When most people think about the Red Sea resort town of Hurghada, Egypt they likely imagine relaxing on the beach, scuba diving, adventuring in the desert, golfing, and lounging at a big resort. Hurghada does have all of that.Rarely, however, does one think about fresh markets and a taste of local Egyptian culture. It's there in Hurghada, if only you look hard … [Read more...]
Egypt Travel Articles, Photos and Panoramas
Panorama of the Week: Valley of the Whales – Fayoum, Egypt
Whales with legs? In the desert?That's what you'll find in the Valley of the Whales (Wadi El-Hitan) in Fayoum, Egypt. More accurately, you'll find the over 35 million year-old fossilized remains of whales with short legs, appendages marking their evolution from land mammals to sea mammals. … [Read more...]
Pyramid Hopping in Egypt
Do you remember learning about ancient Egypt in elementary school?I do. I recall images of Cleopatra, mummies, hieroglyphics, and women with black bobbed hair and men dressed in kilts, all strutting. I remember pyramids that seemed too big to be real, as if aliens must have been the ones to deposit them in the middle of the desert.And I remember an episode … [Read more...]
Panorama of the Week: Citadel Mosque in Cairo, Egypt
Although the Saladin Citadel in Cairo was built in the 12th century to help protect the city from the Crusaders, the Muhammad Ali Mosque came much later, in the 19th century. Built in the architectural style of the Ottomans, the mosque has a feeling of wide open grandeur punctuated by chandeliers and cupolas.Sit on the carpet in middle for as long as you need. … [Read more...]
Off to Egypt: A Little Bit of Work and Play
We’re headed again to Egypt, this time to experience a taste of what it can offer in the way of adventure and adrenaline travel.We will also present at the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Travel and Media conference. There, we will tie a real-time case study of this Egypt experience together with some of our prior travel experience to … [Read more...]
Panorama of the Week: Egypt’s Red Pyramid
Dahshur, Egypt. As we pulled up to the Red Pyramid, we noticed there was something missing -- people.No tourists, no vendors, no camel drivers trying to pull us onto their decorated beasts for a photo op. It was delightfully quiet, almost eerily so. Only our small group. For visitors like us, it was one of the benefits of visiting last month when tourist … [Read more...]
Panorama of the Week: Street Market in Old Alexandria, Egypt
When time is limited, you have to make tough decisions. In Alexandria, Egypt, I decided to hit the streets of its old town rather than going deep into the ancient catacombs. I was looking for interaction, for life on the streets.And rather than heading down the main street, I found the loneliest alleyway to take me in a different direction. I ended up in a vein … [Read more...]
Panorama of the Week: The Hanging Church of Coptic Cairo
Coptic Cairo. The name alone exudes ancient, mysterious, almost mystical. People still live, work and worship in the same place as they have for thousands of years. It's a humbling walk back in time in this secluded Old Cairo neighborhood, whose tranquility belies the 22-million strong bustle of modern Cairo just outside.One of the highlights of Coptic Cairo: The … [Read more...]
Perception Busting in Egypt
You guys are the Perception Busters. -- A comment on our Facebook page in response to our arrival in Cairo earlier this week. And a label we're happy to embrace.If you've been following us on Facebook or Twitter recently, you're probably aware that we've been in Egypt this past week.Egypt? But isn't it unsafe now? … [Read more...]