The history of Alexandria city

Alexander the founder

Alexander the Great was a Macedonian king, he was taught by the well-known philosopher Aristotle and grew up to be the most brilliant warrior of all time, he dreamt of defeating the Persian empire and eliminating all of his competitors in order to rise with his own empire .indeed, he achieved what he was looking for and controlled half of the world even before he reaches 30 years old. after his father's Philip the second assassination he claimed the throne in the age of 20, the people and his own advisors thought he will not hold on for too long with such young age and lack of experience besides all of the conspiracies around him, but he didn't stop impressing everyone with his military mind and honest vision, so he decided to follow up his father's footsteps to spread the Macedonian dominance.

the young king started facing his first enemy the Persian emperor Darius the third, he took over Iraq. Syria and Gaza and before setting up for the next state he offered his opponent peace but it was rejected anyway, so he sieged them for weeks and entered Egypt where he founded Alexandria by leaving the mission of building the prominent city to his commander Cleomenes, it seemed to be a fact as told he never lost a battle and always was sure of victory. Alexander was growing very fond of the Egyptian civilization, some said he travelled through deserts to counsel Ammon god of the sun as ancient pharaohs assumed.

 

Top 3 itineraries for Nil river cruise

 We always make sure to bring Egypt to you in the most outstanding way by operating one of a kind Egypt Nile cruise packages and making your trip easier by all means. In our opinion, to enjoy a few days in Egypt, it has to be arranged and planed before. That's why travel to Egypt operation team is making an effort to deliver organized programs for Nile river cruises. We feel like our rule is to guide and advise you in choosing Egypt tours that get along with your demands and financial abilities. If you are planning to book the Nile river cruise in Egypt soon, this article will help you by discussing the top 3 itineraries for the Nile river cruise.

Egypt has a fascination for travellers worldwide. Everyone is interested in ancient Egypt civilization and Egypt has countless monuments and ancient sites on the Nile banks that worth visiting. The Nile bank extends along with the whole country which makes Nile cruise holidays are common and highly requested. Nile river cruise is much better than going on regular day tours for many reasons. One of them is to avoid crowded traffic and cities' bustles. You get to visit your favourite's touristic sites without being annoyed by the noise and chaos of the mega capital cities. Another benefit of River Nile is getting to see the daily life of practices of some Egyptians locals farming and fishing. It is hard to find travel agency features Egypt not offer Nile river cruise. 

The classic one is operated in 4 days and not less to cover the main attractions of Luxor and Aswan. You can start from Luxor or Aswan as you request. If you have an extension to one of the red sea cities after the cruise, you'll start up cruising form Aswan firs. Start by visiting the two banks of Luxor city. On the first day, you will visit the east bank of Luxor where the great complex of Luxor and Karnak temples. Ancient Egyptian priests believed that the west bank is the gate for the afterlife and where dead should be buried. The East bank was dedicated for worshipping gods, and all the worshipping temples were found there. The temple complex is dedicated for the sun god Amun and they were once connected to each other by halls of small sphinxes. If you want to know more about Karnak and Luxor temple, we have already blogged about it. In the second day, you'll visit the west bank which is full of funeral temples and royal tombs for pharaohs and monarch family from the middle and new kingdom. Visit the valley of the kings, valley of the queens, Hatshepsut temple and colossi of Memnon. Usually, Nile cruises are full board and you start touring in the early morning after having your breakfast. On the third day, you will pass by Edfu and kom ombo small towns to visit the erected temples there. Last day of the classic Nile cruise will be in Aswan where you'll visit most of Aswan attractions. Aswan city mainly consists of Nile islands and Nubian villages. The city enjoys a very clean atmosphere and very low population which is a good thing being in a quiet place. Part of the population is called Nubians. They have their own traditions and speak their own language. It will be very nice to make a trip to the Nubian villages in Aswan and get to explore the new culture. Aswan Philae and elephantine islands are the most popular amongst the others for hosting pharaoh's temples. Also, you'll get to visit the high dam and lake Nasser. 

