Egypt is home to a stunning north coast, known affectionately as 'Sahel'. This area is usually only accessible to affluent locals who own or rent property there throughout the summer. This photo depicts Marassi, an Emaar development on the North Coast.
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Sahel is a seasonal destination that only really picks up during the summer months. Similar to Mykonos, every week, different events take place, like yoga on the beach in the mornings and parties in the evenings. DJ's from all over fly in regularly and host concerts on the beach.
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Another popular spot in Sahel is Hacienda White, a gateway for those looking to vacation in glamorous surroundings, while enjoying nature, lavish homes and some of the best entertainment in the North Coast during summer.
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Hacienda White is home to Kiki's Beach Bar, one of the most exclusive restaurants and bars in Sahel. It is so exclusive, in fact, that is nearly impossible to get a reservation there. Either you have to know someone, who knows someone, or you get a really well connected local to help you make a booking. Kiki's hostesses decide whether or not to let you in by looking at your outfit and overall vibe. Many people are turned away at the door.
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I was curious enough about the venue, yet not willing to put myself in a compromising situation where a hostess, who is probably a university student on a summer job, would judge my outfit and potentially turn me away, I chose to make a breakfast booking, knowing the venue would be keen on filling seats. (Most Egyptians usually aren't awake before 11am and therefore the venue was almost empty). The food was nice and the atmosphere was great.
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To get to the beaches in sahel, you have to either live in the gated community, or know someone who can share a QR code, so that you can enter via a guarded gate.
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Most notably, Sahel ended up importing many of Cairo's most popular F&B spots to the beach. Otto, one of my regular spots during the summer, offered delicious Italian cuisine in a venue that was designed full of earthy accents like hammocks and swinging wooden basket lamps with, of course, beautiful views of the Mediterranean sea.
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Another snapshot I took of the sky on a particularly cloudy day (cloudy for a warm Egyptian summer) as I rode on a golf cart home. Golf carts are a common way to get around Sahel. It is also common to find young teenagers manning these little vehicles, so they can get around the area without having to bother their parents, while on vacation.
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Marassi also hosted a summer pop-up called The Alley, a very artsy venue that had plenty of food trucks, beanbags and local boutique shops.
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One you drive back down south to Cairo, an essential activity to do in Cairo is to stop by the Pyramids of Giza. Apart from seeing these world wonders, you can meet some adorable animals like this camel.
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An up close look at the Sphinx. The Great Sphinx of Giza, often known as the Sphinx of Giza or just the Sphinx, is a limestone statue of a mythological reclining sphinx. It is located on the Giza Plateau, on the west bank of the Nile, in Giza, Egypt, and faces west to east.
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A very popular photo to take among tourists in Egypt is the fingertips on the pyramid point. Here's a local poking fun at the tourist trope.
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This is Al Fishawy, one of the oldest cafes in Cairo. Located in the heart of the Khan Al Khalili souk, this authentic, historic cafe that is absolutely a must try. Stop by and order a tea, coffee or if you're feeling adventerous, a 'Sahlab'. An Egyptian drink that's a warm and sweet milk pudding.
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Speaking of Khan El Khalili, it is full of treasures. The souq sells Egyptian made items. Literally anything you can think of, you'll find there. Just be prepared to haggle. Khan El Khalili was established in 1382 and has since become one of Cairo's main attractions for tourists and Egyptians alike.
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A popular item to buy there are light fixtures and lanterns. It is also home to many Egyptian artisans and workshops involved in the production of traditional crafts and souvenirs.
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Hundreds of gold plated names to hang on chains for a unique gift. Another item you will find plenty of in Khan Al Khalili.
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A beautiful building in Old Cairo. The area is known as 'West El Balad' an exciting and buzzing place in the city. In fact, Khedive Ismail Pasha loved Paris and wanted Downtown Cairo to resemble the city of love, so he commissioned prominent French architects to develop Downtown Cairo. Back in the early 1800s Cairo looked a lot like a European city. However, since then it has been decades of neglect by the neighborhood's landlords and renters following the Cairo fires during the 1952 Revolution, which resulted in the burning of most of Cairo's structures.
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This is a special breakfast spot called Felfela. Founded by A. Zaghloul in 1959, in the heart of the Cairo, Felfela has become one of the most iconic restaurants in Egypt. It is the first restaurant to promote the Egyptian and Mediterranean cuisine. We went for a traditional Egyptian breakfast, ordering foul, falafel and shakshouka.
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An important pit stop at the iconic Tahrir Square. The square has been the site of political rallies in Cairo, most notably those that led to Egypt's 2011 revolution and President Hosni Mubarak's departure.
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Journalists Syndicate is a public building in Egypt.
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