded the winner should be renowned for their “imaginative, knowledgeable, curious, inventive, ingenious and inspirational” ideas for travel experiences for their clients.

“Haslemere Travel has won many national awards in the past and has prided itself on being one of the top leisure travel designers the UK.  It has always been our ambition to receive an international accolade and to be credited as ‘Most Creative’ is beyond our expectation.  The entire team at Haslemere Travel spend countless hours ensuring that every detail of our clients travel itineraries is perfected to their individual needs and we are traveling continuously to ensure we have up to date knowledge of the newest and hottest properties and destinations,” said Gemma Antrobus, owner, Haslemere Travel.

The agency also received the top designation for luxury travel, one of only five in the UK to be awarded “1^st Grand Designer” and the ONLY agency outside London to be chosen for this honour.

The accolade of “1^st Grand Designer” is the highest accolade achievable in this leading luxury travel organization – with only 101 agencies worldwide recognized as such among a membership of 1,000 fully vetted and selected luxury travel agencies worldwide, from countries as diverse as the USA, Russia, Japan, Jordan, South Korea and mainland Europe.

Monitoring of Haslemere Travel’s performance was carried out over a 12-month period. The agency is now entitled to use an official seal (above), which is recognized globally as a sign of excellence.

“Above all, the 1^st Grand Designer accolade is excellent news for all our loyal clients, as it now ensures that they will be at the top of the list for any VIP benefits at partner luxury hotels worldwide – such as premium upgrades, complimentary amenities, early check-ins, late check outs and resort credits, ensuring we can truly provide the best travel experience possible.”

At the age of only 37, Gemma bought Haslemere Travel in 2015, having previously been Managing Director since 2008. Based in the historic town of Haslemere, Surrey, the agency consists of a hugely successful retail shop and a division of home based Elite Consultants, launched in 2012, based across the UK. It has consistently won major industry awards for its customer service.

Traveller Made is a global network community of luxury travel designers, dedicated to providing unique and exclusive bespoke journeys to travellers looking for different and original experiences and requiring skilled and knowledgeable advisors who are fully committed to servicing their needs.

To discuss your next travel adventure with the team at Haslemere Travel please call: +44 1428 658777