In an oil wealthy state like Saudi Arabia luxury has no limits. And the latest is LEED certified.

A new Red Sea resort in Saudi Arabia called Shebara Island is already taking pre-bookings for its glamorous pod hotels, a cool SAR 9,000 a night, which equals about $2,400 USD. No big deal if you’ve berthed your mega-yacht at its shores.

Powered by the sun, the resort features 73 pods that rival the best of luxury from the Maldives seeing a downturn in tourism for its racist policies on religious freedom.

Saudi Arabia is hoping to become booming hotspot for business and tourism and has started creating 15-minute cities like Neom.

Shebaya, the latest from dozens of new projects announced, is LEED-Platinum property which is built to “minimise its environmental and literal environmental footprint by cantilevering the accommodation spaces above the coral reefs with only a few square meters of ground impact at the base of the supporting column.

“The result is an aerial accommodation ‘pod’ that almost seems to defy gravity and suspends the guest directly above and within the beauty of an untouched marine eco-system; an observation platform for guests to witness the fish, birds and turtles that thrive in the area,” says a handout.

The entire project is powered by a centralized solar farm and fresh water is supplied from a solar powered desalination plant. Recycling of waste material takes place on the island minimizing the need to bring or remove materials from the site.

The design language of the resort compliments the uniqueness of the site. The approach to the façade design has been to minimize visual impact, employing a highly reflective stainless-steel skin polished to a mirror finish. These reflective orbs float, almost imperceptible, reflecting the colors and surface patterns of the ocean, the intense colors of the sky as they change throughout the day.

This approach serves to lessen the visual impact of the architecture on the surrounding environment while also greatly improv the building’s energy performance with a near 100% reflection of the solar gain at the mirror surface. These heavily insulated spaces can be effectively cooled with minimal energy losses.

The interior space of the project provides spacious room for the guests, with detailing, and finishes inspired by the interiors of luxury yachts. The room offers panoramic views to the sea with sliding doors that open to a deck, a seating area and an infinity pool with uninterrupted views of the sea and horizon beyond.

The project is designed by the UAE based K

Other Red Sea attractions in the region include our favorite place: low-key eco tourism in Sinai. There is also a great list of eco-tourism sites in the Holy Land. A typical trip in the future might look like this:

1. A cruise down the Nile. The pyramids. A visit to Siwa Oasis in Egypt.
2. Head over to St. Catherines Monastery, hike God’s Mountain, and spend a few nights diving in Sinai.
3. Taxi over to Eilat and head to Tel Aviv, Tiberias, Jerusalem, the Dead Sea.
4. Head across the Allenby Bridge to Jordan and check out Madaba, then down to Petra.
5. From Petra head to Saudi Arabia to one of its dozens of new Red Sea attractions.

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Electronic visa systems have been growing in popularity for a number of years now, as governments around the world seek to find a way to facilitate the process of streamlining application processes to encourage foreign travelers to visit their country. 

This trend has only intensified in the last year or so, as authorities have seen the introduction of an e-Visa as a way to reduce in-person embassy visits and therefore reduce the risk of COVID-19 inherent with large concentrations of people in an indoor space.  

An Egypt e visa has been available since December 2017, but the Egyptian government has now expanded the list of nationalities eligible for the online visa program. Egypt now allows passport holders from up to 75 different countries to obtain their visa through the electronic system. 

Ghada Shalaby,  the Egyptian Deputy Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, noted that the expansion of the program comes almost exactly a year since Egypt began allowing tourist arrivals to enter the country following the relaxation of coronavirus travel restrictions. She also expressed her hope that the move will help to significantly boost tourist arrivals from the newly eligible countries and help the recovery of the Egyptian tourism economy. 

Passport Holders Now Eligible for the Egypt e-Visa

While over 40 nationalities have been able to obtain a visa for Egypt online since 2017, including all citizens of the European Union, the expansion of eligible countries means that nationals of several new territories can now submit an electronic application online. These include passport holders of several GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) counties such as the United Arab Emirates, as well as nationals of India. 

The full list of territories for which the Egyptian e-Visa is now available is as follows: 

• Albania
• Argentina
• Armenia
• Australia
• Austria
• Azerbaijan
• Bahrain
• Belarus
• Belgium
• Bolivia
•  Brazil
•  Bulgaria
• Canada
• Chile
• China
• Colombia
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Ecuador
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Georgia
• Germany
• Greece
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Italy
• India
• Japan
• South Korea
• Kuwait
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malaysia
• Malta
• Mexico
• Moldova
• Monaco
• Montenegro
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• North Macedonia
• Norway
• Oman
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Poland
• Portugal
• Qatar
• Romania
• Russia
• San Marino
• Saudi Arabia
• Serbia
• Singapore
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Uruguay
• Vatican City
• Venezuela
  

An approved e-Visa for Egypt may be issued as either a single entry or multiple entry visa and is valid for a total of 90 days from the date of approval. It allows a stay of 30 days with each entry to Egypt and is valid for purposes of tourism and leisure. 

