Category Archives: Egypt

More stops of interest on an Egypt adventure

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GetAway Travel has an Egypt Adventure planned, but these stops of interest would be places to visit on most cruise itineraries in Egypt. Cairo and Luxor are two main stops, but other cities along the way have historical significance and areas steeped in mystery. Temple complexes with interesting carvings, reliefs and sculptures provide fascinating insight into Egyptian thinking. Join GetAway Travel on our Egypt Adventure or let us plan your own trip to the land of pharaohs, temples and pyramids.

Nile River flowing through Cairo, Egypt

Esna and the Temple of Khnum

 Esna was known by the ancient Egyptians as Latopolis, named after the largest of the perch species found in the Nile waters.

Temple of Esna

The Temple of Esna or the Temple of Khnum is dedicated primarily to the water god, Khnum. It is thought this temple is one the last temples built by the Egyptians. Located close to the Nile, it is remarkably well preserved. Villagers used to sit around fires close to the interior of the temple and some of the magnificent carvings because discolored and even hidden due to smoke and soot damage.

Columns in Temple of Esna

A recent restoration project has brought the reliefs back to their original vibrant colors and even has uncovered more details of paintings on the walls. Twenty-four towering columns supported the top of the Hypostyle Hall. They are decorated with intricate carvings of lotus flowers and palms. There are four rows of carvings along the walls showing Ptolemaic and Roman emperors in pharaoh garb offering sacrifices to the God Khnum.

Temple of Khnum Wall Relief showing crocodile god Sobek

Visitors can enjoy a lively market scene and, along the pier, are 19th century homes with elaborate mashrabiya or carved lattice screening on the front windows.

Aswan, the Aswan Dam, Kom Ombo

 Aswan sits on what was once the northern border of ancient Nubia. A UNESCO Creative City of Crafts & Folk Art, visitors can enjoy the Aswan Dance Troupe, Nubian Museum and the Aswan International Symposium of Sculpture. The symposium encourages artists who practice the ancient art of Egyptian granite and stone carving.

Nile River in Aswan

Since ancient times, the Nile had flooded this area, damaging crops and causing food issues. In the 1960s, the Nile was dammed and the Aswan Dam created the 300-mile long Lake Nasser. Lake Nasser is one of the world’s largest artificially created lakes. A small pavilion on the shore has exhibits with information about the dam and its construction.

Philae Temple of Isis on Lake Nasser

Creating the lake necessitated moving a number of archeological treasures. A UNESCO team relocated the Philae Temple complex as well as a number of other temples along the shores of the lake.

Mammisi birth house

The temples of Isis, Mammisi and Hathor are located in the complex. The Temple of Isis is remarkably well preserved and gateways from the temple lead to the other temples. The Temple of Isis is thought to be the last temple constructed in the classic Egyptian style.

Hathor Temple

The Temple of Hathor is known for its elaborate decorations included detailed depictions of ancient gods, hieroglyphs and astronomical ceiling paintings that have retained their vibrancy. Hathor is the goddess of love, fertility and music so there are numerous carvings of musicians with instruments.

The Temple of Mammisi, or birth house, is dedicated to Horus, the son of Isis and Osiris. Part of this temple was re-purposed for a time as a Christian church so there are carvings of crosses in some areas. The walls are decorated with carvings of gods and goddesses associated with childbirth. The depictions of the pharaohs show them making offerings to the gods because Egyptians believed childbirth could be made easier through the offerings.

Temple of Kom Ombo

Kom Ombo is a small town on the Nile surrounded by sugar cane and corn fields. It is home to a large Nubian population, many of whom were displaced when the dam was built. Perched on a hill by the town is the temple dedicated to two gods, Sobek and Horus. The two temples, under one roof, are constructed in the exact symmetrical fashion. Horus, is the falcon god of the sky and Sobek, who looks like a crocodile, was considered a protective deity that created the world. The temples are identical so as not to offend either god.

Heiroglyphs in Temple of Kom Ombo

And then there’s Abu Simbel, Edfu and Dendura

 The temples at Abu Simbel are on the western bank of Lake Nasser. The monolithic temples were constructed during the reign of Ramses II and discovered in the early 19th century. They were moved from their original location during the construction of the Answar Dam. An imposing statue of Ramses marks the entrance to his temple and inside, the carvings document his military victories and their connection to the gods. A smaller temple, with a stunning front facade, is a fabulous example of Egyptian art. It is dedicated to Ramses’ queen, Nefertari.

