Treasures of Pharaoh

The Pyramid of Khufu was built by Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops) in 4th Dynasty circa 2560 BC, making it over 4500 years old! It is widely accepted that pyramid was built to bury Pharaoh Khufu when he died. However, many other conspiracy theories abound as to why pyramids were built, ranging from astronomical observatories to alien artifacts.

Since Egyptian Pharaohs were noted for being buried with their great treasure, Arab conquerors attempted to gain entrance into Pyramid of Khufu in order to plunder it.

They managed to find a few narrow passages that led both up into center of pyramid, and down beneath massive structure. However, all they managed to find at end of these passages were empty chambers. No mummies or treasure was found in pyramid.

During Arabs' excavation of Pyramid of Khufu, they encountered various boulders and slabs that were used to seal passages and chambers within pyramid. They also found hidden doors. This probably fueled many myths about Egyptian pyramids being booby-trapped, and where a grave robber who managed to get in would never get out alive.

A 17th century Englishman managed to uncover another shaft connecting passages, but still no treasure was to be found.

Two conclusions can be derived from this. One, ancient tomb raiders have long since plundered all treasure from pyramid, leaving behind nothing but a few empty chambers. Or two, Khufu's mummy and treasure is still cleverly hidden within (or beneath) Great Pyramid.

For more information on Pyramids, visit http://www.nekhebet.com/w_pyramids.html

WHAT’S THE USUAL CHECK-IN TIME?

Your host will go out of their way to greet you when you check-in. Usually when you reserve you’ll be told when their normal check-in period is. But most can accommodate you arrivals outside those hours.

But you need to let them know if you’ll be late so they can arrange for you to get into house (yes, doors are locked after a certain hour), and to your room. It’s one thing to show up at midnight at your hotel – they’re staffed round clock - but it’s entirely another matter to roll-in after 11:00pm at an inn, and expect your host to get out of bed and greet you smiling.

CAN YOU NEGOTIATE PRICE?

You bet you can!

Just like hotels room rate for inns is negotiable. The main difference is unlike a hotel, person on other end of a phone is usually owner of bed and breakfast, and they can make decision on spot. All you have to do is ask in a nice way.

Just remember innkeeper may only have a few rooms to begin with anyway, and if your haggling over last room then don't be offended if it’s no dice on a price reduction. But on other hand one room of a four-room inn without a paying guest reduces a host's profit by 25%. So it's always worth asking for a reduction!

HOW MUCH CAN YOU REALLY SAVE?

Off-peak travel will save you a bundle.

Most inns can book their weekend's months in advance. But filling rooms during week, particularly off-season, is much more difficult. You'll get best deals for bed and breakfasts traveling mid-week and out of season. Now contrast this with hotels that have opposite problem, because they cater to mid-week business traveler, but can't get people in rooms at weekends.

I love staying in inns. They have a lot going for them. Inns are usually very affordable, offer tons more variety than a bland hotel room, and are a great way to meet fellow travelers or vacationers. You’ll find web sites devoted to inn and bed and breakfast listings now – so crank up Yahoo or Google and get searching… and saving!