Morocco, Africa luxury adventure awaits, Marrakech the Sahara, Fes and Rabat are some of the magical cities to explore.  

On a winding road in the High Atlas Mountains between Ourzazate and Marrakech I realized I had to tell of my adventure in the Sahara.  These snowy mountains have watched over us since returning from the desert, and red colored foothills loom formidable, while delicate terraced fields glow green along the riverbanks.  The balance of life is more pronounced than anything I have ever seen.  Morocco is like a jewel lying between the sea and the Sahara.

Berber tradesmen once traveled along the routes between the Imperial cities of Fes, Rabat and Marrakech to Timbuktu. Now they are settled in towns that fringe the dunes and up into the mountains.  Herdsmen still roam with their goats, camels and black wool tents following the best grazing land. From atop the grand kasbah Ait Ben Haddou we watched a man and hundreds of goats scramble along the rocky terrain on their daily search for sustenance.

We met our drivers in the town of Erfoud, where we transferred to Range Rovers for an exhilarating hour long sunset ride.  Dust spewed out behind our wheels and the other vehicle’s lights glowed and danced around us like fireflies as we made our way to Merzouga.  The way is marked on the map as a “regional road track”, starting out roughly paved and turning into imperceptible sand covered tracks.  Our turbaned driver knew the way and laughed at our amazement.  Seeing that he had a tape deck, we asked if he would play some music.  He whipped out a worn cassette, whacked it a few times, blew out the dust and we were in business.  The exotic melodies of drums and horns were then interrupted by the ringing of our guide’s cell phone, keeping us in the present. 

A bonfire and drums greeted us at the camp.  The staff dressed in blue robes and turbans offered dates and goats milk from bronze trays.  Two rows of black tents for sleeping formed a courtyard where the fire burned before an area set with carpets, couches, poofs and low tables.  Everything sparkled as the full moon lit up the dunes as far as the eye could see.  Orion and his pals filled the sky as we dined and drank wine, danced and sang into the night.  Then we slept in our Berber tents, keeping warm under thick fleecy blankets, marveling at the shine of sequins reflected in the candlelight.

We awoke to the sound of a lone drum, then the mooing of camels and the calling of drivers.  The sun was not up yet, just a faint glow that made the sky a deep titian blue.  Warm clothes kept us warm in the chilly Saharan morning, as we sat atop our camels.  Mine was a sweet animal, with a beautifully thick curly brown coat, upon long light colored legs.  As we walked out into the sand my body found its balance in step with my majestic mode of ancient transportation.  The driver was a handsome brown weathery man in a grey chellabah. His pointed hood silhouetted by the sand, as he led us out to greet the sun.

We passed small dunes with sparse, course grasses growing in patches.  Deep valleys in the sand sheltered larger clumps of wonderful green desert plants that surprised me with their rare lushness.  In the distance a great dune stood over a hundred feet tall.  We road on and on enjoying the awe inspiring scenery, when at the foot of the great dune we stopped.  By now the movement of my camel seemed second nature, and I leaned back into a standing position as he sat upon the sand.  After settling on his great legs a moment I climbed off.

My unnamed guide held out his hand and led me on the steep climb up the gigantic dune.  It was a struggle straight up the side. At the point where I thought no way can I make it I looked up, we were so close I could not quit.  One more groaning effort, as the smiling desert man pulled my arm, losing his shoes in the shifting sand, and we were up.  He retrieved his shoes and we happily sat upon the crest to watch the sun rise.  I felt like we sat on the edge of the world, nothing but wind swept sand spread out to what could be infinity. The timelessness was accented as the sun peaked over a distant dune, its bright beams warming our faces and our hearts. 

Call the experts at James TravelPOINTS to plan your adventure 1-800-538-7461, www.travelpoints.com.  
  

The Niles’ astounding 4,160-mile course from Burundi to the Mediterranean makes it the world’s longest river: And for every mile there are vestiges of more than 4,000 years of history.  Antiquity meets modernity at Aswan High Dam, Which generates electrical power and controls the same nutrient-rich floods that enabled the ancient Nile Valley culture to flower into a great civilization.  Follow the path of great pharaohs, and travel through time:

Cairo-Egypt’s capital and Africa’s largest city, Cairo is a bustling, modern, riverside metropolis as well as keeper of ancient artifacts.  It’s almost forbidden to miss a visit to the Egyptian Museum, home of King Tutankhamun’s treasures–including his 450-pound gold coffin–as well as other statues of pharaohs Ramses II and Cheops.

