Archive for August 8th, 2006
Egypt has become a home for golfers. Eight new world-class golf courses. Seaside courses, desert courses and oases courses. Three historic courses designed in the 198th century by the very people who invented the game. Every day a perfect day to play.
Mena House Oberoi, Gezirah Sporting Club, Pyramids Golf & Country Club, Dreamland Golf and Tennis Resort
Katameya Heights Golfand and Tennis Resort, Mirage City Golf Club Golf City
1. Mena House Oberoi
The pyramids tower over you, so close you can almost touch them, as you putt on the lush eighteenth green at the Mena House Oberoi GCC, just two minutes from the hotel lobby
About the Course
18 holes (played on 9 fairways), Par 68, 5250 yards, rating 66, two tees
Who Can Play, Annual memberships, daily golf; tourist groups welcome. Golf Services : Pro shop, caddies, trolleys, club rental, lighted driving range
Learning to Play: Golf Pro, lessons
About the Clubhouse : Restaurant and bar
Mena House Oberol Hotel
2. Gezirah Sporting Club
All of Cairo surrounds you as you walk three minutes from your hotel to an island oasis in the middle of the Nile for a quick nine holes at the Gezirah Club
About the Course
18 holes (played on 9 fairways), Par 70,5860 yards, rating 68, three tees Who Can Play Annual memberships, daily golf Golf Services Pro shop, caddies, trolleys, driving range, club rental Learning to Play
Golf Pro, lessons About the Club
The course is part of the Gezirah Sporting Club, which includes four restaurants, swimming, lighted tennis, tennis pros & lessons, squash, croquet, playing fields, walking tracks, exercise facilities, equestrian, basketball, children’s play areas, saunas, bridge, and board games.
3. Pyramids Golf & Country Club
Nothing but lush fairways, stateIy pines. flowerbeds and lagoons beckon from the terrace of the clulbhouse. Thirty-six holes to chose from,
including Egypt’s most challenging 18-hole course, at Pyramicd’s 0CC in Soleimania Golf Resort. An oasis just outside of Cairo.
About the Course
36 holes, 9 lighted, championship course Par 72, 7004 yards, four tees
Who Can Play : Annual memberships, daily golf tourist groups welcome Golf Services
Pro shop, caddies, power carts, 300m lighted driving range, club rental, tournaments, beverage and food service on the course
Learning to Play
Golf Pro, lessons, swing analyzer, golf academy About the Clubhouse. Three restaurants, swimming pool
4. Dreamland Golf and Tennis Resort
It’s caIIed Dreamland after Egypt’s most beautiful theme park just a few minutes drive from the Golf and Tennis resort. The eighteen-hole championship course is filled with interesting lies, challenging shots. A desert course that is always fun to play. near the pyramids of Giza.
About the Course
18 holes, Par 72, 7205 yards, rating 74, four tees Who Can Play
Annual memberships, daily golf tourist groups welcome Golf Services
Pro Shop, caddies, power carts, club rental, tournaments, food and beverage on the course Learning to Play
Golf Pro, lessons, swing analyzer & other electronics, golf academy. About the Clubhouse : Restaurant and bar
Other Facilities
Tennis academy with six clay courts, pro shop, tennis pro, lessons, tournaments; exercise facilities, swimming pool; adjacent to amusement park; Hilton Resort Hotel opening 2001
5. Katameya Heights Golf and Tennis Resort
You’re on top of the world with all of Cairo and the pyramids in the distance, ready to hit your tee shot on the spectacular fifteenth hole of the championship
course at katameya Heights Golf and Tennis resort.
