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About the Area : Cairo,
and the area around it are considered to be the heart of Egypt,
and one may find almost every aspect of Egypt represented in the
area, including some of the most famous Pharaonic, ancient Christian
and Islamic monuments. |
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View of Pyramids from the Mena House Hotel : When
you need a break from city life, try a round of golf on the famous
Mena House course overlooking the Pyramids,
watch the horse racing at the Gezira Club or visit the Zoo and the
Botanical Gardens. Take a trip on the Nile in a felucca or ride
on horseback from the Giza Pyramids
to Sakkara. For a day trip outside Cairo
visit Haraniyya village and see the beautiful tapestries and weaving
produced by local people. If you wish, you may get away from it
all at the top of the Cairo Tower,
a modern 187 meter-high tower with views of the city from all sides,
topped by a revolving restaurant. |
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| Hurghada
was founded in the early 20th century, and until a few years ago,
remained a small fishing village. But today, it has gone on to become
the foremost tourist resort of the Red Sea coast and an international
center for aquatic sports. If it takes place in or on the water you
can do it here : windsurfing, sailing, deep-sea fishing, swimming,
but, above all, snorkeling and diving. The unique underwater gardens
offshore are some of the finest in the world, justifiably famous amongst
divers. The warm waters here are ideal for many varieties of rare
fish and coral reefs, which may also be observed through glass bottom
boats. This area has many fine accommodations, usually offering warm
and efficient service. Restaurants are mostly along the main road.
While in Hurghada, don't miss the
museum and aquarium, with their complete collections of flora and
fauna of the Red Sea. Today, Hurghada is known as a party town, particularly among Europeans. Locals and others will tell you that life begins at night in Hurghada, with the many, many clubs. They are particularly frequented by the young, but certainly many others of all ages. One may often find a rousing party centered around the visitors from a tour group taking over the action of a particular bar. They are easy to find along the main street, along with loads of inexpensive and expensive hotels. |
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 Small Pubs, Restaurants and Internet Cafes line the Main Street |
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It is also a beach resort, where thousands of older Europeans and others come with their families to enjoy the sun and fun of private resort beaches, some all inclusive. Many of these hotels offer so many activities and facilities that one may never need to leave the resort. Often, the larger resorts have zoos, playgrounds, discos, bars, a number of pools and even small theaters. Hurghada is also a city under development. Many new hotels and construction are taking place, and we can expect to see some great new hotels, restaurants and other facilities in the near future. Actually this is a busy section of the Red Sea in general. Safaga is just south of Hurghada, and Soma Bay with its beautiful Sheraton is even closer to the South. To the North is El Gouna, a highly organized resort community. Together, these communities and resort areas offer just about everything a visitor might wish for, from raucous parties to isolated scuba diving, with golf, bowling and fishing in between. |
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| Islands near Hurghada offer all kinds of fun and excitement. Take a day trip to Giftun Island for snorkeling and a fish barbecue, or view the Red Sea from a submarine! When you're not in the sea you can shop in the boutiques, relax in the luxury holiday villages or visit the Roman Mons Porphyrites (mountain of porphyry) remains at nearby Gebel Abu Dukhan (Father of Smoke). Day-trips or safaris to explore the Red Sea Mountains by camel or jeep are also available. Other nearby islands and destinations include the Shadwan Island (Diving, snorkeling, fishing but no swimming), Shaab Abu Shiban (Diving, snorkeling and swimming), Shaab el-Erg (Diving, fishing and snorkeling), Umm Gammar Island (Diving and snorkeling), Shasb Saghir Umm Gammae (Diving), Careless Reef (Diving), Abu Ramada Island (Diving), Shaab Abu Ramada (Fishing), Dishet el-Dhaba (Beaches and swimming), Shaab Abu Hashish (Beaches, diving, snorkeling, swimming and fishing), Sharm el-Arab (Diving, swimming and fishing and Abu Minqar Island (Beaches and swimming). | ||||||
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| Luxor
has often been called the worlds greatest open air museum, as indeed
it is and much more. The number and preservation of the monuments
in the Luxor area are unparalleled
anywhere else in the world that know of. Actually, what most people
think of as Luxor is really three
different areas, consisting of the City of Luxor
on the East side of the Nile, the town of Karnak
