The US550 million Grand Egyptian Museum project is scheduled to open in 2013. A project manager will be announced this month, and tendering begins in September. The museum project was conceived in 1992 and is an enormous undertaking – archeologists compare it to the Great Pyramid of Giza. The vast, stone roofed building will cover an area the size of 11 football pitches, extending from the edge of the Giza plateau. Over 100,000 ancient artifacts will be housed in the hotel, including the contents of King Tutankhamen’s tomb.
The dean of Cairo University faculty of archaeology said “Egypt’s heritage is very important for its tourism, and so although we have to protect it, we also have to sell it in some way. The dean, Professor Alaa al Din Shaheen, is also a member of the Supreme Council of Antiquities. Tourism is an integral part of Egypt’s economy, accounting for 11% of its GDP, with receipts reaching $11 billion last year.
Less known and overshadowed by the Badshahi Mosque, the Wazir Khan Mosque is probably all the more beautiful for its subtlety. This striking mosque was built in the 1630s by the Mughal emperor Shah Jehan. The Mughals were the patrons of the arts and the exquisite tiling on the floors, walls and ceiling of the mosque, is testament to this. The mosque is named after a court physician turned governor...
Found next to the Snachaya Kosh Bhawan Shopping Centre in Thamel, these temples are often ignored. Symbolically located on the Trivdevi Marg (‘tri’ means three and ‘devi’ means goddesses), these temples pay tribute to Dakshinkali, Manakamana and Jawalamai. ...
One of the great things about Budapest is that it has an abundance of playgrounds, theme parks and roller-skating parks. One of the best theme parks is Varosliget (City Park) which has an abundance of activities to entertain children: playgrounds, the city zoo, a circus and a fairground. The Szechenyi Baths are well-liked by the older children, especially the whirlpool, and there is also rowing in...
Bathhouses were built throughout Athens under Ottoman rule. This is the only surviving bathhouse that remains. It has been converted to a museum. It is spacious and gleaming with marble floors and basins. Visitors will get the feel of life of Athenians under Ottoman rule. Timings: Wednesday and Sunday 10 A.M- 2 P.M. Address: 8 Kyrrestou Admission: Free Tel: 210-324...