Egypt or officially the Arab Republic of Egypt is situated in North Africa and it is connected to Asia through Sinai Peninsula. It shares borders with Libya, Sudan, Gaza strip and Israel and it is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea in the north and the Red sea in the east. The river Nile is the vein of life for the county and it is therefore still called "Mother of Egypt". The Nile’s shores are densely populated due to their fertile soil, suitable for agriculture. The larger areas of land are part of the Sahara desert, where still some nomadic tribes find settlement in its hidden oases. Egypt is well known for its ancient civilisations and monuments such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Spinx and Valley of the Kings. It is a country that speaks to the imagination through the ancient legends and the stories of living mummies and tomb curses. More than that, Egypt is a country of great history and unique culture that has greatly influenced humanity. The outstanding miracles of its glorious past demonstrate its majesty and power. It is not exaggerating to say that Egypt is the most mystic and old civilization the world ever met. Today, the country is a major tourist destination not only due to its historic legacy but also due to its breathtaking beauties. Reserve a hotel in Cairο and explore the Nile by taking a river cruise or book a hotel in Sharm el Sheikh.

History

The first unified Kingdom of Egypt, in 3150 BC by King Menes, heralded the rise of a series of dynasties that ruled the country for the next three millennia. The first two dynasties set the stage for the Old Kingdom period that lasted from 2700 to 2200 BC, a period that remained in history for the first famous pyramids like the pyramids of Djoser and Giza. The centuries that followed and particularly from 1550 to 1070 BC, Egypt undergone a transition period that resulted into the formation of the New Kingdom. The rise of Egypt as a great empire and international power came to the fore. This was also the era of some of the most famous Pharaohs such as Thutmose III, Nefertiti, Tutankhamun and Ramesses II. However, the last Egyptian dynasty fell to Persians in 343 BC and later to Greeks and Romans, who ruled the country for over two thousands years. The annexation of Egypt to Byzantium ended when Muslim Arabs invaded the country, bringing Islam which is upon today Egypt’s main religion. Successively, Ottoman Turks conquered the country in 1517, giving ground to the long period of foreign rulers and invaders that extended after the French invasion by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1798.

The French invasion did not last long and was followed by a series of civil wars between the Ottoman Turks, the Mamluks and the Albanian mercenaries. However, Egypt’s control from the Ottoman Empire continued until 1914. During this period the British declaration of war to Ottomans had an impact on Egypt as well, as Britain declared a protectorate over Egypt and appointed Sultan Husayn Kamil as the ultimate ruler of the country. British involvement in Egypt led to the first Egyptian modern revolution that resulted in a unilateral declaration of Egypt’s independence in 1922. In 1973, Egypt and Syria launched the October War against Israel in an attempt to liberate the territory Israel had occupied in 1967. However, in 1977, a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt contributed to Egypt’s exclusion from the Arab League. Today, and particularly from 2003, the Egyptian Movement for Change seeks the democratisation of the country and the enactment of greater civil rights.

Art and Culture

Egypt's cultural past goes five thousand years back in time. Its civilisation is one of the earliest in the world and for hundreds of years was one of the world’s most important and influential ones. Therefore, it is not surprising that many contemporary cultures of Europe, Middle East and Africa have their roots in Ancient Egypt. The Egyptians were the first that codified design elements in art. Their wall paintings followed a rigid code of visual rules and meanings that still today entail unraveled meanings and unexplained symbols. However, Egyptian art and culture is not only a fraction of antiquity but also a continuous procedure with important presence in today’s world. Egyptian literature, poetry and music meet nowadays a significant flourish, having been widely imitated throughout the Middle East. Visitors may choose from a great variety of museums and cultural institutions that present the history and artistic legacy of Egypt. The Egyptian Museum in Cairo for instance is an unbelievable treasure that houses more than 120.000 objects, including mummies of Pharaohs, significant sarcophagi and a wide collection of sculptures and ancient furniture. Another center of culture and art is the famous Library of Alexandria, a place of learning, tolerance and dialogue. The Library of Alexandria has a unique historic value, as its huge collection of books and articles documents many aspects of the Egyptian history and modern state. Finally, you should not leave Egypt without visiting the great pyramids of Giza and Saqqara and the fantastic temples across the Nile.

