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Our small group Israel tours are the perfect way to learn more about this fascinating country and discover how Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories has shaped the world historically.
From the religious fervour of Jerusalem to the tranquil villages along the Sea of Galilee and bustling, modern-day Tel Aviv.
We take pride in being one of the best Israel tour companies - we are passionate about showing you the best of what Israel has to offer as well as its and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
A select few of our Israel tours are combined together with Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories and its neighbouring countries such as Egypt and Jordan - widely known for its pyramids, the Dead Sea, and more.
Our guided tours in Israel will show you the fascinating history of this beautiful land and the Occupied Palestinian Territories has created an incredible tie with the majority of people on earth and it, therefore, remains one of the most iconic travel destinations to visit.
Whether you want to lose yourself in the intricate alleyways of Jerusalem, move from one historical monument to the next, visit ancient archaeological sites or enjoy floating in the Dead Sea, a well-designed Israel tour package is sure to leave a lifetime of memories.
Need some help in picking dates? Find out when is the best time to visit Israel here.
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Spring is one of the most popular times to visit Israel as the country falls into full-bloom after the winter rains, leaving behind breath-taking scenery. Summer temperatures can be uncomfortable which is why it is recommended to do activities, such as hiking, early in the morning, however, Israel offers excellent beach weather in the area of Tel-Aviv and rain is extremely rare.
Autumn provides similar temperatures to Spring. In October, the rainy season starts and continues throughout the season. During Winter, the amount of rain is moderate and at high altitudes, one can often find snowfall - particularly in the north.
For real-time information about Israel's weather patterns, visit Accuweather.
The official and most spoken language of Israel is Hebrew. Approximately 20% of the population are Israeli-Arabs who speak Arabic as well.
Arabic was formerly the official language up until 2018. However, English is the most widely spoken foreign language and Israelis study English in school from an early age. The older generation of Israelis are generally less fluent in English and therefore some knowledge of Hebrew will come in handy.
Falafel has become the official food of Israel and consists of small fried balls of mashed chickpeas, usually served with pita bread, salads and hummus. This is a relatively cheap lunch and can cost as little as ?10-15.
Another popular food is the Shawarma which consists of sliced meat, served inside a pita.
Hummus is also a popular food, made from creamed chickpeas, tahina, lemon and olive oil and often served with pita bread for dipping. Several restaurants which specialize in Hummus offer creative toppings such as: chickpeas, mushrooms, minced meat, fava beans and more.
The official currency of Israel is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS) and colloquially it is referred to as Shekel (plural: shkalim) or sha-kh. Cash points and ATM's are available in most places throughout Israel and credit cards of all types are accepted widely.
Falafel has become the official food of Israel and consists of small fried balls of mashed chickpeas, usually served with pita bread, salads and hummus. This is a relatively cheap lunch and can cost as little as ?10-15.
Another popular food is the Shawarma which consists of sliced meat, served inside a pita.
Hummus is also a popular food, made from creamed chickpeas, tahina, lemon and olive oil and often served with pita bread for dipping. Several restaurants which specialize in Hummus offer creative toppings such as: chickpeas, mushrooms, minced meat, fava beans and more.
Head over to Wikipedia for more information about Israel's cuisine.
The best tours to Israel depends entirely on your budget and how long you want to spend in the country. At Encounters Travel we offer a wide range of tours to Israel – from small group tours to shoestring, and tailor-made.
All nationalities don't require a visa when travelling to Israel - Israel an agreements in place with 65 countries where no visa is required and entrance is allowed on the production of a valid passport.
The following countries are exempted:
Africa: Central African Republic, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, South Africa, Swaziland
Asia: Japan, Georgia, Mongolia, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Taiwan.
Europe: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Holy See, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Republic of Slovak, Ukraine
Pacific: Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Micronesia, New Zealand, Republic of Palau, Tonga Vanuatu
The Americas: Argentina, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Ecuador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Suriname, The Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, The Bahamas, The Dominican Republic, Uruguay, U.S.A.
Israel to contrary belief is a very safe country to travel to - crime rates are low compared to many other countries.
The risk from hostile war-related activities to anyone traveling within Israel itself is very low and highly unlikely. Overall, you're probability of being safe in Israel is about the same as travelling to any other country.
How much it will cost to travel in and around Israel depends on your preferences and how you want to spend your time in Israel.
