Alexandria, monument to Alexander Great, is located 180 km to northwest of Cairo. The city has a Mediterranean temper and compared to hothouse of Cairo has a cooler and more pleasant climate. The Greco-Roman Museum is within central Alexandria and has on display artifacts from period 300 BC to AD 300. You will see mummies, sarcophaguses, pottery, tapestries and granite sculpture of bull god Apis. Other sights in area include Roman Amphitheater, Royal Jewelry Museum and Roman era catacombs of Kom el-Shukafa.

The island of Pharos, near harbour is site of Great Lighthouse, one of Seven Wonders of Ancient World. Today, what remains on site is a 15th century fortress. After immersing yourself in antiquity, you can take a dip at some beach resorts within 20 km to west of city. At resort of Marsa Matruh, 230 km further on, you will find some excellent beaches and an opportunity for reef diving. This area right from Alexandria along coast is part of Egypt's Med. It is still relatively undeveloped despite long stretches of white sand beaches and turquoise waters.

If your primary interest is ancient Egypt, bear in mind that about 80% of Egyptian antiquities are in vicinity of Luxor. The city sits on site of ancient city of Thebes and together with surrounding areas carries magnificent treasures of antiquity such as palaces, temples and royal tombs. The royals of those times whiled their afterlife at what is referred today as Valley of Kings, Valley of Queens and Tombs of Nobles. The tombs contained treasure that has been plundered over centuries. Some of more famous tombs are those of boy king Tutankhamen and queen Nefertari.

On east bank of Nile you find Temple of Luxor and Temple of Karnak, packed with obelisks, wall murals and statues with heads of gods. If you overnight here, enjoy evening sound-and-light show at Temple of Karnak. Temples on west bank are Queen Hatshepsut's Temple and The Ramesseum, a once massive edifice that is today mostly a ruin. You need to spend at least two days here for your trip to be worthwhile. You are also advised to hire a guide who can explain historical context of each artifact or monuments. Start out early each day before day-trippers, airlifted from Cairo arrive to crowd you out.

Aswan, a scenic town by Nile lies 680 km to south of Cairo, in region that was so long ago known as Lower Egypt. Though not as numerous as elsewhere, you can find temples and tombs at those two islands in Nile- Elephantine and Kitcheners islands. You can get to islands by sailing in a felucca. The Nubian Museum celebrates history and culture of Nubian people. Aswan is also important in history of Coptic Christians and ruins of 7th-century Coptic monastery of St. Simeon laze in this area. In today's Egypt, Aswan is important as location of High Dam that finally put an end to annual bursting of banks of Nile.

The Red Sea is well known to readers of Bible as sea that God parted with his own hand so that Moses and his people could cross over to Sinai. So named because of its red tint mountain ranges, it is home to a number of resorts, biggest of which is Hurghada. The underwater world of Red Sea is alive with over 800 fish species and deep-sea fishing is excellent. Snorkellers can explore coral reef that is reputed to be one of finest in world. Hurghada aside, there are other resorts in area that have good beaches, coral reefs and some golfing too. The modern day traveler escaping city will empathise with early Christian hermits who built their monasteries here as they sought to get away from it all. Hurghada lies 380 km to southeast of Cairo.

Sinai is where Africa meets Asia. Like Red Sea coast, it has top resorts and is great for water sports. Sharm El Sheikh, towards southern tip of Sinai Peninsula is most developed resort town. Here you will find entertainment in form of casinos and nightclubs and also some good shopping malls. The marine life is abundant and coral reefs are great. Sinai is also where three great monotheistic religions meet. You can make an excursion to Mt. Horeb, said to be Mt. Sinai where Moses received Ten Commandments. For Roman Catholics, emulate Pope John Paul II who visited nearby St. Catherine's Monastery in 2000. The monastery is supposed to sit on site of Moses' burning bush.

The people of Egypt from antiquity to present day have always built their lives around Nile. It is no coincidence therefore, that probably best way to see major sites is by taking a Nile Cruise. There are several luxury cruise ships offering Nile Cruises. The longer cruise goes all way from Cairo to Aswan in two weeks. There is however not much to see between Cairo and Luxor and you will get better value if you take shorter cruise between Luxor and Aswan. This cruise, which normally takes six days, goes in both directions and you can embark at either Aswan or Luxor. You can get to Luxor or Aswan from Cairo by taking a flight or overnight sleeper train. The adventurous and thrifty can also sail along Nile by using traditional boats, feluccas.

The summer in Egpyt, which falls between April and October, is hot and dry. The winters are mild with cold nights. The best time to visit is between November and March, outside intolerable summer season. Light clothing is generally recommended though you may need a sweater and jacket for winter evenings. Remember that this is a Muslim country and dress for women in particular is expected to be modest. All same, immodest western style holiday dress is acceptable in nightclubs, beaches and hotels in Cairo and other locations frequented by tourists.

In cities and locations popular with tourists, you will find a wide variety of accommodation ranging from 5-star luxury to budget lodging. This in particular covers: Cairo, Alexandria and north coast, Luxor, Aswan and at Red Sea and Sinai resorts towns. During popular winter season, advance booking is advised. Egypt hotels and resorts are very good value and you will find accommodation cheaper here than equivalent in most other destinations. Copyright © Africa Point

The original Willy’s Jeep was modified. A metal roof was first modification to help keep out various elements Philippines weather can throw at them. It was painted in bright, bold and startling colours, so that potential passengers could easily identify them and know where ultimate destination was. Business soon boomed for these entrepreneurs, in order to increase passenger numbers, Willy’s Jeep was stretched at back and become jeepney. Further modifications were made, including chrome bumper bars, screeching horns, blaring radio cassette recorders (now banned) and any number of religious ornamentation.

As with all things, bureaucracy plays a lending hand. All jeepney drivers need to be licensed fore designated trips and have set fares imposed by local Philippine Government agencies. If a rogue Philippine jeepney driver steps outside government rules and regulations that bind jeepney drivers, fines and penalties can be crippling. What maybe worse is added confrontation with other jeepney drivers who your misdemeanors may have financially affected.

What any amount of regulation cannot change is fantastic culture that you become exposed to when you jump in a jeepney. Not only are you traveling in a Filipino’s pride and joy and a work of art, but you are embracing a modern tradition that is showing no signs of abating.

If you are lucky enough to travel to Philippines, ensure you give yourself a treat and catch a ride in a jeepney. The moment will be with you for ever.