Located 85 km South of Safaga in Egypt, Al-Quseir is a major port of the Red Sea. It was once a city of big trading activities. But now it is a beautiful tourist spot known for its calm sandy beaches and crystal clear water. It is a place with virtually no loud clubs or other commercial establishments, which is why it guarantees a quiet trip for you.
You can spend your vacation in Al Quseir indulging in a number of water sports and land activities. Your trip will not be complete without experiencing the fun of diving and snorkeling in the sea water. The reefs are so close to the shore that you can not help having a dive. You can play tennis, beach volleyball, billiards, water polo or simply relax at the beach and have a sunbath. There are other activities on offer too like going on a guided tour to the desert by jeep. The desert safari is a bit expensive because the destinations are at some distance.
Taking a simple stroll around the town is a great experience in Al Quseir. During your stroll, you will come across many stone houses with wooden doors and windows that will remind you of the old British architecture.
(Image courtesy of m.a.r.c.)
Situated between Old Sharm El Sheikh and Naama Bay in Egypt, Hay el Nour is basically a residential area with many emerging businesses, but it has a lot to offer to tourists.
Hay el Nour has undergone recent expansion to include the largest Church in Sharm El Sheikh adding to its glory. The positioning of this small stretch of land is such that it allows easy access from both the busy cities of Sharm and Naama Bay, while at the same time maintaining its calm.
The major attractions of the area include the Sinai mountain range that is better known as the place where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. You can see the well known St. Catherine’s Monastery, which is the second oldest monastery in the world. You can also enjoy water sports and sunbathing at the beach. At the other extreme, there is the option of making a safari trip to the desert. In addition to the natural beauty of the area, you can also spend some time at the water park, diving centers and quad biking centers.
The area also offers you a pleasant night life with a number of clubs and restaurants where you can dine while watching the sun set over the mountain range.
If you are bored of spending your vacations in regular mountains and beaches, this place is the best choice for your next vacation. The Bahariya Oasis in Western Deserts of Egypt has surreal landscapes and attracts a sizable number of tourists each year.
Besides visiting the ancient streets and mud-brick houses in the city, you can check out the immense desert connected to the main city with unpaved roads. Though the jagged rocks and sandstorms create occasional troubles, a proper guided tour proves that the scenery is worth it. The unusual terrain of the region as well as the ever-changing landscape is characteristic of an oasis and presents a very welcome sight.
The evenings are relatively cooler and pleasant. The native population of Bedouins is quite friendly and indulges in a number of fun activities like bonfires, singing traditional songs and dancing in the evenings.
Amongst other areas of interest, there is El Haiz, which is around 30 miles from El Bawiti region of Bahariya Oasis. This area with its rich Roman heritage attracts a lot of history lovers every year. It not only bears the witness of conversion of part Egypt to Christianity but also offers some interesting places to visit in the form of Roman fortress, Coptic Basilica and cemeteries.
So if you are looking for a respite from the regular vacation spots, pack your bags and get going to this surreal Oasis in Egypt.
(Image courtesy Al Ianni)
Situated about 234 miles south of Cairo on the left bank of Nile, the city of Asyut is one of the oldest cities in Egypt dating back to Pharaonic times. It is the capital of the Said governorate in Upper Egypt and is better known as a centre of Coptic Christianity as well as the home of one of the best Islamic universities associated with El-Azhar University of Cairo.
The city has a huge Christian community and a number of places of tourist interest. The northern end of city has the English barrage that was built in 19th century. The barrage controls the flow of the Nile and diverts the water to Ibrahimiyya Canal that irrigates the whole area. The Asyut dam, Coptic Monastery of Dei Rifa and Coptic Chapel provides an ideal vacation spot for history lovers.
Another major attraction of the region is Necropolis of Assiut that shelters tombs of a number of regional leaders like Hapidjefa, Tefyeb and Kheti among others. In addition to the ancient monuments, you can visit the Banana Island, which is a great place to relax and unwind.
The local population earns its livelihood by agriculture and carpet making. The town is famous for its craft products, especially the ivory carvings, woollen blankets, marquetry work, pottery and embroidered tulle clothing.
(Image courtesy keniromaniak)
Al Qasr is a medieval town in the Dakhla Oasis of the Western Desert, about 190 km west of Kharga Oasis. It is strategically located at the foot of high lime stone cliffs, which protect it from sandstorms and harsh desert weather conditions.
Al Qasr as a town has great historical significance. It was built on the Roman ruins. Archaeologists have found artefacts of prehistoric times in this town. Most of the buildings in the town are made of mud. The ‘mud architecture’ of the town has preserved the town’s medieval character and gives it a nostalgic look. The population of the town is small and new settlements in the area are forbidden.
There is a mosque at Al Qasr built in the Ayyubid period, which is a must visit when travelling to this town. The mosque is 21 meters high with a three-way mud-brick minaret. Inscriptions from the Koran decorate the wooden lintels at the entrance of the mosque. A Madrassa adjacent to the mosque and an old house are open to the tourists.
Among other local sites, a pottery factory and an old corn mill are worth visiting. When you visit the local sites at Al Qasr, you feel that time has stood still as you find people working in a mill or a foundry using obsolete methods.