If you want to travel on an budget in Israel, you should budget for at least 30-40 USD a day – this includes accommodation, some transportation, attractions, and of course, food.
As a western country, travel in Israel does cost more than in the rest of the Middle East.
A tour in Israel for one week usually starts around $1850 per person. So, a trip to Israel for two people costs about double that amount but, bare in mind that the amount you spend on a tour is dependent on the type of tour you choose to take.
You can visit Israel practically any time of year – you're unlikely to encounter bad weather or particularly bitter temperatures.
Israel tours are popular in the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn. In spring, north Israel displays its diverse flora, and wildflowers carpet the hillsides. By summer, the temperature in the low-lying areas get really hot – the Dead Sea and the Red Sea can see heat in the 40°Cs.
Whenever you decide to go, check the calendar: Israel's social diary is crammed with various religious festivals all year round.
Israel is an all year round travel destination and its highly plus you are unlikely to encounter any bad weather or uncomfortable temperatures.
Whenever you do decide to travel to Egypt, you should check the social calendar - Israel's social diary is filled with various religious festivals all year round.
Encounters Travel did an excellent job in all aspects of our trip! Egypt was amazing and the trip was made especially enjoyable as a result of the quality of the guides. I highly recommend Encounters Travel!
Worth every penny! Go to Egypt with Encounters Travel!
I have dealt with Anthony Horrobin on a number of occasions and it is like talking to an old friend on the phone. Anthony is super-efficient and will always go the extra mile to create the perfect trip.
Amazing tour. Any issues we had were addressed in a timely fashion and the resolutions were satisfactory. My only complaint is the driver picking us up was late and none of the cell numbers worked when we tried to call and figure out what to do.
Took care of every single detail from prior to our arrival in Cario until we we're dropped of at the airport a week later.
Our hotels, tours, meals, and tour group we're all wonderful.
Our tour guide was wonderful!
The price was great and the people wonderful!
I was pleased and impressed with the experience in booking and obtain all necessary documents in a timely manner. I am looking forward to my tour and hope the ground experience it just as good. This trip is my dream/bucket list trip.
Time: GMT+3
Dial Code: +972
Area: 20,770 km2
Elevation: The lowest point in Israel is the Dead Sea at 430m (-1411 ft.) | The highest point in Israel is Har Meron at 1,208m (3,963 ft.)
Population: 8,452,841 (2018)
Capital: Jerusalem
Government: Parliamentary system, Parliamentary republic
Language: Hebrew, Modern Standard Arabic, Arabic
Israel, officially known as the State of Israel, is in the Middle East on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea. This country borders with Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast, Jordan on the east, the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to the east and west, and Egypt to the southwest.
The landscape of Israel is geographically diverse given the small area it covers. Tel Aviv is Israel's economic and technological centre and the seat of government while the capital is Jerusalem. The state's sovereignty over Jerusalem has only limited recognition. Israel has the highest standard of living in the Middle East as well as one of the highest life expectancies in the world.
Israel is defined as a Jewish and democratic state. The country is a representative democracy with a parliamentary system, proportional representation and universal suffrage. Israel has the 33rd largest economy in the world and is a developed company. A highly skilled workforce and a high percentage of citizens holding tertiary education degrees make Israel one of the most educated countries in the world.
The coastal plain of Israel, on the shores of the Mediterranean, is home to most of the nation's population. The Jordan River runs along the Jordan Rift Valley, from Mount Hermon through the Hulah Valley and the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea - the lowest point on the surface of the earth.
Our video features aim to bring our adventure tours to life in a way that no photo can, giving you a great taste of the destination.
Need some travel inspiration or looking for some handy travel tips? Our blog provides excellent insight into our travel destinations - from tour updates to country guides, packing lists to little known things to do, you'll find it all in our travel blog.
Israel intersects countries, continents and religions, situated at the crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe and home to three of the world's greatest and most important religions.
Experience unforgettable adventures in Morocco. These are our picks for the 5 must-have experiences in this magical country.
Located on Morocco's Atlantic coast, Casablanca is where young Moroccans go to seek their fortunes, where business and creative industries prosper - it is the best representation of a modern nation.
Visiting the Balkans you will have a chance to witness outstanding architecture, mountain peaks, flowing rivers and lakes – the ideal destination for every avid adventurous traveller.
Travelling to Greece will have you leaving the Mediterranean country with a deep love for tasty traditional cuisine. Greek culture has some of the world's most delicious food, from hearty slow-cooked meat dishes to rose-flavoured cakes for dessert.
