The Nile Valley, Egypt

Cairo: Pyramids, mosques and modern museums

As written in the Tales of the Arabian Nights, "which has not seen Cairo has not seen the world." The bustling capital of Egypt, whose Spanish name derives from the Arabic Al-Qahira, "the victorious', is unlike any other city in the world and embodies 150 generations of history and an unbroken civilization that dates back to the time of Pharaohs. West of the city, the Great Pyramids rise majestically into the sky, witnessing a time when faith in immortality moved literally mountains. The heart of Cairo is a maze of alleys that is located in the old Islamic quarter, including mosques and caravanserais powerful - inns of the merchants of the ancient trade routes - that invites us to get into middle age and the steps of Sultans legendary Saladin. Along the Nile, the metropolis vibrates to the rhythm of modern life.

Modern Cairo is a dynamic business center, with a lively artistic life and opera world famous exquisite shops, contemporary museums and a nightlife and gastronomic art. South of downtown, in Old Cairo, the Egyptian Christian community - the Copts - retains its heritage from the early days of Christianity, including the oldest traces of monastic communities. In addition, visitors can follow in the footsteps of the Holy Family during their travels through Egypt.

Alexandria and the Mediterranean Coast: grandeur, history and beaches

The legendary Egyptian port of Alexandria has been a crossroads of civilizations throughout the history of mankind. In it, the stories of the exploits of its many conquerors continue to coexist with its rich cultural mix. Alexandria, founded by Alexander the Great and famous in antiquity for its scholars, its lighthouse and library again became a focus of cosmopolitan influences in the early twentieth century, to be in the intersection of the worlds Mediterranean, Arab and African . The grandeur of its heyday culture is still alive today, not only in the books of Lawrence Durrell and Cavafy Konstantinos, but also in its cornice, full of restaurants famous for its fresh seafood and tasty, in its lavish new Bibliotheca Alexandrina; and in the picturesque neighborhoods of the city, with cafes, antique markets and cinemas Art Deco. Alexandria continues to shine as the Pearl of the Eastern Mediterranean with its exotic aromas and deep historical heritage, cultural and archaeological.

From the beaches of the Mediterranean to the historical monuments of the center of Egypt

West of Alexandria, Marsa Matruh towards, we are magnificent sandy beaches that run a coastline famous for its turquoise waters. In this area, the summer homes and beach hotels are in high demand from tourists and Egyptians themselves. It is next to a place that during the Second World War was strongly disputed by Montgomery and Rommel for the Allies to Axis forces.
The evocative memorials of El Alamein make this place a must for the history buff. For its part, the Nile Delta region, east of Alexandria, senses overflowing with lush green vegetation. The ancient ruins, such as Tanis and Abu Menas, and attractions such as the historic town of Rosetta and the Coptic monasteries of Wadi el-Natrun, offer the opportunity to really explore beyond the most frequented by tourists. South of Cairo, one gem after another of the Pharaonic architecture - like Memphis, Saqqara necropolis and the Pyramids of Dahshur, and Meidum The Lisht - await the traveler along the left bank of the Nile River above in Middle Egypt, near El-Minya, found the stone tombs of Beni Hassan and Tell El-Amarna, and archaeological remains of the city residential heretic Pharaoh Akhenaten. Beyond Asyut, Sohag together, we find more monasteries whose roots date back to the fifth century AD. To the south, on the border with Upper Egypt, we expect the extraordinary temples of Abydos and Dendera.

The sacred heart of ancient Egypt: Luxor and the West Bank

The onset and peak of any trip to the Upper Nile is the small town of Luxor. The majestic temples and funerary cities were found there, homenajesa the advanced civilization that was established around the ancient capital of Thebes, take millennia to impress visitors. The magnificent colonnade templode El Karnak, which for centuries was the central sanctuary of the god Amon for all ElPaís, overwhelms all who visit. Beyond the river, in the various vallesde the necropolis of Thebes, the traveler is overwhelmed by the gigantic size and spiritual devotion of the mortuary temples of Ramses II as rulers or iii and Queen Hatshepsut. It is in one of these valleys, the spectacular Valley of the Kings, where the glorious New Kingdom rulers lie for over three thousand years. It was here, in 1922, where Howard Carter brought out the legendary treasures of Tutankhamen, whose tomb relics legends continue to suffer worldwide.

Great finish in the far south, Aswan and Abu Simbel

Continuing our journey south, we expect three major temples: Esna Temple, dedicated to Goddess ram headed Khnum, the sanctuary of Horus in Edfu and twice Ptolemaic temple of Kom Ombo. Next stop is Aswan, where there is much to see in the form of jewelry Pharaonic - especially Philae Temple - along with more modern wonders like the Aswan Dam, which contains the huge Lake Nasser.
In Aswan, the charming river landscape of the first cataract, with the spectacular fall of the Nile waters among the rocks, leaves an indelible mark. Later, after sailing to the sunset in a traditional Egyptian sailboat - the felucca - a walk in the botanical garden of Kitchener Island or take afternoon tea on the terrace of the Old Cataract Hotel - embedded royal history from colonial times - it's easy to understand why Aswan continues to attract Europeans who wish to escape the winter cold. The grand finale of this trip to the deep south is the imposing Egyptian temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel.
His reign colossal statues on Lake Nasser, after being rescued from the water through the construction of the new dam in the 1960s, a monumental feat of engineering, and proclaim to the world the eternal fame of its creator and its kingdom.

