Courses in the following subjects offered in Egypt plus escorted tours to major sights. Advice and assistance with finding flights and accommodation in either flats or hotels. Flights are from Manchester or Birmingham on a Wednesday. Average cost per person for a package of flights and hotel accommodation is £450. Flats with flights are less.

• Karuna Reiki® Master/teacher
• Nem-Isis (Mayan ascension)
• Sa En Ankh Isis©
• Seikhem-Hathor
• Indian head massage

Groups of 2 or more people catered for. Local transport used.

Date for 2007: - 9th – 16th May.

Travel information

What to bring and spending money- Travel light is the best advice. Currently the exchange rate is approximately 10 Egyptian pounds to £1 sterling. You can purchase a 2 course evening meal for under £7 at local restaurants. In hotels an evening meal is about £15. There is also a Scottish restaurant and English pub in Luxor plus a Pizzahut , Kentucky Fried Chicken and a MacDonalds! A poolside Feta cheese salad at a hotel costs about £3, and a large bottle of mineral water around 50p. It is not expensive to eat in Luxor and there are many excellent restaurants (Snobs, The Lantern and Oasis) and a supermarket for self-catering supplies. The Egyptian market is also good for fruit, vegetables and just about anything. You barter for goods out with the hotels and supermarket.

What to wear- light cotton clothing is ideal. The temperature is around 32 - 35 degrees centigrade in April and September. Winter is around 24 – 28 degrees centigrade. In the summer is much hotter. It is a dry heat not humid. Factor 25 or above sun cream is recommended or a natural equivalent. You can wear shorts in Luxor and the Egyptians are used to seeing tourists in western clothing there. However, if you want to visit a mosque or go into the older areas & villages, please be modest in what you wear. If you wear very revealing clothing you will get stared at – as you would in Scotland! Sensible shoes are a must for sightseeing.

Natural remedies- these are available from shops such as Holland and Barrett, Real Foods, Hanover health foods and Grassroots. Boots the chemist also stocks some of these products:-

DVT prevention- Horse chestnut and pycnogenol capsules 3 – 4 weeks before your flight.

Stress, changes in temperature and altitude- rhodiola rosea 2 weeks before your flight.

Mosquito bites- Vitamin B1 (thiamine) 2 weeks before your flight. Citronella also fends off mosquitoes.

Sunburn prevention- beta -carotene and grape seed one week before your flight or use. Natural sun blockers from health food stores or cover up.

Holiday tum- grapefruit seed extract and acidophilus- take whilst on holiday. Pre-biotic tablets for the prevention of IBS symptoms do a similar job. You can also buy acidophilus mints.

Tipping (Baksheesh)- is a local custom and need only be a small amount. Little and often is best. Usually two or three Egyptian pounds are enough (10EP to £1 sterling). Egyptians are very friendly and want to talk to you and also sell you their goods. Bartering is also a custom even for taxis and horse drawn carriages (Calesh). It is a custom to give hospitality so expect to be invited in to shops for a cup of tea.

Visa- you require a visa, which is obtained from the Egyptian embassy in London. Details are given on booking. It costs £15 to do it yourself and is easy to do. You need a full (10 year) passport. A single entry visa is fine.

Vaccinations- There are recommended vaccinations. These are not compulsory. Check with your GP or travel clinic.

Security- Local tourist and antiquities police are very much in evidence and are there to help you. Hotels have safe deposit boxes at reception and sometimes in rooms. Carry your cash and passport in a waist wallet if you can. All major hotel have security scanners at their entrances as do the museums.

Languages- English and Arabic. Practically all Egyptians speak excellent English.

Useful phrases- Thank you- Shokran. Hallo - Marhaban. No thank you-La shokran I cannot- La astattee’. Goodbye- Ila llika’. I am happy- Ana farhan . I am sad – Ana hazeen.. Good morning – Sabaho lkhayr. Good evening – Masa’ o lkhayer.

Water- you can shower and clean your teeth in local water. You are advised to drink bottled mineral water. Although the local supply is clean, its mineral content can cause an upset stomach, which usually clears up in 24 hours. Avoid ice cubes anyway in drinks as the temperature is high and freezing drinks can upset you.

IInsurance- Boots have one of the best travel insurance deals. Insurance through the travel agent is always more costly. Shop around on the Internet for the best deals.

Money: Take travellers cheques and change them in the hotel, as the rate of exchange is better there. Take some currency with you for tips for when you arrive. Most major credit cards are accepted and there is also an auto teller in the most hotel foyers.

Tours: There are many tours available. The main ones are:-

• Museums.
• Karnak and Luxor temples.
• Sound and light show at Karnak temple
• Valley of the kings.

Please note however, there are no pyramids in Luxor- these are at Cairo! You can make your own arrangements and catch an overnight train to Cairo (£50 return approx) and explore the pyramids, Saqqhara and the Cairo museum using local taxis. The museum needs a half- day to do it justice. You can also take a train ride to Aswan from Luxor (£15 return approx..