COPYWRITING: Tourism: Diving in Egypt (6)

Top 5 diving sites in Egypt

Egypt - one of the most fascinating countries in the world, boasting its over five-thousand-year history and ancient monuments. However, perhaps not everybody knows that Egypt also offers something else: one of the most interesting diving sites in the world.

In this article, we present top 5 diving sites in the Pharaohs Country. However, because different people usually like different attractions and it is really hard to make a definitive choice, we present these diving sites in the alphabetical order. Let us to invite you to discover underwater beauty and secrets of Egyptian seas.

Seas bordering Egypt

Egypt’s shores are washed by waters of the Mediterranean Sea in the north and the Red Sea in the southeast. Diving conditions in both seas are different. Waters of the Red Sea are warmer and clearer, ensuring excellent visibility, than waters of the Mediterranean Sea, so the former is usually considered as more attractive for divers. However, both seas offer lots of attractions. So, if you dream about an amazing diving trip, pulsing with underwater beauty, marine life, history and adventure - Egypt is really an ideal place!

Alexandria

Alexandria is located at the Mediterranean coast. The diving site is in a bay near the city’s shore. It is a sunken island of Antirhodos. Divers may admire a.o. the ruins of Queen Cleopatra’s Palace, the Lighthouse, lots of sphinxes and Roman columns as well as different species of marine creatures and seaweeds. Diving in Alexandria is like diving into history of ancient Greece, Egypt and the Roman Empire. Who knows? Maybe you will also feel the spirit of important historical events or the love story between Julius Caesar and Cleopatra?

El Quseir

El Quseir is an ancient 5-thousand-year-old town, featuring a relaxing laid-back atmosphere, about 120 kms south of Hurghada. The diving site features plenty of shallow diving locations so it’s an excellent place also for entry-level divers. An underwater world in the vicinity of El Quseir combines nature and history. You can admire there unspoilt colourful coral reefs (e.g. the Elphinstone Reef) full of typical Red Sea animals like e.g. lionfish, sea snakes or guitarfish as well as a famous wreck of a passenger ship - Salem Express.

Hurghada, The Brothers

The Brothers are 2 size-varied islands (Little Brother and Big Brother) in the Red Sea. They lie about 150 kms southeast of Hurghada. Islands are accessible only by liveaboards. One can see impressive pristine coral reef, dive and swim with colourful reef fish such as barracudas, giant trevallies and even various species of ... sharks! So, you can admire underwater marvels of nature with a shiver of emotion.   

Sharm El-Sheik, Jackson Reef

Jackson Reef is located about 20 kms northeast of Sharm El-Sheikh, in the Tiran Straits which separate the Sinai Peninsula form Saudi Arabia. This amazing underwater coral reef is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Jackson Reef lies at the depth of about 28-47 metres and is famous for incredibly rich marine life - e.g. fabulously colourful corals and anemones (especially rare red anemones), schools of butterflyfishes or anemonefishes. No wonder it’s often called ‘the coral garden’ or ‘The Aquarium’!

Sharm El-Sheik, Sharm and Yolanda Reef

This resort, located at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, is famous for a large coral reef called Sharm and Yolanda Reef. It is situated at the area of Ras Mohamed National Park. This diving site is suitable both for entry-level and certified divers.  Sharm and Yolanda Reef is abundant in large schools of fish, e.g. mantas and whale sharks. History lovers can also find something interesting for them - one of the most famous wrecks in the world - SS Thistlegorm.

Summary

We hope that we have inspired you to choose a diving holiday in Egypt. Diving in Egyptian seas, full of maritime life and historical relics, is possible all over the year. However, the best diving conditions are from late June to early December, when the temperature of waters is around 30 degrees and they are usually calm. Egyptian seas are eagerly waiting for you!   

