If it’s peace and tranquillity you are looking for then Cairo is NOT the place to spend your few precious days off! The impressive capital city has a lot to offer residents of Sinai. First of all there is the obvious, the thousands of years of history with the sights of the Pyramids at Giza and the Egyptian Museum amongst the many attractions. Then there is of course the other attraction that is seriously lacking in Sinai…Shopping.

A brand new 5 floor shopping centre in Heliopolis has recently opened. The Citystars Shopping Centre boasts 5 floors of international stores offering a wide range of fashion, electricals, homewares, opticals, music and entertainment, and also a 16 screen cinema on the top floor (tip: if you go to the movies, go wrapped up, the air-con is seriously chilly). You will also find numerous food outlets from Costa Coffee to TGI Fridays to McDonalds to a chinese takeaway.

Also, there are a few hypermarkets around including the French chain Carre Four where you can stock up on food stuffs and homewares that just aren’t available on the Peninsula.

You have two options for getting to Cairo, the flight takes little over half an hour and then there is the bus that can take between 5 and 6 ½ hours. If you go by bus during a busy period, it’s a good idea to maybe buy two tickets each as it can get cramped on such a long journey. The buses are equipped with toilets and on board videos but if you’re not into very loud Arabic movies, then maybe consider packing your iPod and a good book to pass the time. 

In the city, again you should be able to get good residents rates. The Intercontinental adjoining the Citystars complex recently offered a double room including breakfast for 600LE. The hotel’s rooms are extremely comfortable, well equipped and the hotel has every facility you would expect a five star hotel to have though it is a little impersonal. (Tel 02 480 0100 / This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )

If you prefer something a little more ‘olde worlde’ then the Helnan Shepheard in the Garden City offers a bit of style and Nile views for round about $70 for a double room. Again, call them or email direct for current special rates (Tel. 02 792 10 00 / This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Getting there:

From Sharm: Journey time approx. 5 hours (SuperJet Bus) 6 ½ hours (East Delta

                    Bus)

                         Bus 45 - 70 LE depending on time of bus

 Buses run at 7.30, 10.30, 11.30, 12.30, 13.30pm, 15.00, 16.00

 17.30, 22.00, 23.00, 23.30, 00.00

 Call 069 660 600 / 069 660 660 to confirm times. NB during holidays     

 times are subject to change.

 Taxi approx 800 LE

 Air for Egyptians and Foreign Residents: 587 LE each way

                    For foreigners staying up to one week1122 LE each way

 For foreigners staying more than one week 1525 LE each way

From Taba:  Journey time approx 6 hours

 Bus 50 LE (Approx)

 2 buses a day (call 069 660600 for times)

From Dahab:  Journey time approx 6 ½  hour

 Bus 55 LE

 3 buses a day 13.00, 14.00, 22.00