Cairo, Egypt
Could this be the year that tourists finally get to see the Grand Egyptian Museum? The museum has been delayed repeatedly, and is expecting an opening in 2023.
GEM, which will cost around $1 billion to build, will house the entire King Tut Collection. View video here of a CNN Insider Visit.
The Egyptian museum at Tahrir Square is still open if you arrive before the opening date.
There’s more to see than just the Pyramids of Giza. Start by visiting Islamic Cairo. This area contains one of the most extensive collections of historical Islamic architecture anywhere in the world. Visit the Al-Azhar Mosque, which dates back 970.
It also has a long Christian tradition. Coptic Cairo is a part of Old Cairo and contains a number of Christian sites dating back to before Islam arrived.
If you’re looking for a place to escape the chaos of Cairo, Al Azhar Parkoffers a lush expanse and a design that is inspired by historical Islamic gardens. Zamalek is a wealthy neighborhood on an island of the Nile River. It has restaurants, antique shops, and luxurious hotels. – FB