Visit Egypt- the beauty of the World - Guide to World travel...

Visit Egypt- the most traveller-friendly country in the Middle East. This means you’ll enjoy decent places to sleep and English spoken to some degree everywhere.

It also means that if you ever get into a jam, an Egyptian will likely be there to help you out.

Then again, an Egyptian will also be there to sell you some papyrus or perfume – an undeniable reality of travel here.

But the souvenir sales are a minor irritant when compared with the chance to connect with some of the world’s most generous people.

Wonderful place to visit…

Piramids of Giza

The Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest Egyptian pyramid and the tomb of Fourth Dynasty pharaoh Khufu.

Built in the 26th century BC during a period of around 27 years, it is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact.

Luxor

With the greatest concentration of ancient Egyptian monuments anywhere in Egypt, Luxor rewards time spent here.

You can spend days or weeks around this town, walking through the columned halls of the great temples on the east bank of the Nile,

such as the Ramesseum, or climbing down into the tombs of pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings on the west bank.

Time spent watching the sun rise over the Nile or set behind the Theban hills are some of Egypt’s unforgettable moments.

Cruising the Nile

Traditionally, a Nile cruise was considered the centerpiece of an Egyptian vacation, evoking romantic images of idyllic days spent drifting in luxury between the country’s ancient sights.

In Victorian times, a Nile cruise was the only way to see some of Egypt’s most outstanding ancient temples.

Egypt, cruising of Nile — Cruising of Nile

Ancient temples, tombs and desert plains await on a River Nile cruise.

Take a cruise on the world’s longest river and discover its ancient history and archaeological sites.

The Nile is a popular destination for river cruising. It provides a gentler way of seeing the treasures of ancient Egypt, at a more leisurely pace.

Mt Sinai

Mount Sinai, also known as Mount Moses and as Jabal Mousa in Arabic, is a mountain in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt that’s said to be in the same location of the biblical Mount Sinai.

Mount Sinai is sacred by Christians, Muslims and Jews, all of whom believe that God delivered his Ten Commandments to Moses at the summit of the Mountain.

Thousands of tourists visit Mt Sinai every year. Considering its beautiful surroundings and its proximity to the Red Sea, visiting Mt. Sinai is usually a part of a combined tour to the Monastery of St Catherine or for tourists staying in the areas of Dahab, Sharm El Sheikh or even Cairo.

Accommodation is available in the small village of St Catherine if you would like to spend the night as close as to the foot of the Mt. Sinai.

Dahab

One of Dahab’s most famous sites, the Blue Hole is considered the world’s deadliest diving spot. But its infamous reputation has only boosted the impressive sinkhole’s appeal to brave divers looking for an underwater Everest.

Desert Safaris

Egypt safari trips are some of the most interesting experiences that you must include when planning your visit to Egypt. It blends adventure, serenity, and the appreciation of nature.

The desert safari offers an opportunity to enjoy various desert activities.

Abu Simbel

Ramses II built Abu Simbel a long way south of Aswan, along his furthest frontier and just beyond the Tropic of Cancer.

But these two enormous temples are a marvel of modern engineering as well: in the 1960s they were relocated, block by block, to their current site to protect them from the flooding of Lake Nasser.

To appreciate the isolation, spend the night at Abu Simbel, either on a boat on the lake or at Nubian cultural centre and ecolodge Eskaleh.

Oasis Life

Egypt has seven Oases Located in Western & eastern Deserts of Egypt; the weather is so harsh all the days of the year.

Oases are inhabited by Bedouin Tribes for years. The Egyptian desert has different oasis such as Dakhla, Kharga, Siwa, Bahariya, Fayoum and Farafra.

Arrival in Egypt and its surroundings

Egypt Air

Bus– You can get to just about every city, town and village in Egypt on a bus, at a very reasonable price. For many longdistance routes beyond the Nile Valley, it’s the best option, and sometimes the only one.

Train– Egypt’s rail system comprises more than 5000km of track to almost every major city and town.

Aside from two main routes (Cairo–Alexandria, Cairo–Aswan), you have to be fond of trains to prefer them to a deluxe bus.

But for destinations near Cairo, trains win because they don’t get stuck in traffic.

Red Sea Diving

Egypt’s Sinai and Red Sea coastlines are the doorstep to a wonderland that hides below the surface.