If a traveler from any of these countries wishes to visit Egypt for longer consecutive stays, or for purposes other than tourism, they will not be able to use the electronic system to obtain a visa. Instead, they will need to apply for a visa through the traditional method, by visiting the nearest Egyptian embassy or consulate in person. 

Benefits of the e-Visa for Egypt

The electronic visa for Egypt has several benefits for both the Egyptian government and travelers, as well as the environment, including:

• Promotes sustainability as removes the need to print out and present supporting documents in paper form as part of the visa application process.
• Reduces carbon emissions as eliminates the need for eligible citizens to travel to an Egyptian diplomatic mission to submit their application in person.  
• Allows expedited entry to the country at border entry checkpoints, as removes the need to wait in long immigration lines to submit a visa on arrival application
• Reduces and streamlines the workload of embassy officials assigned to visa processing duties. 

Additionally, as an approved e-Visa for Egypt is electronically linked to the same passport used to complete an online application, it is not mandatory to print out a paper copy to show on arrival. Nevertheless, it is still advisable to carry a hard copy of the visa on a mobile device to present to immigration officials, in the rare case of any problems with the digital system. 

A Visa for Egypt is Not Always Necessary 

The electronic visa program is ideal for visa-required travelers wishing to visit the majority of Egypt. However, in some cases, certain nationalities do not need to have an approved visa in advance to visit certain tourist-orientated resorts in the Red Sea region, specifically those on the Sinai Peninsula.  

A large majority of nationalities, including all EU nationals and citizens of the United States, are able to obtain a Sinai visa on arrival if they are only traveling to Dahab, Nuweiba,  Sharm el-Sheikh, or Taba resorts. This free permission stamp is valid for a single entry-stay of up to 15 days.

Additionally, visa-required nationalities do not need a visa to enter and transit through any part of Egypt if they do not spend more than 48 hours in the country before transiting to an onward destination. This is dependent on the traveler having a confirmed ticket for onward travel and does not apply to passport holders from Afghanistan, Lebanon, Palestine, or the Philippines. 

Updated Sept, 2023.

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Located 8km from downtown Siwa Oasis, the Freedom Farm House is listed on AirBnB for $133 a night. That’s a lot compared to the hostel/hotel I use when I’m there, which costs more like $15 a night with all the trimmings, but I am notoriously broke and cheap. (Update 2024 – the listing is no longer on AirBnB).

For people who have a bit more money and a family, this little gem has no corners and a giant tree marks the nucleus of one of the chalets, the “umbrella room, which has a bamboo ceiling, a living area, and an upstairs bedroom with spectacular views of the surrounding dunes.

It seems like they might not have had many hits so far since there has been little activity on their page, but they should. At least we think so. New York City on the other hand would probably fine the smithereens out of the family who listed the place since they are essentially running an informal hotel (illegal hotel in legalese.)

The buildings looks like a traditional earthen Siwa home that cross-pollinated with a Khalili-esque dome house.

Speaking of trimmings, no place I’ve ever been in Siwa has offered breakfast, water, a telescope, fireplace, desert walks and access to ATVs as part of the deal, which is the same regardless of the number of people who show up. Get a crowd together, and this place is practically free.

It takes some perseverance to get to Siwa, which lies just east of Libya. Either a long bus or car ride from Cairo, the journey is worth every dust spec, every extra freckle from the sun, and every mile of desert scenery.

The Middle East is very unlikely to see any changes to its AirBnB policies. Here people have bigger worries, like how are we going to save Syria from total destruction and the hundreds of thousands of refugees displaced as a result of this awful war?

Meanwhile, at least at this round farm house, it’s still possible to feel free.

Update: In 2024 we looked for the listing and couldn’t find it but AirBnB has a wide range of low cost and attractive options for Siwa, should you like to visit the Eco Lodge Siwa Oasis hotel featured above, click here.

The post Visit the Round Freedom Farm House in the Siwa Oasis, Egypt appeared first on Green Prophet.

Building with earth can be beautiful, especially when viewed through the lens of Sicilian photographer Giusi Cosentino. We featured her work once before in the aftermath of the Egyptian revolution. One of her most renowned images depicts a veiled woman holding a used canister of tear gas – a particularly lethal brand of which was used against protestors.