The second itinerary is our favourite in which you'll get to discover Cairo and its attractions before flying to Luxor. You'll land in Cairo and stay there for two nights or three. The first day you'll have Giza day tour that includes visits the three pyramids of Giza, sphinx and the valley temple. The second day you can call it Cairo day tour, you'll drive to downtown Cairo and visit the Egyptian museum. Then, drive to old Cairo to check khan al Khalili bazaar, the citadel, Mohamed Ali mosque and the streets of old Cairo.  During your discovery trip in Cairo, you'll be escorted by a guide of course and usually, companies include traditional lunch meal between the visits. Finally, you'll fly to Luxor city to start sailing from there to Aswan passing by all the attractions in an amazing 4 days. If you seem to like this tour already, you can check Cairo, Aswan and Luxor by Nile cruise package. Operated by travel to Egypt team.

Last but not least, we have the third Nile cruise itinerary for you. This one is much longer than the two mentioned above, but it is highly requested in seasonal holidays like Easter, Christmas and new year holiday.  Get ready for the long-duration holiday with the intensive program includes Cairo and Alexandria tours, Nile cruise in Luxor and Aswan, and beach vacation in one of the red sea cities.  Alexandria is the second capital in Egypt after Cairo with a very high population. The city is a fine example of well preserved Roman monuments outside Italy. You'll find Roman theatres, columns, statues and museums. After finishing your tours in Cairo and Alexandria, You'll fly to catch up your Nile cruise, and this time you'll start cruising from Aswan and end up in Luxor. from Luxor, you'll drive to Hurghada or Sharm to start your beach vacation. The red sea cities are the world's paradise with iconic diving sites and protectorates. A lot of activities can be done besides diving like safari trips. If you are planning to a long duration holiday you can check this 12 days pyramids, Nile and Hurghada package.     

modern Egypt

https://elhellwa2020.blogspot.com The differentiation of verifiable layers that range from Ancient Egypt to the Roman Empire, Islamic traditions to the advanced history of Egypt is the thing that you'll discover in modern Egypt today. In Cairo and the vast majority of Egypt's significant urban communities, you'll discover high rises, roadways, worldwide inns, cafés, mass promoting, western garments, nearby attire, antiquated landmarks, authentic mosques, Coptic holy places, and customary souks; all mixing together into the one of a kind mosaic that is present-day Egypt. Over the previous decade, Egypt has developed to turn into the advanced centre point of Africa; the nation flaunts various airports, ports, marinas and significant urban areas are associated through a system of recently constructed roadways.

Modern Egypt

Visit the significant accomplishments of present-day Egyptian designs. for example, Aswan High Dam, Bibliotheca Alexandria and contemporary craftsmanship historical centres. All of these are modern Egypt structures.

Most Egyptians live in apartment buildings. Only the wealthy can afford to live in free-standing houses because space is difficult to find. Men and women usually live at home with their parents until they get married. Traditionally, big families lived together.

Apartments usually have one large room in the front - the living room, where the family entertains guests. Guests who are not relatives are generally not permitted back into the rest of the house. Traditionally, women would remain in the back of the house and not come into the living room if someone who was not a close friend or family visited, although this is less common now. It is, however, considered inappropriate for a woman and man who are not married or related to be alone together. 

Because the majority of people in Egypt are Muslim, Egyptian government offices and business observe Friday as the weekend holiday. Many government offices are open Sunday through Thursday, and most universities and some private schools also hold classes Sunday through Thursday, and are closed Friday and Saturday. However, most primary and secondary schools usually meet for about six hours a day Saturday through Thursday, with  only Friday off. Egypt receives more tourists during the seasonal holidays of Christmas and new year. Easter holidays in Egypt are highly requested as well in which the Nile river cruise is always booked out.  

Modern Egypt holidays  

 Wide range of Egyptian citizens as Christians, which means that all of Christianity holidays are celebrated and declared as official holidays. In Easter, you'll find most of the Egyptian going out in a picnic colouring Easter Eggs. In Christmas, most of the malls and downtown are decorated with Christmas trees and lights. Muslims holiday is mainly celebrated in  Eid Al fair right after Ramadan month when Muslims feast and practice religious traditions. 

Modern Egypt food

Food in Egypt gets changes according to weather, history, and religion and has been exposed to various impacts throughout the hundreds of years. Everything from Persian, Greek, Turkish, Arabic, and other culinary impacts have taken part in forming what we know today as Egyptian nourishment. 

Moreover, the cuisine of other Arabic nations in the Middle East, for example, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine and other North African nations have shaped the Egyptian palette. 

