Road Trip Egypt – A Journey into the Past
Cairo – Gigantic Metropolis
The journey begins in Cairo. Almost eight million people live in this city – And many are on the road by car. The traffic in Cairo can only be described as chaotic. It’s best to leave your hire car at the airport and visit the city by taxi. Cairo offers a lot of sights.
In the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, you can dive deep into the country’s past and at the same time review the recent history of Egypt. This is where the so-called “Arab Spring” began in 2011. In the museum, on the other hand, the world of the pharaohs comes alive again. A part of the exhibition is also dedicated to the Roman-Greek era.
Now it’s time to get a taste of everyday life. Stroll through Cairo’s Islamic Old City, which was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1979.
Pyramids – The Tombs of the Pharaohs
Not far from Cairo are the Pyramids of Giza, perhaps the first stop you’ll make in your hire car. Six of the seven wonders of the ancient world have been destroyed. Only the pyramids of Giza withstood all odds. Incredibly, these gigantic structures served merely as burial sites for the pharaohs.
Four and a half millennia old is the (or the, you choose – editor’s note) Great Sphinx of Giza, which is also worth admiring. The 20-metre-high lion with a human head captivates every visitor.
Along the Nile – Multiple Impressions
The Nile is the lifeline of Egypt. While large parts of the country consist of desert, lush nature thrives here. Palm trees line the banks. Vegetables and fruit are grown everywhere. Accordingly, the Nile bank is also densely populated.
On your journey south you will repeatedly come across settlements and have the opportunity to experience the everyday life of the Egyptians
Valley of Kings – An Imposing “Graveyard”
Near Luxor you have the opportunity to visit the Valley of the Kings.
The “cemetery” consists of a collection of gigantic tombs. Some were built as early as 1500 BC. Its location on the edge of the desert, framed by high cliffs, is also spectacular.
Luxor – Back to the daily routine
Luxor is the next stop on the road trip. Nearly 500,000 people live in this city in Upper Egypt. Here you can enjoy real Egyptian street life. The atmosphere is much quieter than in Cairo.
Stroll through the alleys, visit a bazaar and take in the exoticism of this city.
Assuan – Dam and Hotel Legend
Continue the journey to Aswan. The pride of the Egyptians is the Aswan Dam, which dams the Nile to the world’s largest man-made lake, Lake Nasser. The dam itself is not very spectacular.
The tourist should rather be interested in a visit to the Old Cataract Hotel. Even Agatha Christie appreciated the atmosphere of this hotel. The best thing to do is to treat yourself to a gin and tonic on the terrace, enjoy the view of the Nile and process the many impressions of your road trip.
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Road Trip Egypt - A trip down memory lane