Cities

Cairo

Cairo is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in Africa. In fourteenth-century Ibn Khaldun termed the city “capital of the world” and “crown of the world”. The River Nile flows northward through Cairo Metropolitan Area. Cairo strikes one as a land of vivid contrasts. Its ancient civilization, unique history and culture blend harmoniously with the modern refinements of the 20th century. Merely a glance at Cairo’s diversity and variety makes it clear why Cairo means Egypt to an Egyptian.

Touristic Attractions:

	The Pyramids & Sphinx of Giza: On the west bank of the Nile and on top of Giza plateau rise the three great Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus. They are guarded by the mysterious Sphinx which is a mythical statue with the body of a lion and a human head. The three Pyramids are considered one of the seven wonders of the world.

The Solar Boat Museum: Is situated at the foot of the great Pyramid at Giza. The boat has lately been discovered and assembled. It is the oldest complete boat in the world.

The Egyptian Museum: The largest of Egyptian antiquities museums all over the world. It presents through its innumerable pieces, the antique culture of the entire country covering the whole history of ancient Egypt.

Memphis and Sakkara areas: Memphis served as the capital of Upper and Lower Egypt some 5’000 years ago during the First Dynasty. Menes, the king who united Upper & Lower Egypt and the first Pharaoh of this dynasty, built a great, white-walled palace and the Temple of Ptah.

Sakkara: One of the most exciting historical and archeological areas in all Egypt. In this place more of Egypt’s Pharaonic splendors can be seen. It is known for the Step Pyramid of King Zoser which is considered an evolution in the concept of Pyramids.

Old Coptic Cairo: :This area is the oldest part of Cairo. After the spread of Christianity throughout Egypt, it became a Christian stronghold, with as many as twenty churches that dates from the 4th century upwards, built within an area of just one square mile - now only few remain. After the fall of Jerusalem in around 70 AD, the area saw an influx of Jews, and it’s here where Egypt’s oldest synagogue, Ben Ezra is located. Among the churches are: Abu Sirga church, the Hanging church, the church of the Virgin, Saint Barbara church, the Greek Orthodox church of Saint George, the church of Saint Mina, the church of Saint George, the church of Abu Seifein Monastery … etc.

Islamic Cairo: beauty of Islamic monuments is not limited to mosques only, but it also includes houses and palaces. Islamic sights includes:

The Citadel of Salah El Din: Situated in the spur of Muqattam Hills, it evokes the memory of its great founder.

Mohamed Ali Mosque in the Citadel: Named the Alabaster mosque due to the use of Alabaster for coating its interior & exterior walls. Sultan Hassan Mosque: one of Islam’s greatest buildings. Ibn Tulun Mosque: It is built in the classical courtyard style and covers a vast area.
Al Azhar Mosque: The first mosque of Fatimid Cairo and part of the world’s first university.

Al Refa’ie Mosque: Located in Salah El Din square at the Citadel north of Sultan Hasaan Mosque in addition to other Islamic sights.

Gayer Anderson Museum:A charming Ottoman-style house which belonged to a British major of the same name. The museum is actually a combination of two different styles.

Khan El Khalili Bazzars: Is the largest souk (shopping center) in the world. Built in the 14th century A.D. and contains many stores that exhibit wonderful collections, leather ware, embroidered dresses and attractive hand-made products that make a great selection of souvenirs. It also has many coffee-shops for refreshments.

Pharaonic Village: It is a village built entirely in the ancient style, inhabited by some 300 living in the ancient Egyptian atmosphere and practicing all agricultural and industrial activities with the same tools and implements used in Ancient Egypt

Cairo Tower: Over 180 meters high, it is the most outstanding attraction of modern Cairo. Visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Cairo from the observation platform. It has a rotating restaurant & a cafeteria.

Al-Azhar Park: The park is on the site of an earlier garden made during the Fatamid reconstruction of Cairo in the late 10th century. The high hilly ground of the park commands a spectacular panoramic view over the townscape of historic Cairo, modern Cairo and over the “City of the Dead” and so it functions as a ‘green lung’ because of its enormous potential location.

