Egypt Attractions

Venue: Siwa Oasis    When: Daily

Alexander the Great trekked all the way here to visit the Oracle of Amun - many say that the magic and mystery he sought is still there. Siwa Oasis is an Egyptian gem.

Siwa Oasis, 650 kms west of Cairo, has to be one of the more fascinating of Egyptian Oases. On the edge of the 'Great Sand Sea' near the Libyan border, its rich history includes a visit from Alexander the Great to consult the Oracle of Amun in 331 BC.

The original settlement of Siwa, Aghurmi, was superseded by Shali, founded in 1203. Built of salt-impregnated mud, the fortress-like community expanded upwards rather than outwards. Set amongst thick palm groves, walled gardens and olive orchards, with hundreds of freshwater springs and salt lakes, modern Siwa clusters beneath the remains of ancient Shali.

Climb through the ruins of the old city for magnificent views of a number of magical sites - including the 26th Dynasty tombs (with murals and inscriptions) at Jebel al-Mawta ('The Hill of the Dead'), the ruined Temple of Amun and the famous Cleopatra Bath, a deep pool of bubbling water where you can bathe. If you can make it for sunrise or sunset you're in for an extra special treat - you can watch the colours cast across the settlement change from one calming tone to the next.

Siwans have largely retained their own culture, speaking in a Berber tongue - Wiwi - rather than the Arabic spoken in the rest of the country. Unlike most of us, they have also retained many secrets of the universe. If you are lucky, you could find some out yourself.

Although open throughout the year for visitors, remember that the summers are blindingly hot - although this means you have a greater chance of being alone.