just north of Luxor and Thebes,
which the ancient Egyptians called Waset, which is on the west side
of the Nile across from Luxor. Right - The west bank across the Nile from Luxor. To say that the Luxor area is a major attraction for tourists in Egypt would be an understatement. It has been a tourist destination since the beginning of tourism. Even in ancient times, during the late Dynasties of the Greek and Roman periods, the area drew tourists, and has been doing so ever since. Today Luxor is well equipped to accommodate tourists with many hotels and in general a tourist industry ready and willing to serve the people from many countries that descend on this area of the Nile Valley every year. Within Luxor, there are only three main streets consisting of Sharia al-Mahatta, |
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 Sharia
al-Karnak and the Corniched, next
to the Nile. The street in front of the train station is Sharia al-Mahatta
and runs away from the Nile where it meets the gardens of Luxor
Temple. Sharia al-Karnak, or Maabad
al-Karnak which means Karnak
Temple Street runs along the Nile from Luxor
Temple to Karnak Temple. However,
Sharia al-Karnak is known as Sharia
al-Markaz where it meets Sharia al-Mahatta street, and to the south
around the temple it is known as Sharia al-Lokanda. Along this street
one will find the colorful signs of restaurants and cafes, as well
as bazaars where the usual variety of Egyptian souvenirs can be found.
Of interest is the alabaster, which is plentiful along the west bank
and miled not far from here. Also look for the clay pots used by the
locals for cooking, which are more unusual. |
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Luxor
at the Nile |
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 In
Luxor proper on the East Bank, one
of the first stops must be the Temple
of Luxor built by Amenophis
III. Head south on Sharia al-Karnak
to reach the temple, which was connected to the Karnak
Temple via a long stone processional street called a dromos. The dromos
(Picture at right) was built by Nectanebo I, and originally was lined
on either side by sphinxes. In front of the Luxor
temple, the dromos is well preserved, and on the way to the entrance
one passes by a Roman chapel of burnt brick dedicated to the god Serapis,
which was built during the rule of Hadrian. There is a path that leads
to the Nile side of the Temple where one enters the complex. |
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| After
leaving Luxor, head back to Sharia
al-Karnak and go north towards
Karnak. Down the road, near the
police station which is near the tomb is the oldest mosque in Luxor,
the El-Mekashkesh Mosque. It contains the remains of a 10th century
Islamic saint who rumor has it was a monk prior to converting to Islam.
The mosque is a popular pilgrimage destination. Here also is the Franciscan
Church and its schools, one for boys and the other girls. Beyond this
lies a great Coptic basilica. At the Police station, head towards the Nile Corniche. Here, opposite the Mina Palace Hotel you will find the Mummification Museum, which has most anything you would ever want to know about mummifications. From here, head north towards Karnak. |
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 About
halfway to Karnak, you will discover
the Luxor Museum. (The image at
left is a Block Statue of Iamu Negh from the Luxor
Museum). It should certainly be visited if you plan a well rounded
and educated experience. While this is a small museum, most of the
relics are from the surrounding area and provide considerable insight
to the monuments you will visit. From the Museum, head back to Sharia
al-Karnak and continue north towards
Karnak. After crossing a small
bridge one will begin to see the excavated dromos off the road and
running through a small village. A little further on you will pass
the ruins of the Temple of Mut where another dromos leads to the gateway
of the tenth pylon. The road finally arrives at the domed tombs of
two saints, Sidi Ahmed and Sidi Ali, where a road leads past the Department
of Antiquities leads to the main Temple of Karnak
entrance. This road is built along a canal that once connected the
Nile to the Temple. There was a dock in ancient times, but now all
that is left is the quay and the raised dais. Just past that is a
red brick Roman dock and past that two paved ramps led to the river
bank. They are bordered by stone parapets, and were built during the
rule of Taharqa. Past these is the Chapel of Achoris, which received
the sacred boat of Amun when it was used in ceremonies. |
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 Luxor Sound and Light Show |
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In fact, with diving and snorkeling, windsurfing and other water sports, horses and camel riding, desert safaris, and great nearby antiquities attractions, it is almost impossible for a visitor to ever suffer from boredom. Four
miles south the southern section of the town stands on a cliff overlooking
the port. and is a great view. |