(Written by Adam Trela, March 2020, 4137zzs)

TRANSLACJE: ATRAKCJE TURYSTYCZNE / TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (4)

ZAMEK W BARANOWIE SANDOMIERSKIM

Zamek w Baranowie Sandomierskim, dawna siedziba rodu Leszczyńskich, jest zabytkiem architektury renesansowej z przełomu XVII i XVIII wieku. Został on zaprojektowany przez Santi Gucciego, genialnego włoskiego rzeźbiarza i architekta działającego w Polsce. Zamek bywa często przyrównywany do Zamku Wawelskiego i dlatego jest nazywany "Małym Wawelem". Zwiedzający mogą podziwiać m.in. arkadowy dziedziniec, secesyjną kaplicę, zabytkowe wnętrza. Zamek otoczony jest rozległym ogrodem w klasycznym stylu francuskim.
Bogata ekspozycja muzealna obejmuje cenne zabytki renesansowe, w tym liczne płótna szkoły włoskiej, tkaniny i meble, a także eksponaty archeologiczne. Turyści mogą zwiedzać również zbrojownię rycerską. 

Oferta kulinarna i noclegowa Zamku w Baranowie Sandomierskim z pewnością usatysfakcjonuje każdego zwiedzającego. Goście mogą np. zarezerwować jedną z komnat, a także spędzić mile czas na biesiadzie w staropolskim klimacie.


CASTLE IN BARANÓW SANDOMIERSKI 

The Castle in Baranów Sandomierski, a former residence of the Leszczyński family, is a monument of Renaissance architecture from the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries. It was designed by Santi Gucci, a famous Italian sculptor and architect working in Poland. As the Castle is often compared to The Wawel Castle so it is called 'The Little Wawel'. Visitors may admire a.o. an arcaded courtyard, the Secession chapel, historic interiors.  



A rich museum collection covers valuable renaissance monuments, including numerous canvases of the Italian School, woven fabrics and furniture as well as archaeological exhibits. Tourists may also visit a knight's armoury.  
A culinary and accommodation offer of the Castle in Baranów Sandomierski will certainly satisfy every visitor. For example, guests may book one of the chambers as well as spend time pleasantly at a banquet in the Old Polish climate. 

(Tłum. A. Trela, 2018)
(tekst wyjściowy po polsku sporządzony głównie na podstawie notatek własnych z kursu dla przewodników świętokrzyskich)

TRANSLACJE: ATRAKCJE TURYSTYCZNE / TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (3)

OPACTWO CYSTERSÓW w JĘDRZEJOWIE

Opactwo cystersów zostało założone w 1140 roku i znajduje się na północny zachód od centrum miasta. Kościół późnoromański został wzniesiony w XII wieku, konsekrowany w 1210 roku, a przebudowany w wiekach XV i XVIII. W jego wnętrzu znajdują się m.in. późnobarokowe rzeźby i polichromia z XVIII wieku, gotycka płyta nagrobna kasztelana krakowskiego Pakosława z Mstyczowa, a także kaplica błogosławionego Wincentego Kadłubka, który mieszkał w budynku przyklasztornym w latach 1218-1223 i napisał tu IV księgę swojej Kroniki Polskiej. 
Jedne z najwspanialszych w Polsce organów kościelnych łączą cechy późnego baroku i rokoko. Organy te stanowiły pierwowzór dla organów oliwskich w Trójmieście. Opactwo jędrzejowskie słynie dziś także ze wspaniałych koncertów organowych, odbywających się w każdą sobotę lipca i sierpnia. Klasztor z II połowy XII wieku został przebudowany w wieku XVII. Do dziś zachowały się jego dwa skrzydła. (...)

CISTERCIAN ABBEY in JĘDRZEJÓW

The Cistercian Abbey was founded in 1140 and is located about 2 km northwest from the town centre. The late Romanesque church was erected in the 12th century, consecrated in 1210, and remodelled in the 15th and the 18th centuries. Inside it there are a.o. late Baroque sculptures and a polychromy from the 18th century, Gothic tombstone of Pakosława z Mstyczowa (Pakosław of Mstyczów), castellan of Cracow, as well as the Chapel of Blessed Wincenty Kadłubek, who lived in a building adjoining the monastery in the years 1218-1223 and wrote the 4th Book of his Kronika Polska (Polish Chronicle) there.  
One of the finest pipe organs in Poland combines late Baroque and Rococo features. That pipe organ was a prototype for the Oliwa organ in Tricity. Nowadays, Jędrzejów Abbey is also famous for great pipe organ concerts taking place every Saturday in July and August. 
The monastery from the 2nd half of the 12th century was remodelled in the 17th century. Two of its wings remained to date. (...)

