Read Wine Travel

We signed up for an optional Excursion for pre-arrival guests

• Church of Abu Segra
• Ben Ezra Synagoue
• The Hanging Church
• Amr ibn al-As Mosque
• Muhammad Ali Pasha Mosque
• Khan el-Khalili

When the Hyatt Regency Cairo West says international breakfast buffet, they mean huge, abundant, and diverse breakfast. I learned so much just walking through and seeing what different areas of the world eat for breakfast. Everything I was willing to try was delicious. We ate there three mornings and I swear we found another area of food each morning.

The fruit in all of Egypt was unreal. If you have never visited a place that grows fruit locally to taste, you really are missing out. Oranges were in season. I love oranges so much as a child I would get rashes on my face from the citrus. The orange juice and oranges were so perfect I wonder if anything will ever compare.

The first stop was a place on my must-see list. Abu Segra. This is a church built over the cave Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus are said to have inhabited when God told them to leave Isreal (Matt 2:13) because of King Herod. I cried. It was overwhelming. On of the few times I felt the presence of God. I know that sounds crazy because when other people say it I personally don’t know how to take it. The feeling was elation, peace, something like a hug, and humbleness all mixed together at one time.

Ben Ezra synagogue.

You cannot take pictures inside but it was beautiful. It is the oldest synagogue in Egypt.

The Hanging Church was a place I had seen but did not have much background. Built during 300 AD, it gets the name because it is built on top of a Roman fortress.

Amr ibn al-As Mosque

This was my first time in a mosque. I loved the humbleness you take when you enter the place of worship. Taking off your shoes and covering your hair. Our tour guide took us to a quiet and educated us on the Muslim beliefs. I am very grateful to have had the experience of sitting in the mosque and appreciating the culture and beliefs. As a person who grew up in the USA and Christian church, the background noise from my youth about Islam is not positive. My entire Egypt tour and moments like this in the mosques significantly altered that noise into a peaceful understanding and appreciation.

Muhammad Ali Pasha Mosque

Wow. Gorgeous. Jaw dropping beauty. There is no other way to describe the mosque. I have seen some gorgeous buildings, but this will forever be memorable and I would love to go back.

Outside the mosque a panoramic view. Yes, those are the pyramids!

Last stop for the day was Khan el-Khalili. This place is insane. Before I get started … it is completely different at night which will be in my Day 10 post.

Tourist market on steroids. People trying to get you to buy everything. You have vendors left and right saying “Hello, where are you from?” They try to reel you in and then not let go. If you go in with this expectation and understanding, it is a very vibrant, interesting place. If you are not ready for it then it will feel overwhelming. After we walked in a loop we stopped for mint tea which was phenomenal and fun to watch all the bustle.

I will say I would not visit again during the day but if I ever go back, I will go every. single. night. It is amazing at night! A do not miss!