<strong>Desert oasis: </strong>Situated less than two hours from Cairo, Fayoum Oasis is one of Egypt's most beautiful, yet overlooked locations.<br />
Desert oasis: Situated less than two hours from Cairo, Fayoum Oasis is one of Egypt's most beautiful, yet overlooked locations.
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<strong>Peaceful location:</strong> "Cairo is chaotic and noisy. The closer you get to Fayoum, the quieter and cleaner it becomes," Italian cinematographer Federico Corno tells CNN Travel.
Peaceful location: "Cairo is chaotic and noisy. The closer you get to Fayoum, the quieter and cleaner it becomes," Italian cinematographer Federico Corno tells CNN Travel.
@amrelhadeka
<strong>Protected site:</strong> One of Fayoum's numerous highlights, Wadi El Rayan is made up of an upper and lower human-made lake, with waterfalls in between.<br />
Protected site: One of Fayoum's numerous highlights, Wadi El Rayan is made up of an upper and lower human-made lake, with waterfalls in between.
Courtesy Eihab Boraie
<strong>Natural wonder: </strong>The best way to take in the full beauty of the waterfalls is by going up to one of the multiple drop-offs from the lower plateau.
Natural wonder: The best way to take in the full beauty of the waterfalls is by going up to one of the multiple drop-offs from the lower plateau.
Courtesy Eihab Boraie
<strong>Magic Lake:</strong> This lake gets its names from its captivating waters, which change color several times a day depending on the amount of sunlight it gets.
Magic Lake: This lake gets its names from its captivating waters, which change color several times a day depending on the amount of sunlight it gets.
@amrelhadeka
<strong>Wadi El Hitan: </strong>Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, this open-air museum holds the remains of hundreds of whales and sharks.
Wadi El Hitan: Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, this open-air museum holds the remains of hundreds of whales and sharks.
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<strong>Heritage site: </strong>The area, known as the Valley of Whales, is also home to the unique Fossils and Climate Change Museum.
Heritage site: The area, known as the Valley of Whales, is also home to the unique Fossils and Climate Change Museum.
Thomas Hartwell/AP
<strong>Distinct attraction:</strong> Designed by Egyptian architect Gabriel Mikhail, the museum expertly blends into the natural surroundings of the desert valley.
Distinct attraction: Designed by Egyptian architect Gabriel Mikhail, the museum expertly blends into the natural surroundings of the desert valley.
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<strong>Water supply:</strong> The estimated 200 water wheels scattered across the area redistribute water from a series of canals in the Nile known as Bahr Yussef.
Water supply: The estimated 200 water wheels scattered across the area redistribute water from a series of canals in the Nile known as Bahr Yussef.
Courtesy Eihab Boraie
<strong>Lake Qarun: </strong>Connected to the Nile through Bahr Yussef, this freshwater lake is considered the world's most ancient.<br />
Lake Qarun: Connected to the Nile through Bahr Yussef, this freshwater lake is considered the world's most ancient.
Nariman El-Mofty/AP
<strong>Bird sanctuary: </strong>Although its unsuitable for swimming, Lake Qarun is hugely popular with bird watchers thanks to the 88 varieties of birds that can be found here.
Bird sanctuary: Although its unsuitable for swimming, Lake Qarun is hugely popular with bird watchers thanks to the 88 varieties of birds that can be found here.
@amrelhadeka
<strong>Tunis Village:</strong> This colorful village overlooking Lake Qarun offers one of the best views in Fayoum.
Tunis Village: This colorful village overlooking Lake Qarun offers one of the best views in Fayoum.
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<strong>Cultural hub</strong>: The residents here create gorgeous pottery and handicrafts in their homes, which are displayed in galleries and showrooms around the village.
Cultural hub: The residents here create gorgeous pottery and handicrafts in their homes, which are displayed in galleries and showrooms around the village.
@amrelhadeka
<strong>One-of-a-kind place:</strong> "People often think about Egypt as just sand, pyramids, the heat or the Red Sea," says Corno. "They don't imagine green farms, art and pottery, relaxation and meditation."
One-of-a-kind place: "People often think about Egypt as just sand, pyramids, the heat or the Red Sea," says Corno. "They don't imagine green farms, art and pottery, relaxation and meditation."
@amrelhadeka
<strong>Pottery festival:</strong> The village's popularity has exploded in recent years thanks to the annual Tunis Village Pottery Festival, which draws in big crowds.
Pottery festival: The village's popularity has exploded in recent years thanks to the annual Tunis Village Pottery Festival, which draws in big crowds.
@amrelhadeka
<strong>Artists' colony: </strong>"I love this festival because anyone who does anything artistic can go get a booth and showcase their work alongside the locals," says travel photographer Amr El Hadeka.
Artists' colony: "I love this festival because anyone who does anything artistic can go get a booth and showcase their work alongside the locals," says travel photographer Amr El Hadeka.
@amrelhadeka
<strong>Beloved dish: </strong>The area is also famous for stuffed pigeon, a delicious, but rather unattractive traditional delicacy consisting of pigeons stuffed with rice.
Beloved dish: The area is also famous for stuffed pigeon, a delicious, but rather unattractive traditional delicacy consisting of pigeons stuffed with rice.
Courtesy Eihab Boraie
<strong>Natural haven:</strong> "In Fayoum, life just kind of slows down and goes back to the natural rhythm it should be," adds Corno.
Natural haven: "In Fayoum, life just kind of slows down and goes back to the natural rhythm it should be," adds Corno.
@amrelhadeka