Al Azhar park features shaded walkways, a children’s play area, a museum and a stunning hilltop restaurant that is designed around a courtyard with a small traditional fountain at its center. A graceful shaded area leads to a terrace, which has a magnificent panoramic view of the Citadel. There is also a breathtaking Lakeside Café, it’s cuisine is mainly Lebanese.

• Wekalet El Ghori: behind Al Azhar Mosque, at the entrance of which stand very high and thick wooden gates studded in metal with its fascinating Islamic architecture. Well known performance of true traditional show at Wekalet El Ghori “Al Tanoura Traditional Troup” - true Sufi whirling style is organized every Saturday, Monday & Wednesday from 20:30 to 21:30 hrs.

• El Muizz Street: one of the oldest streets in Cairo, approximately 1 Km long. It has the greatest concentration of medieval architectural treasures in the Islamic world. It has been beautifully restored & contains numerous monuments.
• El Hakem Mosque: the second largest Fatimid Mosque in Cairo. It stands beside the Gate of Victory.
• Beit El Sehemy: from the Ottoman period. An old Arabian house that belonged to El Sehemy family. It consists of halls, rooms, corridors and courts embracing Islamic arts and arabesque windows.
• Bab Zuweila: a medieval gate in Cairo. The last remaining southern gate from the walls of Fatimid Cairo.
All above sites are around 4 hours walking distance from each.

Alexandria

The second largest city in Egypt, known as “The Pearl of the Mediterranean”. It has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern; it’s ambience and cultural heritage distance it from the rest of the country although it is actually only 225 km. from Cairo. The founder of the city was Alexander the Great, in whose honour the city is named.

Touristic attractions:

Alexandria Library “the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina”: By reopening the library, Alexandria is trying to recapture the spirit of its richest legacy – the Great Library of Alexandria, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It has reopened near the site where the original famed learning centre once stood 2’500 years ago. Today the new Bibliotheca Alexandria proves that perhaps the most important element of the ancient library persists – its spirit. And this time the building is fireproof.

Greco Roman Museum: Houses many collections of rare Roman relics and coins about 40 thousand pieces, from the 3rd century B.C. to the 7th century A.D.

Roman Amphitheatre:A small Roman theatre that was used for musical performances, and sometimes also for wrestling contests.

Pompeys Pillar: A granite pillar</strong>, over 25 meters high, and built amidst the ruins of the Serapium in 297 A.D in memory of the Roman Emperor Diocletian.

The Catacombs: This is the largest Roman cemetery. It is of three levels and cut in the rock to a depth of 100 feet. Dating to the beginning of the 2nd century A.D., it is a blend of Pharaonic and Roman art.

Montazah Palace: Acres of formal gardens and a beautiful beach make Montazah the foremost city pleasure grounds. Montazah Palace, a grand structure built in a mixture of Turkish and Florentine styles, is now a great statehouse.

The Royal Jewellery Museum: This museum is considered a magnificent architectural piece of art, its halls comprise several paintings, decorations and rare statues. The museum houses collection of Mohamed Ali family’s jewellery, all are invaluable and rare pieces. The family was famous throughout its history.

The Fort of Quaitbay: This fort was constructed in the 15th century by Quaitbay, and consists of three floors along the medieval fortresses in Egypt, and now houses a naval museum to preserve the naval heritage of Alexandria

Luxor

It was the Capital of Egypt during the Middle and New Kingdom. It was proverbially famous for its wealth. Nowhere else in the world has such wealth of antiquities of mankind been preserved as it has been in Luxor - “Luxor” in Arabic means “The Palaces”. Luxor reflects its rich array of magnificent temples and tombs. Each step covers a historic era, each stone recalls a legend. Luxor is the largest open air museum on earth. Luxor, where royality was buried.