About the Course
18-hole Championship Course, Par 72, 6780 yards, rating 72, five tees; 9-hole course, par 35, 2985 yards
Who Can Play
Annual memberships, daily golf for guests of members, tourist groups & hotel guests welcome weekdays with prior reservations Golf Services
Pro shop, caddies, power carts, pull carts, driving range, tournaments, food and beverage on the course
Learning to Play
Golf Pros, lessons, video swing analysis, golf academy About the Clubhouse
Two restaurants, two bars, billiards, satellite television, function room, fitness center, sauna, steam, jacuzzi, swimming pool, professional trainers, life guards
Other facilities
Tennis academy with 10 clay courts, tennis pro, lessons, all level tennis programs, pro shop, cafeteria, swimming pool, squash, gymnasium; separate children’s clubhouse with two heated swimming pools, outdoor playground, two indoor playrooms, restaurant, nursery, clinic
6. Mirage City Golf Club
It’s a garden of Hen. Flowers, streams, waterfalls, and ponds. Everywhere you look
from one of the world’s most beautiful clubhouses, there is nature, green, sun-and golf at the JW Marriott Mirage City Golf and Country Club.
About the Course
18 holes, Par 72, 6944 yards, rating 73, three tees who Can Play
Annual memberships, daily golf for guests at Marriott, tourist groups welcome
Golf Services
Pro shop, caddies, power carts, driving range, club rental, tournaments, beverage and food service on the course
Learning to Play
Golf pro, lessons, swing analyzer & other electronic equipment, golf academy
About the Clubhouse
Three restaurants, function rooms, bar, billiards, library, board room The JW Marriott Hotel
Opening in May 2001, the JW Marriott has 375 guest rooms and suites, six restaurants, four bars, function rooms, four swimming pools, sauna, steam, exercise facilities, health spa, equestrian club.
Golf City
Golf City. The name Veils it all. A golf course, a nearby amusement park to
entertain the children some of the finest manicured greens and fairways anywhere, all just ten minutes from the Cairo International Airport. A five-star Movenpick resort Hotel opens in 2002. About the Course 18 holes, Par 72, four tees
Information
A clubhouse will open in 2001 and a Movenpick Hotel in 2002.
Information about the golf is available by contacting the numbers below.
Source : www.egypttourism.org
August 8th, 2006
The oasis, a depression in the desert comprising springs, wells and trees, reflects the beauty, charm and diversity of nature; its surrounding desert…green valleys…water wells…high plateaus…therapeutic sulphur-rich springs. In Egypt there are plenty of oases in the Western Desert. The most significant are Fayyum, Kharga, Dakhia, Paris, Farafrah, Bahereya, Siwa and the Qattara Depression. The Fayyum Oasis lies in depression, right in the Western Desert, about 103 km. south-west of Cairo. It is surrounded by high plateaus, and separated from the Nile Valley by a high ridge to the east at al-Lahun. The oasis is famed for its all-year-round pleasant climate and beautiful scenery. There is evidence of pre-historic settlements as well as Pharaonic, GreekRoman, Coptic, & Islamic monuments. Fayyum boosts a combination of rural, coastal, desert, and urban environments, and thus holds out great attractions to tourists.
The Hawara Pyramid (shown to the right) dating from (1991-1778 BC) can be found here. The Oases provides a vast amount of tourist attractions, below is a brief overview of some of the sites that you can visit!
The Oasis:
Al-Wadi Al-Gadeed Oases 
The New Valley Oases)
The New Valley Oases occupies some 67% of the Western Desert and 45.8% of the total area of Egypt. It lies 602 km. from Cairo and 232 km. from Assyut. It’s bordered by the Governorate of Matruh in the north, Sudan in the south, Libya in the west, and the Governorates of Middle Egypt in the east. It includes the Kharga, Dakhla, Farafrah and Paris oases with more than 99 monuments dating to different ages.
The area enjoys a mixture of the desert environment, green plains, wells, and sulphur-rich springs, both cold and hot. In one spring, the water temperature reaches 43 C and is suitable for the treatment of rheumatic and digestive ailments, colds and allergies.The oases are famed for their dry climate most of the year, and humidity never exceeds 9.5%. Warm, sunny winters allow them to be an international health spa.