The impacts shift the nation over. In Aswan, you will see the impact of Nubian culture and North Africa. In Alexandria, there is an enormous Mediterranean impact. An additional component to Egyptian cooking is that individuals in various pieces of the nation have a desire for to some degree contrasting nourishment. These distinctions are especially observable between the north and the south whereby in the north you will discover various fish-based dishes while fiery nourishment is normal in ..the south

Church Of St. Barbara – A Resting Place For The Holy Family.

The Church of St. Barbara is right in the heart of old Cairo, but with so many sites to visit in Egypt, one would be forgiven for overlooking places like this old church. However, it is honestly a little gem worth seeing, particularly if you have some time on your hands.

A Walking Tour Of Old Cairo

Old Cairo has a very special sort of charm which is difficult to explain with words. The best way to experience this fascinating part of the city is by means of a walking tour. In fact, no trip to Cairo is complete without a walking tour of Old Cairo, and the beauty of it is, all the best attractions are in close proximity to each other, and of course, there are plenty of places where you can stop for a short break if the heat starts getting to you.

The most popular attraction in Old Cairo is the Coptic area. Here visitors will be able to explore places like the famous Hanging Church; the Babylon Fortress, and even the Coptic Museum. It is also home to other historical sites, including the Ben Ezra Synagogue and the Church of St. Barbara.

A Resting Place For The Holy Family

The Coptic area is also believed to be the location where the Holy Family stopped and rested on their way into Egypt. In fact, legend has it that Joseph; Mary and Jesus rested in the cave which is currently located under the old fourth-century Church of Abu Serga. Interestingly, this part of the city has been continually inhabited since the sixth century BC, or earlier, and was home to the Persians who built canals from the Nile into the area long before modern settlement.

Church of St. Barbara

As already mentioned, the Coptic area of Old Cairo is also home to the beautiful Church of St. Barbara. This is known to be one of the oldest buildings in the city, and one of the finest examples of true Coptic architecture still in existence. It was once home to many treasures and valuable religious items, but most of these were sent for safekeeping to the nearby Coptic Museum. Visitors are still given a treat as they tour the lovely basilica and sanctuary, see the massive marble columns and rounded choir area.

Though it is labelled as one of the oldest buildings, like so many other churches in the Coptic area, it too has been continually improved, restored, and renovated over the years. It was actually burned during the “Fustat” of 750 and was slowly restored over the following centuries. Today, the structure is mostly comprised of the work done during the 11th century; much of which was once again restored during the 1900s as well.

There are many tours of the Church of St. Barbara and the entire Coptic area each day. Given the sheer number of attractions in the area, a full day should be allowed for a comprehensive tour of the area. The Mar Girgis Station is directly adjacent to Coptic Cairo as well, and this makes it easy to reach. Alternatively, a taxi ride can bring a visitor to the main entrances of the Coptic Compound as well. This is a “must-see” destination and one that deserves a full day to enjoy.

If you would like to explore the Coptic Compound and the many beautiful Cairo attractions such as the Church of St. Barbara, please be sure to visit our Islamic and 

Christian Sightseeing Tours in Cairo.

We also offer an extensive range of high-quality Egyptian tour packages and custom Egypt tours. All are private tours which can be tailored specifically to your own personal desires. With more than half a century of experience behind us, your satisfaction is well and truly guaranteed – come and explore the historical Church of St. Barbara us.

Visiting Ben Ezra Synagogue in Old Coptic Cairo

Egypt has been occupied and ruled by several different cultures and religious groups throughout its long and fascinating history. As is to be expected, each culture has left its mark, which is why we see so much Roman influence; Greek influence; Egyptian influence and etc. All things considered, it hardly comes as a surprise that at the very heart of old Cairo, one can visit the ancient Ben Ezra Synagogue.

Cairo is home to several famous historical attractions, so it can be quite difficult for tourists to decide which sites to visit, especially if they are somewhat pressed for time. While the Ben Ezra Synagogue might not be considered a top tourist attraction, it does however still manage to attract countless visitors. One of the nice things about this particular site is the fact that is is located just behind the famous Hanging Church, also known as the Coptic Church.

Both the Ben Ezra Synagogue and the Hanging Church feature in many different Egypt tour packages, but even if a package tour doesn’t include a trip to these two sites, tourist will find they are both easily accessible using public transport.

