Sarah Smierciak - Moon Egypt (Travel Guide)

boats moored near the Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria

Welcome to Egypt: a land of rich cultural heritage, dramatic landscapes, and friendly people with an infectious sense of humor. The diversity of the countrys treasures astounds. Youll find vibrant cities, towering pyramids, stunning beaches, underwater paradises, rolling desert hills, and sub-nationalities youve probably never heard of.

When Im away from Cairo, what I miss most is its intensity. The constant stimulation of the senses. The sweet smell of mango in the summer emanating from the tired fridges of downtown juice shops. The taste of a warm sweet potato in the winter, expertly roasted on roaming carts with makeshift ovens. The colorful party boats that dance across the Nile, pulsating with neon lights and Egypts latest pop hits. The spellbinding contralto of 20th-century diva Umm Kulthum cast through the radios of nostalgic taxi drivers. In Egypts frenetic capital, the sheer density of human beings breaks down barriers, creating an air of familiarity between the citys some 20 million inhabitants.

bread delivery in Cairo

Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut.

view of Cairo from Gezira/Zamalek

If the energy of Cairo overwhelms, a quiet escape is just a bus ride away. Standing under the star-speckled sky of the Western Desert, listening to the waves roll in on a Sinai beach, or sailing on a felucca along the golden hills of Aswan, youll forget the clamor of the city completely.

Around every turn youll gain a new perspectiveand, if you wish, a new friend.

camels near the Great Pyramids of Giza

statue of god Anubis from Tutankhamuns tomb now in the Grand Egyptian Museum.

traditional Egyptian koshary

of Giza: Gallop through the desert in the cool evening air alongside the only surviving wonder of the ancient world.

backstreet souqs: Wind through the colorful markets in the alleys behind Islamic Cairos main attractions. You can buy fresh camel meat, choose your chickens live, or just take a stimulating stroll.

in Ras Mohammed National Park: Explore the dazzling underwater life in this unique corner of the Sinai, where protected fish and fringing reefs create a kaleidoscope of colors.

at dawn: Ascend the historic mountain to watch the sun rise over the rocky landscape from the point where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments.

: Sleep under the stars in this lunar landscape where mushroom-shaped rocks spring out of snow-white waves of limestone.

: This sprawling complex with origins nearly 4,000 years old is separated into pockets of ancient architectural treasures. Stroll down the Avenue of Sphinxes, visit the Sacred Lake, and feel small in the Grand Hypostyle Hall that boasts 134 decorated columns, some close to 25 meters (80 ft) tall.

: Hold on tight as your local guide speeds along Siwas undulating dunes in an off-road vehicle, with nothing but dramatic hills of sand stretching as far as the eye can.

Floating in Siwas : Experience the buoyancy of super-saline water in these striking turquoise pools surrounded by mounds of glittering salt.

: Escape the chaos of Cairos streets or glide alongside Aswans lush green islands and golden hills on a traditional wooden sailboat steered by expert hands.