Recently in Egypt Category

The Egyptian town of Sharm El Sheikh, on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, is a place of exotic beauty. From the vibrant bazaars of Na'ama Bay to the shops and restaurants of Old Sharm, it's a non-stop feast for the senses. But the most striking views of the city actually occur beneath the tranquil blue waters off its coastline. Travelers who crave some serious adventure can take a scuba diving or snorkeling trip and come face to face with some of the most amazing sea life on the planet. Expansive yet delicate coral reefs explode in a burst of color and teem with tropical fish, while the occasional whale shark - the biggest fish in the world - glides by in a vision of grace and power. Don't worry, they're not interested in having you over for dinner because they're filter feeders, and you probably don't dig plankton all that much. The Sheraton Sharm Hotel, Resort, Villas & Spa has a full-service dive center on site, which can send you on an undersea adventure you'll never forget.

Strewn with the ruins of ancient Thebes, Luxor, Egypt is often called "the world's greatest open air museum." As of last month, high speed internet pulses through this desert city of temples and palaces; so while you're touring the tombs of the great pharaohs with Sheraton Luxor's "Discover Luxor in 4 Nights" package, you can go online and research Ramesses and Nefertari.

Of course the internet has been accessible in Luxor for years, mostly at cafes that line the city streets, but never at this range. Sixteen access points have been installed in Luxor's biggest attractions, like the Luxor Temple, and the Nile corniche. Unlike the basic WiFi connectivity we're all familiar with, this is a new technology called WiMax. It covers much greater distances. We're talking miles. With standard WiFi, you can only connect if you're within a few hundred meters of the transmitter.

Scratch cards can be purchased from authorized retailers. The equivalent of about seven US dollars gets you online for an hour. And for about 21, you're good for a whole day. The project's called "While In Egypt Stay Connected", and part of its initiative is to improve internet access at airports, cafes, and hotels. Modern technology in the cradle of civilization. Now that's worth emailing home about.

The countries of the Middle East offer a wealth of delights to the traveler, and with a little local knowledge, a trip through this region can yield memories to last a lifetime. The Louisville Courier-Journal has an enjoyable story about a journey through Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt, three places known for friendly people, spectacular ancient historic sights, and plenty of excellent food and shopping. In Aleppo, Syria, home of the Sheraton Aleppo Hotel, visitors walk around the 12th century Citadel (pictured) and enjoy breathtaking views of one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. In cosmopolitan Beirut, Lebanon, guests at Le Méridien Commodore may want to check out Downtown's Central District, with its beautiful Ottoman architecture and abundance of great restaurants and nightclubs. Cairo, the capital of Egypt and in many ways the capital of the Middle East, is a bustling, high-energy town that also has a very relaxed side to it. Travelers usually visit the pyramids first, but beyond that, there are so many great options, from sailing in a felucca to searching for bargains in the souq. Starwood has three Cairo hotels, Le Méridien Heliopolis, the Sheraton Cairo Hotel, Towers and Casino, and Le Méridien Pyramids.

[image via Louisville Courier-Journal]

A visit to Egypt is a life-changing experience for most travelers, who stare in awe at the amazing achievements of the ancient world. An interesting article from msnbc.com has a few suggestions for making the most of your time in Cairo. Since it would be wrong to travel all the way to Egypt and not see any pyramids, head out to see the Great Pyramid of Giza. It was finished in 2560 B.C. and is the only remaining wonder of seven wonders of the ancient world. In addition to the Great Pyramid, you also get the lesser (but still great) pyramids of Khafre and Menkaur, the surrounding Queen pyramids, and the amazing Sphinx. If that's not enough pyramids, take a look at the world's oldest step pyramid in Saqqara. It's the burial place of the Pharaoh Djoser, and visitors can see it as well as 15 other ancient pyramids without the crowds that can be found at Giza. History buffs will also appreciate the Egyptian Museum, which has over 100,000 Egyptian artifacts on display. For a chaotic yet fascinating shopping excursion, the 600-year-old Khan el Kahlili Bazaar can't be beat. Don't forget to negotiate for a better price on everything from carpets and clothing to tea and treats. For dinner, Abou El Sid restaurant prepares traditional dishes such as shrimp tagine and chicken in walnut sauce according to ancient recipes. Starwood has three hotels in Cairo, the Sheraton Cairo Hotel, Towers and Casino, Le Méridien Heliopolis, and Le Méridien Pyramids, which has an amazing view of these ancient wonders.

[image via msnbc.com]

A post on Jaunted pointed us over to the world of Egyptian golf courses. A firm called FlyGolf has started marketing golf vacations in Egypt to Western travelers. It turns out that golf courses are a relatively commonplace site in the posh Cairo suburbs and in the resort area along the Red Sea. One of these golf courses is the 18-hole course at the Sheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna, built on its own private island.

The Egyptian capital of Cairo isn't just the home base for exploring the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx—it's also a thriving city with plenty to offer culturally, including the world famous Egyptian Museum. The Sheraton Cairo Hotel, Towers and Casino, located on the Nile's western shore, is right in the middle of it all. The Egyptian Museum's just a short walk or cab drive away and the Pyramids of Giza are only 20 minutes from the hotel. The Sheraton Cairo is currently offering a special Summer Suites promotion until September 15: Stay five nights or more and receive a 5% discount on your suite, save 7% with ten nights or more or get a 10% discount with a fifteen night stay.