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Holiday in Egypt: It has it all!
Taking your holidays in Egypt is the best value for money and you get a chance to experience and see 7,000 years of history and civilization.
Taking a moment to realize that Egypt is more than 7,000 years old and was home to one of the best documented civilizations of the world, is breath taking on its own. Across the centuries and millennia there have been numerous cultures and peoples who have lived in Egypt and ruled it too. The result of that nowadays, are the leftover monuments and memoirs representing cultural diversity, human life and survival through it all.
LocationEgypt’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.
CairoStarting 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.
Alexandria and the North CoastGoing 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).
Red SeaDiving 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.
SinaiCrossing 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.
Western Desert & OasisIf 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.
Nile Cruise in Aswan and LuxorOne 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.
GolfGolfing 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.
SafariTo 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.
DivingEgypt 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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