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The excursions away from the city are usually the top of everyone’s wish list, from visiting the three Pyramids at Giza to taking a cruise along the Nile in a Felucca, a traditional sailing boat. Many Felucca tours ride through the heart of the city, and this is the perfect trip to take at sunset, when the city is quieting down. Set aside a day to explore the Pyramids and the inner chambers, which are open from dawn to dusk, and take a horse ride through the desert is you’re feeling adventurous.
The rest of the city then, is yours to discover; be sure to venture inside at least one Mosque – the city is packed with fascinating temples ranging from the 19th century Alabaster Mosque to the Aqsunqur, built in 1347 and covered in turquoise and ink tiles. Other unmissable historic sites include the Ahmad Ibn Tulun mosque, with a minaret offering panoramic views over the desert, the Coptic churches in the south, the 10th century palace city, and Saladin’s grand citadel. The Egyptian Museum boasts a wealth of artefacts that it would take days to see, so head here in the afternoon to beat the crowds and seek out the golden face of Tutankhamun, one of the most impressive exhibits.
Peltours and First Choice are just some of the tour operators with package deals to Egypt, but for a city break or you can book cheap flights for Egypt holidays with Fly Monarch or Easyjet and chop-and-change where you stay, drifting as you please from one area to another. The upmarket ex-pat district is where many of the swankiest hotels are located, such as the Cairo Marriott, or choose from one of the two Four Seasons Hotels that offer the most exclusive accommodation in the city – both are a gaudy feast of crystal chandeliers and marble floors, with sweeping views of the Nile; expect to find the upscale hotel restaurants populated with Arab Royalty and glitterati.