Anubis

Grand Hyatt Cairo is a semicircular hotel situated on the tip of Roda Island, linked to the city center by a private bridge, and approximately 14 miles from Cairo International Airport. Towering over the Nile, the hotel is six miles from the Giza Pyramids. The Galleria (shopping and leisure center) is adjacent to Grand Hyatt Cairo. Hotel amenities include the Galleria Cinema (with two intimate movie auditoriums), kids' floor, and Club Olympus health club with gym, outdoor swimming pool, sauna, Jacuzzi and massages and facials. For dining and refreshments, the hotel houses the Revolving Restaurant (on the 41st floor), Okashi (Japanese), Fontana (all-day dining), La Dorada (seafood), Chingari (Indian), La Famiglia (family-style Italian restaurant), Nubian Village (oriental and Mediterranean cuisine), Delices Gourmet Shop, El Sakya (indoor and outdoor terrace), five bars and lounges, and the Galleria Food Court (with Cappucci Cafe, Bites and Fries deli, Mama Mia pasta and pizza outlet, Salam Middle Eastern Cafe, and Sugar Company). Grand Hyatt Cairo's private yacht, Marquise, offers daily lunch and dinner cruises along the Nile. The hotel also offers 24-hour room service, 24-hour concierge assistance, valet laundry service, hairdressing, and a business center. All rooms feature dark-wood furnishings, air-conditioning, minibars, satellite TV (with Internet connectivity), high-speed Internet access, safes, international direct-dial telephones, voicemail, electronic locks, hairdryers, bathroom telephones, full-size mirrors, marble vanities, and balconies with Nile views.

Great seafood doesn't have to be expensive. Head downtown to stuff yourself silly. At first glance, this inconspicuous restaurant in Bab al-Louk district looks like an ordinary fishmonger's shop. But head upstairs to the spacious dining room with long tables and carved wooden chairs and you'll find locals tucking in to a banquet of fish. Prices are listed by the kilo, so pick your seafood and have the waiter price it for you. Start with salad, tahina and fresh bread before diving into a plate of the daily catch. Calamari, prawns and shellfish round out the menu. Prices vary throughout the year.

Cairo is the capital of Egypt and, with a total population in excess of 16 million people, one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East (which regions it conveniently straddles). Situated on the River Nile, Cairo is famous for its own history—preserved in the fabulous medieval Islamic city and in Old Cairo—and for the ancient, Pharaonic history of Egypt as a whole. No trip to Cairo would be complete without a visit to the Giza Pyramids, to nearby Saqqara, or to the Egyptian Museum in the center of town. Though firmly attached to the past, Cairo is also home to a vibrant modern society.

Hiring a private boat, called a felucca, for a ride down the Nile is a great way to relax and enjoy a night under the stars. Public boats with loud Arabic music and a giggling crowd are also available. Cairo remains one of the best cities in the world to sample the traditional coffee house culture of the region. Places vary from just a small affair—plastic chairs and tables put out on the street—to more elaborate cafes especially in upscale and tourist areas. For many, the sheesha, or water pipe, is the main attraction of any visit to a coffee house. It is usually available in at least two varieties, mu´assal, pure tobacco, and tofâh, apple-flavored.

Established in 1895 by Khedive Ismail as part of the Geographical Society, this neglected museum gives visitors the opportunity to learn about daily activities and traditions in modern Cairo. Exhibits include eresous (licorice syrup) vendors, traditional musical instruments and school instruments. There are also displays featuring scenes of everyday life in other African countries. Admission: free.

Deservedly popular, this restaurant offers an excellent selection of hot and cold Turkish food in an elegant setting. The traditional Turkish ambiance makes for a memorable dining experience: muskets, daggers, bead curtains and blue ceramic tiles give customers the feeling they're dining on the old Bosphorous. The service here is punctual.

