The city of Alexandria, christened “The Pearl of the Mediterranean” is the second largest city of ancient Egypt and an important tourist resort. Located some 200km from Cairo, Alexandria boasts a good share of Egypt’s major tourist attractions.

Alexandria, a city with a population of more than 3 million people, was founded by the renowned  Alexander the Great in 331 BC and designed by architect Denokrates II in the shape of a chessboard.

Alexandria became the capital of Graeco-Roman Egypt, its status as a beacon of culture symbolised by Pharos, the legendary lighthouse that was one of the Seven Wonders of the World The setting for the stormy relationship between Cleopatra and Mark Antony, Alexandria was also the centre of learning in the ancient world. However ancient Alexandria declined, and when Napoleon landed, he found a sparsely populated fishing village.

From the 19th century Alexandria took a new role, as a focus for Egypt’s commercial and maritime expansion. This Alexandria has been immortalised by writers such as E-M- Forster and Cavafy. Generations of immigrants from Greece, Italy and the Levant settled here and made the city synonymous with commerce, cosmopolitanism and bohemian culture. Read the rest of this entry »

Share This

Sharm el Sheikh, also referred to as the ‘City of Peace’, is one of the most popular Egypt travel destinations.

Spanning more than 70 km of open sea between the tip of Ras Muhammad and the Egyptian mainland at Hurghada, Sharm el Sheikh is renown for its idyllic beaches and diving sites .

Having been established in the 20th century as a small fishing village, Sharm el Sheik has grown over the years into a robust tourist centre with five-star hotels, water sports, shopping and entertainment.

The region also boasts an extraordinary collection of marine life that includes sea turtles, dolphins and sharks.

Sharm el Sheikh is deemed one of the finest diving spots in the world; attracting millions of  travellers, mainly from Europe, North America and Middle East. Lack of intensive fishing on site coupled with big tidal movements, fascinating reefs and extraordinary marine life make Sharm El Sheikh one of Egypt’s best dive sites.

Besides the incredibly wide array of colourful reef species, there are dolphins, sea turtles and sharks. The reefs are not only appealing but they also offer the best opportunity to swim with the sharks in the northern Red Sea.

Egypt travel aficionados have a variety of exciting Sharm el Sheikh tours to choose from; all of which can easily be organised from the city. They include, among many others, interesting tours to Ras Mohammed National Park, Abu Galam Protected Area and Mount Moses.  Read the rest of this entry »

Share This

Egypt’s mystical and timeless appeal has for centuries seen the ancient country being ranked among the most spectacular sightseeing destinations in the world.

Egypt is reached by air, water as well as road and rail. Travellers by air can come in through Cairo International Airport, Alexandria, Nozah, Luxor and Aswan in Upper Egypt, Hurghaba in the Red Sea area, and Sharm El-Sheikh in South Sinai.

There are several airliners that offer Egypt flights including British Airways, Alitalia, Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Royal Dutch Airlines, and Thai Airways International.

In addition to airports there are a number of marine harbors for those that prefer to travel by sea. For those travelling on the Mediterranean Sea, the ports of Alexandria, Port Said, and Damietta are all possible entry points. There is also a port right at the Gulf of Suez and another, the port of Nuweiba on the Gulf of Aqaba. The Red Sea offers three options for travellers; the ports of Hurghaba, Safaga, and Sharm El-Sheikh.

For those who prefer road trips, there are three overland entry posts. The Salloum entry post is located on the northwestern border (for those coming in from Lybia). The famous Rafah crossing is on the northeastern border for those coming in from the Gaza strip, the Occupied Territories, and Israel. On the eastern border there is a post at Taba for those coming in from Israel. Read the rest of this entry »

Share This

Located in the northern part of Africa, Egypt has a mystical and timeless appeal that has attracted travellers for centuries.

Ancient civilizations have left their impression on the landscape, creating what today ranks among the most spectacular sightseeing destinations in the world.

Cairo (al-Q?hirah meaning the Triumphant City) is a top travel destination in Ancient Egypt offering numerous attractions. Cairo is the administrative capital of Egypt and home of the Great Pyramids of Giza. In addition to the pyramids, there are ancient temples, tombs, Christian churches, magnificent Muslim monuments, and the Egyptian Antiquities Museum - all either within or nearby Cairo.

Alexandria the largest port and second largest city in Egypt is also an interesting travel destination. Founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC, Alexandria is home to beautiful beaches, Mediterranean Sea breezes and a wealth of history and culture. Pieces of history that tell of Alexandria’s rich and glorious past like the Roman amphitheatre and Catacombs as well as Pompey’s Pillar and the Museum of Graeco- Roman Antiquities  can all be found here.

The modern day Alexandria is a popular summer resort with beautiful hotels and gardens such as the Montazah Palace gardens. The locals come here to escape the hustle and bustle of Cairo during the winter. On sight is the fortress of Quait Bay, which was built on the site of one of the 7 wonders of the world, the Lighthouse of Pharos.