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| Aswan,
Egypt's sunniest southern city and ancient frontier town located about
81 miles south of Luxor, has a distinctively
African atmosphere. Its ancient Egyptian name was Syene. Small enough
to walk around and graced with the most beautiful setting on the Nile,
the pace of life is slow and relaxing. Days can be spent strolling
up and down the broad Corniche watching the sailboats etch the sky
with their tall masts or sitting in floating restaurants listening
to Nubian music and eating freshly caught fish. In Aswan the Nile is at its most beautiful, flowing through amber desert and granite rocks, round emerald islands covered in palm groves and tropical plants. Explore the souk, full of the scent and color of spices, perfumes, scarves and baskets. View the spectacular sunsets while having tea on the terrace of the Old Cataract Hotel (Named due to the location of the Nile's first cataract located here). Aswan has been a favorite winter resort since the beginning of the nineteenth century, and it's still a perfect place to get away from it all. Every night Nubian dancers and musicians perform in the Cultural Center, just off the Corniche. Folklore troupes recreate scenes from village life and perform the famous Nubian mock stick-fight dances. |
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 Dancers at the Cultural Center |
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| Aswan
is a strategic location which currently houses a garrison of the Egyptian
army, but which has also seen ancient Egyptian garrisons, as well
as that of General Kitchener, Turkish troops of the Ottoman empire
and the Romans. The city proper lies on the east bank of the Nile. Relax here, visit a few mosques, but then prepare for an adventure. The bazaar runs along the Corniche, which continues past the Ferial Gardens and the Nubian Museum, and continues on to the Cemetery, with its forest of cupolas surmounted tombs from the Fatimid period. Just east of the cemetery in the famous area quarries is the gigantic Unfinished Obelisk. Just to the south of this, two Graeco-Roman sarcophagi and an unfinished colossus remain half buried in the sand. The most obvious is Elephantine Island, which is timeless with artifacts dating from pre-Dynastic times onward. It is the largest island in the area. Just beyond Elephantine is Kitchener's Island (Geziret el-Nabatat). It was named for the British general Haratio Kitchener (185--1916) and was sent to Egypt in 1883 to reorganize the Egyptian army, which he then led against the Sudanese Mahdi. But the island is known for its garden and the exotic plants the Kitchener planted there, and which continue to flourish today. On the opposite shore (west bank), the cliffs are surmounted by the tomb of a marabut, Qubbet el-Hawwa, who was a local saint. Below are tombs of the local (pharaonic) nobles and dignitaries. Upriver a bit is the tomb of Mohammed Shah Aga Khan who died in 1957. Known as the Tomb of the Aga Khan, it is beautiful in its simplicity. A road from there leads back to the Coptic Monastery of St Simeon, which was built in the sixth century in honor of Amba Hadra, a local saint. Just up river a bit, there is also the old Aswan dam, built by the British, which was enlarged, expanded, but unable to control the Nile for irrigation. |
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Elephantine Island |
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The
Northern Coast, is the Egyptian North Western gate stretching 525
Km on the Mediterranean east to Sallum on the Libyan boarder. Attractive integrated tourist villages are there, including beaches, houses, public service units. Moreover, 121 private locations are under study, besides the three models executed by the Ministry of construction, i.e. "Marakia", "Marabella" and "Marina" resorts. Due
to its marble-like nature, "Marakia" was originally known
as "Marmarina" in the old times. The name is extracted
from the Arabic word "marmar" which means marble. Clear
sea and pure sand are its two main characteristics. It is 240 feddans
& consists of three main parts; namely, beach, housing units
and public service units. The beach is 1500 meters long; its downstream
surface is 100 meters. One may imagine "Marina" by the meaning of its name : the beautiful sea. It is 15 Km from "Marakia", 750 meters long on the beach and its downstream surface is 800 meters. Its total surface is about 143 feddans. Many service units are constructed on the beach. The housing unit consists of 34 villas, 264 flats and 672 cabins. A center for administrative, commercial, medical, religious and entertainment services is found in the middle of the village. |
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Population Total
population 3,341,000 Tourism 54
hotels Worship places 1,819
mosques |
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To
arrive at the entrance one follows the dromos with its crio-
The
simplicity of sun, sea and sand. The luxury of five-star hotels,
water sports, shopping and entertainment. This is