Dakhla Oasis;
Dakhla (capital Mut) is the second provincial capital of the Governorate and lies 200km. north-west of Kharga. Midway is the Zayyan resthouse. Dakhla contains several wells, the most important of which are: The Mut Wells in which the temperature reaches 43 C. One well is 1224 meters deep. It has a round swimming pool and tourist resthouses with complete facilities.The pharonic wells of Ayn al-Qasr in which water temperature reaches 45 C.
Kharga Oasis:
Capital of the New Valley Governorate, it lies 232 km. south of Assyut. It is characterized by its numerous monuments, springs and tourist sites such as the ponds of fish in Bulaq Village.
Paris Oasis: (Temple of Dush)
Located 90 km. south of Kharga, it houses the Roman Temple of Dush dedicated to the God Serapis. There is also a mud-brick Turkish fortress, an ancient church and some pottery dating to the Coptic period.
Farafrah Oasis:
About 320 km. northwest of Dakhla and 170 km. north of Bahereya Oasis, it is suitable for car tours and safaris by means of the circular road connecting it with Dakhla and Bahereya. There are remains of roman buildings, including Qasr al-Farafrah, built of mud-brick, and Qasr Abu Minqar.
Siwa Oasis:
About 306 km. south west of Marsa Matruh and 627 km from Cairo, this oasis is renowned for its beautiful scenery, thick groves of palm and olive trees, water springs, and the surrounding mountains. It has a steady climate, chilly in the winter, hot in the summer and moderate in spring and autumn.
Tourist Attractions:
Greek and Roman Monuments: There are the ruins of towns and palaces such as Ancient Karanis, Kum al-Tel, Dimieh Al-Sibah, Qasr Qarun, Ahubit and many more.
Coptic and Islamic Monuments: There are monasteries and mosques such as Deir al-Gharb, Marie Girgis, Qantarah of Al-Lahun, inlaid with ivory, and the Suspended Mosque.
Natural Springs: There are numerous water springs in the area. The most famous is Al-Siliyin. Its subterranean waters flow from several crevices into a main canal. Other springs are: Al-Sha’ir, Biahmu and Al-MAndarah.
Water Wheels: Fayyum boasts of 200 water wheels that are used to irrigate the land (shown to the right ).
Other tourist attractions:
Pharaonic Monuments
Lake Qarun
The Artificial Forest
Springs and Wells:
The Bulaq Wells: The water temperature reaches 39 C here. It has a resthouse with complete facilities.
The Nasser Tourist Wells: Is south of Kharga, this well has a camping site. All the wells are suitable for the treatment of rheumatic ailments.
Other Springs and Wells:
The Bulaq Wells
Jenah Well
Monuments:
Hibis Temple: The Hibis Temple dates back to the 26th Dynasty. It’s dedicated to the Holy Triad (Amun Ra’-Mut-Khonsu).
Cemetery Of Al- Bagawat: The cemetery of Al-Bagawat contains 263 tombs in the pattern of The cemetery of Al-Bagawat contains 263 tombs in the pattern of The cemetery of Al-Bagawat contains 263 tombs in the pattern of domed chambers. In the center is a church dating back to the 11th century A.D. It is regarded as one of the oldest churches in Egypt. The Temple Of Al-Ghuwaytah (shown to the right) is dedicated to the Triad and dates back to the 27th Dynasty,
Temple of Al-ghuwaytah: Dedicated to the Triad ( Amun, Mut and Khonsu ), dates back to the 27th Dyn., and was completed by the Ptolemeis. Dedicated to the Triad ( Amun, Mut and Khonsu ), dates back to the 27th Dyn., and was completed by the Ptolemeis. Dedicated to the Triad ( Amun, Mut and Khonsu ), dates back to the 27th Dyn., and was completed by the Ptolemeis.
