Added: 03/10/2006 |
Weekends in Cairo -- 48 Hours in the City of WondersSince the early 14th century, Cairo has been recognized as the center for tourism and the cultural center of the Arab world, since more tourists from all over the world started giving preference to weekends in Cairo as a unique opportunity to see the Pyramids of Ancient Egypt and other beautiful treasures, unavailable at any other place of the world. No trip to the city will be complete without a visit to the Egyptian Museum, the Giza Pyramids and nearby Saqqara, seen as major tourist destinations. For Those tourists in search of cheap weekend city breaks Cairo has much to offer, with its plentiful diverse lodging and dining options designed to suit every budget.
The oldest tourist attraction on the planet, as well as the only one of the Seven Wonders still in existence, the Giza Pyramids are the best-known Egyptian pyramids, attached to Memphis, the ancient capital, located some 25 kilometers from Cairo. The oldest and the largest pyramid in Giza is the Great Pyramid Khufu, standing 146 meters high, while the smallest is the Pyramid Menkaure at a height of only 62 meters. Other attractions of the area include the Pyramid Khafre, Khufu ship and the Great Sphinx. Today as ever, Giza Pyramids enjoy the widest popularity with tourists on weekends in Cairo and visitors alike. Weekends in Cairo can't help but include these sights on their itinerary. When enjoying cheap weekend city breaks the most comfortable way to get to the area is the air conditioned bus running from Heliopolis through Midan Tahrir.
Rating with the top attractions in the county, the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, commonly referred to as the Egyptian Museum, houses the world's most extensive collection of pharaonic antiquities and treasures. There are more than 136,000 items on display and even a larger amount in the basement storerooms. The museum was established in 1835 by the Egyptian government with the aim to protect the artifacts and limit the pillage of antiquities from sites.
Opened in 1858, the museum moved in 1900 to its present location - the neo classical structure on Tahrir Square in the city center. The Royal Mummy Room of the museum is comprised of 27 royal mummies from the Pharaonic times, while the highlight of the collection is the tomb artifact of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun whose tomb was found in 1922 in the Valley of Kings. Weekends in Cairo can't help but include these sights on their itinerary. When enjoying cheap weekend city breaks the most comfortable way to get to the area is by traveling on an air conditioned bus. A vast majority of tourists spending weekends in Cairo consider the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities to be the premier attraction regardless of age and interests.
The ancient capital of the Lower Egypt and the Old Kingdom of Egypt from its establishment till 1300 BC, Memphis is another great attraction, standing some 19km south of Cairo on the west bank of the River Nile. It was formed by Menes of Tanis around 3100 BC and reached a peak of its flourishing and prestige under the 6th Dynasty. Following the foundation of Alexandria, which remained the most important city, Memphis fell into second place and was regarded as the second Egyptian city until the foundation of Al Fustat in 641.
One of the greatest destinations for those enjoying their weekends in Cairo, Memphis is believed to be the world's largest city from its establishment till around 2250, with the population reaching 30,000. Some historians refer to Memphis as Hi-Ku-P'tah, while in the Bible the city is called Moph or Noph. So don't forget, when you plan one or more weekends in Cairo, don't forget to include all these locations on your travel itinerary. And make sure you travel in comfort when enjoying cheap weekend city breaks, the most comfortable way to get around the area is on an air conditioned bus.
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