If you love Cairo, it will love you back! Its beautiful chaos can be both infuriating yet beautiful all at the same time - the magnificence of the city will overwhelm you with its beauty and frenetic atmosphere.
From the Ionian Islands in the west to the pre-Hellenic culture of Crete to the South, and not forgetting the breathtaking scenic views of the mainland, Greece offers a wealth of mesmerizing places to visit.
From iconic destinations to lesser-known gems, we have chosen eight amazing destinations to add to your travel bucket list in 2020.
Cambodia has become a popular tourist destination in recent times. It has emerged from the shadows of a war-torn past to become a sought-after destination for lovers of nature, culture, and history. Cambodia features many of fascinating sites and landmarks to see and experience.
Every couple wants a fairy-tale honeymoon that they'll remember forever. Beautiful landscapes, enchanting settings, exciting activities, lots of romance... At Encounters Travel, we know just where to find all of this- and more. We've picked our top 5 destinations for that perfect honeymoon experience.
Just booked an Egypt tour? Here are some top tips and advice to ensure that your Egyptian adventure is a memorable one!
On a tour with Encounters Travel, you will be swept up on exciting, action-packed travel experiences in some of the world's most awe-inspiring destinations.
Our small group tours are perfect for those looking to experience culture, history, nature, and adventure. Group sizes range from between 12 to 20 travellers, giving you a chance to meet new people and make new friends. You can also engage and connect with your guide well, allowing a more meaningful experience.
These are 5 of our most interesting and exciting small group tours on offer in 2019.
There is nothing quite like travelling solo. Exploring new places and experiencing new things by yourself can be an eye-opening and almost life-changing adventure. However, one thing that often puts people off travelling solo is the single supplement. We have put together a helpful guide with all you need to know about single supplements, so that you can book your solo trip with complete confidence.
Visas are required for most nationalities of travellers to Egypt. Only nationals of certain Arab countries are exempt. Several options are available to travellers when acquiring a visa for Egypt. We have put together a comprehensive guide that will provide you with important information to make the process smooth and easy.
Visas are required for most nationalities of travellers to Cambodia. Only nationals of a few countries are exempt. Several options are available to travellers when acquiring a visa for Cambodia. We have put together a comprehensive guide that will provide you with important information to make the process smooth and easy for you.
Nationals from most countries are required to obtain a visa when travelling to Jordan. Only nationals from a small selection of countries are exempt from purchasing a visa for Jordan. We have put together a comprehensive guide that will provide you with important information to make the process smooth and easy for you.
Visas are not required for all nationalities of travellers to Morocco. Only nationals of certain countries are required to obtain a visa when travelling to Morocco. We have put together a comprehensive guide that will provide you with important information to make the process smooth and easy for you.
Visas are required for many nationalities of travellers to Vietnam, except for nationals of about 24 countries, who are exempt from obtaining a visa. Those who require a visa have several options available to them. We have put together a comprehensive guide that will provide you with important information to make the process smooth and easy for you.
We've just launched our 2020 dates in some of our most popular destinations and to celebrate, we're giving you discounts on them!
Is seeing the endangered Mountain gorillas of Uganda on your bucket-list? Then take advantage of this amazing deal!
With its glittering sapphire waters and world-class, palm tree-lined beaches, the Maldives is the downright obvious choice for the perfect holiday.
The Maldives is truly a slice of heaven on earth. From sparkling blue waters to infinite beaches, from colourful coral reef palaces to vibrant local culture, the Maldives offers the chance for a coastal holiday that is relaxing, thrilling, and fulfilling all at once.
Thinking about travelling to India? Here are 10 things not to miss on your India tour.
There are very few places in the world that can carve a deep, lasting impression on a traveller – India is one of these places.
Thinking about travelling to Africa to experience its wild beauty? Here's some inspiration just for you.
An Egypt tour offers so many memorable moments which will stay with you for a lifetime. Here are four bucket-list activities that you simply have to try.
Wondering what food to expect on your Egypt tour? This handy guide will give you some insight into Egypt's most popular eats.
Flowing for over 6,600 kilometers, the Nile River is considered to be one of the longest rivers on the planet. During an Egypt tour, you'll get to spend a night on this historical body of water.
Thinking about going on an Egypt tour? Here are four reasons why a visit to Luxor should be right at the top of your list.