A Brief History Of Ben Ezra Synagogue

Some visitors are quite astonished to discover the synagogue in amongst so many Christian religious building, but they're really is a very simple explanation. The actual building which was transformed into the synagogue was purchased from the Coptic Christians in 882 AD. The Coptic Christians owed taxes to the rulers of Cairo, and in order to raise the necessary money, they sold the building to Ben Ezra for a sum of 20,000 dinars.

Ben Ezra then decided to convert the building into a synagogue so that Jew throughout the country would have a place where they could worship.

Legend has it that the building stands on the spot where baby Moses was discovered. There are also a number of rumours regarding the Ben Ezra Synagogue. For example, it is said that the coffers in which Moses’ mother placed him were found in a deep well at the rear of the temple. There are also rumours that the famous Rabbi Moses Maimonides studied and worshipped there.

Something that is not a rumour is the historically significant discovery of a Jineesah, or collection old manuscripts and Torah scrolls, which were found in a hidden storeroom during the 1800s. The documents are no longer on the grounds since they were sent to England for preservation and study.

Cairo Opera House – A Perfect Venue for Performing Arts.

No matter what time of the year you choose to visit Egypt, you can be almost certain that some or other event will be taking place at the Cairo Opera House while you are there. The Main Hall has a 1,200 seat capacity, with seating spread out over 4 levels as well as a presidential box. The hall is used almost exclusively for opera performances; orchestral performances, and ballet performances.

In addition to the Main Hall, the Cairo Opera House also has a Small Hall which can accommodate up to 500 people. Unlike the Main Hall which has multiple floors, the Small Hall only has a single floor. This smaller hall is typically used as a chamber for music and for a recital, although it is also sometimes used as a large and spacious reception hall for hosting a variety of important events.

Cairo Opera House – A Brief History

The Cairo Opera House is a relatively young venue if compared to some opera houses around the world, given that it only opened in 1988. The money that was required for building the Cairo Opera House came in the form of a gift from Japan, shortly after President Hosni Mubarak visited the Japanese nation in 1983.

In 1985, building work began, and the Cairo Opera House as it stands today was completed three years later in 1988. In October of the same year, President Hosni Mubarak inaugurated the Opera House, along with the younger brother of the Emperor of Japan, Prince Tomohito of Mikasa. This also the first time in history that Japan staged a traditional Kabuki show anywhere in Africa and/or the Middle East. A Kabuki show is a traditional singing and dance drama.

In 2007, the Cairo Opera House was also by the London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for their first-ever performance in Egypt and the Middle East.

Khedivial Opera House aka the Royal Opera House

Prior to the current Cairo Opera House being built, the city’s main opera house was called the Khedivial Opera House and was also known as the Royal Opera House. In 1869, Khedive Ismail, who was also known as Ismail the Magnificent, ordered an opera house to be built in order to celebrate the opening of the Suez Canal.

Six months after the order had been given, the Royal Opera House completed, and the first performance was meant the famous opera, Aida. However, this wasn’t possible due to interruptions caused by the Franco-Prussian war. Aida eventually premiered in Egypt in 1871 and quickly became one of the most highly regarded operas ever.

The Royal Opera House was also the very first venue on the African continent to host world-class symphonic masterpieces and famous operas. Unfortunately, the Khedivial Opera House was completely destroyed by a fire early in the morning on the 28th of October, 1971.

Luckily for those who appreciate the fine arts, the Cairo Opera House has proven to be a far superior venue which continues to attract many of the world’s finest artists.

Cairo Tower.

Cairo Tower is a “thrilling” attraction

and offers the opportunity to enjoy spectacular views of the city. Interestingly, it has been the tallest free-standing tower in Egypt and North Africa for around 50 years. In fact, at 187 meters in height, it was the tallest tower of its kind on the entire African continent prior to 1971, when the Hillbrow Tower in South Africa was constructed.

The Tower is often said to be the city’s second most recognizable landmark after the pyramids, and its convenient location has also helped to put it firmly on the tourist map. The structure was temporarily closed for a major refurbishment project, but it is once again open to the public. There is a nominal fee if you wish to go to the top and the fee is increased if you want to eat at the restaurant at the top of the tower. At 187 m (614 ft), it has been the tallest structure in Egypt and North Africa for about 50 years. It was the tallest structure in Africa for ten years until 1971The restaurant offers the most amazing views, but many tourists have reported that the food is expensive, and the quality not as good as one can find at places throughout the city. Nonetheless, a visit to the tower is recommended, and if you have time on your hands, visiting after dark is also recommended.