The desert’s oases, including Bahareyya, Dakhla and Farafra, are home to some of the world’s most renowned hot springs. The springs are known for their healing powers for their iron, magnesium, chloride and sulphur components. The heat and minerals are said to heal rheumatic diseases, colds, stomach issues, bone pains and kidney stones.

Like most other Egyptian villages, the beauty of the area goes far beyond the scenery and pristine waters. Western Desert inhabitants’ rich culture and welcoming and hospitable nature make all the difference and keeps visitors wanting to go back.

Unparalleled, uninterrupted sand dunes cover most of the Western Desert’s landscape.

Although nothing but miles and miles of sand can be seen in the area, the sand waves, rocky hills and dune formations make every bit of the sandy desert interesting.

Donkeys are man’s best friends in the area. Known for their endurance, patience and kind nature, they are prime transport means in the Western Desert. They also make for some of the most attractive faces you can come across with their kind looks and wide, framed eyes.

The local arts and crafts are as vibrant as any other area in Egypt. This mural isn’t an art exhibition in a fancy art gallery, it is simply a wall in the living room of one of the residents. The artist drew the paintings herself and hung them in her modest home.

The picturesque rocky formations amidst the ever-stretching sands in the area are the object of attraction to many visitors and photographers.

Yes, the rock formations in the Western Desert never seize to amaze, but this right here is a man-made creation of the photographer, Farida Helmy. Just another way of passing time in the desert.

Friendly and welcoming by nature, these girls approached the photographer and her friends and just proceeded to load them with questions on who they are, where they are from and anything else that came to their inquisitive minds.

The black rocks covering the white sands in some areas of the Western Desert gave it its Black Desert name. The rocks are full of iron and they are also remnants of volcanoes.

After a long day of roaming about the sunny deserts, nothing beats a hot cup of authentic Bedouin tea by a campfire in the serene — and freezing cold — desert.

Aside from the magnificent Islamic architecture, beautifully designed ancient houses, mosques and schools and the overall magic of Al Moez Street, the area is vibrant with local crafts. Ranging from Khayameya tapestry to old school coppersmiths and overall some of the best craftsmanship in town. There’s something about a copper coffee table tray being sold beneath an old wooden mashrabeya that gives an authenticity stamp.

The pyramids have been the classic postcard pictures of Egypt since its dawn, but they are much more than a commercial, touristic attraction. Anyone who’s been knows there’s a certain je ne said quoi about the area that makes you just want to come back. So be it a camel ride with the kids, a stroll on horseback through dawn or even a picnic to watch the sun set on one of the oldest wonders of the world, there are always many ways to rediscover the good old pyramids.

Islamic Cairo is known for world-renowned Islamic architecture that withstood the test of time. Its mosques, church and old architecture still inspires architects and designers around the world who fly to Egypt to visit Al Moez and see the areas Naguib Mahfouz so passionately wrote about. Featured here is a view of Aga Khan in Al Moez Street.

Cairo comes to life at night, and not just because Egyptians tend to celebrate every night of every week in one form or another. Cairo’s night skyline reflects its busy and cheerful nature; it is always in bright light, always bustling with car lights and it just always seems to be the weekend with Cairenes. Just hang at a friend’s balcony downtown, visit Cairo’s Tower or head out to Mokattam to capture Cairo by night.

Only one thing tops Cairo’s night skyline; its sunset. Sunsets in Egypt have that quiet, peaceful and traditional feel to them, be it the sun setting on an old mosque, its sand dunes, the Nile’s banks, a green field or one of its seas. So make a point to watch as many as you can of Egypt’s various sunsets, a good spot to watch the sunset is Mokattam and Al Azhar Park where you would watch Islamic Cairo in the dark red hues of a sunset.

Cairo’s morning skyline is far from its magical night one, but tells about a million stories as well. A look from up high shows Cairo’s busy residential areas, its thousands mosque minarets and its beautifully designed churches. If you look from high you would find kite surfers, doves flying towards a man waving a flag and chickens being raised on rooftops.

