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Garden City is a well-planned and leafy district of central Cairo, immediately south of the very centre of the modern city at Midan Tahrir. In 1905 the agricultural architect Jose Lamba was asked by the owners of the Nile Land and Agricultural Company to design a new city. His vision was of a leafy suburb with a layout drawn up more using a compass than a ruler, unlike the rectilinear grid system used in other suburbs like Ma'adi and Zamalek. Lambas preferred an Art Nouveau style with smaller roads and uneven lines, interspersed with triangles often leading the walker back to where they started.
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Built in 1794 by Ibrahim Katkhuda El-Sennari, a Sudanese occultist, Beit al-Sennari housed French artists and scholars after Napoleon arrived. The house was restored in 1995, and opened to the public in 2000. The house is home to the Institute for Applied Arts, which has glassware, pottery, and other works on display. You can also see the courtyard and open gardens, and the various sections of the house.
Home to the People's Assembly. There are tours offered and a museum chronicling the Egyptian government. Unclear if the tours and museum are operating since the revolution.
Museum of modern life
Part of the Geographical Society created by Khedive Ismail in 1895, this rather neglected museum displays more modern Egyptian cultural artifacts, and examples of daily life.
Sail over the Nile in an original Egyptian ship. Felluccas are waiting in front of the Four Seasons Hotel. No reservation needed. In the summer it is recommended to sail a Fellucca late in the evening or at night because of the heat during the day. The view at night is also very spectacular. As with most things in Egypt negotiating about the price is needed. LE50 for an hour is a reasonable price.
An evening stroll along the Corniche is always a good idea. Take a stroll up to the Qasr el-Nil Bridge, where you can see the lion statues at the foot of the bridge. Qasr el-Nil Bridge is a popular spot for young Egyptian couples to have an inexpensive date. Many couples stay out for hours on the bridge, where you can often find vendors renting plastic chairs by the hour, and selling roasted lib (peanuts, pumpkin seeds) in small paper cones, and hot sweet tea served in glasses. Occasionally you will see amateur fishermen landing Nile perch from the bridge. A great place to see the lights over Cairo city at night.
Enjoy a romantic evening cruising the Sofitel owned M/S Scarabee on the Nile. Scarabee offers belly dancing, live music, and international cuisine, grilled meats, and vegetable platters served buffet style.
Grande Hyatt luxury yacht
Enjoy a drink and cruise up the Nile in the evening on deck in the Moonlight Cafe, or enjoy lunch or dinner downstairs in the Baccarat Restaurant aboard the Grande Hyatt's private yacht the Marquis. Lunch is served 2:30PM-4:30PM. Dinner served 8PM-10PM. Reserve seats at Hyatt reception.
Garden City is a great place to wander around admiring architecture. Its streets are filled with what once were beautiful palaces and villas, homes to the elite of Cairo, and places of negotiation, intrigue, and brutal realpolitik. The British Embassy (Bayt al Lourd) on Ahmed Ragab Street, built in 1894, saw delicate garden conversations on the engagement of Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II of Britain) to Prince Philip; and in 1942 saw the British Envoy storm forth in a military convoy to force King Faroukh to appoint a pro-British cabinet. The Grey Towers Building at 10 Itihad el Mohamyeen el Arab St was also known as 10 Downing Street as it was the British Army's GHQ during World War II, and here the independence of Syria and Lebanon were constructed.
The best foul in Cairo, don't let the looks of what is basically a stand with tables in the road fool you.
A local fast food joint with the standard Middle Eastern fare, delivery.
Abou Shakra is a chain restaurant with a Middle Eastern/ Northern African menu and the occasional French fry.
Thai cuisine, located on the second floor of the Semiramsis InterContinental Hotel.
Italian restaurant, near the embassies, featuring homemade pasta and other dishes.
Located on the 41st floor, the Revolving Restaurant offers cocktails and French cuisine, with splendid views of the Nile. Reservations required and dress code (no jeans).
Cantonese cuisine served in an elegant setting, with dim sum buffet on Friday afternoons 1PM-4PM. Dress smart casual.
Reservations are essential at this very popular Lebanese restaurant. A very wide range of Lebanese mezzeh is offered.
Used to be a well-run hotel owned by Italians, now just an average, grimy but functional hotel. The staff isn't particularly the best but the bedding is clean and the rooms are big. A variety of rooms from those with air conditioning and bathroom to those with no air conditioning and a shared bathroom.
Located on the third floor of an office building, this hotel offers free WiFi, breakfast, modest rooms with budget design, small double beds, and towels daily. You will have to ride an elevator up to the hotel and meander to the lobby.
Everything you would expect from this chain of hotels, with many rooms overlooking the Nile.
Formerly the Hyatt, situated on the North tip of Rhoda Island.
High quality accommodation on the Corniche, 10 mins walk from Midan Tahrir. Contains Osmanli Turkish restaurant and rooftop poolside bar / cafe with great Nile views.
Local bus or micro bus
From the terminus at Abdel Mon'em Riyad behind the Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Sq you can take a bus or a micro bus with the destination Qasr El Aini to Garden City.
By Metro
The best metro station for this area is Sadat Station at Tahrir Square downtown since Lines 1 and 2 intersect there, and by following the Corniche you won't get lost.
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