Ranked as one of the top sites when visiting Egypt after the Pyramids of Giza and Temple of Karnak in Luxor, the temples at Abu Simbel are a must-see. This complex is one of the greatest accomplishments of Ramesses II, the third pharaoh of the 19th Dynasty. Regarded as one of the most celebrated and powerful pharaohs of the New Kingdom, which in itself was the most powerful period of ancient Egypt, Ramesses II was a prolific temple builder. Abu Simbel may be challenging to get to, but definitely worth visiting. And getting to its remote location near the Sudanese border, is also part of its mystique. About Abu Simbel…

There are amazing temples and many interesting things to see in Aswan, which is 3-4 hours south of Luxor, making it another ideal stop in Egypt. This post cover the highlights of these sites, as well as information on how to visit. About Aswan Aswan is lovely. It’s also more peaceful than Cairo and Luxor, making a few days here the perfect antidote to their chaos. Especially if you select a room with a view of the Nile to watch felucca sail by. Known as Swenett in ancient Egypt, its southern position made it the gateway to Africa, along a key trade route for ivory, silver, gold, camels, and furs…

Although Cairo’s breathtaking bucket-list sites make it the most visited city in Egypt, Luxor is another must-visit destination. Rich with ancient archeological wonders, like 4,070 year old Temple of Karnak, which is the largest religious building in the world, and the mysterious ornate tombs of centuries-old Pharaohs and Queens, Luxor has plenty of intoxicating things to see. Located on the Nile, a little over 300 miles (500 km) south of Cairo, it’s also relatively easy to visit independently. About Luxor (Ancient Thebes) During the Old Kingdom (2,575-2,150 BC), when the Pyramids of Giza were built, Memphis was Egypt’s capital, while Luxor was its administrative center. Things started to change as…

The Pyramids of Egypt and the Great Sphinx, have endless seductive appeal, making visiting a bucket-list item for many. Not only because they’re amazing feats of engineering built almost 5,000 years ago, but also because there are so many mysteries surrounding them. Mysteries we may never know the answers to, drawing us to them over and over. As part of my travels, I had wanted to visit for years, but was admittedly hesitant due to risks of terrorism. Knowing anything could happen, I decided to take my chances and visit. Thankfully, it turned out to be a great time to visit. I came again in July 2021, another perfect time…

Don’t get me wrong, Cairo is awesome, and it’s sites are superb, but it’s also a bit crazy. As I came to see the Pyramids and Great Sphinx at a time when risk of terrorism was high, I wasn’t sure what to expect or how long to stay in Egypt. After arriving, the relative normalcy of everyday life and the warm welcome I received from locals made me feel fairly safe, so I decided to stay. In the end, I spent over three weeks in Egypt, between Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel. I loved it! But every day seemed to have some crazy, unexpected adventure added in. It just…