Cairo
Pharaonic Inheritance: Giza, Saqqara and the Egyptian Museum

In the capital of Egypt, the largest metropolis in Africa and the Arab world's downtown, East meets West in a fusion of past, present and future, resulting in a fascinating mix. The attractions of this "mother of all cities" are infinite. Every newcomer must, first, make a pilgrimage to the Great Pyramids of Giza, the only one of the seven wonders of the ancient world that is still preserved. A visit to the burial chambers inside the Pyramids, Solar Boat Museum and the Sound and Light show at the Sphinx will offer an unforgettable view of the unique culture of the time of the Pharaohs. The royal necropolis of Saqqara is no less impressive, in it, a pioneering artworks speak of the wealth and the creative spirit that existed in nearby Memphis, the first capital of the Old Kingdom. Highlights include the Step Pyramid of Zoser, the abundant mastabas with a fantastic relief decoration and the Serapeum, where lie the sacred Apis bulls. A short hike leads to Dahshur, a pretty quiet place, away from the crowds, where first erected a monumental tomb perfect pyramid shaped. Back to the modern downtown Cairo, we may not have enough with a single visit to the Egyptian Museum, which houses thousands of precious objects of antiquity and in particular, the legendary treasure of Tutankhamen.

The modern metropolis, the city and the old Islamic Cairo

UNESCO has selected more than 600 architectural monuments of the Islamic quarter of Cairo, with more than a thousand years old, as deserving of special protection and has been included in the list of world cultural sites. Among them there like mosques of Sultan Hassan, Ben Tulun and Al Azhar, and the Citadel with its towers. Al Muizz Avenue, which runs the two miles between the massive doors of the ancient city - Bab al-Futuh and Bab-Zuwaila, meanders through an exquisite selection of ancient monuments, which include mausoleums, mosques, madrasas (schools), caravanserais (ancient inns for merchants), fountains and public restrooms. A shopping trip becomes an adventure for the senses in the nearby bazaars, especially in Khan al-Khalili, al-Muski and market makers tents, Jayyamia, or even more distant markets, as Kerdassa and Fustat . Also noteworthy places as the Islamic Museum, the House of Gayer-Anderson - a former residence of the Cairo-perfectly restored, the great collections of the Museum of Islamic Ceramics, and Mahmoud Khalil Museum, which contains a collection of Impressionist works oberbia . A little further south along the Nile, the old district of Cairo has almost two thousand years old. We can not miss the ancient Babylonian towers Roman Fort, the Coptic Museum and a number of important religious sites, including the Church of Mar Girgis, Santa Barbara, the Hanging Church, Moallaqa churches, the Ben Ezra Synagogue and the Egypt's oldest mosque, named after the military commander Amr Ibn al-As. In the city we can find all kinds of entertainment, shopping centers and golf courses manicured outside. Finally, we also recommend an afternoon sail on the Nile aboard a felucca or attend one of several evening shows that take place in the modern opera house.

Luxor
Sacred places that will captivate

The Uqsur, now Luxor, the ancient capital of Thebes, together with the vast necropolis of the opposite bank of the river, is one of the nerve centers of the ancient Egyptian culture. The central temple complex of Luxor is presented as a sequence of 260 meters of great doors, patios and rooms with columns.
Even more impressive are the 40 acres occupied zone of El Karnak temples. For over 1700 years, well into the Roman era, El Karnak was extended by almost all rulers. Notable huge pylons and obelisks, and the temple of Amun with its magnificent pillared hall. The size and scale of the Karnak every night is reflected in the impressive sound and light show that takes place on the banks of the sacred lake. There is no better way to enjoy the charm of this small town in buggy walking through the quiet streets. They are also recommended various mummification museums and archeology. The day trips from Luxor to Dendera and Abydos temples of north, south Esna, or to the Red Sea to the east, also worthwhile.

Tombs, temples and colossi: endless surprises doors beyond

As is the case with the pyramids near Cairo, the necropolis of Thebes is oriented to the west, where the sun, following the movement of Osiris to the other world, disappears behind a sand horizon. Until today, the tombs and mortuary temples are a clear testimony to the immense faith and energy of its builders.
Among the special attractions of the necropolis of Thebes, guarded by the Colossi of Memnon, find the temple of Ramses II (Ramesseum), Ramses III (Medinet Habu) and Queen Hatshepsut (Deir El-Bahari), the village of workers the necropolis with tombs (Deir el-Medina), and the tombs of the nobility (Sheikh Abd el-Qurna). In the Valley of the Queens, we can visit the place where lies the beautiful Nefertari, and the Valley of the Kings we pay our respects to the sixties New Kingdom pharaohs buried there. Those who wish to admire this place as the crow flies can fly in a balloon in the early hours of the morning on the desert mountains and enjoy a unique perspective of this marvel of antiquity.

