CAIRO – 24 January 2018: We have a long weekend holiday coming up, so you can either spend that extra day relaxing on the couch in front of TV … OR you can take advantage of your three days off and go do something different.
We have a few suggestions for you – if you need a little nudge – from art galleries to visit, to a few quirky options for a weekend of “Me Time,” and out of the box activities to guarantee a different and very satisfactory LONG WEEKEND.
Art galleries
You may or may not know it; but there is a multitude of art galleries and spaces all over Cairo, and all of them have something unique to offer. So if you’re looking for a little culture and sophistication this weekend, this could be the option for you.
Kick off the holidays this evening, as
Room Art Space and Café , in Garden City, is holding a board games night, with Boards Kingdoms; and even more events will be held throughout the weekend. Be sure to ask them about the history of the space if you do go; we heard the Belle Epoque Building was the the British Army's headquarters during World War II and many historical figures have walked through its historical gates ever since.
If you want a more traditional gallery, try heading to
Ubuntu Gallery in Zamalek and enjoy “Together,” an exhibition of sculptures and installations of ceramics creatively designed and executed by Anita Toth and Khaled Sirag.
And for more interactive artistic activities, try checking out
SOMA Art Gallery and maybe attend one of their classes, or courses on visual art. This could be your chance to start a new hobby.
Out of the box activities
Artiva are holding an Arabic calligraphy workshop on Saturday, where you can learn a new craft with friends.
Walk like an Egyptian is also holding a Coptic Cairo Walking tour the same day, so you’ll have to choose one or the other.
The Fustat Carnival for handicrafts is also running until February 2, so you have some extra time to catch that one if you want to. Carrying the ancient name of the city, Souq el-Fustat (Fustat Market) brings about a renaissance of signature Egyptian arts; from leather to glass, mosaic, copper, wood art, Bedouin embroidery, jewelry inspired by diverse traditions and more.
Delta Handmade Glass at Fustat Market - Egypt Today/Yasmine Hassan
If you want to enjoy a little visual entertainment, the Cairo Opera House has multiple showing this weekend including performances of ‘Ahmose’ and Opera performances of Puccini’s ‘Tosca’.
Getaways
If you’re up for a quick trip, there’s no better place to go than the familiar Ain Sokhna, for a quick weekend away without the stress of planning ahead. Just quickly book rooms online and in an hour you can be by the beach relaxing. If you want a different option, Fayoum is a popular destination with amazing resorts to stay at, and fantastic views as well.
Ain Sokhna Porto Sokhna resort. CC via Flickr
Pamper yourself
The long weekend is the perfect opportunity to pamper yourself and take some time to de-stress before starting your normal schedule again. Even if it’s just getting a haircut or a blow dry and making a change, that would be worth it. For curly-haired girls, you might want to check out the new
Curly Studio that recently opened in Mohandesin. For friends and couples that might want to try a day-use, the Sheraton, and the JW Marriott are two great options to go for.
Standard Room - Courtesy of Sheraton Egypt
Shopping
If shopping is more up your alley, then there are a few bazaars and sales to take advantage of this weekend.
Dejavu is holding an end of season sale, with discounts up to 50 percent so now would be a great time to relax and shop without the stress of the new week looming too close.
On Saturday,
Le Pacha is hosting a City Bazaar with their Winter Sale, and that could be a great place to discover some new local products and designs.
And though the malls might be crowded this weekend, that doesn’t tend to stop most people, so buckle up and dive into the shops with confidence.
Foodie hotspots
It’s not a good weekend without good food, so we have a few suggestions for you to make sure you end the weekend satisfied.
Karvin Masala is a newly opened Indian-International restaurant in Mivida Compound in New Cairo. It offers great food at a reasonable price; you can’t lose.
If you are on the other side of Cairo, Bar and lounge,
La Taverna , is also one of the Sheikh Zayed’s latest additions to its growing hub of hotspots. Although “originally” a bar, the menu is better-rounded than you’d expect. They offer light starters, salads, and time-tested standards such as burger and steaks, and even some out of the box dishes, such as Paella.
And if you’re simply looking for excellent food in a prime location in Cairo, OPIA is your spot. OPIA is the newest addition to Ramses Hilton’s array of bars and restaurants. Its menu was designed by executive chef Dimitrios Koutsonikolas, with a mind towards catering to the Egyptian taste and Greek culture. It’s a bar and lounge that overlooks Downtown Cairo and the Nile, and on a clear day you can even see the Pyramids.
OPIA by night - Courtesy of Ramses Hilton
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