Nestled in the vast expanse of Egypt’s desert, the Pyramids of Giza on the outskirts of Cairo stand as a testament to the ingenuity of ancient civilizations.
Regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the pyramids — not veiled by remote sands — find themselves mere miles away from the beating heart of modern civilization.
The sprawling Cairo metropolitan area — with the mighty Nile River bisecting it — has a population exceeding 22 million people. Imagine stepping out of a downtown hotel and, within a short taxi ride of approximately 11 miles (18 kilometers), standing in the presence of ancient history. The juxtaposition of urban sprawl and ancient wonder is palpable.
During the day, visitors can enjoy a camel or horseback ride around the poignant reminders of the enduring legacy of Egypt’s past. At night, the famous Sound and Light Show illuminates the pyramids and Sphinx while Egyptian Pharaohs talk of their ancient exploits.
The Sound and Light Show complex is also the site for graduation ceremonies for Third Culture Kids (TCKs) attending high school in Cairo. Where else can one graduate with a diploma made out of papyrus?
Walking around the pyramid complex, imagine the diverse cultures that have gazed at these magnificent structures over the centuries.
The pyramids aren’t the only enigmatic site in this bustling city, though. The Egyptian Museum in Cairo houses more than 150,000 artifacts ranging from King Tutankhamun’s famous mask to ancient vases and statuettes of Osiris, god of the dead and lord of the underworld.
A multitude of mosques and Coptic churches dating back centuries dot the skyline as well.
Cairo is also the hub of the biggest music and film industry in the Middle East and North Africa. As an entertainment hub, Egyptian movies and TV shows captured the modern zeitgeist. Colloquially speaking, Egyptians might not understand a Moroccan or Saudi dialect, but these countries would likely grasp Egyptian from media consumption.
Shoppers will delight in Cairo’s Khan Al-Khalili open-air bazaar to buy perfumes or spices. They might even commission a copper cartouche with their names spelled in hieroglyphics (which make for great Christmas tree ornaments).
At the end of the day, relax and unwind with a sail on a felucca as the sun sets, tacking up and down the Nile River while awing at the Cairo skyline.