(Tłum. A. Trela, 2017)
(Tekst wyjściowy sporządzony na podstawie własnych notatek z wykładów na kursie przewodnickim, na który uczęszczałem.)

TRANSLACJE: KRAJE I REGIONY / COUNTRIES AND REGIONS (5)

SLOVENIA

With its 20,000 square kilometers and around 2 million inhabitants, Slovenia is just as big as Rhineland-Palatinate. About 84% of the population are Slovenians, the rest are immigrants from other regions of former Yugoslavia as well as Italian and Hungarian minorities. The capital is Ljubljana (320,000 inhabitants). Slovenia is also a parliamentary democracy nowadays. The president of the state is Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović (since 2015), head of government - Miro Cerar (since 2014). After the declaration of independence in 1991, the country managed to quite quickly establish relations with the old Western European markets as well as find new ones.

ITALIAN MINORITY

In many places on the Istrian Peninsula and in the Kvarner Bay, mainly on the coast, a part of the population comes from Italy. Italians enjoy the right to their own culture in Croatia and Slovenia, Italian-language schools and bilingual plates with names of places and streets. Nowadays people live together in peace, but for a long time it was differently. After Istria and a part of the Kvarner region came to Italy after 1918, and the repression of the Slavic population under the rule of the Italian fascists increased significantly, the Croatians and Slovenes lost their homeland. After 1945, a communist government was erected. Tens of thousands of Italians left Yugoslavia for their country of origin. (...)

(Tłum. A. Trela, 2017)
(Tekst wyjściowy po polsku sporządzony na podstawie kilku przewodników po Chorwacji i Słowenii.)

COPYWRITING: ARTICLES - Tourism and property market (2)

Twickenham – Place Pulsing with the Past and Rugby

Absolutely take in Twickenham – mixing past and modernity, traditional English charm, tourist attractions and … rugby. This southwest district of Greater London is situated on the River Thames about 10 miles from the capital centre.

A Bit of History

The name 'Twickenham' is dated back to about 700 AD. The then inhabitants of a small hamlet on The River Thames lived off fishing. Rapid growth occurred in the 18^th century when gunpowder was manufactured there and lots of terraced houses were built on riversides. Further growth came at the turn of the 19^th and 20^th centuries, since Twickenham became trendy as a residential area and splendid houses and mansions were built there.

Famous people living there over the years were e.g. Vincent Van Gogh - artist, Alexander Pope –poet, Tony Blair - British ex-Prime Minister.

Twickenham was an autonomous town until 1965 when it was merged with London.

Must-See Attractions

Twickenham is most famous for rugby. Twickenham Stadium is the world’s largest rugby stadium and England’s national teams play matches there. World-famous artists (e.g. U2, Genesis) often play concerts at this object. You can visit World Rugby Museum and buy souvenirs there. 

Another must-see place is Strawberry Hill House where writer Horace Walpole lived. Remember to visit small but interesting Twickenham Museum and Saint Mary’s Church where A Pope is buried. If you like to walk in beautiful parks or gardens, go to e.g. Marble Hill House, Crane Park or York House Gardens. Don’t forget to get along to Eel Pie Island to admire local artist at work.

And when you are tired of visiting, you can rest e.g. at Twickenham Fine Ales and taste delicious beer.

To Rent or To Buy?

In the evening, when relaxing and watching a match of rugby at one of numerous comfy hotels, good restaurants, nightclubs or pubs, you will have much time to think of a property to rent or even to buy in Twickenham. Estate agencies offer properties from modern 1-bedroom flats often overlooking The Thames to over 5-bedroom houses in historic areas near the river. In Twickenham, everybody can find a property matching up to their expectations and finance.