Touristic attractions:

Luxor Temple – It was the center of the most important festivals during that period. It has huge papyrus columns and was dedicated to the god Amun. It is close to the Nile and parallel with the River Bank. The temple has been in almost continuous use as a place of worship right up to the present day. One of its striking aspects are the remains of an ancient Christian Church and Abu Haggag Mosque. Three religions represented in one place.

Karnak Temple – This vast temple complex just to the north of Luxor, consists of three main areas. There are many theories covering the main function of the temple.

The West Bank: It is one of the most important archeological sites in the world where the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens and the Tombs of the Nobels are found. It was there that the fabulous treasures of Tutankhamon which dazzled the world, were discovered. At the foot of the cliff, lie El Deir El-Bahari or the temple of Queen Hatshepsut and amidst green fields stands the two colossal statues of Memnon.

Luxor Museum: It lies on the East Bank and contains an important collection of Egyptian antiquities from the Upper Egyptian kingdoms.

Dendera and Abydos: Are located north of Luxor. It was at Dendera that the Egyptians worshipped Hathor, the ancient Egyptian goddess of love and joy, in a temple which is exceptionally well-preserved. Abydos occupies an important place in the religious history of Pharaonic Egypt.

The Temples of Esna, Edfu & Kom-Ombo: They lie between Luxor and Aswan and can be reached by car/bus. There lies a beautiful and famous temples, Temple of Khnum in Esna – Temple of Horus in Edfu – Temple shared by the two gods Sobek & Haroeris in Kom Ombo.

For golfers: There is a golf course situated at the East Bank of Luxor, please visit our website
www.golfinegypt.com

Aswan

It is Egypt’s southernmost city and ancient frontier town located 210 Km south of Luxor. The city’s ambience is palpably African, it is located in the ancient Nubian lands. Much of its charm come from the Nile River, which runs through it, as well as from a number of small lush islands in the Nile; such as the Elephantine Island.

Touristic attractions:

The High Dam: Lies just north of the border between Egypt and Sudan. It was constructed not only to regulate the yearly flood of the Nile, but also to create a water reservoir capable of storing water to prevent famine during severe droughts.

The Unfinished Obelisk: It gives a great deal of information about how the original builders set out their tasks. It was meant to be erected to Queen Hatshepsut but fissures developed in several points and it was never removed from the rock

Philae Temple: Lies south of the city of Aswan. Philae was the last bastion of ancient Egyptian religion and hieroglyphic usage. It is also a superb example of threatened cultural heritage being saved in the face of modern civilizations to change the environment.

Sailing around the Island by felucca: A delightful excursion to the small granite islands of the Nile, including the Elephantine and Kitcheners islands.

AbuSimbel

Located 300 km southwest of Aswan in the Nubian desert on the banks of Lake Nasser. It is rather surprising that while Abu Simbel is considered to be the most famed monument of its kind in Egypt, it remaind practically unknown throughout most of the 19th century.

Touristic attractions:

The two temples of Abu Simbel: Ramses II and his wife Nefertari: They are the most awe-inspiring sites in Egypt. Not only are they among the most magnificent monuments in the world, but their removal and reconstruction was a historic event in itself. The decorations & paintings on the walls of the temples shows their glory.

Oasis

The Oasis is a depression in the desert comprising springs, wells and trees, reflects the beauty, charm and diversity of nature. In Egypt there are plenty of Oasis in the Western Desert. The oasis is famed for its all-year-round pleasant climate and beautiful scenery. There is evidence of pre-historic settlements as well as Pharaonic, Greek Roman, Coptic, & Islamic monuments.

Touristic attractions:

Fayoum: It is known as the only artificial oasis, created not by water springing forth from the ground but by a long canal, naturally formed by the flooding Nile that dates from Biblical times, called Joseph’s canal. This stretches from the Nile to the great lake of Birket Qarun. It is this huge lake, which on a rough day looks very much like the sea that gives the special character to the Fayoum.

Places to visit: Lake Qarun, Wadi Hitan (Whale Valley) and Wadi Rayan.

