Perfect experiences in Egypt
| Golf in the Shadow of the Pyramids Even if you’ve golfed at the best courses on the Continent, Americas, and Asia, there’s nothing quite like a round of championship golf with the Great Pyramids in the background. Golfing is quite popular with upper class Egyptians and elite tourists, which means there are plenty of fabulous golfing experiences that can only be had in Egypt (with almost no chance of a rain out). Dreamland Golf and Tennis Resort at the edge of Cairo has an outstanding golf academy with private and group lessons from international professionals, a lighted driving range, and three practice greens. The par-72 golf course, designed by celebrated golf architect Karl Litten, also offers magnificent views of the Pyramids. Or perhaps 18 holes by the sea is more your cup of tea. Cascades Golf Resort and Country Club on the Red Sea coast has a challenging course designed by Gary Player, along with a driving range, pro shop, and instruction by PGA professionals. |
| Go On Safari in the Desert A safari in Egypt is unlike any other safari in Africa—there are no lions and lots of sand. It’s not what one traditional thinks of when conjuring images of a safari, and that’s the point: the sights and experiences of the Egyptian desert are unique only to this area. You can choose safaris where transport is via 4x4 vehicle, all-terrain vehicle, or donkey car (kind of like a horse-drawn carriage). But the most authentic desert safaris are still done on the backs of camels. There are several areas that are ideal for safaris, including the Western Desert, with its numerous oases, and the desert on the Sinai Peninsula. The Western Desert features the White Desert, where moonlight turns the limestone formations and sand into a scene that seems more at home at the North Pole, and the Black Desert, with black pyramid-shaped hills. The Sinai Desert is where you can take in the summit of Mount Moses (also called Mount Sinai). |
| Visit the Tombs of Ancient Kings Few experiences are more purely Egyptian than visiting the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, which is the modern locale of ancient Thebes. Along with getting up close and personal with the Pyramids and the Sphinx, the Valley of the Kings—and the site of its most famous occupant, King Tut—is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for every visitor. The limestone valley marks the place where the mummified bodies of pharaohs were laid to rest for about four centuries (beginning in approximately 1540 BC), sometimes in simple one-chamber tombs, other times in tombs that contain hundreds of chambers and corridors. The valley is divided into the East Valley and the West Valley, and most of the important tombs are located in the East Valley. Some of these remarkable tombs have been accessible since antiquity, as evidenced by the ancient Greek and Roman graffiti, but some have been discovered relatively recently. The tombs of dozens of famous pharaohs are found at the site; the most famous, of course, is King Tutankhamun, the boy king whose tomb was discovered in flawless condition in 1922. While you’re there, be sure to check out the nearby Valley of the Queens, which contains the tomb of Queen Nefertari and other famous female rulers. |
| Learn to Belly Dance Where It All Began The art of belly dancing is thought to have begun in Egypt, and there’s something magical—almost spiritual—about learning the sensuous dance in its birthplace. Schools such as Amora Dance, based in Cairo, offer individuals and groups a whole menu of possibilities—from a three-hour workshop to a multi-day course that can actually certify you as a professional belly dancer. If you just have time for an afternoon of dancing, choose from lessons including Belly Dance Basics, Dance of the 7 Veils, Cymbals Sagats, Sword Sable Turkish Dance, and much more. If you have the time to spare and want to dive into the art form a little deeper, you can start at the beginning and work your way up to a professional level of proficiency, while also learning traditional folkloric Egyptian dances along the way. Amora also offers music workshops where clients receive instruction in Arabic instruments used in Egyptian music: darbuka, Arabic flute, laud, and arp. |
| Rejuvenate the Way Cleopatra Did Traditional Egyptian therapies have been used for millennia to restore health, promote wellness, and relieve stress. Several areas of the country are renowned for specific elements that result in different therapeutic outcomes: Aswan is famed for its ancient Nubian treatments, sand immersion therapies, and massages; New Valley has relaxing hot springs that maintain a constant temperature of 35-45 degrees throughout the year, as well as sand bathing and herbal remedies; and the Red Sea region—Safaga in particular—has been a prominent health retreat since ancient times, with a perfect climate and saline mineral waters that are thought to heal a variety of conditions. Return from a trip to Egypt in even better health than when you left! |
