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:: Location :: |
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Egypt’s
location, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea from
its northern tip and the Red Sea from its
eastern side, with the river Nile splitting it
down the middle, gives Egypt a striking and
strategic position. You can say it is in the
center of the world and is the cradle of
civilization. This location ensures Egypt’s wide
selection and variety of beaches, resorts and
cities by the river, making your holiday in
Egypt an unforgettable one.
|
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:: Cairo :: |
|
Starting by telling you about Egypt’s capital
and the biggest city in Africa
only makes sense.
Cairo
is home to 17 million people and attracts
professionals, families and young vibrant
students from all over the world looking to
learn Arabic or immerse themselves in Egyptian
culture. This multicultural city, spread over on
either side of the Nile, is home to Pharaonic,
Islamic and Coptic monuments as well as statues
and streets from the turn of the century and the
Ottoman Empire. Downtown and Zamalek districts
are famous for their beautiful European style
architecture, giving downtown Cairo the title of
“Paris along the Nile”. Cairo is a vibrant city
that never sleeps full of restaurants, cafes and
food stands. Walking through the crowds of
people, cars and microbuses and embracing the
randomness of the city is one of the most
interesting experiences some come to find.
Outside of Cairo, people also enjoy taking a
daytrip to
Fayoum to see the oasis and the beautiful lakes
along with waterfalls and natural scenery. |
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:: Alexandria and the North Coast
:: |
|
Going
a bit north, we find Alexandria. Originally
built by Alexander the great, it is home to many
Greek and Roman monuments as well as the world
renowned, recently renovated Library of
Alexandria. Taking a walk along the
Mediterranean coast, you cross the Stanley
bridge and gaze at the beautiful coastal line of
this wonderful city. Like any Mediterranean
city, Alexandria is known for its delicious
cuisine which is mostly centered on fish and
seafood. Besides Alexandria, there are many
other cities, towns and resorts along the
northern coast of Egypt like: Marsa Matruh
(known for its white sand and crisp blue water
beaches), Agami (known for its night life and
crazy beach parties during the summer),
Elalamein (where there are many WW2 graves and
monuments) and the North Coast resorts (Also
known as Sahel, where Upper middle class and the
elite of Cairo spend their summers).
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:: Red Sea :: |
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Diving into the Red Sea is just
what people do there. Known for having some of
the best
diving spots in the world along with
gorgeous beaches stranded across its coasts, the
Red Sea would definitely prove to be an
adventure. In
Hurghada and the newly established
El-Gouna, people go to enjoy diving, wind
surfing, parasailing and laying along the
shores. Going south to
Marsa Alam and other cities, there is
everything from extravagant five star resorts,
to totally raw lands and beaches to camp in and
interact with nature. Visiting
Ain Soukhna is an all time favourite for Cairo locals, for its proximity
to the capital, great weather all year round and
simple yet vivid blue water beaches. From there
before crossing to the Sinai,
you could stop for a
daytrip in Suez and watch the ships go by on
the
canal.
|
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:: Sinai :: |
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Crossing under the Suez Canal into Sinai you
come to find a whole other world. Sand dunes,
golden rock mountains and endless deserts are
what you see on either sides of the road. Sinai is home to many small
cities and towns along the coasts, as well as
accommodations ranging from resorts to huts and
tents by the beach. Safaris into the mountains
of Sinai are not only a great adventure but a
majestic experience.
Sharm El Sheikh is the most famous and
popular getaway in Sinai, located in the south
of the peninsula. It is home to many resorts
hosting thousands of people from all over the
world. Sharm, as the locals call it, is full of
restaurants, shops and nightclubs where the
party never ends. Those who prefer a mellower
kind of vacation usually go up north to
backpackers’ favourite spots
Dahab,
Nweiba and the camps along the coast. A
popular spot in Sinai is
Taba, from there you can see Israel, Jordan
and Saudi Arabia; a meeting point of four very
different countries.
