Aswan, Egypt Cruises

Aswan, Egypt Cruise Port

• Dabbling cooks and hard-core chefs alike shouldn’t miss the chance to obtain unique and fresh herbs and spices from the local market (souk). For the best deals, check out the older part of the bazaar.
   
• The Nubian Museum (officially, the International Museum of Nubia) lets you get out of the heat and learn more about Aswan's citizens. Dedicated to Nubian culture and civilization, the museum includes 3,000 pieces of antiquities representing various ages, such as Geological, Pharaonic, Roman, Coptic, and Islamic. Built on a cliff, the museum gives a great view of the Nile and is flanked by a natural botanical garden, perfect for a post-museum rest.
   
• Behind the Aswan Museum, there’s a path to the ruins of ancient Abu. Numbered plaques and renovated buildings guide you through the area's history, from roughly 3000 BC to the 14th century AD. The partly-reconstructed Temple of Khnum is the largest structure, and was built on honor of the God of Inundation. Other structures are equally as fascinating and descend to the river's edge, where names of Roman prefects are carved into the left-hand wall.
   
• Possibly named for its tusk-like shape, Elephantine Island was known to ancient Egyptians as Abu or Yebu. It's an island of multiple archaeological sites which have uncovered such curiosities as a mummified ram of Khnum.