For a few years now Egypt has unfortunately been a little sidelined by political events linked to religion.
In the past, hyper-tourism with its hordes of busloads of tourists actively harmed the beauty of the sites and the emotion that 7000 years of history carved in the rock could arouse.
Ancient Egypt captivates the imagination, touches the soul and inspires the less sensitive just by the respect that this civilization deserves.
Good to know :
The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism has just announced that animal rides around the pyramids of Giza, Saqqarah and Luxor will be replaced by cars and electric buses.
A great step forward against animal abuse which we hope will really be implemented. !
For those who would not be captivated by old stones, Egypt offers a bathing service that has nothing to envy to the sands of the Indian Ocean. Whether on the beaches of Marsa Alam, Safaga and many others on the Red Sea coast, you can enjoy the Egyptian sunshine all year round in many luxury resorts to practice your favourite sport.
Diving with some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world, kite surfing with a permanent breeze, or simply pampering yourself at the magnificent spas that the luxury hotels have to offer.
You will have understood it, whether you are more cultural or lazy, cruising or sporting, Egypt has everything to offer with your family or lover.
Cairo
He is not a worthy adventurous explorer who has not passed through Cairo during his lifetime.
This vibrant, exciting, exotic, fascinating and welcoming city is home to some of the best Pharaonic, Coptic and Islamic sites in Egypt and you never know what incredible monument or object you might discover around the corner.
There are countless archaeologists, scholars and artists who have left a trace of this magical city in paintings and films.
Perfect for short getaways before a cruise, a visit to Cairo will allow you to see the Pyramids of Giza, thousands of antique objects in the Egyptian Museum, the capital’s medieval markets at Khan El Khalili, the golden funerary mask of Tutankhamun, the splendid view of the city from the medieval ramparts at the Citadel of Saladin, or the superb Mohammed Ali Mosque inside.
As you will have understood, at the beginning or at the end of the trip, Cairo is an essential step in understanding Egypt yesterday and today.
Luxor
Capital of ancient Egypt, Luxor is today the largest open-air museum in the world. From the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings to the majestic temples of Karnak and Luxor, lovers of ancient history will be delighted by this immersion in a parallel world.
The Nile divides the city into the east and west banks, symbolising life and death respectively.
The east bank has developed into a modern city and has retained its lush vegetation, traditional bazaar and spectacular views of the Nile. It is home to some of the finest hotels.
The West bank offers you its necropolis and mortuary temples: the Valley of the Kings and Queens, the workers’ village and the temple of Medinet Habu are the most important sites on the bank.
Our favourite Hotel Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor
Built in 1886 on the banks of the Nile and surrounded by century-old royal gardens, it overlooks the Nile and the necropolis on the west bank. An oasis of tranquillity and the gateway to the splendours of the Pharaonic era.
Enjoy an atmosphere rich in history, romance and adventure, with all the modern amenities that only a five-star hotel can offer. Apart from the impeccable service that the hotel offers you, it is above all an exceptional journey back in time to the time of the explorers at the beginning of the last century.
Nile Cruise
Sailing the Nile through the lush Nile Valley, surrounded by sand dunes and admiring ancient Egyptian monuments such as Kom Ombo and Abu Simbel is an unrivalled experience. Wake up to the soft morning sunshine, enjoy the warmth and cool off in the pool or on the deck of a cruise ship, watch fishermen cast their nets, farmers set off to the fields, birds take flight and water buffalo watch you. A cruise on the Nile will bring you the peace and serenity of a relaxing holiday while you let yourself be discovered the mysteries of ancient Egypt.
Cruise Favourite
The Sanctuary Sun Boat III is an intimate river yacht representing the pinnacle of luxury cruising on the Nile.
Style, comfort and refinement are reflected everywhere, with white and ecru tones combined to create warmth and depth. This elegant Egyptian cruise ship can accommodate up to 36 passengers on three-, four- and seven-night cruises.
