Egypt — Beachcomber Pete Travel Adventures

Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt

One of the great scuba diving spots in the mideast, Sharm el-Sheikh is sunny and hot and only averages five inches of rain per year. The average high temperature for the year is 32C (90F), and the average low, 20C (69F). It is a thriving holiday site with a large increase in tourism since 1982. Then, there were three resort hotels, and now there are ninety-one. It has been discovered by the rest of the world.

Sharm el-Sheikh is known as the "City of Peace" for the many peace conferences held there over time, including the Israel-Egypt agreement of 1979 in which the Sinai Peninsula was given Egyptian ownership. There have been no further disputes about it between the two countries since then. In more recent news, President Hosni Mubarak resigned from office in Sharm el-Sheikh in February of 2011 after months of mass protests by the Egyptian people.

Egyptians refer to the city as "Sharm," and now depend on foreign and domestic tourism as the main economic pillar. Tourists from the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States find cheap holidays to Sharm el Sheikh and travel there in large numbers to scuba dive and snorkel and view the vast amount of coral reefs in the waters off the peninsula. Visitors from these areas of the world do not need visas if they are staying fourteen days or less. No longer a fishing village of roughly a hundred Bedouins, Sharm el-Sheikh is a destination, with a population of about 35,000.

Sharm el-Sheikh is on the very southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula which juts into the Red Sea. Formerly a naval base for Egypt, it sits on a promontory that has a wide-ranging view of the Straits of Tiran. It is now a marina for yachts and sailboats and the passenger ferry going to the mainland. Limits on building heights were established to prevent the obscuring of the views all around the city since the influx of new hotels began. The Hyatt Regency, Accor, the Marriott, Le Meridien, the Four Seasons and the Ritz-Carlton are three to five star hotels that have invested in this location.

There is a Hard Rock Cafe in Sharm now, and Naama Bay is the site of the nightlife and dining activity in the city. Clubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, and Bedouin arts and crafts stands line the street. See the four-star Aqua Blu Sharm Resort, a gigantic water park with many other attractions.

Filed Under: Egypt, featured, Sharm el-Sheikh

Nile River, Egypt

The Nile River is considered to be the longest river in the world as it is over 4,000 miles long. 22 percent of the river runs through Egypt, creating lush, green environment in the area. The ancient Egyptians began their civilization on the banks of the Nile River; therefore, the river has a lot of historical significance.

One of the most popular things to do on the Nile River in Egypt is to take a cruise down the majestic river. The ships normally consist of pools, hot tubs, bars, internet access and a fitness facility. You can take day trip cruise, or you can travel for a longer period of time, such as two weeks. Cairo, Luxor and Aswan are popular Egyptian destinations to depart for a cruise. Some Egyptian cruises down the Nile offer stops at the pyramids, Sphinx or the Cairo Egyptian Museum.

You can also take a dinner cruise down the Nile. Most dinner cruises include a live band and a belly dancer. You can enjoy excellent cuisine while enjoying the bright lights of Egypt.

While in Cairo, it is relaxing to just take a walk along the Nile. There are many bridges in the city where you can take a peaceful stroll on the banks of this historic river. The sunsets are spectacular sights as you are walking along the Nile River.

You cannot travel to the Nile River without seeing the pyramids as most of them are located near the river. The most well-known pyramids are the pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Bodies of famous kings and queens of Egypt were wrapped, protected as a mummy and placed in the pyramid.

The main cities that are situated on the banks of the Nile include Cairo, Gondokoro, Khartoum, Aswan, Luxor, Karnak and Alexandria. At Aswan, the Nile is deep and still. There are monuments in Aswan dedicated to Pharaohs, Greeks, Romans, Christians and Islam. You will also want to see the Philae Temple while in Aswan, and the community also is home to a spectacular sound and light show.

Located in Luxor is The Valley of the Kings, which was used for 500 years as a burial spot of royals. There are over 60 tombs of Pharaohs, queens and other noble citizens. The tomb of King Tut is also located in The Valley of the Kings. You can walk inside the tombs and see the fascinating chambers in which the ancient Kings were laid to rest.

