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Travelogue

Egypt: The Gift of the Nile

Nestled into North Africa between the Mediterranean and the Middle East, Egypt was, for centuries, the world’s most advanced society. Alexander the Great was an early tourist, and it was years before the empires of Greece and Rome came near matching Egypt’s sophisticated culture.

Successive civilizations – including the West – have marvelled at its mega-monuments such as the Pyramids of Giza and the stone temples of Karnak. The River Nile runs through the heart of Egypt, and is still the lifeblood of the nation, irrigating the verdant Nile Delta and the desert beyond, and linking the Mediterranean all the way down Africa to the Sudan.

Along the way are a string of Egyptian marvels – The Pyramids at Giza and Sakara near Cairo, Kom Omboh, Dendera, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings further south towards Luxor. The Suez Canal, still carrying vast cargo ships incongruously through the desert, links the Mediterranean with the Red Sea. This is where you will find Egypt’s world-class diving and snorkeling.

International resort hotels line up on sandy beaches, taking advantage of year-round sun to offer fly and flop comforts to a steady stream of visitors. Cruise the timeless waters of Nile in a traditional felucca, sleeping on deck under the stars, the most romantic option is an intimate dahabiyya, a traditional sailing boat with private cabins and top-class service. Egypt is a great winter destination. From December to February, the weather is hot but not baking, making sightseeing much more pleasant, although Cairo can be cool and overcast. Nights can get cold in winter.

 

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