Traditions are an essential component of our identity and they are weaved into our daily live — and we do have tons of them. So there will always be ways to rediscover Egypt simply by rediscovering its traditions, ranging from an old-fashion cuisine, Ramadan’s soulful traditions or the tanoura dancers shown here. Tanoura is an Egyptian dance that is either performed just for show or as part of Sufi traditions. Sufis look for a way to reach God through dancing themselves into a state of entrance to purify their minds as a way of meditation.

Farid Fadel with guests on the opening night of his latest exhibition "Egypt, Journey of an Artist," held at Sofitel Winter Palace at Luxor from March 19 to 31.

Fadel depicts a classic Egyptian farmer's market, found across Egypt from Alexandria and all the way up to Nuba.

A continuation to the authentic Egyptian market feel with a focus on a mobile street vendor roaming with his cart. Fadel is careful in detailing the religious nature of Egypt through worship houses drawn in the back drop of many of his paintings.

A panoramic view of a village under Egypt's typical clear blue skies and a rainbow adding cheerfulness to the serene view.

A Nubian child on a camel ride outside a white, clay Nubian house, typical of Upper Egypt and especially Luxor and Aswan

One of Fadel's signature close-up portraits

A serene view of the Nile banks on a quiet evening, one that the artist must have enjoyed at Luxor or Aswan.

The man behind the art.

The child is dressed in traditional apparel that is typical of Egypt's vast country side.

A traditionally clothed man sitting on the entrance of a mosque.

Nubian architecture continues to inspire many architects, painters and photographers, and Fadel is no exception.

Guests contemplating the nubian child painting at the opening night of the exhibition.

Architect Ahmed Hazem likes to combine different cultural pieces in beautiful arrangements. One corner of the house brings together an antique carpet, plants, cut-metal lantern, pieces of pottery and an African bench, accented with plants.

The architect put his office on the ground floor of the house, building it around trees that grow up through a glass ceiling.

With its copious greenery and natural wood structure, the entrance to Hazem's office feels warm and inviting.

A weathered wood and rope staircase adds to the tree house mystique.

open floor plan makes the tree-trunk dining table and kitchenette an integral part of the décor..

No detail is overlooked, right down to hand-painted plates

The kitchenette features recessed storage space that blends seamlessly with the décor.

Terracing gives the garden a lightly landscaped feel to the abundant foliage..

The master bedroom has giant skylights so the family can enjoy sunrise and sunset and the beautiful stars at night.

Boshra, Ahmed Hazem’s wife, has a solarium-style office nook with a beautiful green view.

The children's area has not sacrificed toys and technology amid the earthy décor.

The 11-year-old daughter's room features a hammock and hand-painted closet doors.

Mambo, the family cat, searches for birds from the window of the children's bathroom.

The older daughter's room feature a bay-window nook for the bed, freeing up floor space for the computer desk and an area to relax.

Basetah volunteers on their first day repairing the street of Mustafa El Nahas Nasr City. On a rainy February 17, the group managed to fill in a number of car-rattling potholes. A member opens a new cement bag with the help of his partner.

A Basetah member directs the traffic while his partners fix the potholes.

The group also sets up booths in neighborhoods to encourage dialogue that overcomes political difference..

A volunteer offers the Basetah “road crew” some refreshments .

The Basetah team picks up rocks near the tram tracks to use in fixing the potholes.

Helping the community is sometimes dirty but satisfying work.

The Basetah founders and volunteers celebrate their Seket El Salama (The Safe Road) project

The volunteer crew fill in a huge pothole with a cement and rock mixture.

While out pothole hunting on February 24, a Basetah volunteer finds a water-filled trap.

Putting the finishing touches on a small but deep pothole.

A volunteer gets a workout hauling rock fill to mix with the cement.

The team debates the best way to fill the watery pothole.

After bailing out the water, they finally fixed the deadly car trap.

Thus far, Basetah has relied on their own funds to buy the materials to fix the road.

One of Basetah’s youngest volunteers is interviewed by El Nahar channel. The older volunteers say the boy has an amazing spirit, and is intelligent and a great team worker.

Founded in 1969 by the General Egyptian Book Organization, The Cairo International Book Fair was one of the many events organized to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of the city of Cairo.

Late President Muhammad Anwar El Sadat was Egypt’s third president, serving for 11 years until his assassination on 6 October 1981, his books are still very popular among readers and can be found in Souk Al-Azbakeya at the Cairo International Book Fair.