Giza-The Great Pyramid of Cheops, and the somewhat smaller pyramids for Chephren and Micerinus, are clearly not your run-of-the-mill burial sites.  Master building? Indeed.  Even the track used to haul 2.5-ton quarried blocks for these immense icons of eternity took ten years to build. 

Carved out of bedrock, the Sphinx stands watch nearby, and your guide will no doubt reveal that drifting sand has repeatedly buried the statue up to its neck throughout history.

Luxor and Karnak-Although the climate may be similar, and advertising campaigns make their claims, Luxor is not anywhere near Las Vegas.  It is the ancient site of Thebes, for centuries Egypt’s prosperous capital.  Today you can wander the lively souks and visit Karnak–famous for its clusters of ancient statues and temples replete with unparalleled grandeur and detail. Definitely not to be confused with a fellow of former Tonight Show fame, Karnak includes Amon temple, quite large enough to contain Notre Dame Cathedral. 

Valley of the Kings-South of Luxor, one ventures into the misleadingly barren Valley of the Kings to Discover hidden tombs, notably those of Tutankhamun, Ramses VI and Ramses IX.  It’s an authentic den of antiquity, where archaeologists found still colorful depictions from The Book of the Dead–and struck real gold with King Tut’s treasures.  Let your guide regale you with the legends involving these relics that have launched countless B movies and doctoral theses.

Well we hope we have enticed you to visit this ancient treasure James TravelPOINTS -1-800-538-7461, www.travelpoints.com.

Any traveler’s list of dream destinations is sure to include an African safari near the top.  The stark landscape of the savanna, the regal silhouette of a pride of lions resting in the shadow of Kilimanjaro, these are the images of Africa that seem to live in the mind’s eye.  Yet the landscapes of Africa are more varied than one might imagine, after all, it is a continent, with a continent’s worth of variety, of animal and bird species, of habitats and human populations.  Real-life splendor is what a journey to Africa is all about, transforming the romance of the imagination into the romance of experience?

From the moment you touch down on African soil, the path to adventure rolls out before you.  Your safari may bring you to the Okavango Delta, to Victoria Falls, or deep into the parklands of Kenya and Tanzania.  When you travel in Africa you become your own Livingstone, your own Hemingway. You’re on your own expedition of discovery. 

In Botswana, explore the avian Eden of the Okavango, a wetland region whose might river exhausts itself in the sands of the Kalahari Desert.  Hundreds of bird species flock to Okavango marshlands, which may be explored via dugouts called mokoros or on guided island walks.  Drier vistas await at Chobe National Park, along with such traditional wildlife as elephants, lions, and leopards. 

The neighboring country of Zimbebwe has been called the adventure capital of Africa, where river and canyon create an arena of wonder.  Hippos and crocodiles cruise the water of the Zambezi upstream from Victoria Falls.  Small planes make “flight-seeing” trips over the falls, eagles and falcons soar above Aambezi National Park, and the percolating beat of the dance music known as jit heats up the capital city of Harare. 

Kenya is a heart of the African dream. Its equatorial location places it in the center of the continent.  This is the where the myth of the “big game hunter” was born, and perpetuated.  While cameras have replaced weapons in the hands of its visitors, the quarry they shoot remains the species of legend, big cats, big game, and graceful herds. 

Tanzania lays claim as Africa’s most diverse country.  Its landscape verges on the supernatural.  Compressed between the escarpments of the Great Rift Valley and flamingo-festooned shores of a soda lake, Lake Manyara National Park boasts blue monkeys and buffaloes, monitor lizards and tree-climbing lions.  The drama of Ngorongoro Crater rests in a panorama seven miles wide and a million years old.  As rich in culture as it is in wildlife, South Africa has quickly established itself as the premier destination for travelers seeking cosmopolitan diversions, sport, and natural spectacle.  There’s surfing near Cape Town, skiing in the Drakensbergs, wildlife-watching in Kruger National Park.  There’s even an intriguing national cuisine, complimented by a burgeoning wine industry attaining global renown. 

