Aswan

Aswan is one of the most attractive spots in Egypt. The city is a 1½ hour flight south of Cairo at the first cataract on the Nile, a natural border in ancient times marking the southern limit of Egypt and the beginning of Nubia. Here, the sands of the Sahara desert tumble directly into the Nile from giant dunes, and the tall sails of feluccas ply the tranquil waters between emerald islands and pink granite rocks.

A short distance away, the stunning Philae Temple, ‘The Pearl of Egypt’, emerges from the waters of its encasing lake. Nearby is the enormous Aswan High Dam, built in the 1960s to harness the waters of the Nile and the Quarries of the Pharaohs from where much of the statuary of ancient Egypt was hewn. Aswan has a distinctly Nubian culture and is a very relaxed and enjoyable place to experience.

The city’s excellent Nubia Museum is one of the most significant in the country. It provides a wonderful insight into the country that ancient Egyptians called the ‘Land of Gold’. The adventurous may enjoy an excursion across the Nile to enjoy the great view from the Tombs of the Nomarchs, followed by a short camel excursion to the ruined Monastery of St Simeon.

A day or two to relax at Aswan’s stunning colonial-style Old Cataract Hotel has been the making of many Egypt holidays – the Nile views are arguably the best in Egypt. Agatha Christie was one of the hotel’s many illustrious guests. Aswan is the start and end point for the deluxe 3, 4, 6 and 7-night Nile cruises that ply the Nile between here and Luxor, and is also the jumping-off point for the four-night Lake Nasser cruises that will take you to Abu Simbel to visit Nubia’s little known rock-hewn temples.