Along with Egypt's rich ancient history, comes great traditions and festivities. Here are five of the best festivals to experience in Egypt.
Spending time at the Red Sea resort town of Hurghada is a massive highlight of our Egypt tours. This helpful guide will give you some insight into what you can do here.
During an Egypt tour, you'll have plenty of free time to shop till you drop. Here are 10 handy tips to make the most of your shopping experience in Egypt.
Want to know what its like to spend the night floating away on the Nile River in Egypt? If you're planning on booking a tour with us, you can find out!
Interested in booking one of our small group tours but you're not sure what to expect? This handy guide will provide you with everything you need to know.
Wondering where to travel in 2020? Here's why Egypt should be at the top of the list.
Egypt is a country rich in history, giving travellers the opportunity to travel back in time. Here are the top 5 temples to visit in Egypt.
Thinking about travelling to Nepal? Here are 10 reasons why you should visit its capital city - Kathmandu.
Travelling to Nepal? This handy guide will give you some insight into the local cuisine.
Is swimming in the turquoise-coloured waters of the Red Sea on your travel bucketlist? Here are some of the best Egypt tours available that takes you there.
Find out all the details about Egyt's latest discovery right here!
Egypt is much more than just its famous pyramids! In this article, we dissect what this beautiful country has to offer.
Travelling to Israel? Then its very important to now about Shabbat!
Do you want to explore Egypt's bustling capital city of Cairo? This handy guide will give you insight into what to do and where to go.
Planning on exploring Vietnam? Here are the top five temples to visit in this historic country.
Planning a trip to Cambodia? Here is a checklist of five temples you just cannot miss.
Every year, travellers flock to Bhutan to trek its stunning trails. If you're thinking about trekking in Bhutan, this handy guide will give you some insight into what to expect.
South African cuisine is a lot like the countries diversity and rich history - with delicacies coming from the Cape Malay to recipes deriving from the Dutch settlers.
Planning your holiday is easier when you know how to pack and plan so here's a guide on when is the best time to visit South Africa.
Planning a trip to Israel but wondering when is the best time to go? This handy guide provides all the answers you'll need.
If you're thinking about planning an Israel tour in 2020, here are 10 reasons why you absolutely should go.
Find the best places to visit with our list of the top 5 things you simply have to see during your Egypt tour.
Egypt: mysterious, renowned, unforgettable. The land of ancient civilisations, kings and queens, and centuries of history awaits you in 2020.
Jordan is one of the most intriguing destinations to visit in the Middle East. Rich with historical significance and natural splendour, it offers numerous exciting attractions.
The complex and fascinating country of Morocco offers a wealth of historical, cultural, and natural attractions for the intrepid traveller. We've chosen our top 5.
Use this informative guide to help you decide on the best time to book your relaxing Maldives tour.
The food of Greece is as iconic and varied as its history and cultural influence.
The alluring nation of Bhutan is a unique travel destination. It is known for its breathtaking natural beauty and serene atmosphere. Its cuisine is equally as fascinating and tempting.
Located in the Himalayas, Bhutan is a fascinating, scenic Asian country that should be on every traveller's bucket list.
Planning a Maldives tour? Get some insight into the local cuisine you're more than likely to come across!
Croatia's stunning natural beauty, fascinating historical sights and delicious food has made the country a firm favourite amongst travel enthusiasts. Whilst you can enjoy a trip to Croatia all year round, it is important to know which season best suits your own travel interests and goals.
Have you ever wanted to travel to a country with breath-taking beaches, pristine desert landscapes, noble historic sites, scenic cities and mouth-watering food? Then be prepared to add Israel to your bucket list.
One of the first facts you'll learn when traveling to Croatia is that many different nations have ruled the territory throughout history. This means that your tastebuds will sample cuisine inspired by a multitude of cultures.
To help fuel your wanderlust, we tapped into 2020's best adventure travel destinations – ranging from epic Nepal to the Rainbow Nation of South Africa, dreamy Morocco, and more.
South Africa in January is often believed to be the peak season of the summer. The activities and the places to visit aren't short on excitement, so there's absolutely no reason why you shouldn't plan your trip at the start of the year in this dazzling country.
Use this informative guide to help you book your February holiday.
Explore and experience the world-famous city of Cape Town with our pick of its top ten activities.
