Taziry Ecolodge.

Sometimes only Siwa is remote enough if you need to get away from it all and escape the mayhem of the big city. And if you want to give even the mild bustle of Siwa town a miss, look no further than Taziry Ecolodge. Around the corner from the more upmarket Adrere Amellal, this is a most charming mud-brick retreat, perfect to spend a couple of nights on the doorstep of the desert. Literally. The various guest rooms, dining rooms and lounges are scattered on the foot of a towering rock formation. You can have dinner under the stars and breakfast with a splendid lake view. Food is of exceptional quality and taste, a rare find in the Egyptian culinary scene. Feast on tender beef with dates and caramelized onions or succulent chicken basted with pomegranate molasses. A huge, deep pool invites guests for a cooling dip in the afternoon heat or after returning from an excursion to town or into the Great Sand Sea. Grab a book, make yourself at home on one of the palm-shaded daybeds and relax. Rooms are spacious and comfy and kept in a natural colour palette, all decorated with beautiful Siwan crafts. It might be wise to bring a torch as Taziry is only lit by candles and lanterns, which creates a magic atmosphere fit for Arabian Nights. Thanks to solar water heaters, you don't have to do without a hot morning shower, though. All good.

http://taziry.com

Siwa Oasis.

Hurry before it gets too hot during the summer months and escape to the beautiful Siwa oasis. We find it is the number one, must-see destination in Egypt. Forget about the Pyramids or the Red Sea, Siwa is where the magic happens. Let's face it, much of the beauty of Siwa is thanks to its remote location close to the Libyan border, so it managed to escape mass tourism well into the 21st century. Whether you are on a budget or want a deluxe retreat of sorts, Siwa caters to a diverse clientele from students to ambassadors. When in Siwa, make sure you explore the exquisite souvenir shops around the ancient fort in the centre of Siwa town full of rugs and scarves and salt lantern. Plus, don't forget to buy a glass of the amazing organic olive jam. Then, make your way to Cleopatra's Bath, a natural pool amidst a lush palm grove and take a cooling dip in the oxygen-rich water. Around the pool an assortment of funky little cafés and eateries has sprung up where you can have a fresh juice or light snack before you continue the journey. It's a bit like Goa circa 1970, sans the crowds. The true treasures of Siwa can however be found outside the actual oasis when you take a tour into the great sand sea that starts right at Siwa's doorstep. Marvel at the towering dunes and tranquil valleys strewn with shells that bear testimony to the fact that this once was an ocean floor. There's even a freshwater lake bordered by green reed that suddenly emerges like a mirage from the desert. Jump right in, it's oh-so refreshing. On the way back, ask your guide for some sweet tea with mint to be enjoyed while the sun disappears and night falls around you. This is as close to the cliché of Arabian Nights as it gets.

http://en.egypt.travel/city/index/siwa-oasis

The Huge Tree on El Borg St.

Because Cairo is not known as a city of trees safe for some enclaves in Zamalek or Maadi, greenery immediately garners attention around the city and every tree is a welcome distraction from the ubiquitous grey that dominates the scene. When on a Saturday stroll through the city, make sure you pass by one the most magnificent reminders of a more horticulturally minded past. It's impossible to miss the imposing monolith of a tree that dominates the centre of El Borg St on Gezira island. Drivers of horse carriages (and the horses) shelter here from the sweltering heat in summer and many birds have made the tree their home in the concrete jungle. Just sit there and marvel at nature's genius. Bring a book and a flask of fresh mint tea and enjoy the relative peace and quiet thanks to the (now derelict) nursery surrounding the area.

Asir Laymoun.

On of the most wonderful gifts of Egypt to the world, though its availability is sadly confined to Egypt and neighbouring countries for the most part, is fresh lemon juice. Known as Asir Laymoun in Arabic, it's made from a small, local variety of lemon that actually looks more like lime but doesn't have the distinct bright green colour of its sibling. To make the juice, lemons are simply cut in half and then frothed in a blender with some water and a dash of milk, then sweetened to taste with sugar or syrup. A version with mint leaves added before blending is both very common and super-tasty. In more upmarket establishments you can sweeten it yourself with syrup served on the side, but it's a lot of fun to simply try the lemon juice in as many places as possible and enjoy the nuanced differences in taste and texture. We especially love the Asir Laymoun at Taboula for its heavy lemon-and-mint aroma and sugary goodness.