http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36923 Despite the negative exposure in the media there is no social unrest on the stretch of the Nile between Luxor and Aswan. Our guide said that 90% of the Nile cruising ships are tied up because of the massive drop in visitors and the consequence is that the river is peaceful and uncluttered, and the fabulous historic sites are relatively deserted. We did not queue anywhere, had wonderful access to the tombs and temples and were able to take photographs with ease and without hordes of tourists. The local guides are desperate, many have lost employment, and they hope a more positive message can be promulgated by visitors returning to the UK. Despite their concerns and uncertain future, they show exceptional enthusiasm, impressive knowledge and a proud command of English. Go now while it is quiet, safe and cheap!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36923 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36445 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36445 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/35726 If you are visiting Cairo then take the time to visit Tahrir Square as well as the streets surrounding it and you will find a wealth of exciting street art adorning the city's previously sandy walls.
From Midan Tahrir walk up Mohamed Mahmoud street, beside the old American University of Cairo buildings, and then zig-zag around the streets to the east of the square to see the ever-changing canvases.
As you travel around Cairo, or Egypt, itself, keep your eyes open for street art, as it is now prevalent in every community and district.
To avoid drawing unwanted attention to yourself or mis-understandings around the sensitive issue of the revolution and politics in Egypt, using large DSLR cameras to take photos should be avoided. Follow the advice of the British Embassy regarding visiting Tahrir Square, especially on Fridays, as it is often used for large gatherings.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/35726 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/35725 The books are all second-hand and are a real mix between the dusty old and the hardbacked new. The contrast between the modern decoration and traditional building is where the 'quirky' comes in to it, and the varied seating means you can have a brief visit or browse more leisurely while you grab something from the cafe.
Bikya occaisionally hosts live music, but also exhibits the work of local artists on the walls, and you can buy CDs and locally crafted products.
There are two branches of Bikya, one downtown and the other in the southern suburb of Maadi.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/35725 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/35724 You can use the Townhouse Gallery website to find out what is going on; maybe an exhibition, or a gig, but the cafes that spill on to the streets and the open-fronted artist's studios are worth a visit in themselves.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/35724 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34412 The festival includes an art exhibition of pieces created under a common theme (2012's theme is 'The Road Ahead'), as well as other music, film or literature events that also aid cultural understanding.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34412 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34383 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34383 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34002 Al-Muizz street is over a kilometer long, but the northern stretch from the busy Al-Azhar street to the old gate of Bab Al-Fotouh is the place to be.
Walk this section of the street at night and the mosques and madrassas are lit up beautifully. Young couples and families will be sitting on the benches and you can join them or the late-night shoppers from the Khan El Khalili.
Walk and talk; the renovation has been controversial in its manner and style - see for yourself and decide.
You can get in to many of the mosques along the street and sometimes the 'key master' will even let you climb the tower to give an amazing view of the historic district.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34002 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34001 The tours they organise give a unique insight into Egypt as they use local guides and drivers along with their expat English-speaking guide who accompanies each trip.
Their tours allow you to see and experience parts of Egypt that most travellers would find very difficult to access on their own.
They are really friendly and offer the perfect way of seeing more of Cairo and the delta area.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34001 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33999 Somewhere Different is a family-run villa in the heart of Siwa Oasis. The villa has four bedrooms and is set up for self catering (including breakfast supplies replenished each morning with fresh supplies) but traditional food and the centre of Siwa is just five minutes walk away.
When booking the villa, Somewhere Different can also arrange your transport between Siwa and Cairo and arrange tours with local guides for when you are there.
I would recommend the tour of the local sites by donkey and cart (a.k.a Siwa Taxi) and the day in a 4x4 on the dunes.
The best thing about Somewhere Different is a beautiful villa and excellent trips that I could not have organised myself. I wouldn't hesitate to go back.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33999 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33982 The craftsmen are very welcoming and are often happy for you to watch them work (sanding the wood, or gluing and binding the body of the instrument) or to show you the double-stringed tuning of the finished pieces.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33982 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33819 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33819 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33774 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33774 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33773 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33773 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33772 Lucille's is in the southern suburb of Maadi and has the best burgers in Cairo (or the world if you are to believe Time magazine
www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1639839,00.html). The burgers taste amazing, with the chilli burger being a meal and a half.

To drink, try their homemade ice tea, which is served with syrup on the side so you can make it as sweet as you like. On weekends (Friday and Saturday) a proper breakfast of pancakes and biscuits is served all day alongside their burger and southwest menu.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33772 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33741 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33741 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33376 It’s worth saying that, despite the name of the club, the music on offer is not all jazz!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33376 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33375 Moqattam is home to a large Coptic Christian community who collect the city’s rubbish and sort it by hand for recycling. There are various charity projects running in the area to help this marginalised community make a fair living. The Association for the Protection of the Environment (APE) is one of them, and they can organise visits into the area to see the church and their workshops where they produce recycled paper and cloth goods.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33375 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33374 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33374 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32959 If you are out and about exploring in Cairo and want a quick, cheap and filling meal then Egyptian fast food is the way to go.
Cheap, simple dishes that are popular are ‘koshary’ (with its layers of rice, macaroni, pasta and lentils this is a carb-overload, but very filling and served with a little tomato sauce and with lemon and spicey sauce on the side) and ‘shawerma’ (marinated kebab meat served in a wrap or roll). You should also try falafel (‘tameya’), stuffed vegetables (‘mashi’) and 'fuul' (fava beans) which are often served in round flat bread ('aish baladi').
Arzak and Gad are both chains of Egyptian fast food restaurants. There are branches of both all over Cairo and they serve Egyptian fast food (and 'traditional' fast food of burgers and fries if you're feeling less adventurous).
Most restaurants will have a counter where you place your order, pay and are given a receipt. Take this receipt over to the serving counter to pick up your food. Some branches will also have a second 'back' room with table service, AC and bathrooms.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32959