The great Egyptian city of Cairo and its sister city Giza are a must-see for tourists in this country. Stay at the Nile Hilton, the Intercontinental Semiramis, or the Shepherd Hotel located near the tourist-friendly Tahrir Square. Next door to the Nile Hilton you'll find the Egyptian Museum containing many of Egypt's famous ancient relics of Pharaonic times. Check out the mummy room for a chance to gaze upon the mummified remains of Egypt's ancient kings. Tickets are approximately an extra $20 (as of 2009), but it's well worth it.
Located in Tahrir square are the city's "yellow cabs" which are metered, air-conditioned, and contain functional seat belts, unlike the traditional black and white cabs you'll see zipping around Cairo. Use these cabs to visit the Khan el-Khalili, Azhar Park and the Citadel, all located a relatively close distance from each other. Shop for souvenirs like Pashmina scarves, local soccer jerseys, hookahs, decorative lamps, spices, and alabaster products at the Khan el-Khalili market. While at the "Khan," also be sure to sip tea at Fishawy's, a favorite spot of the late Nagib Mafouz, a famous Egyptian author.
As for the main attraction, the pyramids at Giza, make sure to catch a yellow cab to the site to avoid haggling for a good price. Once there, you will experience a sensory overload. The sound of men offering you camel rides, horseback rides, belly dancing scarves, pyramid souvenirs; the smell of camels and donkeys; and the bright Egyptian sun reflecting off the sand. Make your way to the ticket booth to gain entrance to the pyramids, and take in the surreal site of the Sphinx against the three famous giants.
A beach holiday at Ain Sukhna could easily be worked into a trip that includes Cairo, as it is within an hour and a half of the capital city. The Stella di Mare Resort is one of the nicer hotels in this beach town. With a pool as well as a beautiful beach front, delicious buffet, and small night club located within the premises, this resort makes for a wonderful, lazy holiday. Watch the moon rise over the red sea at night, or the sun rise over the crystal blue water in the morning. Order the local beer, Stella (not to be confused with Stella Artois), and sip away under an umbrella with majestic desert mountains rising up to your left and right. The pool is just as nice if you prefer fresh water over the warm, salty red sea.
Taking a "taxi" in Dahab will more than likely involve squatting in the bed of a pick-up truck. Dahab, meaning "gold" in Arabic, is about an hour's drive away from the more famous Sharm el-Sheikh located at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. This more remote, peaceful location is famous for its beautiful dive sites and snorkeling. "Blue Hole," located close to Dahab, is considered one of the most beautiful dive sites in the entire world. Be sure to see "Magic Lake," a pristine aqua marine pool of water, spend some time windsurfing, enjoy fatir (a stuffed pastry that can be ordered savory or sweet) for breakfast at the Funny Mummy restaurant while sitting on pillows, and gaze across the Red Sea to Saudi Arabia.
For the climb of a lifetime, arrange a bus to pick you up at night for a trip to Mt. Sinai. Walk in the footsteps of Moses up the mountain, including the steps of repentance, in time to see the sunrise over the Sinai range. Make sure to bring a camera, as this is truly a beautiful site.
Located at the southern point of the Sinai Peninsula, the famous Sharm el-Sheikh attracts tourists mostly from Europe to enjoy the beautiful beaches and wild nightlife. To experience said nightlife, make sure to visit Pacha on a Friday or Saturday night. There is a steep cover charge, but it is well worth it for the over-the-top decorations and the people watching. Other nightlife spots include Buddha Bar and Hard Rock Cafe.
During the day, enjoy the beautiful snorkeling and diving spots, including Ra's Muhammad, just a short drive away. Lounge by the pool or at the beach, or peruse the many "souks" or markets. You'll need the rest after last night in Sharm.
Some of the most impressive ancient temples and monuments are located in Luxor. This Egyptology enthusiast's dream includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Queen Hatshepsut's Temple, and the Valley of the Kings. The easiest option to see these wonders is to hire a tour guide and minibus through a hotel to shuffle your party around these sites and offer some insight into their significance. A lot of the original paint still exists on these impressive relics, and their stories are quite riveting. In the Valley of the Kings, it is possible (for an extra fee, of course) to venture down into King Tut's original burial place, as well as other former rulers of Pharaonic Egypt. Make sure to see Luxor Temple at night (it's located close to rest of town, unlike the other temples) in order to "imbibe the drama" as Lonely Planet suggests.
Aswan is located in Nubia, a region comprised of Southern Egypt and Northern Sudan. The atmosphere in Aswan is more relaxed than the rest of Egypt, and the scenery is stunning. For a delicious meal and a great view, make sure to have a meal at the Nubian House restaurant. Located on the top of a mountain that overlooks the Nile, every seat in the house provides a beautiful view of the ancient river. A series of islands in the middle of the Nile, including Mango Island, Elephantine Island and Kitchener Island, are accessible via "felucca," or small boat. For a glimpse of ancient wonder, book a minibus to Abu Simbel with your hotel. About a four-hour bus ride south, you will get the chance to see this temple which was disassembled, transported to this spot, and reassembled by UNESCO in order to avoid being flooded by Lake Nasser.
If you want to incorporate more nature into your holiday than the normal tourist, try staying at one of the eco-lodges located in the deep southern Red Sea coastal town of Marsa Alam. Traditional resorts are also available for your holiday, but these eco-tourist magnets provide a much more interesting stay. Go snorkeling at Pataya Beach to see guitar sharks and giant sea turtles, or venture into Wadi Gimal (a national park) to experience the natural side of Southern Egypt.
