2016 Europe, Middle East, and Africa Travel Guide - (Page 48)

EGYPT INDIA FACTS November to May FUN FACT: Founded in the 14th century, fascinating Khan el-Khalili is the biggest bazaar in the Middle East GETTING THERE: Delta flies to Cairo connecting through Amsterdam, Paris, and Rome ENTRY DOCUMENTS: Valid passport; tourists are issued visas-valid for 3 months-upon arrival in Egypt CURRENCY: The Egyptian Pound LOCAL FOODS: Mahshi kromb-rice and meat stuffed cabbage leaves, cooked with plenty of dill and clarified butter; mulukhiyah-soup made from a green leafy vegetable called mallow (usually served with roast chicken); hamam mahshi-small pigeons cooked with cracked wheat and rice, tomatoes and onions; om ali-layers of pastry filled with nuts and raisins, soaked in cream and milk, then baked BEST BUYS: Gold and silver jewelry and accessories; copperwares; perfume; spices; applique work; musical instruments; and dance costumes INFORMATION PLEASE: egypt.travel BEST TIME TO GO: Cairo Cairo is a third world and first world, Islamic world and Pharaonic world, a teeming city that jars all the senses, all at once. Spanning a five-millennium history, captivating Cairo is full of amazing things to see and do. And in answer to your question: Is this the time to go? Surely you'll be spared the usual tourist crowds, and most certainly the historically hospitable Egyptians will be thrilled to receive you. SEE: Survey the world's largest repository of Egyptian antiquities in the Egyptian Museum; head to Ibn Tulun Square to begin a tour of Islamic Cairo, a world of mosques and minarets; and visit the holy places of Coptic Christian Cairo and the Ben Ezra Synagogue. Then head outside the city for Pharaonic Egypt to view the colossal Sphinx and Pyramids at Giza, at their most magical during the evening sound and light show. SAVOR: Learn the ways of bazaar life in Khan el-Khalili, a trading emporium since the 14th century and famous for stalls of copper and brass, alabaster and leather goods, baskets and woodwork, tapestries and jellabiyas, gold and silver jewelry. Then adjourn to Fishawi's Coffeehouse, always busy, always colorful. SIGNATURE EVENT: The Cairo International Film Festival, held in November at the Cairo Opera House, is in its 38th year and is, in fact, the oldest film festival in the Middle East. STAY: The iconic luxury hotel and previously the storied Nile Hilton reopened its renovated premises last October under a new caretaker: the Nile Ritz-Carlton Cairo. Perfectly positioned along the banks of the Nile, the hotel offers 331 guestrooms, an Olympic-size pool, a spa, and an array of dining venues. CRUISE: Drift back in time on the Nile-take a picnic lunch cruise aboard a traditional felucca sailboat, an evening dinner cruise in Cairo and/or a full 4-day Nile River cruise, visiting the magnificent assemblage of antiquities between Luxor and Aswan. Mumbai Home to many of the subcontinent's best restaurants and hotels, Mumbai is India's commercial capital, as well as the center of its Bollywood cinema industry. Cultural pursuits abound, and the feast for the eyes never subsides: museums, pagodas, markets, temples...the list of delights that Mumbai offers is limitless. SEE: Take in all the sights, of course, but don't forget the kitschy Bollywood scene with an in-depth Bollywood studio tour. Participants learn about the ins and outs of filmmaking in India, and visit a movie set to watch the shooting of a feature film, TV show or ad. SAVOR: Hang with the locals at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, an outstanding example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture, and the westernmost end point of the Central Railways of India. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this historic 19th century railway, which welcomes three million commuters daily, is a magnificent architectural showpiece reminiscent of Indian palace architecture. SIGNATURE EVENT: The Ganesh Chaturthi Festival, one of the city's biggest celebrations, is held in September (Sept. 5, 2016) and celebrates Ganesh, the elephant-headed deity and god of prosperity and wisdom. During festival time, there are Ganesh statues in streets all over the city, and the city practically becomes one giant colorful street party. STAY: The St. Regis Mumbai, the country's tallest hotel tower, opened this past September, with 395 guestrooms including 27 suites and 39 Residential Suites, each with stunning views of the city or the Arabian Sea. There are four onsite restaurants serving Indian, Japanese, Pan Asian and European cuisine, and on site, guests will find the highest bar and nightclub in the country. CRUISE: Major cruise lines such as Princess and Seabourn include Mumbai Port-which has long been the principal gateway to India and has played a pivotal role in the development of the national economy, trade & commerce and prosperity of Mumbai city in particular-in their longer duration cruises, as well as on their World Cruises. 48 Ganesh Chaturthi Festival in Mumbai. http://egypt.travel

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2016 Europe, Middle East, and Africa Travel Guide

Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Holland
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Ghana
Kenya
Morocco
Nigeria
South Africa
Senegal
Tanzania
Egypt
India
Israel
Turkey
United Arab Emirates

2016 Europe, Middle East, and Africa Travel Guide