LOWER EGYPT
Alexandria
While no longer an international center of learning and culture, as it was around 200 AD, Alexandria remains a destination of great interest. Beautiful beaches and a seaside climate combine to make it a popular summer resort. Points of interest are Pompey's Pillar, erected to honor the Emperor Diocletian, the Roman Amphitheater, and the Catacombs of el-Shogafa.
Cairo
The capitol of Egypt Cairo is a very ancient city, dating back 4500 years to a city which was called ON and later renamed Heliopolis, the city of the Sun. In the center of Modern Cairo is Midan Tahrir, (Tahrir Square). This is the busiest area of the city, and here you will find the famous Egyptian Museum which traces Egypt’s incomparable history in a wealth of Pharaonic relics and the special collection of the tomb of Tutankhamun's.
The Citadell
In Citadel, which was built in the 13th century, is in Islamic Cairo. The interior of the Citadel contains The Mosque of Mohammed Ali also known as the Alabaster Mosque. The parapets offer a commanding view of Cairo, a forest of minarets, domes and spires. The beauty of Islamic Cairo is not limited to the Mosques. It also includes houses, palaces, small museums, and the oldest synagogue in Cairo, Ben Ezra Synagogue. Islamic Cairo is full of tiny alleyways, crowded with food vendors, goats, camels and donkeys and the strong smells of spices such as cumin and turmeric fills the air. No visit to Cairo is complete without a visit to the medieval Khan Al-Khalili Bazaar, one of the oldest markets in the world, full of twists and turns, winding alleys and dead ends. The bazaar is lined with alluring shops and stalls full of carpets, papyrus, perfume, gold and brass. It is a most delightful experience and a true test to one's bargaining skills.
The Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx
There are three Pyramids in Giza. The largest of the Pyramids was built by CHEOPS, and it is 450 feet tall. His son, Chephren did not wish to dishonor his father so he built his pyramid two feet shorter, but with a true Pharaonic deviousness, he built it on higher ground. The third pyramid and the smallest one, is a mere 216 feet high, build by Cheop's Grandson, The Pyramids of Giza are marvels of human spirit and engineering; The famous Sphinx, a colossal carved figure of a recumbent lion with the head of a man, lies nearby. To the ancient Egyptians the stone figure was a colossal image of the God of the Rising Sun.
Memphis and Sakkara
At the edge of the western desert lies Memphis, the site of Egypt’s ancient capital and one of the most important cities in the history of ancient Egypt. Here find the limestone colossus of Ramses II and the Alabaster Sphinx. At Sakkara, the vast Necropolis of ancient Memphis is Egypt’s oldest standing stone structure, the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, built during the Third Dynasty, constructed entirely in stone.
Fayoum and Mydum
Egypt’s largest oasis, overlooking Lake Qarun, a popular sport for hunting and fishing. Here we find the Pyramid of Hawara and the Roman site of Chariness, which once housed two limestone temples and a large agora. A short drive from Fayoum is the Pyramid of Mydum. This was originally a seven-stepped Pyramid and was later enlarged to become an eight-stepped Pyramid. Eventually the steps were filled in and a smooth outer facing turned it into a true Pyramid. The Mydum Pyramid is thought to have been started by Huni, the last ruler of the 3rd dynasty Pharaoh.
Stealth Tourism and Travelling Under the Radar
We take pride in our flexibility and our ability to travel as locals. These two attributes allow us to call ourselves stealth tourists.
Your travel partner in Aswan, Upper Egypt:Travel 2 Culture provides planned Egypt holidays, African cultural insight, Black history awareness, Nile Valley expeditions, private guide services and customised itineraries to the discerning or independent traveller. We specialise in extended-period guide services, travelling by your side for days rather than hours! We also take pride in offering friendly experienced regional experts, whom are dedicated to providing fun, cultural, informative and peaceful short (1-5 day) tours. Witness for yourself, how we're more than just your travelling concierge, our past clients consider us their Nubian friends in Africa, friends they can call on to meet them at the airport, do the driving/sailing, and introduce them to the country and culture as only locals can. We make Egyptian and Nubian holidays easy for you! Why not visit Nubia and see for yourself?