The Cape Winelands offers a myriad of attractions to suit a wide range of individual interests. Situated just 40km east of the city of Cape Town, the Cape Winelands lies shadowed by a mountain range which creates an unforgettable backdrop for the myriad of wineries scattered throughout the region. The sunny blue skies, lush vineyards, world-class wineries, restaurants, art galleries, historic towns and Cape Dutch farmsteads make this region seem as though it is from a fairytale. There is no shortage of things to do in this magnificent area, so we've created a handy guide to help you put together your itinerary for visiting the Cape Winelands:
Looking for a unique travel destination for the month of February? A Cambodia tour should be at the top of your list.
If you're thinking of travelling to Vietnam, February is your best bet - you can expect dry, bright weather throughout the whole country.
Vietnam is home to thousands of temples and fascinating places of worship. We've picked out our top ten.
Its estimated that there are around 4000 temples in Cambodia, we have chosen our top ten for you to visit.
Planning a Cambodia tour? Then exploring Phnom Penh should be right at the top of your travel to-do list. Here is our selection of the top 10 things to do in Cambodia's busy capital city.
At Encounters Travel, we bring the world to you. We offer tours in 38 different countries, from the most famous and popular destinations, to the lesser-known, hidden gems. These are some of our best tours to be experienced during the month of February.
A great travel photo reveals some aspect of that place's true character that, though it may have been hidden, seems to have always been there. So why not take a trip around the world - from the Great Pyramids of Giza to the Blue City of Morocco, and more, with our favourite travel photos of January 2020.
If an Egypt trip is on your 2020 bucket list then the Discover Egypt tour is perfect for you – from temples and tombs to pyramids, sailing down the Nile and eating mouthwatering traditional Egyptian cuisine, and so much more.
Gavin is one of the travel consultants in the Encounters sales team.
The landlocked nation is a paradise for adventurous types, although it also features an abundance of culture with beautiful palaces, temples and shrines adorning the Kathmandu Valley, gorgeous mountain vistas overlooking Pokhara, and national parks rich with wildlife.
Thinking about travelling to Nepal? Do you want to marvel at the natural beauty of Mount Everest? Then our small group tours to this beautiful country are perfect for you.
March is a transitional period in many countries, a bridge between summer and winter. We've picked the best destinations to travel to during March.
The vibrant city of Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and is the second biggest city in the country. Hanoi encompasses an interesting mix of the East and the West with visible traces of the country's rich history. Vietnam was invaded by the Chinese for a long time, later by the French and also by the Americans in the 20th century. Hanoi was named the 8th most popular destination in the world in 2016 by TripAdvisor and is a highly sought after destination for visitors from all over the globe due to its rich historical and cultural heritage, breath-taking scenery and delicious cuisine. Hanoi boasts a myriad of places to see and things to do, so we've compiled our top 10 suggestions on the best things to do in Hanoi.
Kathmandu is the chaotic, vibrant capital city of Nepal. This is our pick of the best attractions in and around the city.
March is the start of one of Nepal's two annual peak tourist seasons and it's also when the temperatures have truly warmed up after winter – with the thawing of many high-altitude trekking trails, river levels primed for whitewater rafting, and some exciting cultural festivals.
The village itself is small, with lots of plants, trees and charming lampposts. Strangely enough, this place will remind you of Hanoi in Vietnam. There you will also find beautiful buildings in the old style. But unlike Hanoi, Bandipur is much less touristy.
This handy guide will give you all the information you need to know about experiencing a wildlife safari in Chitwan National Park, located in Nepal.
Visit some of the most beautiful and atmospheric temples in the world in Nepal. We've picked our top ten.
Nepalese cuisine might not be as popular as it should be on an international stage, it is often overpowered by its more headstrong neighbouring countries however, don't mistake this as complacency.
Proper packing is the first step to making a trip memorable and that's what this article is the perfect guide of what all you need for your Nepal packing list.
Nepal is a small yet diverse country, with a variety of religions. These are some of the best festivals that are celebrated in the country.
Mount Everest is famous for being the highest mountain in the world. Here are some lesser-known facts about the iconic peak.
Located amid rugged desert canyons and mountains in what is now the southwestern corner of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Petra was once a thriving trading centre and the capital of the Nabataean empire between 400 B.C. and A.D. 106. Here's everything you need to know before your visit.
From stunning natural landscapes to world-renowned historical and religious sites, Jordan is truly a hidden gem of the Middle East. Jordan will leave you feeling touched by the generosity and kindness of its people.
