'Disappointing' Pyramids of Giza to get major upgrade after years of tourist complaints
Egypt is set to inject £38 million into revamping one of its most famous landmarks, the 4,500-year-old Pyramids of Giza, after it was announced that the
mystery of a 3,500-year-old Egyptian mummy buried while screaming was finally solved.
Long-standing criticisms from tourists regarding the conditions at the UNESCO World Heritage Site - which,
despite its popularity, isn't the oldest pyramid in the world
- include animal abuse, aggressive sales tactics, poor management, and overpopulation.
However, all that is slated for change with a new project led by Orascom Pyramids Entertainment Services Company. Officials have shared plans for the refurbishment of several tombs, implementing an online system for ticket purchases, and enhancing the visitor center. Orascom has announced that they've deployed 45 electric buses at the site
- which scientists have discovered has 'an anomaly' beneath its surface
- expected to operate in five-minute intervals.
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Naguib Sawiris, the mastermind of Orascom Telecom Holding and Orascom Investment Holding, has warned on X that vendors who refuse to move to a newly designated area will be prohibited.
The Pyramids of Giza in Egypt are getting a revamp
(Image: (Image: Getty))
"The well-being of the public and preservation of this treasure is far more important than catering to the interests of 2,000 individuals who have caused harm to the country for years," he voiced in a statement, reports
the Express
.
Additionally, a recent exposé by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) revealed habitual abuse of animals and neglect leading to their demise along roadways.
"PETA has documented the routine punching, kicking, whipping, and starving of horses and camels at the pyramids," disclosed PETA Asia Vice President Jason Baker.
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"Animals are literally ridden to death and then dumped like rubbish outside the gate. The Pyramids of Giza should symbolize Egypt's beauty and history - not unchecked animal abuse. The Egyptian government must act to remove these suffering animals from Giza."
The Pyramids of Giza attract a significant number of visitors annually. In 2023, the Giza Pyramid complex welcomed approximately 14.7 million tourists from around the world.
This number increased in 2024, with reports indicating that 15.7 million tourists visited the Pyramids of Giza that year.
The rising number of visitors has led to concerns about overcrowding and the preservation of the site. In response, Egyptian authorities have implemented measures to manage tourist flow and protect the integrity of the pyramids, according to Internation Business Times UK.
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Tatler Asia
16 hours ago
- Tatler Asia
Set sail: scenic boat rides around the world for your travel bucket list
Giethoorn (Overijssel Province, Netherlands) Above Giethoorn is straight out of a fairytale. (Photo: Amir Deljouyi / Unsplash) Nicknamed the 'Venice of the North' and often described as a fairytale village, Giethoorn has no roads—only a network of canals that residents and visitors navigate by electric 'whisper boats' and traditional wooden punts. But that's only half of Giethoorn's charm. The other half lies in its storybook cottages with thatched roofs, gardens bursting with flowers in the springtime, quaint arched wooden bridges and the occasional duck paddling gently on the canal. Don't miss: Shy escapes: 9 quiet destinations for introverts who love to travel Wuzhen (Zhejiang Province, China) Above Take a romantic evening boat ride in Wuzhen. (Photo: kuaileqie RE / Unsplash) Wuzhen is one of China's most meticulously preserved and lovingly restored water towns. Characterised by cobblestone alleys, arched stone bridges and Ming- and Qing-era architecture, it offers visitors a glimpse into the past. It's recommended to stay at least one night and go on a boat ride in the evening, when the wooden houses and still canals glow under the warm flicker of lanterns, transforming this picturesque town into a dreamy, mirror-like waterscape. Venice Canals Historic District (Los Angeles, California, USA) Above A picturesque pocket of serenity in Los Angeles (Photo: Leo_Visions / Unsplash) Inspired by Venice, Italy, Los Angeles's Venice Canals Historic District was conceived by developer Abbot Kinney in 1905. Today, after restoration efforts in the 1990s, only six of the original canals remain. Located a stone's throw from the Venice Beach Boardwalk, the canals offer a tranquil alternative. Glide past private docks, charming homes, arched pedestrian bridges and lush gardens in a kayak or rented gondola, and discover a surprisingly serene and picturesque corner of Los Angeles. The Great Stour (Canterbury, England) Above Punt through medieval Canterbury (Photo: Jolly Ittoop Athungal / Pexels) Just an hour outside