The Nile River in Egypt is rich with history. Many famous people have travelled along the river, including Antony and Cleopatra, Alexander the Great, King Tut and Caesar. The Nile was also the spot where baby Moses was placed in a basket during Biblical times. Therefore, seeing the Nile River up close will be an unforgettable experience. There are so many things do see and do in Egypt while exploring the Nile River. It will be an adventure of a lifetime.

Filed Under: Africa, Alexandria, Cairo, Egypt, featured, Luxor, Nile River

Luxor, Egypt

Few cities on the face of the Earth can match the unique and vibrant city of Luxor, Egypt. From world class nightlife to historic landmarks, Luxor offers something for everyone. With its wealth of historical and cultural landmarks, Luxor seems more like a living museum than a city. Yet it still boasts all the amenities and comforts of a modern, vibrant metropolis. With its beautiful architecture, fascinating history and modern amenities, Luxor is truly one of the greatest places on Earth to visit.

Luxor’s long and glorious history stretch all the way back to Ancient Egypt. The city served as the dynastic capital of Egypt’s New and Middle Kingdoms. This has endowed the city with a wealth of wondrous historic sites and monuments such as grandiose temples and tombs housing some of Ancient Egypt’s royalty. Set against the backdrop of the endless Sahara Desert and the famed Nile River, Luxor provides a truly one-of-a-kind experience for even the most jaded traveler.

Luxor is filled with a plethora of historically significant sites and landmarks. The city’s East Bank contains the spectacular Temple of Karnak, the famous Luxor Temple and the Luxor Museum. Also here are the Museum of Mummification and the breathtaking ruins of the Karnak Open Air Musuem. The West Bank of Luxor holds the magnificent Valley of the Kings as well as the equally astounding Valley of the Queens. The West Bank is also home to the Colossi of Memnon, the Mortuary Temple of Ramses III and the Mortuary Temple of Merneptah. Both sides of the city play host to a plethora of hotels, nightclubs, restaurants and shops.

For shoppers, Luxor is home to two main markets which hold a myriad of shops, boutiques, restaurants and souvenir stands of every kind. Shopping enthusiasts will find plenty of outlets here, no matter what they’re looking for. Just walking through the sea of vendors, shopkeepers and traveling salesmen is an experience in and of itself.

As the city lies in the heart of the vast Sahara Desert, be prepared for extreme heat and dry weather. Luxor’s climate is dry and hot year round. Always bring a water bottle with you and a map as well. It’s also a good idea to join a tour group for guidance of the city’s fabulous sites and wondrous ancient ruins.

As the crown jewel of the Upper Nile, Luxor is truly a unique and enthralling place to visit. With its mix of ancient ruins, iconic landmarks and pulsing nightlife, Luxor is a place like no where else in the world.

Filed Under: Africa, Alexandria, Cairo, Egypt, featured, Luxor

Alexandria, Egypt

Alexandria is a city in the country of Egypt and has a population of just over 4.1 million people, which makes the city the second largest city in the country. Alexandria is located on the northern portion of Egypt and lies directly on the Mediterranean Sea. The location on the sea makes Alexandria a major seaport which handles a vast majority of Egypt’s imports and exports. Tourism is the other major part of the Alexandrian economy. The beautiful weather, ancient ruins and museums are the major reason why tourist love to visit the city.

Alexandria was founded in 331 BC and named after its founder, Alexander the Great. Alexander left the city only a few months after its foundation and he would never return. Construction of the city continued to follow Alexander’s wishes of making the city feel as much like Greece as possible. After Alexandria was finally finished it shortly became one of the largest cities in the world. Alexandria would become home for Egyptians, Greeks and Jews. This led to tension for many years until the city was taken over by Julius Caesar and put under Roman rule in the year 47 BC. Alexandria would be the home of many battles throughout the years, which would partially destroy the city. The city would undergo redevelopment in the early 19th century which restored it to early days.