Turkey has decided to become visa-free for UK & Schengen travellers!
We've chosen some of the best small tour packages that we have on offer for March 2020. Destinations include India, Greece, the Balkans and more.
Anthony Horrobin, better known as Ant, is the Sales Manager at Encounters Travel. If you've travelled with us, you would have more than likely have had some sort of chat with him before!
We asked a few of our Encounters travellers to share at least one of their best and most memorable travel photos from their January trip – tours ranging from Incredible India, Jordan on a Shoestring, Pharaonic Encounters, and more.
The beautiful little country of Nepal offers a wide range of trekking options, ranging from short and easy treks to strenuous and lengthy ones. Each year, Nepal welcomes a large number of visitors who flock to the country for its eye-catching scenery, fascinating cultures and welcoming locals. Here are our top 10 reasons to trek in Nepal:
If you're heading to the Middle East on a Jordan adventure, you'll need to know what to pack and how to pack – we thought we'd help you out and take the guesswork out of things with our Jordan packing checklist.
Time for an Easter holiday? We've chosen the best places to travel to during the month of April.
Jordan is located in the Middle East. Bursting with historical landmarks, as well as spectacular natural landscapes, it offers a myriad exciting attractions. We've chosen our top ten must-see sights on a visit to Jordan.
Wadi Rum is a desert region in Jordan. A jeep safari is a wonderful way to explore this spectacular natural landscape. We've compiled a handy guide that will tell you all you need to know about discovering Wadi Rum by jeep.
April is one of the most popular months to visit Jordan - and with good reason - the weather is pleasant, and the semi-arid hills of northern Jordan burst into magnificent, knee-high bloom.
Jordan is a small country in the Middle East. With a rich historical, cultural, and religious scene, it offers a range of interesting festivals and celebrations. We've chosen our top festivals that take place in Jordan.
The Middle Eastern country of Jordan is famous for landmarks such as Petra and Wadi Rum. Here we reveal some lesser-known facts about this small nation.
The question here though isn't whether or not you should visit Egypt but rather is it safe to visit? The short answer: Yes, Egypt is safe! However, for the long answer, carry on reading.
Please read for details of which of our tours are operating and which are cancelled, as well as for information about travel credits and updated Flexible Booking Conditions for new bookings.
Jordan is safe and hospitable, however, it suffers guilt by association due to its location in the Middle East. Travellers who take the time to discover and explore this peaceful and friendly nation are rewarded with a warm welcome from locals.
Meet Tara, who is the Social Media Manager at Encounters Travel.
We chat to Mariah Alves, a travel consultant here at Encounters Travel, who shares her lock-down experience and which travel destination she misses the most.
We speak to Mariska Knoesen, a travel consultant here at Encounters Travel, who shares her lock-down experience and which travel destination she misses the most.
We've put together a live blog to share the stories of the travel community during this tough period. If you would like to submit your story, please email email@example.com
If you have five minutes to spare, we would really appreciate it if you can take the time to fill out our COVID-19 Travel Survey, which will help us prepare the best trips for you once global travel restrictions are lifted.
At Encounters Travel, our adventure overland tours take in many of destinations cultural, scenic and wildlife highlights - often travelling through several countries to give you a truly in-depth experience.
The big question is, are overland tours expensive? Some say overlanding is among the cheapest ways to visit Africa, and provides a great introduction to the continent for first-timers, while others strongly disagree.
It's no secret that taking on Africa in the form of an overland safari is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The rewards are rich and varied; endless horizons, unspoilt bushveld, truly wild places and truly wild animals.
People often describe their first solo trip as an almost religious experience - to take in new surroundings unfiltered by the prejudices, tastes, or preferences of a travelling companion can be heady stuff.
It's worth doing your research on the climate of the areas you are travelling to so that you know what to expect and what sort of clothing you should take.
Do you want to explore the sun-kissed Greek island of Santorini? This travel guide will provide you with all the information you need to know.
Mykonos is known for its super-stylish hotels, great beaches and summer party atmosphere.
One this's for sure when you travel to Africa on an overland tour, especially for first-timers, is that you need to travel with an open mind!
With Encounters Travel you can expect to travel in comfortable, fully equipped and specially designed expedition vehicles, giving you a great vantage point from which to enjoy the scenery and wildlife.
Want to know what it's like to go on a gulet sailing experience? This handy travel guide has all the answers.