Nile cruises and Lake Nasser

There is no better place to appreciate the beauty of the Upper Nile Valley, at the southern tip of Egypt, from the deck of a cruise. The bucolic landscape of the river passes before the traveler on a widescreen, cinemascope-style, to the delight of the audience. From time to time, shore excursions, visitors can enjoy Pharaonic sites of great interest, since, on the road between Aswan and Luxor, is passed through Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo. Passengers can select from a variety of boats and trips with round trip, or return, to soak in the experience even more fully. An alternative is for the adventurous romantic night journey aboard a felucca, a traditional sailing boat from Aswan to Edfu and Esna. Another attraction of Egypt Water is the opportunity to embark on a cruise on Lake Nasser in a wide selection of cruises, some of which offer the traveler every luxury.
During the days of traveling south bound for Aswan, passengers, in small groups, far from the tumult and bustle of the busiest places in the north, visiting religious complexes of great interest, most notably Abu Simbel.

Aswan - Aswan
Idyll river at the first cataract

Aswan, the southernmost city of Egypt, in the past inside door to Africa and, today, last port of all river cruises, is famous for its two dams: dam built during the colonial period in the early twentieth century and the spectacular Aswan High Dam, an engineering milestone achieved during the decades after independence. From the quarries of Aswan granite came to the Pharaonic monuments downstream, as shown by the large unfinished obelisk. Lovers of ancient architecture their respects to File sanctuary, with its temples of Isis and Hathor, and the kiosk of Trajan. Other places are indispensable Temple Beit el-Wali and Kalabsha, the Nubian Museum, and the Nilometer of Elephantine Island. If you take a walk through the bazaar restored or visit any of the Nubian villages in the area, you can enjoy the charm of the daily routine, including a traditional evening. But in Aswan, the Nile is the centerpiece, so we recommend a romantic felucca ride the light of the sun, perhaps with a stop at the Botanical Gardens on Kitchener Island-or, on the shore west, a walk to the mausoleum of Agha Kahn, or stone tombs and the ruins of the monastery of San Simeon.

Alexandria and the coast medirerránea
A metropolis with a rich cultural heritage: the old library and the lighthouse

The venerable old port of Alexandria, in the extreme northwest of the Nile Delta, was established as a commercial capital and Hellenistic learning center in the days of Ptolemy. Today, it remains a fascinating place, with a multitude of facets to explore. The harbor entrance, which once was the site where once stood the legendary lighthouse, now attracts the attention of tourists by the Ottoman fortress Qaitbey. The main sites of Alexandria are the catacombs of Kom El Shuqafa, early Ptolemaic Anfushi tombs, the famous Pompey pillar guarded by two sphinxes-the Roman amphitheater of Kom El Dikka, the village of Al-Tuyur with its beautiful mosaics and the Greco-Roman Museum. Further into the city, eastern neighborhoods as air or Gumruk Anfushi characterized by its narrow streets, bustling bazaars and mosques huge, invite visitors to get carried away. The vestiges of the cultural renaissance of Alexandria of the early twentieth century can be seen in the Art Nouveau facades, theaters and cafes of central district of El-Manshiya, and a sensational museum dedicated to the life of the Alexandrian poet Constantine Cavafy, plus famous seafood restaurants and seaside villas located on the way to Montazah elegant. The new Bibliotheca Alexandrina is heir to the rich cultural background of the city and at the same time, facing the future with confidence, as reflected in postmodern architectural style.

From the idyllic Nile Delta to the monasteries of Wadi el-Natrun

In the green and picturesque countryside setting of the Nile Delta, near Alexandria, you can find several attractions, including the ruins of the ancient metropolis of Tanis. In the western arm of the Nile we find Rosetta, a city that became famous worldwide after the discovery of the stone that bears his name and which enabled Champollion to decipher the ancient hieroglyphic language of the pharaohs. In the desert of Wadi el-Natrun, back to Cairo, four monasteries - Anba Bishoi Maqar Anba, Al-and El-Baramus Suryani-, with churches full of precious frescoes and icons dating back a thousand years, testifying the time when the Christian monastic life centered on this area.

The Mediterranean: El Alamein, Marsa Matruh

Pristine sandy beaches with turquoise clear waters are the characteristics that best define the Mediterranean coast of Egypt, from Agami-in the east, not far from Alexandria to Salloum, on the west, near the border with Libya -. Along this stretch of coast, numerous villas, hotels and resorts offer the necessary infrastructure for a relaxing summer vacation. Numerous attractions and entertainment offer travelers a wide range of activities, including a visit to the lighthouse Ptolemaic Borg El-Arab, the ancient ruins of Abu Menas or the famous battle of El Alamein, with its poignant monuments. The newly built resort of Porto Marina, 105 km west of Alexandria, has a special charm. The complex, which is the first-class marina on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa, has a hotel, a golf course, a spa and Venice Canal Mall, and is considered the gateway to Egypt from the Mediterranean