|
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:: Western Desert & Oasis
:: |
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If you go to the complete opposite side of the
country, into the western desert, it is a whole
other trip. Besides the beauty of the desert
itself, and the miles and miles of open space
and raw environment you feast your eyes on,
there are five oases in the desert;
Baharia,
Farafra,
Dakhla,
Kharga and
Siwa. Each of those oases has its own
culture, traditions, feel and look. They are
great to base in and then go on daily desert
adventures. Some of the oases also have hot
natural springs that you can go for a swim in
and many find this to be a soothing and relaxing
activity. Amongst the popular choices of spots
in the western desert are the white desert, the
back desert and the crystal mountain. Each of
these is beautiful and unique in its own way,
but the elements they have in common are the
silence, serenity and the deep blue sky with
stars shimmering all over.
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:: Nile Cruise in Aswan and Luxor
:: |
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One of the most popular trips visitors of Egypt
enjoy taking is the
Nile Cruise. This is a five star cruise
liner that takes you through the gorgeous
southern Nile scenery, and gives you the
opportunity to visit
Luxor
(Luxor was one of the Pharaonic capitals of
Egypt was previously known as Thebes),
Aswan
and nearby cities like Edfu and Comombo. These
cities have about a third of the world’s
antiquities. The cruise sails both from
Luxor or Aswan, and
besides enjoying the on deck pool and the boat
facilities, you get to emerge yourself in upper
Egyptian beauty, serenity and history. |
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:: Golf :: |
|
Golfing is a popular activity choice in Egypt
since there is great weather all year round.
There are various golf courses
around greater Cairo, but perhaps the most
interesting one would be the
Mena
House Golf Course which overlooks the
Great pyramids of Giza. |
|
:: Safari :: |
|
To take a safari into the
desert means you have a sense of adventure and
long for the desert’s mystery and excitement.
Some like to do it via four wheeling (aka beach
buggies) all dressed up in the proper gear;
sunglasses, headscarf and light linen clothing.
Others like to take jeeps into the desert and
avoid the excessive contact with the sand. Both
are great rides through the sand dunes and some
are through the mountains depending on the
spots. This trip usually ends with a wonderful
place to camp whether to spend the evening or a
couple of days, and Bedouins prepare a delicious
meal for you on the camp fire with roasted meat,
fried rice and spicy vegetables with tomato
sauce. There are many different popular Safari
spots around Egypt like the
western desert and Sinai.
|
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:: Diving :: |
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Egypt
has some of the most beautiful diving spots in
the world and vast amounts of dive centers with
certified and excellent guides and instructors.
From ship wrecks to coral reefs to wild
sea-creatures to open water to the blue hole,
Egypt offers the best diving sites at amazing
prices. While the most popular diving spots are
Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada, backpackers and
students also go for Dahab and other spots in
northern Sinai. There are a little less than one hundred diverse
diving sites all over the country.
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:: Beaches :: |
|
Egypt has a gorgeous and central location
serving as the bridge between Africa
and Asia with a coast on the
other side of Europe. With an almost 3000 kms
coastal line stretching on the
Mediterranean Sea and the Red
Sea and great weather all year round,
Egypt is the ultimate beach destination. On the
north coast you can find the still water beaches
for those who like to relax in the west in
places like Sidi Abdelrahman and Marsa Matruh,
complete with turquoise coloured water and
heavenly white sand. For those with a more
adventurous side going more into the east you
can find the same white fine sand and crystal
blue water but that is wild with huge waves,
great for surfing and having a blast. Along the
red sea coast, you won’t find much waves but you
can find diverse locations with either a
seashore as far as your eyes can see or
beautiful little bays with mountains all around
you giving you a sense of serenity and
exclusiveness. Egypt offers many five star
resorts on the beach, all inclusive with
services and amenities. It also offers cheaper
accommodation options right on the shore as well
as camping sites that are mostly run by
Bedouins, especially popular in
Sinai.
So whether you want to relax or party, lay by
the beach or embark on some extreme sports, golf
or visit ancient monuments; we can safely say
Egypt would be the ideal place for your holiday.
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