Siwa Oasis: is situated in the Western Desert. Siwa has a unique atmosphere, an ambience that is genuinely relaxing, truly a magical place. Siwa has two populations, originally. The Siwans, who are Berber in origin, and the Bedouin, who inhabit villages around the edge of the Oasis and whose gaily dressed women are not as reclusive as the native Siwans. Siwa oasis is known for its geographical beauty and hot springs. The old town of Siwa dates back to the 13th century and its mud and brick architecture looks gnarled and quite unique.

Places to visit: Shally (old Siwa), Gabel El Mawta (mountain of dead) and enjoy the beauty of the sunset from the view of the Salt lakes.

Bahariya Oasis: is one of the greatest attractions in Egypt. It is roughly 300 km away from the capital city of Cairo and is situated in the Giza province. Here, tourists will find an art museum and the major agricultural products including mangoes, dates, guavas and olives. Visit the local museum of Golden Mummies – Bennutti Tombs at the area of Qasr Selim – Ein Meftela Chapel providing insight to an oasis of once greater fortune.

Farafra Oasis: in the Western Desert of Egypt. It is the nearest oasis to the White Desert. Farafra was known in ancient Egypt as the Land of the Cow, in honor of the Egyptian goddess Hathor who was symbolized by a cow. The text of the ancient Egyptian folk story the ‘Eloquent Peasant’ talks of the ‘rods of Farafra’. This may have been a reference to a type of oasis cane used for making furniture and even fishing rods.

Visit the hot springs and the house/museum of the pop artist Badr.

White Desert: is one of the worth visiting places in Egypt. A wide territory of sand dunes with fantastic landscapes deeply admired by desert lovers. It is called in that name due to the white color of the chalk rock formations created by the erosion in a graceful manner. This area is distinguished by its tranquility and serenity that makes it one of the most preferable destinations for those who love camping.

Kharga Oasis: is the largest oasis and the capital of the New Valley Governorate (El Wadi El Gedid) in the Western Desert of Egypt. It is located about 580 km away from Cairo. A large number of the inhabitants earn their living from practicing some handcrafts such as basket making, manual carpets and mats using the wool of their cattle.

Places to visit: Al Deir El Mounira Monastery, Temple of Hibis and El Bagawat Necropolis.

Dakhla Oasis: Situated above sea level as high as 122 meters. Dakhla is considered to be one of the oldest inhabited places in Africa, or rather Mut, its main town is Mut, which means mother in the Ancient Egyptian tongue. Houses carbon dated to 13,000 years ago have been unearthed there.

Places to visit: Visit El Qasr (old Islamic village), El Qasr Hill, Deir El Hagar, Asmant Kharab & Balat and the Dunes.

El Gilf El Kebir: is a plateau in the remote southwest corner of Egypt. Its name translates as "the Great Barrier". This 7770-square-kilometre sandstone plateau roughly rises 300m from the desert floor. It is known for its rugged beauty, remoteness, geological interest, and the dramatic cliff paintings and rock carvings which depict an era of abundant animal life and human habitation.

Places to visit: Abu Ballas, Uwainat, Karkur Talh, Wadi soura, Mestakawi cave, Silica glass- great sand sea and the prehistoric stone rings

AlAlamein

Al Alamein
The village located about 66 miles east of Alexandria. It is mostly a port facility for shopping oil. It was once described by Churchill as having the best climate in the world. There are several hotels and beach resorts.

• World War II Battlefield Cemetery: the site of a major victory by the Allied forces during the Second World War. It is surrounded by numerous memorials, cemeteries and sites for those who died in the desert campaign. There are separate memorials for the soldiers from each of the countries who fought on this battlefield.

• Alamein Military Museum: established in 1965 and renewed in 1992 during the fiftieth anniversary of El Alamein battle. Germany, Italy and England participated in enriching the Museum offering information and ancient military items. It consists of Egyptian Hall, Commonwealth Hall, Italian Hall, German Hall, Mixed Hall and Outside exhibition.