Queen Nefertari at leisure

Edfu is a legendary and sacred place in Egyptian history. It is supposedly where the falcon god  Horus battled his uncle Seth after Seth murdered and dismembered his father, Osiris. In his honor, the inhabitants of Edfu built this grand temple. This is one of Egypt’s most complete temples because it had been covered with sand and preserved. The stonework is incredible and the gateway to the temple is guarded by two gigantic statues of Horus as a falcon. Since the roof is still intact, the paintings and reliefs in the interior are vibrant and colorful. If you feel the need to get your steps in, climb the 242 steps on the west side for great views of the Nile. The remains of a Nilometer are on the east side. The Nilometer measured the Nile and helped Egyptians plan their crops.

Edfu Temple interior

Dendera is one of the most important religious centers in Egypt. The city, originally called Tentyris, was sacred because of three separate sanctuaries in the city, one to Horus, one to Ihy, son of Horus and one to Hathor. The temple complex here has a larger temple for Hathor, but numerous smaller temples and shrines, a basilica, a sacred lake and two birth houses.

Astronomical Ceiling in Temple of Hathor

We hope we’ve given you some destinations to consider in your upcoming Egypt trip as well as some insights into sites GetAway Travel will be visiting during our 2026 trip to Egypt. Care to join us, or have GetAway plan a trip for you? We can be reached at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel

Luxor steeped in amazing historic experiences

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The “world’s largest open-air museum” is a fitting description of Luxor, Egypt. The country was ruled by pharaohs who each tried to outdo a past ruler with lavish lifestyles. Even in death, the pharaohs paid homage to the lavish style with tombs that befitted their stature. Visitors can get a glimpse into how the pharaohs and their subjects lived with the help of carvings, frescoes and stunning paintings preserved in the tombs. The Valley of Kings, the Valley of Queens, the Karnak Temple Complex — monuments, tombs, sphinxes and temples — there is mystery and exotic adventures everywhere in Luxor.

Ballooning over Luxor

Luxor is one of GetAway Travel’s stops in our 2026 Egypt cruise. You can join us, or our travel advisors would be happy to help plan a vacation now if you’re up for an adventure!

Legendary burial sites

 Luxor is one of, if not the world’s largest archeological sites. In ancient times, Thebes, was the imperial capital and it was split by the Nile River, essentially creating the City of the Living and the City of the Dead. The East bank, or the City of the Living, now Luxor, is where the majority of people lived. The West bank served as a necropolis — a lavish resting place for royalty and nobility.

Aerial view – Luxor west bank

The sharply delineated hills of the West bank once harbored countless treasures. Pharaohs were buried in elaborate tunnels carved into the hills and cliffs and decorated with paintings, carvings and frescoes. Their mummified bodies were laid to rest covered in gold and jewels and their tombs were filled with their worldly possessions.

Luxor temple at Thebes on the east bank

Tombs, sadly, were looted and deteriorated as a result of environmental conditions in the Valley of Kings, Valley of Queens and the Valley of Artisans, but the intricate set-ups and decorations are still stunning feats of architecture. We’re not talking little dusty burial chambers, the interiors are large, the tunnel work is amazing and “decoration” means the interiors are decorated wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling.

Tomb of Seti First, Valley of the Kings, Luxor

Pharaohs, queens, high nobility, children of the elite were buried in burial chambers with temples nearby. The temples honored gods, but also the subject in the tomb and it chronicled their exploits.

Temples, tombs, monuments

 The largest and most impressive collection of temple ruins is actually on the East bank of the Nile. The Karnak Temple Complex is supposedly where creation began. Pharaohs added to the areas as they rose in power. The 250-acre site has been “under construction” for 4,000 years. There are multiple temples, two obelisks, hieroglyphs and a sacred lake. The Great Hypostyle Hall is a little less than an acre of 134 massive, intricately decorated columns supporting a roof.

Ruins of Karnak Temple

The Karnak is connected to the Luxor Temple by the Avenue of Sphinxes.

Just imagine, more than 1,000 statues on a two-mile avenue each hand carved and each the same distance from the other. What a marvel of engineering! There are sphinxes, criosphinxes (lion head on a ram’s body) and ram statues.