Visitors on Egypt holidays find tours to the city of Luxor quite rewarding. Located south of Egypt, Luxor (City of Palaces) and its surrounding area contain more than three quarters of Egypt’s ancient treasures including Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens and Karnak temples. The hospitality of the residents of Alexandria and the area’s historical grandeur are guaranteed to capture your heart and mind right away. Read the rest of this entry »

Share This

Cairo, the capital of Egypt and Africa’s most populous city, is a modern city with a vibrant lifestyle and full of life. Streets in Cairo are always bustling with activity no matter the time of day.

Aside from being Egypt’s portal for the discovery of great culture which include; art galleries and music halls, such as the Cairo Opera House, Cairo is also a place of leisure, shopping and a healthy nightlife activity.

The shopping centers in Cairo range from the largely unchanged Khan el-Khalili bazaar which has been in existence since the 14th century, to the modern air-conditioned centers displaying the trendy clothing, spices, perfumes, leatherwork among other items. The camel market in Cairo - the Souq al-Gamaal- is a favourite stop-over after watching Pharaonic monuments as it offers a chance to see the world’s largest gathering of camels.

The entertainment offered in Cairo ranges from theater, art, dance, dining, museums, bars and cinemas. The museums in Cairo suit just about any interest. Anyone interested in Egypt’s Pharaonic past should visit the Egyptian Museum located on Tahrir Square. Other interesting museums are the museums of Islamic Art and the Coptic Museum. Besides having a comprehensive collection these museums are situated near other must-see historical sites. These includes Abdeen Palace Museum and the Manial Palace Museum – filled with interesting accounts of the pre-revolution period.

The Gezirah Art Center, another great site, located near the Marriot in Zamalek, has a lovely collection of ceramics. The Mahmoud Khalil Museum in Dokki displays a private collection of European art—including works by Monet, Gauguin, Pissarro, and Van Gogh. The National Museum of Egyptian Modern Art, located at the Opera House complex, has an extensive collection, mostly by 20th century artists. It is among the most popular Cairo tours destinations.

Opened in 1988, the Opera House complex is a stunning jewel of postmodernist architecture incorporating Islamic and Pharaonic motifs. There are two opera halls in the complex, one a strictly jacket-and-tie while the other a little more laid back. The complex also offers an open-air theatre and an amphitheatre for summer performances. There is no shortage of activities here. Usually there is more than one event per night, so it is advisable to call ahead or check local newspapers for a schedule. International music, ballet and opera troupes perform here throughout the year and tickets cost a fraction of what one would pay to see the same performance elsewhere. Read the rest of this entry »

Share This

While on official visit to Egypt last week, US President Barack Obama indulged in some tourism, touring the Great Pyramids of Giza, which he labeled “awe-inspiring”. According to MSNBC News, Obama described the tour as the best off the record experience of his presidency so far.

The president’s short stay in Cairo included a tour to the Sultan Hassan mosque, a 600-year-old center of Islamic worship and study. He also visited the Great Pyramids of Giza, and joked with journalists that if they were not present, “I’d get on a camel.”

At one point during the tour, Obama is reported to have spotted a 4,600-year-old relief portrait of a man named Kar, who was a priest, scholar and judge spurring the remark, “That looks like me!” Look at those ears!”

Check out for more Egypt tours and Cheap flights to Egypt.

Share This

Getting the right accommodation while on Egypt vacations and tours is a key issue among visitors to this fabulous land of ancient wonders.

Ancient Egypt boasts some of Africa’s finest hotels, resorts, and lodges – including InterContinental, Pyramisa Isis, Domina Aquamarine Pool Hotel among other Sharm El Sheikh hotels.

Located in Hurghada, the InterContinental Abu Soma is one of Egypt’s most beautiful Red Sea resorts. The hotel offers stunning desert scenery complete with a picturesque view of the sunrise and sunset over the sea. Palm trees tracing the curve of Abu Soma’s twin bays reveal a major landscaped oasis creating an island of lush greenery.

All rooms and suites in the InterContinental Abu Soma Resort have direct international dialing, personal safes, a mini bar, satellite television channels, air-conditioning as well as complimentary tea, and coffee making facilities.

The winner of the Best Business Hotel in Cairo from Business Traveler Magazine, InterContinental Citystars Cairo is adjacent to Cairo’s largest retail and leisure complex Citystars Heliopolis. This is quite the ideal location to start many tours and enjoy the vibrant life that Cairo offers. Read the rest of this entry »

Share This

Egypt is a favourite vacation destination for many holiday seekers the world over. For centuries, the biggest attractions continue to be the abundance of historical treasures- temples, pyramids and museums contained in this land of the pharaohs.

Ancient Egypt however offers more than just the wonders of antiquity. Cruises down the Nile Rivers as well as beach vacations at the Red Sea and Sinai resorts are also interesting attractions.

Just like in ancient times, the Nile sustains the country and upto 95% of the population live in close proximity of the river. The rest of Egypt is arid, mitigated only by a few isolated oases and the habitable narrow strips along the African Red Sea and the Mediterranean coastlines.

Egypt is best seen as six tourist super-sites. This covers the most popular destinations and excludes off-the-beaten-track locations. The six super-sites are anchored on: Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada on the Red Sea and Sharm El Sheikh in Sinai. Save for Luxor, none of these destinations relies entirely on ancient monuments to attract visitors.

