Egypt and the Red Sea
The Land of the Pharaohs of Egypt and the paradisiacal beaches of the Red Sea.
☛ CAIRO AND PYRAMIDS NILE LUXOR AND THE VALLEY OF THE KINGS SHARM EL SHEIK HURGHADA MARSA ALAM MOUNT SINAI
Egypt
Egypt is a safe country that thrives on tourism and that has worked hard to recover the trust of tourists after the attack in Sharm in 2005; since 2011 there has been a political climate that sometimes leads to riots, so in big cities it is good to keep away from demonstrations and protests. Besides that, you have to know that they drive like crazy and always ask for tips. The ideal time to visit the country and enjoy the beaches is early spring and late autumn; you can also go during the winter, but it's easier to run into the wind, cold sea water and the days are shorter.
Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza
The city of Cairo has millennia of history and culture to tell: from the Egyptian Museum of Cairo (the most complete in the world), to the souks of Khan el-Khalili (the largest Bazaar in the Middle East after Istanbul), the Roman fortress, the splendid Islamic mosques and the main Tahrir Square, site of the uprisings of the Arab Spring.
🎫 Entrance to the Egyptian Museum 6 euros link official site
Within the city, lies the Pyramids complex of Giza . It is estimated that in Egypt there are more than 100 pyramids built in the period of the Old and Middle Kingdom with techniques still not fully explained. Here we find the most famous: the Pyramid of Cheops, of Khafre and of his son Mycerinus < /span>together with the Sphinx.
The Pyramid of Cheops is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that has survived to this day. It is the largest, 140 meters high and is believed to have been built in 2560 BC. over 20 years, using 2 million blocks transported from local quarries. Alongside 3 smaller pyramids for wives and other temples. The Sphinx was so called by the ancient Greeks, while for the Arabs it was "the father of terror". 20 meters high, it was dedicated to the sun god Ra and worshiped as a deity.
🎫 Entrance to the pyramids is contingent, with a limited number so it's better to book them link official site < /span>
River Nile
The Nile is a flat river, navigable in both directions, indispensable in the ancient world and still of great importance today. During Ancient Egypt it served as a communication route between the cities on its banks and, thanks to the silt sprinkled during its regular floods, made the land fertile for agriculture . It is possible to enjoy the Nile with a one-day boat trip or take a cruise and take the most common route from Luxor to Aswan passing through Edfu and Kom Ombo and visiting Abu Simbel.
🚢 There are several nile cruises < /p>
Luxor and the Valley of the Kings
Luxor (formerly Thebes) is the second most important city in Egypt thanks to the numerous and important Egyptian excavations that make the city a huge open-air museum.
The Karnak complex is one of the most famous monuments. Dedicated to the god Amun, god of the sky and the sun, to the goddess Mut, symbol of the "mother" and fertility, and to Khonsu, son of Mut and god of the moon. It is the largest temple in ancient Egypt. It was a religious place, but also the center of the administration of the Empire with the treasury and the palace of the pharaohs, reaching an area of 48 hectares. More than 30 pharaohs contributed to its construction, bringing different styles and decorations. In addition to the morning visit, there is the evening visit with the light show (remember the commercial from when we were kids?).< /p>
The Karnak complex was connected to the Temple of Luxor by the Avenue of the Sphinxes, where 40 sphinxes with the head of a ram and the body of a lion act as eternal guardians . While at the entrance to the temple there are two colossal statues of the pharaoh Ramses II (originally there were 6) together with a granite obelisk and part of a long colonnade with splendid decorations.
The Valley of the Kings is a UNESCO heritage site and one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. It was the burial place of the pharaohs of the New Kingdom of Egypt such as Tutankhamun, Ramses II, Tuthmosis III and Seti I. The 60 tombs in the area were built between 1539 and 1075 BC. sculpting them deep into the earth hoping to secure sarcophagi and treasures would be from the thieves who at the time began to desecrate the Pyramids. Only 11 tombs are open to the public and most are in the Eastern Valley. Seti I's tomb is one of the most beautiful temples in the Valley. Also next to it is the Valley of the Queens with 90 tombs, including that of Nefertari.
Colossi of Memnon
They are two magnificent Egyptian statues representing Amenhotep III the Magnificent, the pharaoh who brought Egypt to the pinnacle of artistic and international power. They are carved out of single blocks of sandstone, 18 meters high and weigh 720 tons each. They served as guards at the entrance to the Pharaoh's mortuary temple - the grandest and largest in ancient Egypt with an area of \u200b\u200b35 hectares. Unfortunately an earthquake destroyed in 1200a.C. the complex; while nature has ruined the features of the Colossi over the centuries, of which the grandeur remains today.
Sharm El Sheikh
Sharm was among the first famous destination of the Red Sea. The center of Sharm over the years has lost its typicality to make room for worldly life with bars, restaurants, shops and discos. The promenade of Naama Bay is characterized by a large sandy beach and swaying palm trees and you reach the lighthouse area. In Sharm you can admire the coral reef of the Ras Mohammed National Park, although the corals do not abound in bright colors near the long-established tourist resorts. Here the water temperature never drops below 20° and the "coldest" months are January and February with highs of 22°. From Sharm El Sheik you can make day trips to Cairo with a flight or by bus to Mount Sinai and to the Monastery of Saint Catherine. The latter is a UNESCO heritage site and is the oldest existing Christian monastery; according to the bible, here is where Moses would have received the commandments.
Marsa Alam
Marsa Alam is the ideal destination for diving and for diving experts. Here you can swim with turtles and spot majestic dugongs in their natural habitat at Abu Dabab Bay. 30 km from the city center, there is the Dolphin House, a horseshoe barrier chosen as a home by dolphins. Here are the Egyptian Maldives, five islands in the Wadi Gimal Park with white beaches and crystal clear waters for snorkelling. Finally Marsa Alam is close to the archaeological sites of Ancient Egypt, such as Luxor, Edfu with its Temple of Horus and Kom Ombo (about 4h30).
Hurghada
Once a small fishing village, today Hurghada is one of the most visited tourist destinations.
Loved by divers and snorkelers for its multi-colored coral reefs.
The tropical islands of: Sheduan, Abu Minqar and Gifton can be visited by boat excursions. After dark, the city comes to life with restaurants and clubs in the Marina area. As for excursions, Hurghada is perfect for a day trip to Luxor (less than 4 hours of travel), the bay with the white beach of Sahl Hasheesh and the desert.
Have a good trip!
