In addition to being open to Brazilians, without the need for vaccination and/or quarantine, but only the negative PCR, Egypt is a country that offers visitors very rich cultural, gastronomic and nature experiences and is therefore a safe country that deserves to be experienced calmly.
Most visitors, however, stick to the basic/traditional programs, i.e. a few nights in Cairo, Nile cruises on larger ships, sometimes including the Red Sea region.
Trip to Egypt
HOTEL ST. REGIS
Starting with Cairo, an unobvious and, at first, chaotic city, but rich in experiences, our tip for your trip to Egypt is to stay at least three nights to discover this city in peace, and our favorite hotel is the brand new St. Regis. A city tour with an experienced guide who speaks Portuguese (we can offer) and who knows a lot about the country's history, architecture and art is our suggestion for your first day in Cairo.
The central district is not to be missed. Built at the end of the 19th century, downtown Cairo is still home to architectural gems from Egypt's belle époque and beautiful, pedestrianized streets.
TYPICAL FOOD RESTAURANTS
For those interested in local flavors and still in the center, don't miss out on the markets and typical food restaurants (we offer some interesting private food tours). Egyptians love their food, and the city center offers it in abundance: from cheap and cheerful chains to independent restaurants that have been in families for generations.
Eish + Malh serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes with a strong emphasis on local ingredients and flavors. A popular spot for breakfast and brunch. Be sure to try the homemade ice cream with unique seasonal flavors such as lavender, caramelized fig and nigella seeds. Fas'het Somaya Restaurant started out as a hole-in-the-wall with four tables, feeding those who knew homemade Egyptian classics, and is now an icon in the city.
The restaurant has a different menu every day and closes when stocks run out. Go to the restaurant for a meal similar to that of an Egyptian mother and discover local delicacies made with love.
You can't take a trip to Egypt without trying the unofficial national dish, koshary: a carbohydrate-laden mixture typically made from two types of pasta and rice, topped with chickpeas, lentils, caramelized onions, tomatoes and hot sauce to taste. One of the best places to eat Koshary in Cairo is Koshary Abou Tarek. Sit down, choose your size and get ready for the feast to come.
PYRAMIDS OF GIZA AND MUSEUMS
In addition to the Pyramids of Giza, which are located on the outskirts of Cairo and are worth a visit for all they mean and have meant to ancient Egyptian civilizations, two grand museums were inaugurated in the country's capital this year.
The newly opened National Museum of Egyptian Civilization - MNCE opened its doors in April with the display of the mummies of 18 kings and four queens of Egypt, along with their sarcophagi, papyri and other artifacts. A highlight is the mummy of Ramses II the Great, who was one of Egypt's most famous pharaohs and reigned for 66 years (1279 BC and 1213 BC).
The Grand Egyptian Museum should finally open its doors later this year. It will be the largest archaeological museum in the world and will be housed in a modern concrete and glass building with a pyramidal structure. Covering 168,000 square meters, the new museum will exhibit more than 100,000 works of art, many of them previously unseen. Among the collection are 3,500 pieces from the tomb of Tutankhamun.
LAZIB INN RESORT & SPA
Before you fly to Luxor or Aswan and embark on your journey along the Nile, our suggestion is to book at least one night in an oasis at the entrance to the desert at the very charming Lazib Inn Resort & Spa. The hotel is two hours from Cairo by car, in a beautiful area, and is exceptionally romantic. An unmissable experience on your trip to Egypt.
SOFITEL LEGEND OLD CATARACT ASWAN
Before starting your Nile cruise, we recommend staying at least one night at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan so that you can explore the surrounding area at your leisure, the beautiful Lake Nasser and the unmissable temple of Abu Simbel.
For the Nile cruise, an option for those who prefer a more "slow motion" trip is to sail on a dahabiya instead of the traditional, luxurious boats. The dahabiyas are typical Nile boats. They are smaller (maximum 8 rooms), more private and charming, and because they are much smaller, they stop at villages and islets along the Nile, which makes for a more authentic and interesting experience.
There are luxury dahabiyas to choose from, with five-star services and wonderful cuisine, although the luxury doesn't compare to the sumptuousness of an Oberoi ship, for example. Luxury in dahabiyas lies in unique and authentic experiences, in silence and privacy.
At the end of the cruise and arriving in Luxor, don't miss the hot air balloon ride for an impressively beautiful aerial view of the cities of ancient Egyptian civilizations and then take the car or plane to the Red Sea.
CASA COOK HOTEL
By car, our suggestion is El Gouna and the Casa Cook Hotel, which oozes charm, design and elegance with an incredible view of the crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea. El Gouna is surrounded by charming restaurants and bistros and is just a stone's throw from the desert where we also offer incredible experiences, such as visits to typical houses and villages in the region in 4×4 cars, on horseback, by motorcycle or on foot.
SHARM EL SHEIK
If you prefer larger hotels and want to visit Mount Sinai and also have some great experiences, Sharm El Sheik is our suggestion on the shores of the Red Sea and the Four Seasons is our recommended hotel. To get to this side of the sea you'll need to take a quick flight, but we say it's worth it.
The Red Sea is famous among diving enthusiasts for its rich marine life, interesting shipwrecks and crystal-clear waters with some of the best views in the world. For those who don't enjoy diving, we organize boat trips that take you to deserted beaches, charming restaurants and bars on secluded islands and water sports. There are many options for experiences that we create according to the preferences of each client on their trip to Egypt.
Egypt is beautiful, diverse, tasty, rich in history and art! Click here and talk to us. Discover this country in a unique and authentic way.
