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Cairo

Cairo lies in the heart of Egypt and the place can be traced back a 1000 years. Cairo was founded on the site of Babylon near the ruins of ancient Memphis. Cairo demonstrates the dichotomy of all things Egyptian. In Cairo one can see the medieval world and the contemporary western world come together earthen houses and towering modern office buildings. Modern Cairo encompasses many former cities and there monuments: the pyramids of the Pharaohs; early Christian monasteries and churches; Salah Al-Dins Citadel; mosques of the Mamluk and Ottoman Sultans.

The old Medieval quarter are the most densely populated area of Egypt. Districts like Darb al-Ahmar are full of tiny alleyways, mud-brick houses, food hawkers, and goats, camels and donkeys. The area is full of mosques and temples, and the air is filled with the pungent smells of turmeric and cumin, animals and squalor. Some of Islamic Cairo's highlights include the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, dating from the 9th century and the city's oldest intact and fully functioning Islamic monument; the 15th-century Mosque of Qaitbey, considered the jewel of Mamluk architecture; Al-Azhar Mosque, the keystone of Islam in Egypt; and the Citadel, an awesome medieval fortress that was the seat of Egyptian power for 700 years. The Citadel has three major mosques and several museums.

Giza

Giza is situated on the west bank of the Nile. Giza known for its pyramids, that is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, and despite the crowds that visit every year, they are still a truly overwhelming sight. These majestic and ancient pyramids have survived the rise and fall of great dynasties and conquerors, and share the flat desert surrounds with the Sphinx and a number of smaller pyramids and temples.





Luxor

Luxor is one of Egypt's favourite tourist destinations. The city of Luxor is built on the site of the ancient city of Thebes. Many people have been visiting the majestic monuments of Luxor, Karnak, Hatshepsut and Ramses III for thousands of years.

Luxor Temple was built by Pharaoh Amenhotep III (1390-1352 BC), on the site of an older temple built by Hatshepsut and added to by Tutankhamun, Ramses II, Nectanebo, Alexander the Great and various Romans. Excavation work has been under way since 1885. The main place of worship in ancient Theban times were the Temples of Karnak that were spectacular series of monuments. These temples are divided into the Amun Temple Enclosure, which is the largest; the Mut Temple Enclosure on the south side; and the Montu Temple Enclosure.

When you arrive on the West bank, though the Valley of the Kings, the first thing most people see is the lonely statues of the Colossi of Memnon and the spectacular tombs of Nefertari and Tutankhamun, are the big attraction. Luxor is accessible from Cairo by buses or trains which run every day.

Alexandria

The great Macedonian, better known as, "Alexander the Great", came to Egypt in 331 BC after conquering Greece. He found a small fishing village on the Mediterranean coast to establish his new capital, Alexandria. The city is oriented around Midan Ramla and Midan Saad Zaghoul, the large square that runs down to the waterfront. Its status as a beacon of culture symbolized by Pharos, the legendary lighthouse that was one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Alexandria was also the center of learning in the ancient world. The Graeco-Roman Museum contains relics that date back to the 3rd century BC. There's a magnificent black granite sculpture of Apis, the sacred bull worshipped by Egyptians, as well as an assortment of mummies, sarcophagi, pottery, jewellery and ancient tapestries.

Pompey's Pillar in Alexandria is a massive 25m (82ft) pink granite monument measuring 9m (30ft) around its girth. The pillar was constructed in honor of Emperor Diocletian, in AD 297, and was the only monument left standing following the violent arrival of the Crusaders around 1000 years later. Originally from the temple of the Serapis, it was once a magnificent structure rivaling the Soma and the Caesareum. Nearby are subterranean galleries where sacred Apis bulls were buried, and three sphinxes. After his defeat by Julius Caesar in the civil war, Pompey fled to Egypt where he was murdered in 48 BC.

Port Said

Port said was founded in 1859 as a harbor on the Mediterranean coast at the northern entrance of the Suez Canal. The city is considered to be a very young city by Egyptian standards. It was founded by ruler Said Pasha when excavations began for the Suez Canal. Port Said was bombed in 1956 during the Suez Crisis, and again in the 1967 and 1973 wars with Israel; the damage can still be seen here and there, although the city was extensively rebuilt.

The economical base of Port Said is fishing and industries like chemicals, processed food, and cigarettes. Port Said is also an important harbour both for exports of Egyptian products like cotton and rice, but also a fuelling station for ships that pass through the Suez Canal. Port Said also thrives on being a duty-free port, as well as a summer resort for Egyptians. Port Said, is an unusual destination for Egypt with turn-of-the-century colonial architecture and several good museums and gardens.