Gastronomy

Herodotus, the famous Greek historian, wrote that Egypt is the gift of the Nile. And it is the Nile River that has influenced Egypt’s menu the most as well. Wheat and barley on the Nile’s shores are upon today used to bake bread, the main food of a traditional Egyptian meal. Surprisingly, barley was also used for producing beer, an ancient national drink in Egypt. Beans are another main product of Egypt’s agricultural activities and can be found in many dishes such as Foul, a traditional meal that is served at any time of the day. The majority of local dishes include a variety of vegetables and meats. Moreover, a very important ingredient that is apparent in the majority of Egyptian dishes is rice. Famous rice specialties are Warak el enab, which entails stuffed rice in grape leafs with spices and occasionally mince meat and Mah-shi, which is stuffed with either cabbage, grape leafs or koussa.  In general, rice is cooked in many different ways and usually accompanies vegetables, nuts and meat. Another famous specialty with rice is Melokhia or Molokhya soup, a leafy green vegetable soup made by Melokhia, a local vegetable. Some gastronomic peculiarities include the preparation of Peas and potatoes that are cooked in spiced Dem’a or Baldman. Famous desserts are Basbousa, made of semolina pastry, honey and hazelnuts; Um Aly, raisin milk cake; Baklawah or Baklava and Katayef. Finally, you can also find a great variety of international flavours as Egypt’s culinary tradition has also been influenced by foreign invasions and international trade, especially from Greeks, Lebanese and Turks.

Places to visit

One of the must destinations of Egypt is Cairo. The capital of Egypt is the largest city in Africa as well as the Middle East. The city of Cairo presents unique varieties such as a number of traditional open markets, superb museums, Christian churches, ancient temples, Muslim monuments and of course, a fascinating immerse into the era of the Pharaohs. However, Cairo apart from its monuments and great history is also a very lively city with great culture, art galleries and music halls. Additionally, Cairo offers an incredible selection of shopping, leisure and nightlife activities. The famous bazaar of Khan el-Khalili and the street markets of Wekala al-Balaq and Camel are surely attractions that capture the imagination. It is certain that if you stay in Cairo, the city will absorb you to its unique rhythm and original atmosphere. Hotels in Cairo present an authentic style too, with wonderful Arabic decorations and local culinary propositions to comprise the state of the art. For travelers that want to live the experience of Cairo from another niche, a hotel in Gizah (or Giza) seems to be the Idyllic alternative. Gizah is a town on the west bank of the Nile, about 20km away from the center of Cairo, being part of its metropolitan area. Moreover, the Great Pyramids of Giza and a number of other significant antiquities and monuments of the area comprise extra reasons to stay in Gizah.

The resort of Sharm el Sheikh is another fantastic part of Egypt. Located in the Sinai Peninsula, it is a highly developed tourist resort that attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world. All around there are Bedouins, colorful tents, beautiful mountains and great waters, idyllic for diving, snorkeling and other water sports. The center of tourism is the beach of Na’ama, which is located north of Sharm. Many hotels in Na’ama Bay have their own private beaches with all comfortable amenities. Additionally, Sharm el Sheikh includes a number of casinos, bars, nightclubs, golf courses, shopping malls and other facilities, ensuring that you will never suffer from boredom. Last but not least, hotels in Sharm el Sheikh vary from luxury five-star hotels to small cozy apartments with modern designs and intimate atmosphere. For those that prefer more educative or culture related holidays a stay in Luxor is highly recommended. Often called as the world’s greatest open-air museum, Luxor is an area with unique historical and cultural importance, as the number and preservation of the monuments in the Luxor area are unparalleled anywhere else in the world. However, apart from its historic legacy, Luxor is a perfectly equipped tourist destination with authentic bazaars, restaurants and cafes next to the shores of the Nile. Hotels in Luxor serve thousands of visitors that descend on this area of the Nile Valley every year.

Aswan is another beautiful place you should visit. It is Egypt’s sunniest southern city, with a distinctive African atmosphere and long historical tradition. In Aswan, the Nile is at its most beautiful, shaping the land and creating emerald islands covered in palm trees and other tropical plants. Reserving a hotel in Aswan is also a unique opportunity to relax and enjoy the fantastic Nubian dancers that perform the famous Nubian mock stick-fight dances. For Idyllic holidays, it is recommended that you stay in one of Aswan’s hotels that is located next to the Nile. The view of the spectacular sunsets, while having a drink in a hotel terrace or balcony, will fascinate you. Another spectacular holiday resort you should not miss is Hurghada. It is the foremost tourist resort of the Red Sea coast and an international center for aquatic sports such as diving and snorkeling. Moreover, Hurghada is popular for its nightlife, as many clubs transform it to a true party town. Finally, the area has many fine accommodations and it is characteristic that hotels in Hurghada are world famous for their luxury and style.

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