London lies the idyllic city of Canterbury. Immerse yourself in a bit of history when you take a traditional punt along the Great Stour as it winds through the heart of this medieval city. Enjoy the scenery as you glide under centuries-old bridges and past rustic timber-framed homes, historic stone walls and charming English gardens. Don't forget to watch for glimpses of historic landmarks, including Canterbury Cathedral's spires rising in the distance. Amsterdam Canal Rings (Netherlands) Above This list wouldn't be complete without the Amsterdam Canal Rings. (Photo: Gabriel Guita/Pexels) A Unesco World Heritage Site and a defining feature of the city's historic core, Amsterdam's iconic 17th-century canal rings—Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht—offer tourists an opportunity to take in postcard-perfect views of gabled townhouses, arched stone bridges and colourful houseboats while cruising down its waterways. In the evening, the bridges are lit up, illuminating the canal and giving it an enchanting, cinematic glow. Maasin River (Siargao, Philippines) Above Take tropical boat ride in Siargao. (Photo: Eibner Saliba / Unsplash) If you're looking for a more tropical vibe, take a boat ride down the Maasin River in Siargao. Flanked by coconut palms and dense mangroves on both sides, you'll be gliding along emerald waters through a lush landscape that will take you to a secret lagoon. Feel free to take a quick dip in its refreshing waters before heading back up the river. Maasin is a quieter alternative to Siargao's surfing scene and perfectly captures the island's relaxed spirit and natural allure. Colmar (Alsace, France) Above France's 'Little Venice' (Photo: Evans Joel/Pexels) Located in France's Alsace region, just a couple of hours from Paris by train, is Colmar. Rumoured to be the inspiration for the French village in Studio Ghibli's Howl's Moving Castle , this hidden gem is another fairytale destination. Head over to the 'La Petite Venise' or 'Little Venice' district and take a scenic boat ride down the Lauch River, where you'll be greeted by storybook views of colourful half-timbered houses decked with pretty flower boxes, arched stone bridges and cobblestone streets.
Tatler Asia
13-05-2025
- Tatler Asia
The great Egyptian adventure: exploring Egypt's ancient grandeur
Above The upper deck of Set Nefru is where most meals are served, as you sail on the Nile Thus began the planning of the trip for my group of adventurous friends. My tip is to work with a reputable travel company such as Scott Dunn when crafting the itinerary. The Nile cruise being the keystone of the journey, I booked a three-night stay on the five-cabin yacht for our group of ten. Then I began planning the days before and after the cruise to complete the trip. Getting to Egypt is quite easy today. The Middle East carriers fly from Manila to their hubs and then onto Cairo. We chose to take Qatar Airways, even spending an entire day in Doha to do a pre-game visit. We went to the Museum of Islamic Art, the final project realised by IM Pei, and to the National Museum of Qatar by Jean Nouvel. After a day of museum culture and a lovely Lebanese lunch, we headed back to the airport to continue on our journey to Egypt. Cairo Inbound Above The view from the Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan Cairo is the gateway for most visits to Egypt. It is a city of 22 million people, a vibrant metropolis with layers of history everywhere you look. We chose to stay at the Four Seasons Nile Plaza, recently renovated, which overlooks the Nile and is well situated close to downtown Cairo. On our first day, we headed out towards Giza to visit the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum. The museum's opening had been delayed for years, and we were fortunate to visit when it was finally open. The GEM is said to have a collection of 120,000 antiquities. Walking through the museum, the quality and quantity of ancient objects that are displayed are truly astounding. Our guide was an Egyptologist who spent years studying her people's history, and relayed to us facts and stories that helped navigate the sheer volume of artefacts around us. Photo 1 of 4 The Grand Pyramid of Giza extant for 4500 years Photo 2 of 4 The group with the spectacular temple of Abu Simbel built by Rameses II Photo 3 of 4 The author walking through the glorious ruins of Kom Ombo Photo 4 of 4 The group in the well preserved Temple of Esna After the museum, we proceeded to Khufu's, a nearby restaurant for lunch. I was expecting a tourist trap, but was pleasantly surprised to be proven wrong. The restaurant had a gorgeous outdoor terrace with the most magnificent view of the pyramids. We dined on Egyptian fare such as mezze and tagines, including a delectable dish of stuffed pigeon. Days later, we found out that Khufu's is ranked as one of the top five restaurants in the Middle East/North Africa. Energised by lunch, we then headed off to visit the pyramids. As