Cairo is a huge, sprawling and chaotic metropolis and is the usual gateway for the visitor to Egypt.The city began as a Roman trading post called Babylon- in the area now referred to as Coptic Cairo. This area was a settlement of one of the world’s first Christian communities. This predominantly Christian locale houses a museum that is a repository of religious art, manuscripts, paintings and pottery.

Egypt vacations and tours aficionados will easily tuck in trips to see museums, mosques and monuments such as Pyramids and the Sphinx. To commemorate your visit to this unforgettable city, it is recommended that you visit the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar. The wide array of souvenirs on sale here includes jewelry, brass, silver and copperware, carpets, perfumes, alabaster and soapstone carvings.

Share This

Suez canal in Egypt is one of the largest marine canals of the world. It is not only Egypt’s largest canal but also an identity of the country similar to the pyramids and the Nile River.

Measuring 163 km in length and 300 metres width at its narrowest point, the canal is considered as the significant geographic oil transit point between Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea.

Located in the west of the Sinai Peninsula, Suez Canal serves as a two-way water transportation route between Europe and Asia. Almost 8 per cent of the total world’s shipping is controlled by Suez Canal.

The cities and beaches located close to Suez Canal serve as popular summer resorts for Egypt tours enthusiasts. The Suez Canal Bridge built by the assistance of Japanese government is also known by the name of Egyptian-Japanese Friendship Bridge. It is a high-level fixed Road Bridge that has a 70-metre clearance over the canal constructed at El Qantara.

Suez Canal comprises two parts; north and south of the Great Bitter lake - a salt water lake that flows between north and south part of Suez Canal. This lake acts as a buffer to the canal, protecting it from the tidal current’s effect.

The Suez canal is an important source of income for Egypt and it remains an interesting attraction that is not so far from cairo.

Share This

I happened to read a complaint letter that was sent to Sir Richard Branson a while a go.

The letter which is currently being emailed globally is considered by many to be the world’s funniest passenger complaint letter as you can find out below:

Dear Mr Branson

REF: Mumbai to Heathrow 7th December 2008

I love the Virgin brand, I really do which is why I continue to use it despite a series of unfortunate incidents over the last few years.

This latest incident takes the biscuit. Ironically, by the end of the flight I would have gladly paid over a thousand rupees for a single biscuit following the culinary journey of hell I was subjected to at the hands of your corporation.

Read the rest of the letter here.

Share This

Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx are the most popular among visitors to the ancient Egypt.

The Pyramids of Giza are said to have been built by over 20,000 workers in a span of 80 years and they include the largest of all pyramids popularly known as ‘Great Pyramid’.

The Great Pyramid is the oldest and largest of the three Pyramids of Giza and it is believed to have been built as a tomb for Khufu, the Fourth dynasty Egyptian king around 2560 BC.

The  pyramid, which stands 481 feet high, remained the tallest man-made structure in the world for more than 3500 years. The other Pyramids of Giza are Pyramid of Kafhre and the Pyramid of Menkaura, each of them being a tomb dedicated to a different king of Egypt.

The Sphinx and Pyramids of Giza are the most popular options among the visitors. The pyramids found in Giza are believed to have been constructed over a period of eighty years using twenty thousand workers to accomplish this great feat. The largest of them all is the Great Pyramid. This awesome structure is the oldest and is said to have been constructed as a tomb for Khufu. It was the tallest man made structure for more than 3500years at a height of 481 feet.

The Great Sphinx and Pyramids of Giza are the most popular attractions for most Egypt safari tours enthusiasts. Read the rest of this entry »

Share This

Red Sea in Egypt is a perfect place for scuba diving adventures. This is because the sea, famous for its clear waters and wonderful corals, enjoys all year-round sunshine.

Enclosed to the north by the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba, and at its southernmost point the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea comprises an enormous basin 2350km (˜1400 miles) long by about 350km (˜220 miles) broad at its widest point and hundreds of metres deep.

A Red Sea diving holiday in Egypt is simply unforgettable. Well-established diving centres will gladly provide you with scuba diving information and arrange courses, daily excursions, and live-aboard trips to almost anywhere, from the gigantic coral outcrops of Taba to the vertical walls of Ras Mohammed, from the wrecks of Sha’ab Abu Nuhas to the lonely offshore islands of The Brothers and Zabargad.

Christened Egypt’s “Garden of Allah” due to the wealth of underwater pristine life, Red Sea diving adventures are among the most sought-after Egypt holidays.

At the Egyptian Red Sea, you will find superb visibility (up to 50 metres), abundant and diverse fish life (over 1,000 species), countless varieties of hard and soft coral (over 400 species), and year-round diving in comfortable water temperatures (18° to 26° Celsius).

You will also find incredibly diverse underwater topography, spectacular wall and shipwreck destinations, sunny weather and pleasant air temperatures (18° to 40° Celsius), and easy access to diving locations. Browse through our Red Sea dive sites maps and you will be impressed by the range of diving possibilities.

Read the rest of this entry »

Share This