Souk Al-Azbakeya is home to all the secondhand books at the Cairo International Book Fair. It is among one of the most visited sections at the fair because of its low prices and interesting finds.

Books prices at Souk Al-Azbakeya can go as low as LE 2 and are usually in very good condition.

As people rummage through the stacks of secondhand books they sometimes come across personal handwritten notes to previous owners that give them an added charm over new books.

Educational and business related books at Souk Al-Azbakeya are much cheaper than their brand new counterparts; sometimes they are a little outdated, but still relevant.

At Souk Al-Azbakeya, you can buy used, old issues of National Geographic magazine for LE 3 to LE 5, and their collections go back as far as the 1980s.

Children usually help their parents out at the book fair to stack up, clean and sell books.

Many of the tents set up selling new books showcased an array of books about the January 25 Revolution and former President Hosni Mubarak.

There are tens of cafeterias and eateries available in the fair ground for visitors to take a break and enjoy a cup of coffee or ice cream in.

The book fair attracts visitors of all ages, sexes and nationalities interested in the written word.

Alf Lela Wi Lela (Arabian Nights) is still sold in bulk today; the book is a collection of folk tales compiled during the Islamic Golden Age with stories that seem to never get old.

A sign mocks former President Hosni Mubarak, on trial for corruption and the murder of protesters.

A graffiti artist sprays "No Consitution under military rule" on the wall blocking Sheikh Rihan Street, off Tahrir Square.

The wall blocking Mohamed Mahmoud Street has become a patriotic picture spot for young revolutionaries.

A protest march heads toward Tahrir Square.

At Maspero, protesters get fired up.

A hedge of barbed wire keeps the peace between protesters and the military guarding the Radio and TV Building.

A protester leads chants against military rule in front of the Egyptian Radio and TV Building, Maspero.

The Maspero protesters wave Egyptian flags promoting freedom and religious unity, and images of Mina Daniel, a Christian protester killed during the October 9 clashes with military personnel.

The Askar Kazeboun (Military liars) campaign refuses the drafting of a new constitution under miltary rule.

Desert daytrips are a fun way to explore what Sinai’s desert has to offer.

Desert daytrips are a fun way to explore what Sinai’s desert has to offer.

Nuweiba is the perfect place for a solitary sojourn.

See the view differently at Gebel El-Makhroom.

Fruit salads are the perfect midday snack to indulge in on the beach.

Set your alarm at 6 am and catch the first warm rays of sunshine.

Set your alarm at 6 am and catch the first warm rays of sunshine.

Sawa Camp offers spacious huts right on the beachfront.

Most of the Bedouin-style camps lining the coast offer these scenic views to be enjoyed with a cup of hot tea with marmariya at sunset.

Most of the Bedouin-style camps lining the coast offer these scenic views to be enjoyed with a cup of hot tea with marmariya at sunset.

Some of the clearest, most azure waters in the world can be seen at the Fjord. Unfortunately, it can only be enjoyed from a distance, as it’s not open to the public. et

The square lights up on the night of January 25

The crowd flocking the square in celebration - or protest- of January 25

Marches from Zamalek, Giza, Heliopolis and all over Cairo diverging into the already packed square

The mood ranged from celebratory to mourning the martyrs of January 25

V for Vendetta

The square was set with different stages, political groups and alliances

Mourning the martyrs

By midday, the square was already in full capacity that protestors weren't able to reach inside

Never has an overhead view of the Parliament seen so many 'emmas (religious hats,) and beards

You can get the protester out of Tahrir, but he'll have to take his signs along

Because what Parliament does not start with a little prayer? But no, they did promise to keep religion out of politics, and we trust them

Come on, let's cut them a little slack, the session has been going on all day and afterall, they're following in the footsteps of the great

A member of the Parliament keeping himself from falling asleep like his fellow members by reading a little Qur'an; admitedly it is a better use of his time than playing Bricks on his phone

No, this is not 'El Kottab,' this is Egypt's new Parliament

The four women in the Parliament representing Egyptian women - yes, both Copts and Muslims

The Egyptian Parliament; Islamists, Salafis, Muslim Brotherhood members and our dear old Amr Hamzawy