Category: General

Egypt stands as one of the world’s most fascinating destinations, carrying the weight of millennia within its sands and monuments. Often called the cradle of civilisation, it was home to powerful dynasties whose architectural and cultural feats shaped history. From the time of the ancient Pharaohs through the Greek and Roman periods, Egypt maintained a central role in trade, religion, and scholarship. Even in later centuries under Islamic rule, its cities flourished with vibrant learning centres, mosques, and bustling markets. The blend of these eras is still visible today, layered into the landscapes along the Nile.

القاهرة is one of the world’s most captivating cities, lying at the heart of Egyptian civilisation and brimming with layers of history. Founded in the 10th century by the Fatimids, it grew into a powerful Islamic centre under successive dynasties and later became the beating heart of modern Egypt following the Ottoman and British periods. Despite its relatively recent origins compared to nearby ancient sites, القاهرة’s surroundings are steeped in antiquity, with the Nile serving as both lifeblood and boundary between eras. Pharaohs ruled just downstream in Memphis and Giza, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy that continues to define the city’s global image.

The classic Nile cruise from أسوان to الأقصر feels like slipping into a slower rhythm of travel, where the motion of the river sets the pace for everything else. Days fall into a gentle pattern of temple visits in the cool morning, long lunches on board, and lazy afternoons stretched out on the sundeck watching palms, feluccas and riverside villages slide by. Even on a modern five‑star boat, there is a sense of following a very old route, with the call to prayer drifting over the water at dusk and the banks glowing gold as the sun drops behind the desert. By night, the river is quiet, the temples lit in the distance, and you sit over dinner realising that most of the day has been spent simply looking at the Nile.

الإسكندرية, located on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast, is a city with a rich history that dates back to its founding in 331 BCE by Alexander the Great. Established to be both a strategic military site and a vibrant commercial hub, it quickly rose to prominence under the Ptolemaic dynasty. الإسكندرية became renowned for its cultural and intellectual achievements, most famously housing the legendary Library of Alexandria and the Pharos Lighthouse, one of the ancient world’s seven wonders. Over centuries, the city evolved into a melting pot of Greek, Egyptian, and later Roman and Islamic influences, holding a pivotal role in early Christianity and Hellenistic scholarship.