Insight Pocket Guide the Nile

by Franquet, Sylvie

• ISBN13: 9781585731749
• ISBN10: 1585731749
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-12-01
• Publisher: Insight Guides

Table of Contents

History and Culture
The Nile has shaped Egypt and, since the building of the Awan dams, Egypt has shaped the Nile--an introduction to the history of the Nile Valley, from the achievements of the Ancient Egyptians through to modern times	11	(11)
Cairo Itineraries
The first five tours in the Cairo section link the highlights of the city, including the Pyramids at Giza, and take in nearby Saqqara and Memphis. Itinerary 6 is a day excursion from Cairo to Alexandria.
The Egyptian Museum and Downtown Cairo is a full-day tour beginning with the Egyptian Antiquities Museum, a superb introduction to the monuments of Ancient Egypt. After lunch it visits the Islamic Museum and the Khan al Khalili Bazaar	22	(3)
The Citadel and the Grand Mosques is a half-day tour looking at some of Cairo's most famous Islamic monuments, including the Ibn Tulun Mosque, the mosque madrasa of Sultan Hasan and the Citadel	25	(3)
The Heart of the Islamic City is a half-day walk from Bab Zuwayla to Bab al-Futuh, taking in many of the mosques and madrasas of Fatimid Cairo	28	(4)
Coptic Cairo takes the Metro to Old Cairo to see several early churches, Egypt's oldest synagogue and its first mosque	32	(2)
A Day of Pyramids is a circular tour by taxi to see the Step Pyramid at Saqqara, the remains of Memphis and the Pyramids at Giza	34	(4)
Day-trip to Alexandria takes a train to the ancient port of Alexandria to see its Ptolemaic remains and relax over a fish lunch by the harbour	38	(7)
Luxor Itineraries
Luxor' ancient sites divide over the east and west banks. The first tour in this section focuses on the East Bank, the second on the West Bank (the Valleys of the Kings, Queens and Nobles) and the third explores the temples of Dendera and Abydos north of Luxor.
Luxor's East Bank is a full day devoted to Karnak Temple, a short walk north along the Corniche, and the Luxor Temple in the centre of town	45	(4)
West Bank crosses the river to explore the Valley of the Kings, Queens and Nobles, Queen Hatshepsut's temple of Deir al-Bahari and the Ramesseum, the inspi	49	(4)
Abydos and Dendera takes a taxi north of Luxor to the Temple of Seti 1 at Abydos and the Ptolemaic temple of Hathor at Dendera	53	(6)
Aswan Itineraries
These three itineraries focus on the laid-back town of Aswan, the Nubian culture on the nearby islands and the ancient monuments on the banks of Lake Nasser, including the temples of Abu Simbel.
Aswan Town and Islands explores the ruins on Elephantine island and the Aswan and Nubian museums. The day ends with a felucca cruise around the islands and a dip in Aswan's relaxed souk	59	(3)
The Temple of Isis at Philae and the Aswan Dams visits the main sights a few kilometres south of town, including the Unfinished Obelisk, the famous dams and a lovely temple on an island in Lake Nasser	62	(3)
A Day Trip to Abu Simbel travels through the desert southwest of Aswan to see one of the highlights of Egypt, a magnificent rock-cut temple built by Ramses II	65	(2)
The Temples of Kom Ombo, Edfu and Esna tours the main temples between Aswan and Luxor, a programme offered by cruise companies	67	(26)
Leisure Activities
What to buy, where to eat, and where to go	71	(8)
Calendar of Events
A guide to festivals along the Nile Valley	79	(2)
Practical Information
All the background information you are likely to need for your stay, with a list of hand-picked hotels	81	(12)
Index and Credits	93