Other Monuments:
Al-Zayyan Temple
Al-Deir
Mut
Bashendi
Al-Mizawaka Tombs
Balat Village (Islamic)
Balat Village (Pharaonic)
Temple of Deir Al-Hagar
Al-Qasr Village (Islamic)
Source : www.egypttourism.org
August 8th, 2006
The beaches of the Red Sea are an exquisite gift of nature. The sea with its crystal clear blue waters, offers colorful corals and rare marine life. The long chain of mountains, with their different colors, run parallel to the coastline, separated from the sea only by a plain, most of which is suitable for camping. All these elements, the work of the Creator, blend into a a rare painting of magnificent winter and summer climate and envhanting natural beauty that charms the visitor into believing he is on a legendary tour of a paradise on earth.
The Red Sea - 1930 km. long and 270,000 km. squared - is bordered by Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Yemen and Dijbouti. Mount Sinai, 2285 km., is the highest peak. Its climate is equatorial with temperatures ranging between 35 C and 41 C. water temperatures range between 18C and 21C in winter, an 21C and 26.5C in the summer.
Underwater visibility is more than 30 meters and diving is possible up to 45 meters. You can take a day-trip to Giftun Island for snorkeling or a view of the ocean through a glass-bottomed boat or submarine. When you’re not in the sea you can shop in the boutiques, relax in the luxury holiday villages, visit the aquarium or the Roman remains at nearby Gebel Aabu Dukhan. Day trips or safaris to explore the Red Sea Mountains by camel or jeep are also available. Here is a brief overview of some of the tourist sites at the Red Sea:
Tourist sites:
‘Ayn Sukhna “Hot Spring”: Located about 55 km. south of the Suez. It is one of the most beautiful spots on the Red Sea and the closest to Cairo. Both a summer and winter resort, its sandy beach equals the best in the world and is suitable for camping.It is an excellant spot for water sports, fishing and underwater photography.
Hurghada: Founded in the early 20th century , Hurghanda has gone on to become the foremost tourist resorts of the Red Sea coast and an international centre for aquatic sports. If it takes place in the water you can do it here: windsurfing, sailing, deep-sea fishing, and snorkeling. The unique underwater gardens are some of the finest in the world.
Princess Village: About 10 km. from Hurghada. This village comprises 20 two-story villas, 40 bungalows and 30 single/double room studios.
Safaga: Is a working port with several tourist villages specializing in diving holidays, a handful of hotels and some excellent fish restaurants. Daytrips to Tobia Islands or Mons Claudianus in the Red Sea can be arranged with local guides.
Al-Quseir: Al-Quseir has a long history as one of the major ports of the Red Sea: from here Queen Hatshepsut launched her expedition to the land of Punt, as depicted in the reliefs in Deir el-Bahari temple at Luxor. Today, Al-Quseir is a quiet resort with sandy beaches, clear waters and coral reefs.
Mersa Alam: A village with a small harbour and stone quay. Mers Alam is the ideal base for a fishing holiday. The Dokki Shooting Club has a resthouse here and can arrange deep sea fishing trips. There are some fine offshore coral reefs and diving facilities being developed.
Berenice: The Red Sea Coast is also the home of St. Anthony’s Monasteryand its neighbor St. Paul’s, which are the oldest monasteries in Egypt. Hidden deep in the Red Sea Mountains and relying on springs for their water supply, both still observe rituals that have hardly changed in the 16th centuries. St. Anthony’s was founded in 356 AD, just after the saint’s death. Today it is a self-contained village with gardens, a mill, a bakery and five churches with exceptional wall paintings and icons.
Other tourist sites:
Magawish Village
Giftoun Village
El Samaka Village
Yasmine Village
Hur Palace Village
Shedwan Village
Source : www.egypttourism.org
August 8th, 2006
Sinai; land of discovery. The route to the Promised Land; where Isis sought Osiris and the Pharoahs found gold. Where Moses witnessed the burning bush and Bedouins camped by Crusader forts. A meeting point for three great religions, at the crossroads of Africa and Asia. After 80,000 years at the heart of history, experience the continuing contrasts. Sinai: where rock meets coral reef and the desert stops at the sea. Where the grandeur of granite meets the golden beaches of the ” Red Sea Riviera “. Tropical Fish and rare birds; spectacular sunsets and clear starry nights.
