48 HOURS IN
CAIRO
EGYPT
30.0444° N, 31.2357° E
Cairo
Egypt’s bustling capital is a treasure trove of ancient history, and those who linger are rewarded with a sensory journey through time like no other. With a population of more than 19 million, Cairo is one of Africa’s largest cities. Situated between the Middle East, Africa and Europe, it has been the epicenter of political and cultural upheaval for centuries, with each new influence leaving its mark. Duck away from well-known sites, and you will soon find yourself weaving down narrow alleyways and through ancient gates to find Coptic churches and hidden palaces. Or take to the Nile the traditional way on a felucca—an Egyptian wooden sailboat— and watch Cairo drift by at a gentle pace. Known as the “City of a Thousand Minarets,” Cairo is bursting at the seams with Islamic architecture. Nowhere is this more in evidence than the medieval Islamic quarter, where mosques and madrassas represent Islamic culture from around 900 AD to the present day.
o online: Visit viking.com for more G information on cruises that go to Cairo
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VIKING