Nepal is the world's only Hindu Kingdom, however Hinduism is just one of the many religions practiced in the country.
If you're thinking about visiting Nagarkot in Nepal, here are five good reasons to explore this hill station in the Kathmandu Valley.
Egypt has a host of UNESCO World Heritage Sites just waiting to explored. On our Egypt tours, you'll get the chance to see them.
Pokhara is the starting or finishing place for most treks in Nepal's Annapurna region.
Planning a Nepal tour? A visit to the city of Dhulikhel should be at the very top of your list. Here's why.
Do you know your pyramids and pharoahs? Test your knowledge about Egypt in this interesting quiz.


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|The Perfect Wedding Jewellery
As is commonly known, the Diamond is called the King jewels, and the Pearl is the Queen of jewels. The Pearl has for thousands of years been regarded as one of the most precious and desirable gems for making into wedding jewellery, with its beautiful iridescence, colour and purity, it makes it the perfect gem for wedding jewellery.With its natural colour and iridescence finish, pearl wedding jewellery has become the most popular choice for brides across the world. The wedding jewellery here at Girls Love Pearls is sought after by brides far and wide – from Scandinavia to Australia – our wedding jewellery is known for its quality, beautiful designs and good value.
These diamond and pearl drop earrings are a classic design which make a timeless pair of wedding earrings which are made to be loved now and cherished forever.
It has been traditional for wedding jewellery to be worn for more than 3000 years. The earliest example of a pair of pearl earrings for a bride can be traced to as far back as1000 BC. In the last 300 years we can see by looking through historical paintings and pictures of pearl wedding jewellery as the most predominant jewellery choice by Royal Brides through to modern Celebrity Day Weddings. From Jacqueline Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn, Princess Diana, Queen Elizabeth, to movie star Elizabeth Taylor they all chose pearls as the perfect wedding jewellery for their most important day.
Today, with the high quality of pearls made available by the advancement of fresh water pearl culturing processes and the production scale from China, Pearl Wedding Jewellery is no more a privilege reserved for Royalty and Celebrities, but now available at fantastic prices through our Girls Love Pearls online boutique.
Contemporary designers also love to design pearls with other precious and semi-precious jewels, such as silver, semi precious stones, crystals etc to give extra charm and variance to your perfect wedding jewellery other than the classic pearl necklace.
Our pearl wedding jewellery is also a great choice of gift for bridesmaids, flowergirls or mother of the bride jewellery and mothers in law. With the variety of pearl wedding jewellery available in our online boutique, you are sure to find a gem without stretching your budget to wow your bridal party with that extra special gift which they will treasure as a reminder of your wedding day.
Our Girls Love Pearls on-line boutique now offers a fabulous collection of wedding jewellery, using natural white, cream, pink, purple, light peach coloured cultured pearls in round, near round, lustrous Keishi, Biwa pearl shape, to give the most beautiful combination of colours and styles for your Perfect Wedding jewellery. Many items of wedding jewellery are available in necklace sets, earrings and bracelets, to give the complete look to your perfect day. The Girls Love Pearls beautiful packaging of Thai Silk Boxes or pouches will also give your wedding day jewellery presents an unforgettable touch and make a lovely keepsake for your bridesmaids presents.
Our most popular choice includes the Phoebe range of floating pearl and crystal necklaces, which are ideal to be worn by both bride and bridesmaid in a wedding ceremony. Our collection includes keepsake wedding jewellery that is also suitable for the mother of the bride jewellery to match with her own outfit.
Our exclusive freshwater pearl wedding jewellery collection is elegant, understated and alluring. The bride can choose from our Designer wedding jewellery collection, with stunning eye catching designs like the shimmering Cassandra freshwater pearl and Swarovski crystal choker necklace or the Allesandra floating pearl bracelet which may be worn as a statement piece of jewellery to provide the perfect finishing touch to your wedding day.
At Girls Love Pearls we provide the best choice of pearl wedding jewellery, to ensure all our brides sparkle on their wedding day. Of course, don't forget that most items area available using our tailor made service, so your necklaces, bracelets and earrings can be altered to suit your needs, and stocked items are all sold with our 7 day returns service. We now wholesale our bridal jewellery to a select number of stockists throughout the UK, and a list is available on the stockists page of our website. If you are interested in stocking our items then take a look at our wholesale pearl jewellery information page or wholesale diamante jewellery page.