Whether you’re a seasoned diving pro or a first-timer, Egypt’s underwater world of coral cliffs, colourful fish and spookily beautiful wrecks is just as staggeringly impressive as the sights above.

Bring out your inner Jacques Cousteau by exploring the enigmatic wreck of WWII cargo ship the Thistlegorm, a fascinating museum spread across the sea bed.

Egyptian Museum

The Egyptian Museum is the oldest archaeological museum in the Middle East, and houses the largest collection of Pharaonic antiquities in the world.

The museum displays an extensive collection spanning from the Predynastic Period to the Greco-Roman Era.

Alexandria

Alexandria was best known for the Lighthouse of Alexandria (Pharos), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World; its Great Library, the largest in the ancient world; and the Necropolis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages.

Cairo

Cairo is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. Though its suburbs have spilled over onto
the Nile’s west bank, its top attractions lie on the eastern bank.

Central Cairo is the heart of the modern city and boasts some fine 19th-century architecture.

Gezira and Rhoda islands, cooled by the Nile, seem quieter than the centre, while Old Cairo’s Roman and early Christian history predates the capital itself.

Islamic Cairo is the highlight of the city; its minarets and domes, bazaars and alleyways recall scenes from 1001 Nights. Further afield, the suburb of Heliopolis spreads northeast, while Giza and the Pyramids lie to the west.

The Climate of Egypt

Egypt’s weather is predominantly hot, sunny and very dry. the only rain that falls regularly is on the North Coast during winter, but this is under 100 mm (4 inches) a year. there are two seasons – May to october, the hot season, and November to april, the cool season.

In general, it is warm all the year round, although the deserts can get cold during winter nights. the most striking meteorological phenomenon is the khamseen, a dry wind during april and May that causes sandstorms.

Winter in Egypt

Winter brings some slight relief from the heat and, in Cairo and Alexandria and along the North Coast, even the odd shower of rain.

The days are still sunny and warm but the nights can be quite cold, especially in desert areas. It also brings the start of the tourist season and a large influx of foreign visitors seeking winter sun and a glimpse into the fascinating, civilization of ancient Egypt.

Cruise tours and hotels in Upper Egypt tend to get busy during this period and prices increase accordingly.

Summer in Egypt

From June to August the temperature in Egypt climbs to unbearable levels in Upper Egypt, although the sights are often less crowded and hotel accommodation is plentiful.

Many Egyptians choose to holiday on the North Coast where the temp erature is slightly cooler. The Red Sea coastal resorts, although also very hot, have beautiful, clear water in which visitors can keep themselves cool.

In the summer heat and smog, Cairo can get very uncomfortable and there are fewer interesting festivals.

Muslim Festivals

Celebrated with great feasts, family gatherings, music and street processions, Muslim festivals are joyous occasions.

The largest of the festivals are Eid al-Fitr, which takes place at the end of Ramadan, the month of ritual fasting, and Eid al-Adha, which marks the time of the pilgrimage to Mecca.

Other Muslim festivals include the Moulid an-Nabi which celebrates the birth of the Prophet Mohammed, Ras as-Sana, the Islamic New Year, and various saints’ name days known as moulid.

The Landscape and wildlife of Egypt

Although Egypt comprises over 90 per cent desert, it is not a totally barren landscape. A number of plants and animals have developed strategies to cope with extreme temperatures and long periods of drought.

Humans, however, are less adaptable and while a tiny percentage lives in desert oases, 96 per cent live close to water in the green Delta or along the Nile Valley.

However, despite plentiful water and rich soil, this land struggles to provide enough food for the rapidly growing population.

Around Egypt’s coastline the seas teem with marine life and the colourful coral reefs of the Red Sea are probably the one of the richest natural environments on the planet.

Islamic Egypt

Islam was founded by Mohammed, a merchant who was born in around AD 570 in Mecca.

At the age of 40 he began to receive revelations of the word of Allah (God) and these were transcribed as the Quran.

Mohammed’s preachings were not well received in Mecca and, in AD 622, he and his followers fled to Medina.

This flight (hejira) constitutes year zero in the Islamic calendar. Before he died in AD 632, Mohammed returned to conquer Mecca.

The armies of Islam swept through the Byzantine provinces of the eastern Mediterranean, arriving in egypt in AD 640.