The beautiful weather and amazing beaches have allowed Alexandria to become a large resort town. Outside of the winter months, the weather is perfect with little to no rain fall occurring. The winter months of December, January and February will see average high temperatures between 16 and 18 °C. Winters in Alexandria are also known for their heavy rain and violent storms. The other nine months of the year, the average temperatures will range from 24 to 30 °C. With no rain falling during this time, the weather is absolutely perfect for the beach and sightseeing.

One of the most popular attractions found in the city is the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Alexandria was once the home to the world’s oldest libraries, but most of them were all destroyed. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is the Egyptian governments attempt to recreate the experience found in the ancient libraries. The new library lies in the same area of the old library and holds thousands of ancient books that can not be seen anywhere else. There are currently over 1 million books at the library, but it is far from being at full capacity. Along with the library, there are also several museums and exhibitions located in the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

One of the major features found in the library is the Planetarium Science Center. There are 5 different shows that are shown throughout the day in the planetarium. Located next to the planetarium is an area where the visitors can interacts with some of the science exhibits. Other major attractions found in the Bibliotheca Alexandrina include the Sadat museum, World of Shadi Abdel Salam exhibition and four art galleries.

Filed Under: Africa, Alexandria, Cairo, Egypt, featured

Cairo, Egypt

Perched along the banks of the mighty Nile River in Lower Egypt, Cairo is an idyllic destination for history buffs and casual vacationers alike. The juxtaposition of rich, well-preserved historical sites and bustling modern attractions creates a unique, Egypt holidays all-in-one experience that is difficult to find anywhere else in the world. UNESCO World Heritage Sites lie next to upscale restaurants and shopping malls, reflecting the spirit of Cairo’s illustrious past as well as its burgeoning future.

Cairo is the sixteenth largest metropolitan area in the world, and the largest in Africa. Nearly seven million people call the city home, with more than nineteen million scattered throughout the 33,000 square mile metropolitan area. Officially founded in 969 A.D., the area that is now modern Cairo has been home to a number of important historical settlements, including the former Egyptian capital cities of Fustat and Memphis. Because of its central location, Cairo flourished during the Middle Ages as a major center of Islamic scholarship and a key part of the lucrative spice trade. After a period of stagnation, the 1800s saw the beginning of a policy of modernization that continues to today.

Today’s Cairo testifies to the success of this modernization policy, with glimmering high-rise buildings and luxurious hotels towering along the banks of the Nile. The city also features several high-profile shopping centers, a number of parks, including Cairo Botanical Gardens, and Giza Zoo, fittingly one of the oldest zoos in the world. Cairo is also home to two large theme parks, Dream Park and Magic Land, providing entertainment for the whole family. Beautiful Mena House Golf Course also provides entertainment for scratch golfers and weekend warriors alike, with the Pyramids of Giza providing a backdrop for many holes. Feluccas, small traditional sailboats, are available along the Nile River for those seeking more leisurely activities.

Of course the biggest draw in Cairo, as it has nearly always been, is the rich and diverse history. There are more than 600 classified monuments in and around the city, dating back as far as the seventh century. Monuments and artifacts from Ancient Egypt, among the earliest and most successful civilizations, still dot the landscape. The Sphinx stands watch over the Pyramids at Giza just outside the city. The Great Pyramid, the last of the Seven Wonders of the World left standing, is perhaps the most awe-inspiring of Cairo’s many monuments. History lovers will also enjoy a trip to the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, where countless ancient artifacts are displayed for the public. The Cairo Tower, at 610 feet high, offers a spectacular uninterrupted 360-degree view of the city, with the pyramids and other monuments visible in the distance.

Few locations on Earth can provide the sheer variety that Cairo offer, and even fewer can claim such historical importance. For many, the pyramids and other monuments alone make the visit worthwhile, but Cairo is sure to hold something for everyone. From the energetic, ultra-modern entertainment and night life of Downtown, to the nearly unchanged links to the past at Giza, Cairo is undoubtedly a can’t miss destination.

Filed Under: Africa, Cairo, Egypt, featured

Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt

Nile River, Egypt

Luxor, Egypt

Alexandria, Egypt

Cairo, Egypt

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