expected, there were many tourists within the pyramid complex, creating a cacophony of sounds and scents. But the enormous size of the grand pyramid and its massive stone blocks were what struck me. The peak of the pyramid appeared to be as tall as a 40-storey building. As a builder myself, it boggled my mind to think how this gargantuan structure could have been built over 4,600 years ago. Our tour operator had arranged a private tour of the Great Sphinx. We were led through a metal gate and we walked down to the paws of the Sphinx. All other visitors were fenced off a considerable distance away. Our guide gave a talk about the Sphinx, with us standing right below the head, and for about an hour, we had it all to ourselves. It felt both surreal and exciting to be in such proximity to this ancient mythical icon. More from Tatler: Escape the heat: 9 cool-climate places in Southeast Asia Abu Simbel Above The distinctive hieroglyphs have lasted for millennia because of the dry climate of Egypt The next day, we took an early morning flight to Abu Simbel, close to the border with Sudan. It is a historic site composed of two massive rock cut temples on the bank of Lake Nasser. These temples were built by Ramesses II in the 13th century BC. Again, the scale and beauty of these monuments are simply astonishing. We wandered into the temple interiors and admired the hieroglyphs that have been there for thousands of years. As I walked through these monuments, I also noticed very old graffiti carved into the stone, such as Gordon 1804, Drovetti 1816, JW Amberg 1898 . Seeing these inscriptions made me realise that I am among a long line of travellers who have made pilgrimages to these sacred sites. Above The original pigments at Temple of Esna were preserved for thousands of years, possibly because they were covered in layers of soot Above Shera Tiu walks through ruins of Karnak What I did not know prior to visiting Abu Simbel was that the complex was relocated in 1968 to higher ground to avoid being submerged by the higher waters of Lake Nasser created by the Aswan High Dam. A multinational team of archaeologists and engineers under the Unesco banner worked together to cut, dismantle, lift and reassemble the stone monument in a new location 65 metres higher and 200 metres back from the lake, in one of the greatest archaeological engineering challenges in history. It cost the equivalent of US$400 million and took four years to build. From Abu Simbel we ventured towards Aswan, where we stayed at the Old Cataract Hotel. This historic property was built in 1899 by Thomas Cook to house European travellers to Aswan. The hallways are decorated with portraits of its illustrious visitors such as Tsar Nicholas II, Winston Churchill, Howard Carter, Princess Diana and Agatha Christie. Christie set portions of her novel Death on the Nile at the hotel and a large suite is named after her. Set Nefru Above The group exploring the artistic remnants of Ancient Egypt At Aswan we embarked on Set Nefru and began what would be the highlight of the trip. Most of our meals were served on the deck. Our journey began with a beautiful lunch served on a lovely table setting with locally crafted ceramics and embroidered linens. The cabins below deck were elegantly appointed with Egyptian cotton sheets and vintage pieces and featured en suite bathrooms. And so began our leisurely cruise on the Nile. Each day started with a lovely breakfast buffet served on deck. As we were travelling in winter, early mornings could be quite chilly, so we would be bundled up and warmed up with coffee as we had our morning meal. As we enjoyed breakfast, the yacht would proceed to sail to our next destination, and we would stop at a historic monument such as the Kom Ombo temple. We would then disembark, walk ten minutes to the temple, and our Egyptologist would proceed to guide us through the monument. Above The sun rises on the Nile After an hour or two, we would return to the boat, and a delectable lunch would be served, and we would cruise further along the Nile. In the afternoon, we would make another stop, perhaps at another temple or to visit a village. Then we would head back to the boat for an aperitivo or a nap if one desired. In the evening, dinner would be served in the cosy salon, and after dining, we'd be given the option to screen a classic film. It was certainly something to be watching Death on the Nile, as you were cruising on the Nile. Over the next few days and nights, we settled into this gentle rhythm of leisurely travel. This must have been close to what it was like to travel in Egypt a hundred years ago. It was this transportive nature of the cruise that was just so magical. No traffic, no obligations, no deadlines. We were simply gliding between the banks of the Nile, ensconced on a beautiful old boat with a wonderful group of friends, waiting to experience yet another magnificent monument. Al Moudira Above The lobby at the spectacular Al Moudira After three