Aswan, Egypt Travel Guide: Historical sites

Aswan, Egypt Travel Guide. Historical sites. The most southerly city in Egypt, Aswan is known for its Nubian past and for being an important gateway into Africa. Aswan offers a very relaxing place to holiday and a scenic setting next to the Egypt's enormous River Nile. The stretch of the River Nile around Aswan is particularly beautiful and flows past many enormous boulders of granite. There are numerous islands within the middle of the Nile, close to central Aswan, which are often studded with tropical palm trees and offer an exotic feeling. Further picture of the River NileElephantine Island is the biggest of these islands and home to the Nubian villages of both Koti and Siou, both of which are more than worthy of exlporation. Tourism in Aswan is increasing and many hotels and restaurants flank the riverside street, the Corniche el-Nile. For tourist information, the tourist office on the Midan al-Mahatta is extremely easy to find and conveniently close to the city's busy train station. There is plenty is Aswan for those looking for an authentic Egyptian holiday. Tourists can start the day with a relaxing cruise along the Nile, onboard a small, traditonal 'felucca' boat, before enjoying a camel ride to the Monastery of St. Simeon. Do also leave enough time to visit the spectacular botanical gardens on Kitchener's Island, and the Unfinished Obelisk, a stone monument of epic proprortions, abandoned after a serious crack appeared in the granite. Aswan is also very famous for its High Dam, an embankment dam built to control the River Nile and create the vast reservoir, Lake Nasser Read more