The Land of
the River Nile, Egypt, has one of the most ancient and greatest civilizations in the
history of mankind. People who lived there thousands of years ago have left behind an
astonishing legacy of art, architecture and literature.
Perhaps the
greatest single distinguishing feature of Egypt is the great river Nile. It flows through
the entire length of the land and is the only river in the world to flow from south to
north. A Nile cruise abroad a ship/felucca can be the most exciting and relaxing travel
experience you have ever had. The mystique, allure and beauty of Cairo draw thousands of
tourists to Egypt every year. The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities houses a vast collection
of relics and artifacts from almost every period of ancient Egypt.
Islamic
Cairo, an old medieval quarter will take you back six or seven centuries. Some of Islamic
Cairo's highlights include one of the largest mosques in the world, the 9th century Ibn
Tulun Mosque; the Mausoleum of Imam ash-Shafi'i, one of Islam's
The Fortress
town of Babylon, a Roman town, dominates the southern part of the city. Developed as the
powerhouse of native
Spread over
several kilometers in the outskirts of Cairo, are the pyramids. For centuries, millions of
people around the world have been fascinated by the mystery, which surrounds them. The
Pyramids of Giza are one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. These “Great
Pyramids” have survived the rise and fall of numerous dynasties and conquerors. The
Sphinx and other smaller pyramids and temples can be seen in the same area , The
magnificent monumental architectures make Luxor one of Egypt's greatest tourist
destinations. The Luxor Temple and the Temples of Karnack are the two most historic sites
of this ancient but well-preserved city. Of the other temples in the city Hatesphut Temple, the Edfu and Kam Ombo Temples
are the most frequented. Developed by Alexander the Great, Alexandria’s Graeco-Roman
Museum contains relics that date back to the 3rd century BC.
There is a
magnificent black-granite sculpture of Apis, the sacred bull worshipped by the Egyptians.
You would also be able to see mummies, sarcophaguses, pottery, jewelry and ancient
tapestries. The Roman Amphitheatre was discovered recently and is the only amphitheatre,
which the Romans had built in Egypt.
Aswan is the
southern-most city of Egypt. Here the Nile is at its majestic best as it makes its way
down the massive High Dam
In the
south, along the border with Sudan, is the Nubian Desert while in the north is the Sinai
Peninsula consisting of sandy desert and rugged mountains. Mount Catherine (Jabal
Katrinah) (2,637 m/8,652 ft), the highest point in Egypt, is in the Sinai Peninsula, as is
Mount Sinai (Jabal Mosa), where, according to the Old Testament, Moses received the Ten
Commandments.
There are
many cultural facilities in the country. These include besides others, the Pocket Theater,
the National Puppet Theater, the Opera House, and the National Symphony.
Egypt is
famous for its belly dancing. Most of the dancers at resorts and tourist hotels are
European or American, as it is
The best time to visit Egypt is between mid-April and mid-May as you can enjoy the warm days without feeling the midday heat of peak summer. However if you want to go to Upper Egypt and Luxor, the summer months can be uncomfortably hot and therefore, winter is definitely the best time to be there.