Evoking the apogee of the Egyptian past, the Sanctuary Sun Boat III has been voted several times among the 100 most beautiful boats in the world by the readers of Condé Nast. Inspired by the opulent era of the 20s and 30s, this graceful cruiser has exquisite facilities ranging from delicious gourmet meals in the restaurant to sipping refreshing cocktails around the pool on the sunny terrace or enjoying an afternoon tea in the magnificent lounge.
The Sanctuary Sun Boat III has 18 beautifully designed unique cabins including 2 Royal Suites and 2 Presidential Suites..
Aswan
Final destination of the classic cruises departing from Luxor, Aswan is a serene city of the Nile Valley because it is here that the Nile takes all its splendour. It naturally winds its way through the granite rocks and is surrounded by banks covered with palm groves and tropical plants..
Aswan, a favourite winter destination, will surprise you with its wealth of monuments and remarkable sites. In addition to the magnificent Temple of Philae, you can visit the Mausoleum of the Agha Khan, the Monastery of St Simeon or relax in a magical cultural setting. Many floating restaurants will seduce you as you watch the feluccas sail gently down the Nile, enjoying the day’s fishing with Nubian music in the background..
Strategically positioned as a crossroads of trade routes, Aswan also offers a rich cultural experience. You can learn about Nubian culture, buy spices, henna tattoos, souvenirs or hand-made African objects in the souk..
Abu-Simbel
Overlooking the Nile, the majestic Abu Simbel temples are part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Dedicated to Ramses II and Nefertari, these world-famous temples will take your breath away. A night on site is necessary to take the measure of the quality of the site..
You can stroll through the picturesque tourist market, go bird-watching on Lake Nasser and return to the temples in the evening for the splendid sound and light show..
The peace and magic of this city is only revealed to those who take the time to admire the magnificent statues for hours and avoid the hordes of tourists arriving in the morning. You will also get a glimpse of the warm Nubian culture.
Al-Minya
If you have time or this is your second trip to Egypt, Al-Minya is one of Egypt’s most remarkable destinations.
It stretches along the Nile 230 km from Cairo and in many ways represents the geographical and historical core of Egypt. The city was the capital of Egypt about 700 years ago, when Akhenaten and the beautiful Queen Nefertiti lived in the village of Tell el-Amarna, in the Markez place of worship in Mallawi. In addition, you can visit around a dozen other funeral sites and museums, which still house original sculptures, monuments and paintings that have stood the test of time.
A region of prime importance at the time of the pharaohs, during the Roman era and throughout the reign of the Abbasids, Al-Minya offers visitors a profusion of discoveries: architecture of yesteryear, authentic Greek agora, basilicas dating back to the beginning of Christianity, the remains of a temple built by Ramses II, the church of the Virgin Mary, impressive monasteries and even a palace built in the 1930s.
And as happiness never comes alone, a series of two-thousand-year-old tombs, which archaeologists believe mark the location of a very vast city, were recently unearthed in Al-Minya. The excavations will perhaps make it possible to unravel the mysteries surrounding life under ancient Egypt. Al-Minya is a cradle of civilization in miniature.
The Red Sea
The resorts on the Red Sea, Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheikh, Marsa Alam, El Gouna and Taba are wonderful destinations that offer year-round stays and diving facilities due to their moderate temperatures..
Sometimes a little far from the airports, with a slightly long transfer, you have to deserve this warm sand in winter which remains very accessible to all budgets.
All accommodations will offer you poolside bars in hotels, restaurants near the beach, old and new harbours, seaside citadels, coastal islands and many diving sites.
You can start your day with a diving safari or a visit to the ancient Egyptian ruins, then come back to relax with sunbathing, swimming and refreshments, enjoying a shisha as you enjoy the last rays of sunset on the sea..
For a relaxing organised holiday, to sunbathe and discover some of the world’s best dive sites, head to the Red Sea Riviera. Water activities include many games, diving and water sports. Visit the Sinai desert coast and discover spectacular natural wonders..
