Egypt is the oldest tourist destination on earth. The ancient Greeks and Romans started the trend, reaching the glasses on the mammoth scale of the Pyramids and the Colossi of Thebes.
Today, the country's attractions are a little different. The focus of most visits remains the great monuments of the Nile valley, along with a few days exploring the souks, mosques and madrassas of Islamic Cairo.
However, there are plenty of good opportunities for swimming at the beaches along many good Egyptian Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts.
Diving and snorkeling are by far the most popular organized activities in Egypt and the Red Sea is said that some of the best diving in the world.
Alexandria (Mediterranean coast)
Alexandria gives it back to the rest of Egypt and faces the Mediterranean, as if contemplating its glorious past, a hybrid city is characterized by Durrell as the "Capital of Memory".
One of the great cities of antiquity, Alex slept for 1300 years until it was revived by Mohammed Ali and transformed by the Europeans, who gave the city its present form and became synonymous with cosmopolitanism and decadence.
This was ended in the early 1950's with the mass flight of non-Egyptian and a dose of revolutionary puritanism, but the beaches of Alexandria, restaurants and windy weather continues to attract hordes of Cairene during the summer, while its jaded historical and literary mystique remains attractive to foreigners.
Alexandria's beaches are an asset to overwork. Just one square meter of sand is not reclaimed in high season, when literally millions of Egyptians are descended from the city.
By June, the farthest from the beaches are relatively few people, predominantly from local users, however, the only thing that can number hundreds Alexandrian Fridays, Saturdays and holidays - days that must be avoided.
The popularity of the beaches does not mean the culture of Western-style beach. In most of the beaches that rarely see a woman beyond the age of puberty wearing a bathing suit - that roam the sea fully clothed.
For Western women who want to swim without being hampered by a galabiyya, or a lot of attention, the only place where even a modest one-piece looks good is the site of Ma'amoura westernized.
As plants go, most beaches have umbrellas and chairs for rent, and sometimes public showers, while the fish restaurants, soft drinks and snack vendors are everywhere.
Since 1991, civil authorities have solved the image problem posed by the 47 outlets of wastewater that is used to pollute the sea from the center of the city of Montazah, by pumping sewage into the lake Mariout place, where it finds its way into the Mediterranean more discreetly.
If deterring, still there are two undeniable attractions: the Royal Jewelry Museum Glym, and the extensive grounds of Montazah Palace, most along the coast.
Many visitors go to Abu Qir for its seafood - where you can eat as well in a more pleasant environment in downtown Alexandria.
Today, the country's attractions are a little different. The focus of most visits remains the great monuments of the Nile valley, along with a few days exploring the souks, mosques and madrassas of Islamic Cairo.
However, there are plenty of good opportunities for swimming at the beaches along many good Egyptian Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts.
Diving and snorkeling are by far the most popular organized activities in Egypt and the Red Sea is said that some of the best diving in the world.
Alexandria (Mediterranean coast)
Alexandria gives it back to the rest of Egypt and faces the Mediterranean, as if contemplating its glorious past, a hybrid city is characterized by Durrell as the "Capital of Memory".
One of the great cities of antiquity, Alex slept for 1300 years until it was revived by Mohammed Ali and transformed by the Europeans, who gave the city its present form and became synonymous with cosmopolitanism and decadence.
This was ended in the early 1950's with the mass flight of non-Egyptian and a dose of revolutionary puritanism, but the beaches of Alexandria, restaurants and windy weather continues to attract hordes of Cairene during the summer, while its jaded historical and literary mystique remains attractive to foreigners.
Alexandria's beaches are an asset to overwork. Just one square meter of sand is not reclaimed in high season, when literally millions of Egyptians are descended from the city.
By June, the farthest from the beaches are relatively few people, predominantly from local users, however, the only thing that can number hundreds Alexandrian Fridays, Saturdays and holidays - days that must be avoided.
The popularity of the beaches does not mean the culture of Western-style beach. In most of the beaches that rarely see a woman beyond the age of puberty wearing a bathing suit - that roam the sea fully clothed.
For Western women who want to swim without being hampered by a galabiyya, or a lot of attention, the only place where even a modest one-piece looks good is the site of Ma'amoura westernized.
As plants go, most beaches have umbrellas and chairs for rent, and sometimes public showers, while the fish restaurants, soft drinks and snack vendors are everywhere.
Since 1991, civil authorities have solved the image problem posed by the 47 outlets of wastewater that is used to pollute the sea from the center of the city of Montazah, by pumping sewage into the lake Mariout place, where it finds its way into the Mediterranean more discreetly.
If deterring, still there are two undeniable attractions: the Royal Jewelry Museum Glym, and the extensive grounds of Montazah Palace, most along the coast.
Many visitors go to Abu Qir for its seafood - where you can eat as well in a more pleasant environment in downtown Alexandria.
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