Avenue of the Sphinx, Luxor

Between Karnak and the Luxor Temple is the Luxor Heritage Center. Here interactive exhibits document the country’s history from ancient times to the present. Select archeological pieces are on display here. The Luxor Museum has old and new kingdom artifacts. You can see the statue of Tuthmosis III, items that were buried with King Tut, statues found under the Temple of Luxor and two royal mummies. Videos show the process of making papyrus and how to write hieroglyphs.

Seated statue of Pharaoh Thutmosis III

The history of the Luxor Temple makes it a necessary spot to visit. Three religions are intertwined on the site. Incredibly beautiful, it started as a temple to the cult of Amun, became a Coptic Church and then a mosque was built on the ruins.

Luxor Temple

The Great Court of Ramses is in the Luxor Temple. The walls are adorned with the names and titles of Ramses’ 17 sons. During a 1989 restoration, 26 statues were uncovered that were apparently buried by priests.

Ramses II in Great Court, Luxor

The Valley of Kings is nearby. Dozens of pharaoh are laid to rest here with more than 63 tombs excavated including the tombs of King Tut, Ay and Ramses VI. Close to the entrance of the Valley of Kings is the Colossi of Memnon, a pair of 59-foot-high statues more than 3,300 years old. Considered the largest and most significant statues in Egypt, the 800-ton statues depict King Amenhotep III seated on his throne with his mother and wife next to his legs and the God of the Nile depicted on side panels.

Colossi of Memnon

One of the most spectacular features of the Valley of Kings is the Temple of Hatshepsut. Pharaoh Hatshepsut was a woman, thought to be one of the most successful rulers of Egypt, she governed for about 20 years and she is the only female pharaoh buried in the Valley of Kings. Her temple is a jaw-dropping architectural marvel. Carved into the stark hillside are three tiers of porticos with statues, pillars and hieroglyphs. There are three chapels inside and two ramps connect the lower terrace of the temple to the upper terrace.

Temple of Hatshepsut

Many of the tombs in the nearby Valley of Queens have been ransacked, but the beautiful, bright paintings on the walls are worth a visit. There are 75 royal tombs here — queens, princesses and princes were buried here as well as Queen Nefertari, whose resting place is gorgeous. No, that’s not a typo, it IS Queen Nefertari, not to be confused with Queen Nefertiti. They ruled about a dynasty apart.

Queen Nefertari and the god Horus

Deir el-Medina, or the Valley of Artisans, gives visitors a view of the workers who toiled to build the royal tombs. A lovely little temple, dedicated to the Egyptian goddess of love and truth is here as well as several tombs.

Luxor temple in Luxor

Luxor is a part of GetAway Travel’s 2026 Egyptian adventure, but if you’re interested in experiencing the mystery and majesty of Egypt sooner, we’re ready to help with that trip. Stay tuned for more blogs on other fascinating Egyptian destinations included in GetAway’s itinerary. And, read on for some short “snapshots” of other Luxor points of interest. Contact GetAway at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel

Cairo: Back to the beginning of civilization

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There is no place in the world, and that’s not an overstatement, that has history, culture and landmarks to match the city of Cairo. It truly is where you can see the start of civilization and, coincidently, it’s the start of GetAway Travel’s Egypt adventure in 2026. There’s nothing stopping you from letting GetAway help you plan a trip there sooner, but we would certainly love to have you join us! With a population of 16 million people, Cairo is a vibrant city that exudes historical significance. There  is no other city in the world with more monuments of religious, military and modern relevance. But then there’s pyramids, camels, mummies, museums, temples and mosques.

Let’s get right to the pyramids

 The pyramids of Giza are one of the wonders of the ancient world. There are actually six pyramids in the Giza Necropolis (burial ground). The pyramid fields, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, actually stretch from Giza to Dashur, about 19 miles, and are all part of the ancient capital city of Memphis. The earliest pyramids were actually built in the Saqqara necropolis, northwest of the ruins of Memphis.

Pharaoh Doser, sometimes referred to as Zoser, started with a flat surface and added six stepped layers to form a 204-foot-high stepped pyramid. Years later, in Dashur, Pharaoh Sneferu tried his hand at a pyramid and he built what is now referred to as the Bent Pyramid. The first attempt to build a pyramid with smooth sides went awry when misplaced weight caused part of it to sink, so it looks bent. Sneferu had better luck with his second pyramid, built of red limestone, it was about 340 feet high, had a 43° angle and it had smooth sides and a point at the top. The sides of the pyramid are supposed to symbolize sunlight while the point shows ascent to the sky.

