Miro from Cairo

Since the Fast of the Apostles started this month, we gathered for a family dinner at one of our favorite restaurants - Andrea Mariouteya. Located in New Giza, it is worth the 1-hour drive from Heliopolis!

We started with some refreshing drinks like mint lemonade and local beer and appetisers like cheese sambousek, chicken livers, stuffed vine leaves, and yogurt and cucumber salad. Then we ordered their signature roast chicken served with homemade French fries.

Although it was a hot afternoon, there was a lovely breeze and lots of shade from the trees and umbrellas. Massive respect to the hardworking men and women behind our delicious meal.

If you are visiting the Giza Pyramids or the Grand Egyptian Museum, or on your way back from the North Coast, this would be a great option for lunch or dinner. There are no reservations and it is on a first-come, first-seated basis.

سؤال بقى هو دة اندريا المريوطية بتاع زمان و لا فرع جديد؟ 🤔

Tucked away on an unassuming street in the leafy suburb known as Maadi is a charming boutique hotel called Villa Belle Epoque. We spent the day on the pool and enjoyed the breeze. The food was amazing and the service impeccable.

The rooms are named after Egyptian cities like Damietta, Alexandria, Fayoum, Aswan, and Luxor. The furniture in the reception and rooms is vintage and unique. The outdoor space is well shielded from surrounding buildings by lush trees.

I would definitely recommend this hotel if you are looking for a day use in Cairo or a venue for a special occasion. It is also the perfect choice for tourists since the neighborhood is central to a lot of attractions and has a thriving restaurant and shopping scene.

Another amazing brunch at Esca Cueva this time inspired by Mexico! 🧡💛

Why is a museum in historic Cairo named after a British physician?

Gayer Anderson arrived in Egypt in 1907 with the British army as a medical officer. In 1935, he made the Egyptian government an offer they could not refuse.

He moved into two 16th-century houses that needed desperate attention. He promised to restore them and fill them with the art and artifacts he collected from his travels around the world.

The houses were called Beit Amina Bent Salem and Beit El Creteleya after their last known owners. When Gayer Anderson left Egypt in 1945, the Egyptian government converted them into a museum in his honor.

The photos don't do justice to this gem of a place. Watch out for another post with more photos and details about the themes of the different halls and rooms.

Another post about Beyond Van Gogh. I love immersive experiences and I really enjoyed the storytelling and music. But it felt rushed and I would have liked to stay longer than half an hour.

Ibn Tulun Mosque was commissioned in 879 AD by Ahmed ibn Tulun, the founder of the Tulunid dynasty. It is considered one of the oldest intact mosques in Egypt.

The architect called Saiid Ibn Kateb Al-Farghany was Coptic. Legend has it that Ibn Tulun asked him to source 500 marble pillars from churches.

But he told him he will build him a magnificent mosque that will never burn or flood using brick piers and without any pillars.

Al-Farghany also built the Nilometer on Rawda Island and the aqueduct of Ibn Tulun.

Walking through the old neighborhood of El Khalifa from Sultan Hassan Mosque to Ibn Tulun Mosque.

We passed by Sabeel Om Abbas which was built by Bamba Qaden the mother of Khedive Abbas Helmy I in 1861 as an endowment. Unfortunately we could not visit it this time.

Legend has it that her son was not a popular ruler when he was alive so she hoped this free water fountain would make people forgive him and pray for him after he passed away.

It's worth noting that she built one of the first schools for girls in Egypt and it still operates as a school today but for boys.

Our next stop in the historic Cairene neighborhood of Khalifa is Al Rifai Mosque.

Located right next door to the Sultan Hassan Mosque and inspired by Mamluk architecture, it was actually built quite recently during the Ottoman dynasty.

It was commissioned by Khedive Ismail in 1869 AD and his mother Hoshiyar spared no expense. Marble from Italy, wood from Lebanon, and gold from Turkey.

The complex has a shrine dedicated to a holy man called Ali Abu Sheibak who was buried in this location in 700 AD. He is descended from the Sufi Imam Ahmed Al Rifai (1119-1182 AD) who still has loyal followers to this day.

It is also the resting place of the Egyptian royal family such as Khedive Ismail and his mother, King Fouad, and King Farouk and his sisters and wives. The last Shah of Iran, Muhammad Reza Pahlavi, was also buried there in 1980 AD.

Fun fact: the entire ceiling and several wall motifs are covered in GOLD LEAF!

Another fun fact: Hoshiyar's tomb is larger than her son's the Khedive!!

Yesterday I visited Sultan Hassan, one of Egypt’s largest and most beautiful mosques.

Located in the Qalaa Square in historical Cairo, it was commissioned by Sultan Hassan ibn al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun during the Bahri Mamluk dynasty and it opened to the public in 1363 AD.

It is a complex that includes a mosque and mausoleum. It used to have a "sabeel," which was a free water fountain for the public, four "madrasas" or schools of thought representing the four branches of Sunni Islam, and student lodgings.

It is worth noting that due to an unfortunate accident where one of the minarets fell during construction and killed 300 students, the complex was unfinished.

Sultan Hassan disappeared after the accident and it is rumoured that he was assassinated by the grieving families and was actually not buried in his mausoleum - or anywhere else for that matter!

Celebrated Sham El Nessim with my family smelling the Nile breeze at Solis restaurant at Holiday Inn Maadi. ☀️☀️

We were seated on the pool with a beautiful view of the Nile. I loved the vibes from the DJ and percussionist and there was a magician and face painter for the little ones. 🎤🎤

There were two buffets one breakfast and one lunch all day with special appearances by traditional Sham El Nessim favourites like seasoned lupins, colored eggs, smoked herring, and fermented fish called "feseekh." 🐟🐟

We are definitely coming back again and might even enjoy the small but mighty pool. 👙👙