This exclusive club is beautifully situated in the upper crust Zamalek area. It caters for just about every imaginable sporting interest with facilities for tennis, squash, judo, athletics, bridge, aerobics and croquet. There is also a super 18 hole golf course. It is quite expensive to join the club: Egyptians pay approximately LE 25,000 for lifetime membership whilst internationals pay considerably more. There is an additional fee for each sporting activity too. In short, a good sporting club but rather over-priced.

Al Rubayyat is a continental restaurant located at the Mena House Oberoi Hotel in Cairo. The interiors are grand with Arabesque arches, Mashrabia screens and illuminated by typical Islamic ornate brass lanterns. The food served at Al Rubayyat is continental with a lot of delicacies on offer. Live folkloric music and dancing bands entertain guests and add to the whole dining experience.

This fantastically-designed park provides a huge area in which children can roam, run and explore its village and structures. There is also a computer section and a painting department in which children can develop their talents. There's so much to do that you could easily spend a day here. It is very popular with local schools who organise group visits for their pupils. Admission is free.

The Moghul Room is an exquisite Indian restaurant located at the Mena House Oberoi Hotel in Cairo. The exquisite interiors and decor one a feeling of royalty and the live music played by Indian musicians adds to the grand ambience. Sample the spectacular Tandoori Chicken marinated in yoghurt, Dal, Chicken Biryani and the Shrimp Biryani. For dessert make sure you try out the mouthwatering Gulab Jamuns or the Kulfi. This is definitely a great place to enjoy some fantastic Indian food.

Situated at the foot of the pyramids, the Moevenpick Resort is located at short distance from Giza. Designed as a bungalow village set in luxuriant gardens, the complex is an ideal venue for business meetings or unforgettable holidays. This resort is located just 25 minutes from Cairo, and has an easy access to the new industrial areas around the city. The hotel was fully renovated in 2002.

El Cinzano has transformed itself from a sidelined African disco, into becoming one of the most popular dining destinations of Cairo. If you are in the mood to have delicious varieties of pastas and spaghetti—this restaurant is definitely what you are looking for! The world famous restaurateur Nicha Sursock has worked beautifully in making it famous with its lovely décor and comfortable ambiance. El Cinzano is favored by one and all specially because the menu is light on the pocket!

The commentary might not impress you, but the dazzling light show and awe-inspiring backdrop of the Sphinx and Pyramids surely will. Three times a night in three different languages, the Sphinx plays the role of storyteller, narrating the history of ancient Egypt. Shows are held in English, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Arabic. Call ahead to check the time of the performance you want to attend; private viewing times can be arranged. Admission: 44EGP for foreign translation shows. The desert's cold in the evenings, so make sure to carry along something to keep you warm.

Apart from being known to serve the best of Lebanese cuisine, Papillon is a stunning restaurant. Step into this restaurant which reminds you of a large mansion made of decorative stone, complete with a majestic staircase at the entrance. The different varieties of tasty meat, lamb kebabs and koftas dominate a larger part of the menu. And, for the vegetarian lot, the appetizers are quite filling. For a lovely, relaxed meal with your close ones, Papillon fits the bill perfectly!

Established in 1983, this supermarket chain has long been a leader in selection and volume, boasting over a million different products from nearly 3,000 different suppliers. Each branch has a deli, sports department, cosmetics counter and extensive selection of food and homeware products. Stocks of both ubiquitous and hard-to-find goods are constantly replenished. Prices are slightly higher than elsewhere, but the convenience of one-stop shopping can be priceless in traffic-choked Cairo. Branches in Maadi, Giza and Nasr City.

Experience a unique dining experience amidst a beautiful Egyptian setting at Steaks, located within the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza. Although the restaurant specializes in steaks, you will also find a variety of other delicious dishes here. Steaks is inarguably one of the best restaurants in Cairo for beef, offering a wide assortment of Egyptian, Australian, American and even Japanese beef dishes! The exquisitely decorated interiors of the restaurant transfer you to the ancient Egyptian era, complete with Egyptian styled paintings and architecture. What's more, the restaurant also offers a separate and specially prepared children's menu including a wide variety of soups, salads and desserts.