days on Set Nefru, it was time to end our cruise. We had such a delightful time on the yacht that it was difficult to leave the vessel. We could easily have spent another day or two on board, but the show had to go on, and so we ventured into Luxor. Our next home was a spectacular hotel called Al Moudira. This property was the creation of a Lebanese-Italian woman named Zeina Aboukheir. Her exquisite taste and hard work resulted in an oasis of tranquillity on the west bank of Luxor. The resort was designed in a mix of North African, Ottoman and Mediterranean styles and extensively landscaped with beautiful local plants and trees. We had booked a five-bedroom villa with expansive rooms, our pool and a butler at our service. The food at Al Moudira is superbly executed, using their farm to provide vegetables, dairy, poultry and more. There were three restaurants on site, and all of them were excellent. Every night, the restaurant manager would set up a special table for us each in the various restaurants. On one special night of my wife Kim's birthday, we dined at the Winter Garden. Entertainment was provided by Egyptian musicians and a Sufi dancer who surprised us with a spectacular spinning glow light costume. The kitchen even made a birthday cake for Kim in the form of the Great Pyramids. Above A private visit at Tut Ankh Hamun's tomb in Valley of the Kings With Al Moudira as our base, we explored Luxor. On our first morning, we set forth towards the Valley of the Kings. Again, our tour operator arranged for a special access, this time to King Tut Ankh Amun's tomb. As we drove into the complex at dusk, we saw many tourists leaving. Our group of ten were the only visitors remaining in the complex. We entered the tomb and walked down a narrow passageway. Suddenly, there we were, literally face to face with the mummy of Tutankhamun. I didn't know that his mummy would be there, feeling surreal to be so close to someone I had only read about in history books. Without hordes of tourists jostling around us, the experience was truly solemn and significant. We spent a few more days in Luxor, visiting other places such as Queen Hatshepsut's temple. Some of us went shopping at a local alabaster shop, others attended an Egyptian cooking class at a popular restaurant downtown. On the last day, however, we decided to just relax and enjoy Al Moudira. There was a small boutique hotel that members of our group would raid about twice a day. It carried the most beautiful locally made craft items such as ceramics, alabaster, Egyptian linens and the like. The poor shopkeeper was subject to all ten of us repeatedly visiting, messing up the store and asking if he had more stock of his goods. Cairo Outbound Above Handcrafted ceramics and linens at Malaika From Luxor, we boarded our flight to Cairo for our outbound journey. We decided to stay two more nights to cap the trip with some shopping. There is a boutique called Malaika in the Zemalek district that carries an extensive selection of locally made linens and ceramics, basically the main store of the hotel boutique that we ransacked. Malaika is part of a social enterprise that was founded by Ecuadorian émigré Margarita Andrade. She founded a school that teaches embroidery to female refugees, who would then work from home to produce goods for the shop. There were also several antique shops in Downtown Cairo that we were able to visit. Everything in Egypt is astonishingly affordable—meals at good restaurants, well-made crafts in well-curated boutiques. Even antiques are inexpensive if you visit the right shops. I had imagined that one visit to Egypt would be enough, but this first trip has left me wanting to return. Apart from the places we visited, I've learnt about more destinations that I have yet to see in this fascinating country. There is the mystical Adrere Amellal at Siwa Oasis and the resort town of El Gouna on the Red Sea. But most of all, I dream of sailing once again on Set Nefru. One day, I hope to return to this magical land. NOW READ Nature therapy: 5 protected parks in Luzon for your next inspiring weekend trip The cultural wanderer's guide to Batanes 7 distinctive mid-century modern hotels in Asia for design lovers Credits
Times
29-04-2025
- Times
Only in death are we sure where we belong
In life, the Irish author Edna O'Brien was unlucky in property. When she found herself of slender means she sold her London townhouse for £375,000; five years later it was worth £5 million. It wasn't only about money, though. There was something restless in her character, an itinerant mind and body, running away from Ireland and washing up in Putney then Chelsea before she died in 2024. Only in death was she sure of where she wanted to settle. Some years previously, O'Brien had bought a plot on Holy Island, a freckle of sacred land on Lough Derg in the west of Ireland. Her mother's people were buried there, she said, in the shadow of ancient churches and graveyards of saints. No one lives on