Whatever your pleasure is for an ideal African safari, comfort, comprehensive itinerary, cultural perspectives, challenging terrain, James TravelPOINTS has the versatility of arranging the selected itinerary for your trip.  James TravelPOINTS can recommend a 10-day fast-track getaway that focuses on three spectacular game reserves, Samburu in the north, private Sweetwater’s ranch, and the Masai Mara, harboring Kenya’s richest concentrations of wildlife.  Evenings find you lounging at the Mount Kenya Safari Club, Samburu Lodge, Sweetwater’s Tented Camp, and the Mara Safari Club.  Call us for details.

James TravelPOINTS 303 442-2340, www.travelpoints.com

An unspoiled wilderness, the Okavango Delta is a huge oasis in the Kalahari, in northern Ngamiland, Botswana.  “Ngami” originates from the Bayei word, “floating mat of reeds.”  Waters from the highlands in Angola feed the Delta, creating a mosaic of channels and lagoons surrounding wooded islands and extensive papyrus beds. 

The Delta supports a wealth of wildlife each with its specific function within the ecosystem.  Each animal’s appearance and actions are adapted for survival; for instance, the lion has white markings under its eyes.  As nocturnal hunters, lions need light to be reflected into their eyes for better vision.  Cheetah, on the other hand, have black markings under their eyes, as diurnal hunters, distracting light must be absorbed to provide clear mid-day vision.  Warthogs have white tufts of hair on the sides of their faces, which at a distance makes their tusks look more robust, larger and fiercer.  And leopards have white at the tips of their tails so the young can follow their mothers through tall grass. 

Surprisingly, the little termite and the giant hippo are eco-system partners and perhaps the most important inhabitants of the Delta. This is because the islands in the Delta are so important to the survival of all the other species, and each island starts as a single termite mound.  Because of the fungus gardens that termites cultivate (very fertile ground), vegetation forms and expands as termites add more mounds.  Over thousands of years, this results in thousands of whole islands.

But an island does not remain an island unless the waters surrounding it can flow.  And so the amphibious hippopotamus, wading along at nearly two tons, wallows its way toward keeping the channels clear.  This is all part of the interweaving of life in the Okavango Delta.

Let the experts at James TravelPOINTS design a custom trip to the African continent for you 1-800-538-7461/303 442-2340, www.travelpoints.com

Exotic Egypt!

I, Georgia Terry, just returned, and can find no other word to describe my experience. Everything around me was different, fascinating, exotic! To celebrate my daughter’s college graduation, we decided to take a trip together, and this destination is like no other. Since the world situation is a little strange these days, I thought very hard about what tour company I would trust with my daughter’s safety. It didn’t take long to know that I had to travel Egypt with Abercrombie and Kent. It was a fabulous decision.

We arrived Cairo after a nonstop flight from New York. After getting our visas - no lines there - we stood in line for customs. After just a minute or two of waiting, an A & K representative walked up and introduced herself, with flowers for each of us. She then asked for our passports and said she would be right back - suddenly, she was escorting us right through Customs to baggage claim, where we picked out our luggage, and were whisked off to our hotel. On arrival at the Four Seasons First Residence we were escorted to one of their lounges, where we were served snacks and fruit juice while the A & K rep checked us in. In justr a few minutes, we were given our room keys and options for the evening.

I think I love this hotel more than any other I’ve stayed in. Maybe it was the fresh fruit basket in our room, maybe it was the personal note of welcome from the hotel manager, maybe it was the wonderful view of the Nile from our room, or the beautiful public rooms, maybe it was the very handsome men whose only job was to direct you to the elevators. It is a gorgeous property.

Our actual touring started the next morning. We were with a small group of only 18 people, so it was very easy to get around. After breakfast, we met our Egyptologist, Hala, an Egyptian Islamic who has been leading tours for 15 years. She and the A & K Rep, directed us to our new, air-conditioned bus for a trip to the Egyptian museum. Along the way we got to see much of modern day Cairo - such an amazing experience! We saw people carrying baskets on their heads, men driving donkeys and carts in the middle of 4 lanes of traffic, beautiful pocket gardens situated underneath highway overpasses. It was like nowhere else I’ve been.

