Emma; Jun 2009
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Recently it is possible to rent a bike on Aswan west bank and make a beautiful cycle trip along the Nile or a larger "tour d'Aswan" if you like. The quality of the road is perfect and the area is very nice: Right - the Nile and the green agriculture
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Aswan |
Overview: Aswan, the most southerly city and a popular holiday
destination, has more of an African ambiance with its numerous
Nubian inhabitants providing a difference in culture and custom.
Although every bit as touristy as Luxor, Aswan and its inhabitants
are far more laid-back and pleasant.
A picturesque city, its attraction as a holiday destination lies
not so much in its historical sites, but in the peacefulness of a
felucca cruise at sunset, a visit to the colourful market (Sharia
el-Souq), or dinner at one of the floating restaurants on the Nile.
Aswan is a perfect base to visit to the magnificent Sun Temple of
Ramses II, Abu Simbel.
Shopping: There is plenty of shopping to be done in the various markets
while on holiday in Aswan, from shoes and clothes to jewellery and
leather. Haggling is the best way to get the cheapest price. It is
wise to be cautious when buying jewellery as many fake pieces can
be mistaken as authentic.
Restaurants: On the Nile River, the elegant Aswan Panorama offers diners on
holiday a true taste of Nubian cuisine in a sophisticated setting.
The Aswan Moon is a spacious floating restaurant reached by
Corniche, and offers a variety of local food and a beautiful sunset
on the Nile. The 1902 Restaurant, in the Old Cataract Hotel, is
reminiscent of an ancient tomb and serves French cuisine and local
fish; it saw such dignitaries as Winston Churchill and King Edward
VII's brother on its opening night.
Nightlife: While on holiday visitors will find Aswan's Elephantine Bar,
located in the Oberoi Hotel on Elephantine Island, offers a relaxed
yet traditional atmosphere and the Tower Bar, also in the Oberoi
Hotel on the 12th floor, offers wrap-around windows with a
panoramic view of the Nile River and Aswan.
Activities: A felucca trip down the Nile is one of the best ways to see
Aswan while on holiday. The Nubian village and remains of ancient
Memphis on Elephantine Island are well worth a visit. The far side
of the Nile is desert as far as the eye can see and this is the
perfect setting for a camel trek.
Nearby Attractions
Abu Simbel
The two temples of Abu Simbel, the Temple of Ramses II and the
temple of Hathor (the Sun God) dedicated to his wife Nefertari,
were cut out of the sandstone cliffs more than 3,000 years ago. Not
only are these temples among the... see full details | |
Nubian Museum
This museum in Aswan is an excellent introduction to the history
and culture of the Nubians. It contains a collection of artefacts
from Nubia (the region approximately between Aswan and Khartoum in
Sudan) and an exhibition of Nubian culture and crafts. It also
portrays... see full details | |