Sinai - by its geographical location - is the junction between Asia and Africa. It is shared like an inverted triangle, with the base stretching between Rafah and Port Said, in the north, and the apex, Ras Mohammed, in the south. This prominent and strategic position of the Sinai Peninsula has made it the gateway to Egypt from the east. Sinai’s history goes back to the Pharaohs who explored its land, searching for gold, copper and turquoise. Thus, it came to be known as the Land of Turquoise.
Sinai is rich in scenery. To the north, palm-shaded sandy beaches stretch along the Mediterranean shore. Along the Gulfs of Aqaba and Suez, soft golden sands surround bays of clear blue water. There are tourist villages, fishing and snorkeling centers, where the waters are rich with rare marine life and exquisite coral reefs. Sweet water springs are scattered throughout Sinai. In the south, the towering mountains with their beautiful reddish colored rocks are surrounded by huge valleys leading to the Holy Mountain.
Sinai also has various medicinal plants and different kinds of indigenous and migrating birds.
Because of its geological nature, Sinai was divided administratively into the twin North and South Sinai Governorates, with Al-Arish and Al-Tor as their respective capitals
North Sinai Governorate:
The Govenorate of North Sinai lies on the Mediterranean Coast and is separated from South Sinai by the Taba line. Al-Arish, the capital, is famous for its beautiful shores and palm lined beaches. The most prominent of North Sinai’s beaches are:
Al-Nakhil
Al-Masa’id
Rumana
Main Cities:
Bir Al-Abd: An important city, located half way between Qantara East and Al-Arish.
Nekhl City: Built by Sltan Al-Ghouri in 1516 AD to safeguard the pilgrim route.
Rumana: Located on the Mediterranean coast, it is characterized by its tranquility and scenery.
Other Main cities:
Rafah
Al-Shiekh Zuweid
Al-Arish
Fortresses:
Fortress of Al-Arish: Built on a plateau south-west of Al-Arish on the ruins of an ancient Pharaonic fort, it was rebuilt by the Turkish Sultan Al-Qanouni in 1560.
Fortress of Nekhl: Built at Nekhl village, south of Al-Arish, by Qansuh Al-Ghouri in 1516 AD to safeguard the pilgrim route.
Horus Military Road: Located in North Sinai, where several fortresses and fortified military towns stood between Qantara East and the city of Rafah. The road was used from the time of the Pharaohs until the Ottomans.
Fortress of Al-Farma: Lies in the city of Al-Farma, northwest of Balouza village and houses Roman baths with rare mosaic floors.
South Sinai Governorate:
The Governorate of South Sinai extends from Taba on the Gulf of Aqaba across the northern foothills of Al-Tin plateau to Ras Masallah on the Gulf of Suez in the west, and Ras Mohammed in the south.
Main Towns:
Al-Tor: The Governorate capital, is on the Gulf of the Suez, about 170 km. south of Suez. It is characterized by an excellent all-year-round climate and its numerous orchards. Its airport is equipped to handle small and medium size aircraft, while its port can accommodate medium size ships.
Ras Sidr: On the Gulf Of Suez, and about 191 km. from Cairo, is both a winter and summer resort.
Abu Rodeis: On the Gulf of Suez, is a center for extracting petroleum. It has an airport that can handle small and medium size aircrafts.
St. Catherine: Lies about 150 km. south-east of Abu Rodeis on a high plateau 2500 meters above sea level. It is considered the center of religious tourism in Sinai. Nearby lies the Monastery Of St. Catherine dating back to the 6th century. This town is famous for its orchids and plentiful water. The village compromises 100 bungalows and an elegant restaurant.
Mount Sinai: ( as shown on left) ” Among all the stupendous works of nature, not a place can be selected more fitting for the exhibition of the almighty” ( John lloyd Stephens)
Source : www.egypttourism.org
August 8th, 2006