Then, of course, the Egyptian museum – unbelievable! A & K provides a wonderful amenity - headsets! Your guide can be across from the room from you, but you can hear everything she says. It really enhanced the experience. Statues, relics, antiquaries of all sorts were everywhere, and it is said that the basement is still crammed to the brim because there’s not enough space to display everything. I was amazed that the objects found in King Tut’s tomb took up two large hallways. Seeing the mummies was an incredible experience, and by the time we left, we were able to discern whether a particular mummy was royal by the way the body was placed for mummification.

We next made our way to the famous Khan al Khalili bazaar, containing 17 square miles of shops with beautiful jewelry, leather goods, rugs and countless other irresistible items. I was a little intimidated at first because the stalls are so close together, but soon relaxed and got into the rhythm of it all. By the time we left, I had been offered forty thousand camels for my daughter at least 10 times, and was happily embarrassing her by suggesting different belly dancing outfits that she could buy.

Dragging all of us out of there took longer than it should have because we were having so much fun, but we then left to visit the medieval citadel of Salah El Din, with the alabaster mosque of Mohammed Ali. I had never been to a mosque, and it was very interesting to view such a different form of worship than I‘ve known. Here we had another A & K convenience - unlike all the other visitors, we didn’t have to remove our shoes - surgical booties were supplied instead.

Next day, we headed off early, before the heat of the day and made our way to Memphis, capital of the ancient kingdom. Most of it has been destroyed, but the alabaster Sphinx built in the 18^{th dynasty remains, as does a huge and beautiful statue of Ramses II, which had fallen. There is now a building housing it, with a balcony so you can view it from above. It is an amazing sight. We then drove to Sakkara, which is the ancient necropolis of Memphis where we saw the Step Pyramid - the oldest stone structure in the world.We then raced to Giza, excited to finally see the Pyramids. I was surprised to see that on one side of them, there is only desert. On the other side, a city! We were given the opportunity to enter one of the three, and I was very happy to find that the biggest one, Cheop’s Pyramid, was open that day. Inside we climbed until we reached a rather small plain room with an empty stone casket, and then climbed back down again. Anticlimactic, but I wouldn’t have missed it. The air conditioned Solar Boat Museum was fascinating as well as a great chance to cool off - temperatures were in the low 90’s. Before leaving the plateau, we got our chance to ride a camel. I will never forget the image of our A & K rep atop a camel with the reins in one hand and holding his cell phone to his ear with the other, what fun!It seemed that every morning started earlier - this day began at 3:45. We took a 6:30 am flight to Luxor and begin our expedition in the Valley of the Kings, the burial ground of the pharaohs of the New Kingdom when ancient Egypt was at its most powerful. We were very happy to have had such an early start, as the temperature was 127 degrees when we left. The landscape was incredible - more like a mountainous moonscape, where there was no water anywhere except in the bottles in our hands. Nothing can grow there. The tombs were astounding, with pictures along the walls in the most vivid colors, telling the stories of these king’s lives and gods. Our Egyptologist was able to give us the feeling of how people lived in ancient times. In the Valley of the Queens we stopped at the terraced temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the first female pharaoh, whose mummy has just been discovered. This may have been my favorite. I wandered alone along the left side, where a really old man became my personal guide, pointing out all sorts of inscriptions and pictures that I never would have noticed on my own.Then it was time to board our floating hotel, the Sunboat III. This is the smaller of Abercrombie and Kents’ two beautiful river yachts, with room for only 36 passengers. This is definitely the best way to see all the sights along the Nile, and also gave us a chance to see how life is lived along the river. We saw people - and cows - swimming, women washing their clothes, generators used to grab water to irrigate crops, camel drivers returning home after a day entertaining tourists. I loved getting up early, getting some coffee and watching the birds from the top deck before anyone else was stirring.}

Our days spent on the Nile were wonderful. We would cruise up the river, park right along the bank next to a Temple, then disembark and tour. It seemed that each one we visited was different, more wonderful, than the one before - but how could it be? Our first stop was at Karnak, with its awesome Hypostyle Hall which has 134 huge columns that once supported an enormous roof. Next we saw the Temple of Luxor which was once connected to Karnak by an Avenue of Sphinxes, some of which remain. Edfu, with the beautifully preserved Temple of the falcon god Horus, made it easy to imagine what temple worship must have been like.

