Thousands of years ago prosperous Egyptian farmers, merchants, artisans and pharaohs lived along the banks of the Nile River. Egyptian religious beliefs were complex, and considered death the beginning of a new life. Pharaohs built huge tombs and pyramids to enshrine their dead bodies and ensure their passage into a prosperous afterlife. Many of these ancient monuments still stand today; the Egyptian Pyramids draw millions of tourists. After the Egyptian empire waned, nomadic Berber tribes populated much of northern Africa. Muslim armies arrived in the late 600s and settled a wide swath of the region.
Egypt became a center of Muslim scholarship and trade, and Morocco traded with early European societies and with people to the south and west. In the 1800s Morocco was colonized by the French and Spanish, and the English claimed Egypt. Strong nationalist movements overthrew the colonizers in the first half of the twentieth century. Today, Egyptians and Moroccans are developing thriving economies based on tourism and trade.
The capital city of Cairo is a teeming metropolis of cramped streets, market stalls, skyscrapers and ancient monuments. The Museum of Egyptian Artifacts is crammed with remnants of Egypt's rich history, while the Islamic Sector takes you back to medieval times. West of the city, the Pyramids of Giza draw swarms of tourists every day. After the requisite Nile cruise, travel north to Alexandria for a more relaxed coastal city dotted with French-style cafes. Finally, the city of Luxor is well worth a visit: it is built on and around the ruins of the ancient city of Thebes, and crumbling monuments still stand today.
Museum of Egyptian Arifacts
Cairo
662 Kairo und Nildelta
Egypt
02 5782448
globalegyptianmuseum.org
Any traveler to Morocco must visit at least three cities: Fez, Marrakech and Casablanca. Casablanca is one of Morocco's most modern cities and is considered its cultural capital. Cosmopolitan cafes and clubs surround the city's gigantic mosque, the Hassan II Mosque.
Marrakech and Fez are both historic trading cities located inland. Fez's medieval-era covered market teems with traders and stalls. Marrakech combines a similar market with the "new town" sector, featuring boutique shopping and expensive restaurants. Outdoorsy travelers will enjoy the rugged Atlas Mountain Range, accessible in Marrakech. Be sure to visit the beautiful beaches on the Atlantic coast, dotted with traditional fishing villages, but avoid the dangerous Western Sahara region.
Both Morocco and Egypt have hotels catering to wealthy business travelers as well as the backpacking crowd. Many Western chains like the Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons have hotels throughout the major cities in Egypt. A standout resort called Le Meridien Pyramids offers views of the Pyramids over its huge swimming pool. The best Moroccan luxury hotels are located in Casablanca, and hotels with traditional architecture are prevalent in Marrakech and Fez. Try the Sofitel Fes Palais Jamai in Fez, built over 100 years ago in classic Moorish style.
Le Meridien Pyramids
El Remaya Square-Pyramids
Cairo, 12561
Egypt
+20-2-3377-70
lemeridien-pyramids.com
Sofitel Fes Palais Jamai
Bab Guissa 30000
Fez, Morocco
+215-535-634331
sofitel.com
Moroccan cuisine is rich in spices. Traditional Moroccan stews are made with lamb or other meats in a flavorful sauce, and are poured over couscous. Egyptian cuisine is similar to other Middle Eastern countries, and foods like feta cheese, lamb, pita bread, mint, chickpeas, and dates are common. Nightlife in both countries can range from European-style clubs to intimate hookah bars where bellydancers take the stage. Note that both societies are Muslim and often quite poor: most Moroccans and Egyptians don't often go to nightclubs. A more traditional place for evening entertainment is the medina, where food stalls and street dancers and musicians keep crowds entertained.