(Image courtesy Verity Cridland)
Al Kharga is the closest oasis to the Nile Valley. It is located at the crossroads of an important desert trade route including the famous Forty Days Road. The Romans contributed to its development by undertaking cultivation of crops, and building of fortresses for protection of caravan routes from the militant nomads. In 1950, its main town Al Kharga was made the capital of the New Valley Governorate.
You can camp at Bulaq and Nasser villages to see the thermal springs. The warm water of up to 43 degree C are known to be effective for treatment of allergies and rheumatism. Baris Oasis, which is located further south, is the second largest settlement in Kharga. Houses in the Boris Oasis are designed in traditional Nubian style, which is not found anywhere else.
Al Kharga has a number of archaeological sites that you can visit. The Temple of Hibis is a Saite-era temple founded by the Persians in 500 B.C. It is located about 2 kilometers north of modern Kharga. Vultures and huge reliefs of Darius are painted on the outer walls of the temple. You can also spend some time at the Necropolis of Al-Bagawat with 263 mud-brick chapels. The Coptic murals on the chapels will appeal to the art lover in you.
Al Arish is the capital of North Sinai located near the large seasonal river of Wadi al-Arish. Formerly known as Rhinocolorum, it served as an outpost of the Ptolemaic Dynasty. It came under the rule of the Arabs, Ottomans and the French at different points of time.
The whole of Sinai is known for its rich natural scenery. Sprawling sandy beaches along the Gulfs of Aqaba and Suez encircling bays of blue water make magnificent sights. The area is dotted with tourist villages, and fishing and snorkeling centers. You will find sweet water springs in different parts of Sinai.
Al Arish is well connected to the urban centers of Egypt. You can take a trip to the Fortress of Al Arish. It is built on the remnants of an antique Pharaonic fortification. Sultan Al-Qanouni rebuilt the fortress in the 16th century.
A Bedouin market is open once a week in the old city. Bedouins from all over North Sinai come to this market. You must visit the market to experience its uniqueness and to observe the customs of the locals.
The government is keen on developing tourism in Al Arish. The people are friendly, and the place will leave you with unforgettable experiences.
Sharm el-Moiya is a small harbor little way away from the hustle and bustle of Sharm el-Sheikh, the most visited and popular tourist resort community in Sinai. Sharm el-Moiya is the perfect entry to explore the splendors of the Red Sea. This small but scenic harbor is located nearby the bigger civil harbor.
You can hire private yachts and boats here to enjoy exotic cruises on the Red Sea. There is also a Yacht Club here with room accommodations. At Sharm el-Moiya, you can also spot some very expensive yachts, owned by some of the richest people in the world.
Sharm el-Moiya is a relatively quiet destination compared to the din of the more popular areas in the Sharm-el Sheikh. Even if you are not taking private rides on yachts and boats, you can leisurely stroll here and enjoy the scenic beauty of the Red Sea seen from the dock area.
There are some nice cafes around here, where you can leisurely sit and smoke sheesha, and treat yourself to the visual delights of the Red Sea.
Sharm-el Moiya is a nice and pleasant retreat from the more happening places in Sharm el-Sheikh and can easily be the preferred destination of choice for day long trips.
Birqash camel market, located 35 KM northwest of Cairo, is the largest of its kind in Egypt, and it offers a unique and unforgettable experience to visitors.
You can get to Birqash from Imbaba through a road that winds through dusty villages, orange orchards and a few urban pockets.
You have to pay a nominal fee for admission to the market. Female visitors should wear conservative dresses, as the market is virtually an all-men affair. Hundreds of camels are brought up the Forty Days Road from Sudan to Birqash. Camels from different parts of Egypt and even Somalia are traded in Birqash market for cash or for other animals like sheep, goats and horses.
You can watch the whole process of camel trading from a suitable middle position of the market. The negotiations start from morning and the whole show is all but over by the early afternoon.
Lastly, always keep in mind that Birqash camel market is neither meant for the animal lovers nor for the faint hearted. Moreover, you should be ready to bear with the smell if you want to enjoy a trip to the Birqash camel market.
Shark’s Bay is a diving village located close to Sharm el Sheikh, one of the most popular and frequently visited beach resorts in Egypt. It was developed in the ’80s but still retains the original warmth of Sharm.
From its private beach, tourists can have amazing views of the Tiran Island. From here up to Ras Mohammed National Park you get the most astonishing underwater views through the crystal clear water, including eye catching reefs and a mind-boggling range of fish. Sharm has easy access to Red Sea’s well-known dive spots that offer a host of facilities like dive ships, diving training centers and boats.
Besides divers, general tourists and vacationers also find modern amenities at Sharm. You can engage in water sports and frolic around doing four wheeling, horse riding, bowling, and bungee jumping. You can also enjoy the beautiful, panoramic view of the splendid mountains and valleys of Sinai.
You can avail diving trips to Tiran, Ras Mohammed, St. Catherine’s and Dahab from Shark’s Bay. You can also go for exciting RIB diving and shore diving whenever you feel like. As Shark’s Bay has a Beduin connection, you can spend some time on learning different aspects of the culture of the Beduins.
(Image courtesy of WomEOS)