Aswan was a real highlight, as we were now in a living city with stores, schoolchildren, hospitals, a great spice market, and beautiful views of the river and its islands. A short boat ride took us to the Temple of Phillae on the island of Agilika. It had been moved block by block from its original setting which had been submerged by the damming of the Nile. The setting is gorgeous! We explored the granite quarries, which supplied the ancient Egyptians with most of the stone used in their temples and pyramids, then had afternoon tea served us on a typical Nile felucca as we sailed along the shores of Kitchener’s and Elephantine Islands.

The next day brought us to the end of our Nile cruise, to my great sadness. I still think about how wonderful those days were-the most wonderful food and service from the nicest people. When will I ever again have people line up so they could point to objects that I might trip over?

This particular early morning found us at the airport in Aswan, flying to Abu Simbel. I had wondered if this excursion was worthwhile - yes, it is! It was a short flight to an island in the middle of Lake Nasser that held the reconstructed temple of Ramses II. It had also been moved from its original location to spare it from the High Dam project. This temple is built into a hillside, which was also moved, so the colors of the paintings have never faded, and they are exquisite.

Then we were headed back to Cairo and our flight home. It was a great trip in every way, from wonderful times spent with my daughter, to new friends who live very far away, to a better understanding of how others live. I’ll never forget it, and it has started in me a quest for another trip to that region with Abercrombie and Kent.  Next year-Jordan.  If you would like to join Georgia, please call 800 274-0436. 

Dennie Zabler is an Africa Expert at James TravelPOINTS

Grab your binoculars and Camera it’s off to African for wildness experience that will excite your senses. Private tented safaris too primitive, think again. This is referred to as “Comfort under canvas”, 28feet long, 14 feet wide 9 feet high. Each has an open-sided front verandah furnished with tables and camp chairs, the perfect venue from which to relax on a midday siesta or watch a brilliant African sunset. Inside you will find two full-sized single beds (or, by special request, a double bed), with warm blankets and crisp white sheets. Completely furnished with chairs, a dressing table with wash basin, bedside table, and mirror, truly a “home away from home”. They have thought of every detail, a sewn-in floor guards against insects and damp, mosquito netting at the windows, flashlights, drinking water and solar lamps. Each tent is equipped with its own private en suite facilities with bush toilet and shower. Hot water is available throughout the day.

The dining tent is a focal point of your private camp. A full English breakfast will get you started each day. Lunch may be a savory picnic or barbecue, at day’s end you’ll look forward to relaxing in the dining tent’s comfortable camp chairs, around a linen-draped table set with fresh flowers, silver and candles, and served by a gracious staff. The cuisine is exceptional the camp cook is trained by a five-star chef, count on plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh baked bread, and gourmet entries, with bit of African flair. If you prefer wine with your dinner, or sherry after, don’t worry the camp bar is fully stocked.

Wherever you go, your safari staff follows, completely dedicated to your comfort and convenience. A 2:1 staff-to-traveler ratio allows for a high level of efficient, unobtrusive, personal service. The professional guide who accompanies you is the single most important factor in the success of your journey. Behind the scenes your guide chooses campsites, locates game and keeps a seasoned eye on all the workings of camp life. It is in the field, however, that your safari guide really comes into his or her own. Their love for local cultures, animal and bird life is apparent in the informal orientation that begins your safari, or in the casual bush lectures that illuminate the wilderness around you. From varied backgrounds, park warden or naturalist guide, to secretary to the first president of Kenya, and with many fascinating reminiscences to relate, your guide can open a window onto places, times and experiences you’ll savor long beyond your African journey.

Call our Travel Specialists Now to Create the Vacation of Your Dreams! James TravelPOINTS 303 442-2340, www.travelpoints.com.