Cairo

The International Language Institute

ili, (http://www.arabicegypt.com) in mohandesin offers courses in modern standard arabic and egyptian dialect up to an intermediate-advanced level in an international student environment. teachers are professional and prices relatively low.

Kalimat Language and Cultural Centre

22, mohamed mahmoud shaaban st., mohandessin, giza, 202 761 8136 / 337 5814, (http://www.kalimategypt.com). this is a great language school with a lot of friendly teachers and students from around the world.

horseback riding

Go horseback riding in the desert from one of the Nazlet El-Samaan stables like FB Stables contact Karim +20 (016 507 0288  : (http://www.fbstables.com) ) in Giza. Ride in the shadow of the Great Pyramids or further afield to Saqqara or Abu Sir or camp out over night with a barbecue and fire. Popular with expats who keep their horses at livery, FB Stables is also great for a 'tourist' type ride to view the Pyramids from the desert. Longer rides to Saqqara and Abu Seer can be arranged in advance, as can sunrise, sunset and full moon rides. Other than the horses and good company, one of the best things about FB is their amazing rooftop terrace with bbq with unrivaled views over the Pyramids - a great place to relax with a drink whilst watching the Sound and Light show.

felucca

Ride a felucca along the Nile River. A great way to relax and enjoy a night under the stars in Cairo. Feluccas are available across from the Four Seasons Hotel in Garden City. To charter your own, negotiate a fair price of no more than 20 to 30 LE for about a half hour for the boat, or 50 LE for an hour, no matter how many people are on it. Pay after your ride, or you may get much less than you bargained for. Public boats with loud Arabic music and a giggling crowd are also available for LE 2 for 1/2 hour.

recreation

Other options for relaxation include visiting the Giza Zoo and the Cairo Botanical Gardens, or watching horse racing at the Gezira Club in Zamalek, or, when you need a break from city life, try a round of golf on the famous Mena House Golf Course overlooking the Pyramids, or The Hilton Pyramids Hotel tournament Golf Course and nearby Sixth Of October City , Ten minutes drive from Giza Pyramids.

Or if the family, and especially children are fed up looking at monuments and museums, a ten minute trip from the Giza Pyramids by micro-bus, taxi, or car, will take you to two of the biggest and best theme parks in Cairo, Dream-park, and Magic land, both in nearby Sixth Of October City.

Magic land is also part of The Media Production City complex, including The Mövenpick Hotel, where visitors can take a tour of the Egyptian TV and drama sets, and studios which house many of the Egyptian and other Arabic TV stations.

shopping

Citystars is Egypt's premier shopping mall and is quite comparable to a foreign mall. It offers most international brands and most international food chains. It offers a cinema and amusement park. McDonald's, TGI Fridays, Fuddruckers, Ruby Tuesday, and more are all here.

The Townhouse Gallery of Contemporary Art

Sufi Dancing

The al tanura troupe offers free performances every saturday,monday and wednesday night at 8:30pm at the al-ghouri mausoleum. this picturesque place is situated nearby the khan el khalili souk, on a narrow street between the al azhar and al ghouri mosques.

The Garden Theater

In al-azhar park (http://www.alazharpark.com/) offers a range of musical performances. the venue is also a great place for an evening stroll.