We are adding to our bridal information pages all the time, so check back here regularly for further tips and ideas on how to accessorise your wedding day.

subset: commoncrawl


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Grating-based X-ray Interferometry
Grating-based X-ray interferometry has ventured into many areas of X-ray Imaging, since its first demonstration by LMN researchers over a decade ago [1].
Our current research in grating interferometry includes the areas of
Our current research in grating interferometry includes the areas of
A typical grating interferometer consists of a phase shifting grating G1 (Figure 1) made made of silicon which diffracts the incident radiation mainly into a first and minus first diffraction order that propagate at angles +θ and -θ with respect to their original direction of propagation. These two orders interfere at a distance d downstream, forming a periodic interference pattern that can be analyzed by an absorbing grating G2made of gold and a camera. Any refracting object in the beam, such as the wedge shown in Figure 1, a biomedical or material science sample in imaging or an X-ray optical element in metrology, leads to a locally modified propagation direction of the X-ray beam. This beam angle α leads to a local lateral shift of the interference pattern that can be detected by the combination of analyzer grating and camera. From this shift, the refraction angle α can be quantitatively determined.
- C. David, B. Nöhammer, H. H. Solak, E. Ziegler Differential phase-contrast imaging using a grating interferometer, Applied Physics Letters 81 (2002), 3287. DOI: 10.1063/1.1516611


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Digital Art Commissioned by iShed and Arts Council England
Giant Twitter Monster sent to destroy SXSW
The Tweeture is a Social Robot who was first let loose at SXSWi 2010 by the Umbrella Group (an Arts Council England Delegation). Conference attendees were invited to help care for The Tweeture: talk to him (via twitter), to carry him around for a while and then pass him onto to someone else. The Tweeture would give you points for quality of care and players could check an online leader table to see who was the best Carer.
The brief The Tweeture was collaboratively written by the Arts Council delegates to SXSWi 2010 (The Umbrella group). The first priority was to create a high profile project that really captured peoples imaginations and attracted PR for the group. It needed to be a means to frame a conversation around digital media usage as it stood in 2010. Something that was a suitable conversation piece for each of the Artists on the delegation. The group also wanted something they could all collaborate on during SXSWi while simultaneously making few specific demands on their time. Of course, it had to be something the rest of the SXSW attendees will love.
So the Tweeture was born to answer these needs. The single most impactful part of the project was the physical robot puppet itself. This was the rabbit hole through which the rest of the project developed. Players would generally get in volved by seeing the Tweeture and asking the person holding it "what the heck is that?". At which point the current player would start describing the little social robot they were holding, how it had GPS and talked to them on Twitter, how it liked being patted but hated being bashed etc. So It framed a set of conversations around digital media. Tweeture also got to be something of a SXSWi celebrity garnering multiple interviews with various international news channels. It even got to meet Ev Williams (CEO of Twitter). At the end of each day we would need to go an find the Tweeture. Such retrievals often went like this; Me on arrival at the late night venue " Hi I'm looking for a small grey robot monster about this big (gestures)" Party goer "Oh you mean the Tweeture, He turned up with the guys from foursquare earlier but I think I saw him leaving with the Fire Eagle girls"
The Tweeture had a kind of bot like automatic response mechanism. It could look up it's position and ask you about that. It could tell how it was physically being handled and could tweet about that. It also had an armory of humorously phrased questions on the value of social interactions. People would have long conversations with it during their game. In this way it could run on auto pilot and feel like it was having a contextual conversation. As we also had a delegation of artists we gave them the opportunity to puppeteer the Tweeture's voice too. This meant they could discreetly watch a player with the Tweeture and then drop in some really personal or pertinent questions. Things like "As a woman how do you find the tech industry" or " What's in your goody bag" or "nice shoes can they take us to Kansas?". The other artists could guide the conversation to interesting topics or just have some irreverent fun.
In 2010, Watershed commissioned Simon Johnson and friends to create a talking point that would get people looking up from their screens and playing together at SXSW in Austin, Texas. The result was Tweeture – a social robot that met the brief brilliantly, caused a huge online and real life stir and delivered significant learning around IOT, social objects and real life game play. Simon was a pleasure to work with – taking the aims of the commission and delivering these and so much more. Tweeture was engaging, robust and highly original. The project delivered significant PR and provided a real focus point for UK creatives at SXSW.
Clare Reddington Watershed
Here is a vid from one of the players back in 2010.