MARSA MATROUH
It lies 290 km west of Alexandria. The distance from Cairo to Matrouh is 524 km. It lies on a bay on the Mediterranean and is distinguished by its seven km long beach. It’s beaches are famous by their white soft sands and calm transparent waters, for the bay is protected from the high seas by a series of rocks forming a natural wave-breaker, with small opening to allow light vessels in. It has several hotels & resorts with different categories.

Red Sea

It has been called “red” due to the color of various mountain ranges bordering the sea. It is one of the world’s most beautiful places; one can just enjoy gazing out across its heavenly water. The underwater life is fascinating; it has everything to offer – spectacular reefs, fabulous colored fish, dramatic wrecks and good visibility at most times of the year – in fact the divers dream of paradise.

The Red Sea, where the desert meets the ocean, is truly one of the planet most exotic and fascinating natural seascape environments. For swimmers, divers, fishermen and tourists, the Red Sea has its own kind of incomparability. In the Red Sea, plenty of resort areas should be visited such as.

Hurghada

	Was at a time just a simple fishing village. But with the nature around, the clarity of the water, and the endless opportunities for divers, Hurghada became an Egyptian center for pleasure tourism. 20 km of beach hotels is the result.
Far from the true Egypt of great monuments, traffic jams which makes Hurghada a successful tourist resort for divers and swimmers. It’s ringed by mountains, desert, a clean sandy shore and a clear blue sea. It is a paradise of scuba diving, snorkeling and deep sea fishing.

Hotels

Most of the hotels have their own private beach, organized in an attractive way in three main centers. To the north lies the place that is closest to being a town, Ad-Dahar, which has more than half of the total local population, and the most price worthy hotels and restaurants. A couple of kilometers south, comes Sigala, a place that suffers from being between Ad-Dahar and New Hurghada a few kilometers more to the south. There are some hotels there, some restaurants.

El Gouna

Located 22 km. north of Hurghada. El Gouna is a beautiful resort built on a group of islands and surrounded by lagoons composed of 8 hotels and a lot of other attractions. Unrivaled diving, watersports, sailing, fishing, windsurfing … etc , shopping, kids’ activities, entertainment, world class cuisine and nightlife puts El Gouna on the map. For golfers: There is golf course "El Gouna Golf & Fitness Club", please visit our web site www.golfinegypt.com

Safaga

Located 60 km. south of Hurghada on the Red Sea. A sleepy harbor of sun and water sports that is just beginning to awaken as a winter tourist resort. Known best for its fantastic coral reefs. For Golfers: There is a spectacular seaside golf course “The Cascades” designed by Gary Player, please visit our web site
www.golfinegypt.com

A Thalasso-therapy center

Al Quseir

Located 80 km. south of Safaga, it is a suitable site for camping and water sports. Al Quseir has some hotels with different categories.

Marsa Alam

About 135 km. south of Quseir, it has several hotels with different categories and is rich with marine life and therefore suitable for fishing

Ein Sokhna

Located 140 km. east of Cairo on the Gulf of Suez and 55 km south of Suez, Red Sea. It is one of the beautiful spots on the Red Sea and the closest to Cairo. In Arabic, “Ein Sokhna” means hot spring, was named after the nearby sulfur springs. The area is known for its mild climate all year round. It is a favorite spot for water sports, fishing … etc. In Ein Sokhna there are 5, 4 and 3 stars hotels for tourists to enjoy their stay.

For golfers: there is a golf course in Stella Di Mare, please visit our website www.golfinegypt.com

Sinai

It is indeed a magical area “The Land of Turquoise”. The stretch of coastline boasts splendid sandy beaches, with colorful mountains as backdrop and the most fabulous offshore flora and underwater life imaginable. Not only is Sinai a leisure and diving destination, but also has historical significance and some of the most attractive desert scenery possible as well.Sinai is where rock meets coral reef and the desert stops at the sea.

Where the granite meets the golden beaches. Tropical fish, spectacular sunsets and clear starry nights where you can relax on the beach, snorkel in water rich with rare marine life and exquisite corals while enjoying the exotic experience that Egypt offers. In Sinai, plenty of resort areas should be visited such as.