(Written by A. Trela, 2017)

TRANSLACJE: TOURISM / TURYSTYKA (1) - IRAN

FROM: www.archdaily.com/articles  (by Ariana Zilliacus)

The Top 10 Historical Architecture Sites to Visit in Iran

As the remnants of an empire that once covered almost the entire area from Greece to China, Iran is full of historic wonders. Due to the country's current political situation, it is not exactly a top tourist destination and as such many of these wonders are kept a secret from the rest of the world. As with any historical building, the ten sites listed below each contain a rich history within their spaces. However, Iran’s history is exceptionally complex, layered with dynasties and rulers whose influence extended way beyond modern-day Iran. (…)

The one architectural site that shows up in the vast majority of Iran travel guides is a space covered in beautiful blue and yellow mosaics—known as Shah Mosque, but officially renamed Imam Mosque after the 1979 Revolution. It is famous for a reason of course, which is why it’s starting off our list. You could spend an entire day walking around the mosque, taking in its details, finding its hidden secrets. One thing you must not miss is the experience of standing under the center of the main dome, on a small square singled out by the fact that it is made of a different kind of stone. Stand there and speak. The echoes that are created by your voice are indescribable, and that experience is worth a visit in itself. (…)

Situated 60 kilometers northeast of Shiraz, Persepolis (literally “the city of Persians” in Greek) was the ceremonial capital of Persia during the Achaemenid Empire around 550-330 BC. The archeological ruins cover a total of 1.6 square kilometers with remnants of enormous columns, two royal palaces and gardens, and what is believed to be the mausoleum of Cyrus the Great. One enters through the Gate of All Nations, where international explorers from hundreds of years ago have carved their names into the walls, now protected by glass barriers. Persepolis’ history is what makes it so powerful, despite the number of tourists that can now be found there. (…)

Pierwsza 10-tka miejsc z historyczną architekturą do zwiedzenia w Iranie 

Jako pozostałość imperium, które kiedyś zajmowało prawie cały obszar od Grecji po Chiny, Iran jest pełen wspaniałych zabytków. Jednak z powodu aktualnej sytuacji politycznej tego kraju, jest to nie najlepszy cel wycieczek turystycznych, a i także dlatego wiele podobnych cudów jest utrzymywanych w tajemnicy przed resztą świata. Tak, jak każda zabytkowa budowla, każde z wymienionych poniżej miejsc posiada bogatą historię zapisaną na przestrzeni swych dziejów. Jednakże historia Iranu jest wyjątkowo skomplikowana, złożona z wielu dynastii i władców, których wpływy rozciągały się daleko poza współczesny Iran. (…)

Stanowiskiem archeologicznym, które pojawia się w ogromnej większości irańskich przewodników turystycznych jest miejsce pokryte pięknymi, niebiesko-żółtymi mozaikami – znane jako Meczet Szacha, ale oficjalnie przemianowany na Meczet Imama po Rewolucji z 1979 roku. Jest on oczywiście słynny z jakiegoś powodu, dla którego otwiera naszą listę. Możnaby spędzić cały dzień spacerując po tym meczecie, oglądając szczegóły, odnajdując jego ukryte tajemnice. Rzeczą, której nie wolno pominąć jest doświadczenie związane z ustawieniem się pod centralnym punktem głównej kopuły, na małym kwadracie wyróżnionym w ten sposób, iż wykonany jest z kamienia innego rodzaju. Stań więc tam i mów. Echa wytwarzane przez twój głos są nie do opisania, i to doświadczenie samo w sobie warte jest odwiedzenia tego miejsca. (…)

Persepolis (po grecku dosłownie “miasto Persów”), położone 60 km na północny wschód od Shiraz, było reprezentacyjną stolicą Persji w czasach Imperium Achemenidów około 550-330 p.n.e. Archeologiczne ruiny obejmują ogółem 1,6 kilometra kwadratowego z pozostałościami ogromnych kolumn, dwoma pałacami królewskimi i ogrodami, i jeszcze czymś, co jest uważane za mauzoleum Cyrusa Wielkiego. Wchodzi się tu przez Bramę Wszystkich Ludów, gdzie badacze z różnych krajów sprzed setek lat wyryli swoje nazwiska na ścianach, chronionych obecnie szklanymi barierami. Historia Persepolis jest tym, co czyni je tak silnie oddziałującym pomimo dużej liczby turystów, których można tu dziś spotkać. (…)


(Translated by A. Trela)

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