Minister of Antiquities Khaled Anany held a meeting with South Sinai’s governor, Khaled Fouda, in the attendance of important figures from the Ministries of Interior and Defence in order to discuss the details of finalising the file for Egypt to apply to list “Jazīrat Fir’awn” (Pharaoh’s Island) on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2018. Unlike most visited touristic destinations in Egypt, Pharaoh’s Island in east Sinai hasn’t had a fair share of popularity over the years, despite its historical importance—something that might change after listing it on the world’s most important heritage index.

It’s as you climb down into your first cave that you realize that the desert has captured your imagination. Luckily for us, one of the rarest caves in the world is only a two-hour drive from Cairo. We never really hear that much about caves in Egypt, and yet, to my surprise, the nation is home to one of the rarest examples. In terms of its formation, it is matched by just one other in existence.

Egypt's kookiest natural wonder is the White Desert where surreally shaped chalk mountains have created what looks like a snowy wonderland in the middle of the arid sand. The landscapes here look like something out of a science fiction movie with blindingly white boulders and iceberg-like pinnacles. For desert fans and adventurers, this is the ultimate weird playground, while anybody who's had their fill of temples and tombs will enjoy this spectacular natural scenery.

Best known as the site of some of the most brutal battles of the Second World War, El Alamein has become a site of pilgrimage for people wishing to pay their respects to those lost during the fight. When Germany set its eyes on the Suez Canal, the Allies knew they had to defeat their troops or risk a serious blow to their ability to acquire supplies. After the death of 80,000 soldiers, the battle came to an end and the Allies reigned victorious, making the event one of the most decisive moments of the war as a whole. Over 70 years down the line, the rows of graves in the various war cemeteries are a permanent reminder of the tragic loss that each country involved sustained. Yet, El Alamein is not just a sombre relic of the past with its glorious beaches, lapped by sparkling water, that are the perfect place to appreciate life and its moments of pleasure.

The Giza necropolis, situated in the immediate vicinity of the southwestern suburbs of Cairo is probably the most famous ancient site in the world. The pyramids, together with the Sphinx at the base of the Giza plateau, are the iconic image of Egypt. They were built over the span of three generations – by Khufu, his second reigning son Khafre, and his grandson Menkaure. Along with these major monuments are a number of smaller satellite structures, known as queen pyramids, causeways and temples.

Dahshur is a necropolis located in the desert on the west bank of the Nile River approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Cairo. Compared to Giza and Saqqara, it is a more tranquil and isolated location to see some very large pyramids. Visitor numbers are much smaller, queues are way shorter and there is far less hassle. Pyramids at Dahshur include the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid, constructed during the reign of Pharaoh Sneferu (2613-2589 BC).

Dahab is located some 85 km (53 miles) north of Sharm el-Sheikh on the Gulf of Aqaba, near the southern tip of Sinai. Once an isolated coastal village, Dahab turned into a hippie hangout in the 1980′s and became something of an “alternative resort”, mixing cheap accommodation with a laid back lifestyle. The combination of Red Sea and Sinai desert make Dahab perfect for world class windsurfing, scuba diving, rock climbing and desert trekking with the Bedouin.

A marine environment protection association in the Red Sea reported that officials of La Vista 6 resort in Ain Sokhna have filled a large part of the beach's seawater with sand and rocks to expand the beach.

While people of different generations and walks of life have visited the zoo at least once in their life, and some a lot more, not many know that there’s more to it than just the animals. In fact, there’s a secret world once you enter the door of the Citadel Grotto.

The garden was established by Khedive Ismail in 1867, but it wasn't until 1902 that it was opened to the public, the same year that the Giza Zoo was also made public.

Moving out of Zamalek and across the river to Giza, we come to El-Orman.

Moving out of Zamalek and across the river to Giza, we come to El-Orman.

Put your right foot on the spinning wheel; use your two hands to shape the clay into a small circle and keep spinning and shaping till you have the perfect creation of a vase, cup, plate or ashtray.

Taking a short walk, El-Horreya Park is right at the other end of the street, across from Cairo Opera House. Hidden at the corner of the street, unlike El-Andalus, El-Horreya is quite spacious.

Starting off in the heart of the city, Zamalek has a lot to offer when it comes to parks and green space. At the entrance of Zamalek from Qasr El-Nil, at the southern tip of the island, you can find both El-Andalus and El-Horreya parks. El-Andalus can be accessed from the main gate on Gezira Street, across from Novotel Hotel. A ticket to get in costs EGP 5. At the entrance, you can spot small Pharaonic statues in the different areas of the park and cozy wooden kiosks with decks on both sides. Although the garden might be smaller than some of the other public gardens in the city, it is very well-maintained. If you continue to the right from the gate, you can find steps that take you to the upper section of the park, where the Andalusian style has a strong presence. While the lower part of the garden is perfect for a short walk, the upper section has a different kind of charm. Movie buffs will recognise that part of the park from some of the old classics, and even from more recent features like Samir, Shahir, and Bahir (2010). The gardens is built on different levels and the pathways and a central fountain are decorated with beautiful tiles. You can also take a seat on the beautifully decorated mosaic decks and enjoy a magnificent Nile view. The garden also features Andalusian-style arches with statues of lions in front of a statue of the so-called “prince of poets” Ahmed Shawky, with a line from one of his famous poems engraved on the back. You can spend hours up there just enjoying a quiet moment in green space with a breathtaking Nile view. While most of the park remains open until late in the evening, the upper garden closes its doors at around 5pm.

As Egyptians plan their escapes from jam-packed Cairo during weekends, or for the lucky ones, extended weekends, more and more are looking to head to new locations that put serenity and peace at the heart of the trip.

The reality of most camping trips is, it doesn’t matter what time you end up falling asleep. The sun will seep through the thin walls of your tent shortly after sunrise, tickling you into consciousness. So you sit up, slither out of your sleeping bag and, in my case, grab the gas stove and the coffee maker.

Al-Sakakini Palace in the Al-Daher area of central Cairo is safe and sound after a fire caused by a short-circuit erupted Monday night in the guardroom of the palace's basement.

If you are driving to Salah Salem or Downtown Cairo from Maadi, you have definitely come across or passed through the steel bridge that you can take from the square at the end of the Maadi corniche.