The Bent Pyramid is one of the best-preserved pyramids from the Old Kingdom and offers a glimpse into the architectural evolution of ancient Egypt.

Sneferu’s son, using his father’s research, had even better luck. Khufu built the next pyramid, the great pyramid in the Giza fields, at a 52° angle, it was 481 feet high with smooth sides. Time and erosion have caused some of the earlier pyramids to crumble and the pyramids that remain to shrink due to the limestone flaking off and blowing away. Khufu’s son, Khafre built his pyramid by his father’s and one-upped everyone by adding the sphinx. Well, played Khafre.

The Great Sphinx of Giza is an incredible monument!

It is thought the sphinx was carved from a giant piece of rock uncovered during the building of the pyramids and it was supposed to stand guard over the final resting places. Khafre’s son, Meukaure and his queen have pyramids in the Giza field, too.

Passageway inside a pyramid

Although the large pyramids get all the publicity, there are numerous smaller buildings and private tombs on the field where consorts, public officials and lesser members of the royal families were buried or entombed.

Slaves tomb, GIza

Things to remember, it is going to be dusty, wear comfortable shoes and, don’t skip the pyramids. They are awe-inspiring, breathtaking monuments and seeing them is so, so worth it.

Cairo is more than pyramids

 Cairo has had a pivotal, central role in religious and cultural development for the country. The city’s historic district, Old Cairo, has the world’s highest concentration of Islamic architecture.

Old Cairo district

You can’t help but notice an example of that architecture. The Citadel of Salah al-Din dominates the skyline of Cairo. Set on a rocky hill, its huge dome and minarets are always visible. The citadel has several venues on the grounds including the Alabaster Mosque or the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. It has distinctive domes and very high minarets. It has a huge solid marble pulpit, the largest in the country, and the sun reflects off the gilt and crystal-covered surfaces.

Citadel

There are 136 stunning stained-glass windows in the domes and the courtyard is also beautiful. There is a grand fountain and 47 arched doorways to admire there.

Mosque of Muhammad Ali

There are several other mosques on the citadel grounds and a military and interesting carriage museum.

Inside Ben-Ezra Synagogue

There’s ancient churches and amazing synagogues throughout Old Cairo. Ben Ezra Synagogue is one of the most impressive synagogues. According to legends, it was built on the spot where baby Moses was found. There were renovations, expansions and it was finally completed in 1892 and the Turkish influence is quite evident. There is extensive floral work on the inside as well as patterns of stars, rectangles and pentagons on the walls, ceiling and floor.

Church of St. George, old Cairo

The nearby Church of St. George is believed to be where Joseph, Mary and Jesus stayed after they fled from King Herod. Constructed during the 10th century, it was rebuilt after a major fire and is one of the few round churches ever built in Egypt. The country’s principle Greek Orthodox Church, it was built over the ruins of an old Roman tower and you can still see the remnants of the tower inside. The interior features beautiful stained glass and rich, dark wood.

The Hanging Church, Cairo

The Hanging Church is one of the oldest and largest churches in Egypt. It’s the hanging church because it is located above an ancient Roman fortress gate. Thought to have been built around 690 AD, it houses a stunning collection of icons. Many of the 110 icons are made of ebony inlaid with ivory. They feature Mary, Jesus, Archangels Michael and Gabriel, St. Peter, St. Paul and John the Baptist. The domed roof was designed to mimic Noah’s Ark.

The Egyptian Museum has more than 100,000 artifacts, the largest Egyptian collection in the world The Royal Mummies room, which requires an additional fee, has mummies of 17 kings and three queens.

Pharoah Thutmose III, Egyptian Museum

The creative economy of the city is based on folk art and crafts and Cairo is a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for Crafts and Folk Art. Artisans work hard to preserve the cultural heritage in all areas including glassblowing, copper smithing, pottery, ceramics and jewelry. At the Khan El-Khalifli market, you can find a treasure trove of fabulous craft and artisan items. In ancient times, the market was the last stop on the trade route.

Whether you want to travel to Cairo with GetAway in 2026, or you want to plan a separate adventure, our travel advisors can help you out. Check back for more blogs giving details on other parts of Egypt we’ll be exploring. We can be reached at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel