Weekend retreats: The suburbs around Cairo
Trapped in the city over the weekend? Rehab Saad tells you how to get away from it all
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Weekenders have a variety of options in the suburbs around Cairo, depicted clockwise from top: relaxing by the pool in a resort in New Cairo; golfing in DreamLand in 6th of October City; watching a dolphin show in Media City; discovering their kids' hidden talents at Fagnoon on the Saqqara Road
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Why Cairo?
Ain Al-Sukhna and Ras Sudr on the Red Sea, Alexandria and Port Said on the Mediterranean and Fayed and Ismailia on the Suez Canal have always been the traditional weekend options available for Cairenes. However, some people do not have the privilege of travelling. They are either too exhausted to drive for two hours over the weekend, have family obligations that prevent them from travelling, or simply are not in the mood to travel.
In the past, such unfortunates would enjoy the traditional, time- honoured forms of escape. They would head for sports clubs, or to the parks -- the Zoo, Orman or Andalus -- or they would drive out to the Giza Plateau to marvel once again at the Pyramids and Sphinx. Some would board a boat or a microbus to the Barrages (Qanatir) and others would bravely ascend the Cairo Tower.
Now, however, the picture is somehow different. Over the last few years, Cairo has learned to cater to those who are forced to spend their vacations in the capital. Now there are real "resorts" all around Cairo built on extensive grounds and boost vast green areas, as well as swimming pools, mini zoos, kids' corners, and sometimes even golf courses where both families and persons on their own would enjoy memorable weekends within the city.
These resorts are either located in the new satellite cities (suburbs) -- 6th of October to the west (20 minutes from Mohandessin), Heliopolis to the east (10 minutes by the Ring Road from Nasr City), Obour City, to the northeast (20 minutes off the Cairo-Ismailia Road) or all along the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road.
Some of these offer day-use facilities, while others propose weekend packages specifically designed to attract Cairo residents who want to get away from it all for a couple of nights. Some are very conveniently located, especially those in 6th of October City, and can serve as a base for further excursions, which will add variety to even the briefest holiday.
Moreover, thanks to the expanding network of roads like the Ring Road and the 26th of July Corridor, Cairo's downtown has become easily accessible from these resorts. In about half an hour, vacationers could easily reach Mohandessin, Zamalek and Garden City where they can shop, dine in a restaurant, attend a concert in the Opera House or watch a movie. In short, vacationers will enjoy the serenity and vastness of these resorts in addition to the sophisticated facilities of the city.
Getting about:
All suburbs surrounding Cairo are easily reached by private cars through the Ring Road and the 26th of July Corridor. Sometimes you can depend on public transportation. The 6th of October City could be accessible by air-conditioned buses numbers 790 and 795 from Ahmed Helmi terminal whereas the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road is also accessible by bus number 357 from Al-Hegaz terminal in Heliopolis. Unfortunately, there are no buses to New Cairo City, so you have to depend on your private car, which in any case allows greater mobility for excursions.
City fact file:
These satellite cities around Cairo are relatively new. However, they are expanding quickly and now host a number of resorts, golf courses, theme parks, and amusement parks that offer excellent entertainment facilities. They are also home to residential areas including deluxe apartments, villas and palaces.
Albeit new, these cities are adjacent to and are considered part and parcel of Cairo, one of the oldest and largest cities in the Middle East and Africa. Cairo, in essence, represents the embodiment of 5,000 years of civilisation, and plays host to 26 per cent of Egypt's population. It is a true melting pot of different cultures and civilisations, where Pharaonic, Graeco- Roman, Coptic and Islamic landmarks co-exist and where history and modernity are blended in astounding and, occasionally, hectic harmony. There are the ancient sites and old souqs, quarters and alleys, as well as modern buildings, five star hotels, shopping malls, restaurants, cinemas and theatres.
The core foundations of the city of Cairo were laid in 969 AD by the Fatimid Dynasty, who set about building a new city which they called Al-Qahira (The Victorious). Although the Fatimids did not remain in power for long, their city grew under subsequent dynasties to become a capital of great wealth, filled with merchants from distant lands, laden with bazaars of exotic wares. Cairo eventually swelled and burst its walls, spreading north, spawning a port area, Bulaq to the west, extending south onto the island of Roda. But at its heart, it remained a mediaeval city for 900 years. It was not until the reign of Khedive Ismail -- the grandson of Mohamed Ali -- in the mid-19th century, that Cairo started to change in any significant way. During his 16-year reign, Ismail invited architects from Belgium, France and Italy to design and build a new European-style Cairo next to the what would later be known as Islamic Cairo.
Check-in:
Most hotels in the suburbs around Cairo offer special rates for weekend vacationers. Most of them cater for families and kids and usually organise entertainment programmes for them on Fridays while some cater for golf aficionados and other sports fanatics.
In the 6th of October City, the Movenpick Hotel Cairo Media City ((+202) 840 1001), located adjacent to Media Production city, offers special weekend deals. For LE300 a night for single rooms and LE350 for doubles, including breakfast, you can enjoy a wonderful stay in a five-star property, that is home to an array of restaurants and swimming pools, as well as an extensive health club, spa and tennis courts. Children under six years of age are free of charge whereas those from six to 12 are half price. There is a special children playground area complemented with a pool and a kids club. On Fridays there is a DJ and a special kids entertainment programme. Sometimes there are weekend barbecues by the swimming pool accompanied by light music. The hotel, that includes 216 rooms and suites, also offers special health club packages for regular weekenders.
Hotel guests will also have a free access to one of Egypt's ambitious entertainment projects. The Media Production City contains a number of open air shooting areas, as well as the Mubarak studio complex and its own dedicated theme park, Magic Land. Children are sure to love Magic Land, where they can watch dolphin and seal shows, then tour the Dinosaurs' Jungle that depicts a prehistoric environment complete with Tyrannosaurus Rex, exotic birds and even primitive humans. Visitors travel back in time on boats on the waterways surrounding Dinosaur Island. The park also has outdoor and indoor game centres, which will appeal to adults as well as children. Visits to the Media Production City as well as Magic Land are open to all, not just Movenpick guests, and cost LE35 per person.
Hilton Pyramids Golf Resort ((+202) 840 2402), a deluxe five-star property, only 10 minutes drive from the Media Production City, offers single rooms for LE260 and doubles for LE310 on a bed-and-breakfast basis including service charge and taxes. Children under 12 have free accommodation sharing their parents' room with free breakfast and a 50 per cent discount on other meals. The resort features 115 spacious guest rooms and suites overlooking an 18-hole championship golf course landscaped with lakes, ridges and valleys. Guests have access to the golf academy and clubhouse, with its various dining facilities, as well as lawn games, tennis facilities, a swimming pool, fitness gym and sauna. One of the most interesting facilities of the resort is Dream Park amusement park. This huge park was designed by the same company that built Disney Land in Florida. Here you will find games to suit all members of the family. The park is open all week and is not restricted to Hilton guests. From the resort, excursions could be arranged to the Pyramids, the Citadel, and the Egyptian Museum.
Le Meridien Pyramids ((+202) 383 0383), in Al- Rimayah Square, Pyramids, Giza, offers special weekend rates that start from LE320 for a single room and LE360 for doubles on bed and breakfast basis including service charge and taxes. The resort features 524 rooms and suites, many of which enjoy a breathtaking view of the pyramids. It also offers a spectacular swimming pool complex including a fully equipped health club, a heated swimming pool with waterfalls, four hydro-jet units (under-water massage) and a special children's pool. If you don't want to stay overnight, you can spend a day at the pool complex for LE80.
Pyramids Park Intercontinental ((+202) 383 8666), a spacious resort with lush landscaped garden on the Cairo- Alexandria Desert Road, offers single rooms for LE300 and doubles for LE350 including breakfast, service charges and taxes. Weekenders will have free access to the children's centre "Scoobi Zoo". Situated near the swimming pool area, this mini zoo features monkeys, flamingos, gazelles, hamsters and ponies. Face painting, slides, swings, miniature cars, seesaws and other toys will keep your child entertained for hours.
The Cataract Pyramids Resort (+202) 740 6220) on Saqqara Road is a luxury destination, replete with gardens and palm trees, in addition to its various swimming pools and restaurants. Double rooms with garden view cost LE220 per night with breakfast. For LE80 extra, you can have a bigger room overlooking the swimming pool. Children have a special pool, playground, mini club with interesting entertaining programmes for children between four and 12 years old. Babysitters are also available at extra charge. There is a DJ and a band every weekend whereas kids shows are held upon request.
JW Marriott at Mirage City ( (+202) 411 5588) in New Cairo City offers lucrative weekend package. You can book two nights, single or double, for LE799 including bed and breakfast, service charge and taxes on bed and breakfast basis. The offer is valid until 21 March 2004.
Besides the resort's various dinning and entertainment facilities, it is also home to one of the most challenging 18-hole golf courses in Egypt. As well as a test of skill, the course is also a feast for the eyes: here you can chase your ball down plush tree-lined fairways, strewn with flowers, past countless ponds, streams and waterfalls.
For golf fans (even those who are not Marriott clients), a special offer of $60 per person is designed from Sunday through Thursday including one round of golf and transportation to and from the hotel. For golf beginners, ten lessons are provided for LE1,700 including the equipment. For more information contact ((+202) 409 1464).
Excursions:
All the above mentioned hotels and resorts could form the starting point for various excursions. A day trip to the Pyramids plateau or to Saqqara are only two of the better known possibilities in addition to the Citadel, Khan Al-Khalili and Coptic and Islamic Cairo. Other, less traditional excursions could take you to such recently opened attractions as the Sun Bird cultural garden, the Soleimania Resort or the Fagnoon Art School.
Set in 2000 acres of greenery and man-made lagoons, Soleimania Resort ((+202) 749 3866), on Cairo- Alexandria Desert Road, is a wonderful day out for both adults and children. At weekends, they host special lunch buffets and gala nights. Children can ride a boat across the lagoons and feed the ducks swimming round them. They will also enjoy the mini zoo with its exotic animals. A breathtaking 18-hole golf course is available for golf fans.
Fagnoon Art School ((+2010) 158 6715), located on the Saqqara Road, approximately four kilometres after the turnoff to Saqqara Country Club, is a great place if you want to spend a day outdoors in a rural environment. The name, Fagnoon, is a cross between funoon (arts) and magnoon (mad). Here, you and your children can discover your hidden talents for pottery, drawing, metal work and carpentry, as well as watching professionals at work. The school is open from 10am to 7pm.
If you want to show your children how the environment has influenced the agricultural life style and traditions of Egypt, then you should visit the Sun Bird Garden ((+2012) 211 7552) at Mansouriya, south-west of Cairo. Spread over two feddans, the centre showcases traditional crafts, such as pottery, weaving and the production of honey. There are also displays illustrating the life of Egypt's various governorates as well as sections dedicated to local crafts and customs: wedding parties, celebrations upon the birth of a child and festivals. Visits are by appointment, so make sure to call ahead.
Dining out:
As these new suburbs are well connected to Cairo, weekenders could easily drive to any of the restaurants of the city. Cairo has a large number of restaurants that serve a variety of cuisines: Middle Eastern, Italian, French, Chinese and Japanese. However, if you want to restrict yourself to the suburbs where you can enjoy a nice meal in a relaxing atmosphere, you may be surprised by the variety of options that are available.
In JW Marriott Mirage City, you can enjoy the best Italian dinner in town in its Cuinca that opens daily from 7pm to midnight. Mirage Café is open 24 hours and serves international cuisine. The View Lounge serves light snack menus and cocktail beverages from 11am to 2pm. If you feel a craving for pastries, desserts and tea, then try La Patisserie from 9am to midnight.
The Nubian Village in Le Meridien Pyramids is a nice option for those interested in oriental and Lebanese cuisine. Overlooking the swimming pool and the Pyramids of Giza, the village offers outdoor and indoor seating with live cooking experience on charcoal grill accompanied by live band and a Nubian show. It is open daily for dinner and for lunch and dinner in weekends.
In Biba Restaurant in Movenpick Media City Resort, you can enjoy a rich breakfast, lunch or dinner buffet in addition to à la carte specialties. For Italian food lovers, Toto Restaurant serves a variety of Italian dishes. For a light meal you can relax in La Terazza, overlooking the pool area.
Fairway in Hilton Pyramids Golf Resort is the place where you can have the most sumptuous breakfast and dinner buffets in addition to à la carte lunch. You can also experience the Eagle's Nest, an outside terrace for snacks, drinks and local specialties.
In La Pergola in Cataract Pyramids Resort you can have a local-style meal in an exquisite, outdoor atmosphere. In Dome Café, French pastries are available with hot or cold drinks.
Into the night:
Despite the impressive selection of restaurants, don't expect to find a vibrant nightlife in these suburbs. These resorts are designed to be relaxing serene weekend retreats and Cairo's downtown dominates the nightlife. The most you can hope for here is a small nightclub or a live band playing in another establishment.
There is a belly dancer on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in Ahlein Restaurant in JW Marriott Mirage City. Moreover, there is an oriental takht that plays every night. A nightclub, Zerzara, will be opened next month.
El-Nino is the Cataract Pyramids' pub where people can enjoy drinks accompanied by live music.
A guitarist usually plays at night in most restaurants of Movenpick Hotel Media City accompanied by a musical trio. On weekends, there is usually a belly dancer performing.
In Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel Laredo Tex-Mex restaurant, food is served in an informal setting with music daily from 6pm to 1am.
