Valley of the Queens
There are between 75 and 80 tombs in the Valley of the Queens, or Biban al-Harim. These belong to Queens of the 18th, 19th and 20th Dynasties. These include: Nefertari
The Tomb of Nefertari (Tomb 66): One of five wives of Ramesses II, Nefertari was his favorite and the tomb here is said to be one of the most beautiful in Egypt. The tomb is completely painted with scenes through out. In most of these, Nefertari, known as 'the most beautiful of them', is accompanied by gods. She is usually wearing a golden crown with two feathers extended from the back of a vulture and clothed in a white, gossamer gown. Be sure not to miss the side room where one scene depicts the queen worshipping the mummified body of Osiris. Near the stairs to the burial chamber is another wonderful scene with Nefertarti offering milk to the goddess Hathor.
Alexandria
More modern than Cairo but graced by numerous Hellenistic and Roman relics from the age when it was the cultural capital of Europe. It remains a popular holiday resort for Egyptians. The northern beaches stretch from the Libyan border to the Nile delta and along the north of Sinai. West of Alexandria, the coast road takes one to the Mersa Matruh Resort, which has a very fine beach. From there it is possible to head inland to visit the Siwa Oasis (site of Amun's Oracle, visited by Herodotus and Alexander the Great) on the Libyan border. There are other fine beaches at Alamein (where World War II relics are on view), Baltim, Gamasa, Sidi Kreir and Ras El Bar, where the temperatures are warm enough for bathing until November.
