Echoes of Eternal Egypt

Egypt’s bustling capital city is layered with cultural, religious, architectural and even culinary history. Its wonders stretch far beyond the walls of its famous museums – you can take in centuries worth of sights just by walking down the city streets. Then there are the Pyramids of Giza, truly a wonder of the world.

Life is definitely better when you’re scuba diving through colorful corals and swimming with dolphins, dugongs and sea turtles in Marsa Alam’s beautiful blue waters. A serene escape on the western shore of the Red Sea, Marsa Alam is one of the top spots in Egypt for underwater escapes. Popular dive spots include the Elphinstone reef and Abu Dabbab, one of the world’s top beaches for snorkeling.

The site of the magnificent ancient city of Thebes, Luxor is said to preserve a third of the world’s ancient monuments between the pillars of its majestic temples. Dubbed the world’s greatest open-air museum, the capital of Upper Egypt recently celebrated the grand reopening of the 2.7km (1.7-mile) Avenue of the Sphinxes, an ancient thoroughfare connecting Karnak Temple, home of the famed Temple of Amun-Ra and the impressively preserved Luxor Temple.

Palm trees and patches of greenery cling to the dusty riverbanks of Aswan, one of Egypt’s most tranquil locations, celebrated for the unmatched hospitality of its Nubian community. Sail to any of the 20 river islands accessible by felucca, the traditional wooden sailboats that ply the river Nile.

The appeal of Egypt’s Black and White Deserts is quite literally black and white. These monochrome landscapes are like something out of a sci-fi movie, but the surreal scenery is a product of natural geology – the White Desert’s uniquely shaped limestone rock formations give the illusion of a snowscape, while the Black Desert features small black volcanic stones scattered over bright orange-colored sand.

Egypt’s northern shoreline – affectionately known as El Sahel, meaning “The Coast” – comes alive from May to September every year, drawing hordes of beach bums by day, and a veritable who’s who of Egypt’s party people by night.

El Gouna has great aquatic activities, and lots of options for hiking and safaris in the surrounding desert landscapes, appealing to younger travelers. It also has bougie boutiques, cultural events and top-tier culinary experiences thanks to its many upscale restaurants, appealing to an older set.

Siwa is often described as “the Sunset Oasis,” and its sunsets are indeed unparalleled in Egypt. Whether you find a vantage point atop Dakrour Mountain or the ruined Shali Fortress, or take in the scenery and serenity of Taghaghien Island or Fatnas Island, you’re promised an unforgettable sunset. You can also expect a lot of mosquitos, so don’t forget your repellent.