Sharm El Sheikh

	The simplicity of sun, sea and sand. Situated between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. Sharm El Sheikh is one of the most accessible and developed tourist resort communities on the Sinai peninsula. All around are Bedouins, colorful tents, magnificent mountains background with the surroundings of azure blue sea. Sharm El Sheikh has all the amenities one could expect of a tourist center, including casinos, discos and nightclubs. For golfers there is a golf course situated at Joile Ville Movenpick Golf Resort, please visit our web site www.golfinegypt.com and health facilities
Water sports can be enjoyed all day long. Snorkeling and diving trips can also be arranged. In addition to horses, camel riding and desert safaris – all this makes it almost impossible for a visitor to ever suffer from boredom. For those who live to shop, Sharm El Sheikh Mall provides shops with both foreign and local products, including jewellery, leather goods, clothing, pottery and books.
Colored Canyon: Hiking through the Colored Canyon, one of the highlights and most popular locations in Sinai. It has become a very popular safari destination. The rare rock formations and canyon walls are dramatic and breathtaking.
Tiran Island or Ras Mohamed: Excursion by boat to either Tiran Island or Ras Mohamed for swimming, snorkeling or diving to explore the awesomeness of the underwater life. Lunch on board is included.

Hotels

There are small intimate hotels with modern designs, as well as larger hotel complexes belonging to the International chains. Most of the hotels are organized between the following areas at Sharm:

Na’ama Bay: Is one of the centers of tourist activities. Located just north of Sharm. This small tourist settlement has developed into a thriving resort town of its own. Most hotels at Na’ama Bay have their own private beaches with comfortable chairs and shades against the dazzling sun, and even bars.

Sharks Bay: Is one of the beautiful bays in the whole of Sinai. Despite its name, is a haven of calm and tranquility. Small boats bobbing about on the sea, a few umbrellas and some beach towels seem to be the only signs of life along with several diving centers. Nabq Bay and Ras Um Sid: Are part of Sharm El Sheikh with their incredible view

Dahab

About 90 km north of Sharm El Sheikh. It’s a small Bedouin village at the Gulf of Aqaba. “Dahab” means gold in Arabic, and it is said that it was given by the Arab Bedouins, who linked the shimmering sands and tawny beaches to gold dust. Its hotels and villages are self contained with private beaches and access to a coral reef on the headland.

Nuweiba

Is a small and peaceful town, located 58 miles away from Dahab and about an hour south of Taba. It overlooks the Gulf of Aqaba. There are plenty of things to keep you busy, water sports, a view of the fabulous coral reefs, and desert safaris. Nuweiba is the feast of colors for the eyes – the beauty of life under the water and the blue sea with golden sand

Taba

Is a meeting of borders, it has a unique location, overlooking the Aqaba harbor in Jordan, Saudi Arabia and only 2 miles from Elate Holy Land. Egypt has a major plans for this area as a tourism center. It has all the excitement and fascination a tourist could want; the beach with its clear crystal water, its colored reefs and rare fish. It currently has good restaurants and beach cafes. In its hotels with their private beaches you can enjoy the wealth of water sports, scuba diving … etc in addition to sunbathing where you can relax and spend a leisurely afternoon enjoying the calm sea.

Saint Catherine

There you will visit the Mount of Sinai, which carries a lot of historical & spiritual significance where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments. Saint Catherine monastery: Set beneath the mountain. It has been one of the world’s great centers of religious pilgrimage over fifteen centuries. Quite simply the monastery is a defining feature of the Holy Land.

El Arish

Located 260 km. from Cairo. It has experienced more than its fair share of invasions. Fortunately the latest one is peaceful and it is well known by its palm shaded beaches. It has various hotels with different categories

Ras Sudr

Located 225 km. from Cairo on the Gulf of Suez. Famed for the variety of seashells washed up on its beach and its perfect windsurfing conditions. There are number of resorts growing up around the town.