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An
Enchanting Continent
Africa is an enchanting
continent. It
is the home of
human civilization,
developed along
the banks of the
river Nile. From
the old and ancient
Arab cities of
North Africa,
through the enormous
desert of the
Sahara, from the
thick of the jungle
to the great Game
Parks, Africa
offers a huge
diversity of sights
for any intrepid
traveller. But
above all, getting
in contact with
the native inhabitants
makes it an unforgettable
visit.
Going through
Africa from the
North to the South,
you will first
encounter six
Arab-berber countries:
Morocco, Algeria,
Tunisia, Libya,
Egypt and Mauritania.
Among the highlights
of this part of
the continent
we would like
to mention Cairo
with its pyramids,
Luxor with its
valley of Kings,
the medieval cities
of Morocco such
as Marrakesh and
Fez and the cities
of Tangier, Rabat
and Casablanca.
Below, the tourist
will find the
Sahel region.
The countries
display the great
African heritage.
Senegal including
the famous Dakar
and Mali are among
the most visited
countries here.
In West Africa
Ghana has good
beaches and nice
forts. Togo is
a gem under the
West African countries
and so is Benin
and the Ivory
Coast. Nigeria
has also many
sights but travelling
there can be time-consuming.
Central Africa
too, has had its
fair share of
trouble in recent
years. Rwanda,
however, is back
as a top destination
with a steady
flow of travellers
heading back to
the land of a
thousand of hills.
East Africa however
is a real treat.
Ethiopia with
its ancient Christan
civilization and
spectacular mountain
scenery and Kenya
and Tanzania with
their great game
wildlife parks
are a must for
travellers.
The south is getting
more popular since
it has become
Politically Correct
to visit South
Africa. This marvellous
country definitely
deserves a visit
and travel there
is easy as numerous
airlines offer
flights on a regular
basis. A trip
there can be combined
with Botswana,
Zambia, Zimbabwe
and Namibia which
are equally fascinating
destinations.
CairoA
Modern Oasis in
the Land of Pyramids
As
you fly into to
Cairo, Egypt one
will be left speechless
as they look out
the window and
see the contrast
of the setting.
Out one side of
the plane, you
can see the vast
arid desert which
seems to be never
ending; out the
other side of
the plane you
see a busy city
which looks like
a modern day Oasis.
Travelers from
all over the world
have been marveling
at Egypt 's wondrous
antiquities for
thousands of years.
Although these
antiquities still
exist today, a
visit to Cairo
, Egypt is more
than an immersion
into the past
but also encompasses
many modern day
amenities which
anyone will be
sure to enjoy.
Just walking around
downtown and in
the older residential
parts inside the
wall of the city
where craftsmen
work on the sidewalks
outside their
homes is also
a real pleasure.
It is easy to
meet real Cairenes
that are eager
to discuss anything
with you. Some
of them try to
lure you into
their carpet shops;
If you are hungry
make sure to try
the most popular
Egyptian dish,
Koshray. Koshray
is a traditional
Egyptian meal
that consists
of a delectable
combination of
macaroni, spaghetti,
rice, black lentils,
chick peas, garlic
sauce and a spicy
tomato chili sauce,
all topped with
fried onions .
Pyramids &
Sphinx
A visit to the
pyramids and the
Sphinx is a must,
since these Egyptian
icons are living
and existing marks
for the fascinating
history that Egypt
carries and is
proud of. They
are the unique
remainders of
the oldest civilization
of the planet.
While in the city
make sure you
visit the museum
first before going
to see pyramites.
You will appreciate
more to the culture
of ancient Egypt.
Cairo, historical
and unique city,
combines old city
and modern city.
Cairo has many
sights, enough
for a week or
two. Here they
are divided into
sections according
to their nature.
Try to get a good
taste of islamic
culture as well
by visiting some
of the mosques
and the old town.
Visiting these
sights will give
you some understanding
of the basis of
present day life
in Egypt. The
city of death
is a category
apart and merits
a visit as well.
Cairo is the center
of the Arabic
speaking world
when it comes
to the production
of movies. The
movie festival
held in Cairo
is the biggest
event in its kind
in the Middle
East. Although
local movies are
probably quite
hard to follow
for the average
tourist, they
often give a nice
idea of the local
culture. Although
it might be a
nice idea, you
don't even have
to go to the cinema
to see these films.
Older movies are
shown all day
on TV, in bars
and restaurants.
Khan-el Khalili
Bazaar
Cairo offers great
shopping opportunities,
not just carpets
shops but also
a modern fashion
district. To wander
around through
the ancient shopping
mall of Khan al-Khalili
is a pleasure
even if you don't
intend to buy
anything
Cairo is the fashion
center of the
Arabic world and
it is very interesting
to have a look
in the Cairo fashion
scene. Most of
the popular places
are centered in
Heliopolis. A
number of new
and hip boutiques
have set shop,
particularly on
Horreya street
(off El Mirghany),
all in colorful
and modern decoration
An absolute must-see
in the city of
Cairo itself is
the Khan-el Khalili
Bazaar, a warren
of winding streets
and twisting alleyways
with an amazing
number of shops
stalls and carts.
In many ways,
the bazaar is
the heart of the
city. If you're
planning on doing
any shopping,
be prepared to
bargain shamelessly.
There are wonderful
brass ornaments
and fixtures for
sale as well as
some of the loveliest
mosaics you'll
find anywhere.
Though Friday
is the Muslim
holy day, many
shops are open
(Sundays see a
lot of closings
however). The
perfume shops
of the bazaar
are particularly
memorable; suffused
with spice and
floral scents
and decorated
with plush Oriental
carpets and beautiful
crystal chandeliers
they're run by
clerks who can
mix any fragrance
you desire.
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