Now the talented photographer has sent a new series of images depicting the traditional builders of Siwa. Tucked away in the northwest corner of Egypt, this oasis just 100 km from the border of Libya has a long tradition of building with kerchief, an affordable and widely accessible material composed of sun-dried salt, mud and sand. Although neglected for some years, this construction style has made a resurgence of late, and Giusi captured its essence on film.

“When you arrive in Siwa, you get the feeling of reliving the past – a completely different era than our own,” writes Cosentino, who is currently working in Sicily after a short assignment in Cairo. “The difference in the local population’s way of life is immediately visible in their social habits, in their work, and in this case their methods of construction.”

“The unique mud houses immediately capture your attention after arriving in the oasis, along with the harmony that exists between native homes and the surrounding natural environment,” she continues. In addition to blending into the landscape, kerchief houses are significantly cooler than contemporary homes built of concrete, for example.

“I had an opportunity to take some photos during the construction of a dwelling. It is my hope that through this series of images called The House of Siwa I can demonstrate the remarkable dedication and skill of the local craftsmen, hands full of mud under the hard sun, body and nature working in harmony.”

“The interesting thing for me was the special technique of building. Using only simple earthen materials, the skilled artisans created masterpieces of architecture. This work and good will are the hallmarks of this small population. In all of its simplicity, Siwa is a magical place with wonderful people.”

The post Egypt’s Desert Architecture (Photo Essay by Giusi Cosentino) appeared first on Green Prophet.

The buildings

In addition to constructing buildings using locally-sourced salty karshif soil formed into mud bricks and dried palm ceilings and wooden beams, Taziry, which means full moon in the local Amazighian dialect, relies on passive design and cross-ventilation instead of air-conditioning to keep buildings cool.

Lighting is comprised of no more than oil lamps and candles and there is no electricity (what a relief to unplug from the wired world), although in time the lodge hopes to install energy-generating solar panels that can also heat water for the small village.

The farm

Located 16km outside of downtown Siwa, the resort grows its own organic beef, poultry, fruit and vegetables, which are lovingly prepared in dishes served to guests, and they are developing a solid waste program in order to separate and treat organic and non-organic waste with a view towards recycling what they can.

But where does the golden age come in?

A golden revival

Not only have the Siwans, who are predominantly Berber, abandoned their natural construction methods in favor of so-called modern advancements, but globalization’s presence in this sleepy hamlet has disrupted their craft making and other arts.

To counteract this enormous loss, Taziry is establishing a center where astrology, calligraphy and poetry can enjoy a resurgence, along with a library containing indispensable knowledge.

Neither a regression nor a total progression, given the absence of some of the technology the “developed” world takes for granted, Taziry aims to preserve the region’s rich cultural heritage, enhance the standard of living, and create a heightened environmental awareness among a people who already live fairly close to the land.

:: Taziry Ecolodge

More Nature-Friendly Places to Visit in Egypt:

New El Mandara Eco-Haven Pops up in Fayoum, Egypt

Romantic Desert Lodge Offers Fresh Eggs and Sanity 

The One-Eyed Salt Carver From Siwa Who Still Loves his Craft

The post Egypt’s Taziry Ecolodge and the Golden Age appeared first on Green Prophet.

You might have already read about the first part of our journey where our bus kept breaking down on the road to Siwa. When our host Yehia secured permission from the Egyptian army manager for us to take photos at the carpet factory in Siwa, my traveling companions and I lost no time. Veiled women are usually exceptionally camera shy so this opportunity was at once unusual and exhilarating.

Of course, the women were less thrilled than we, so when they turned away from our peering lenses, I put my camera away.

But before that, I was able to capture a scene that will give our readers a unique glimpse into a world that few people get to see. “The Productive Unit for Environmental Industries” in the Siwa oasis near Libya is working to revive a dying heritage. (See our story on Bokja in Beirut to understand why traditions are important).

Here local Berber and Bedouin women are trained in the traditional craft of weaving Kleem (rugs). In return, they receive both a small salary and commission.

It isn’t easy to communicate with the people at the carpet factory in Siwa. Had I known that behind this ambiguous sign – “The Productive Unit for Environmental Industries” – sat a group of women who earn an income for their families by weaving rugs in the traditional way, I would have visited with a translator. But I had no way of knowing that and our trip here was not planned.

Even so, I was able to extract a few crucial details, and pictures tell a compelling story too. Mr. Khaled Amam, the army manager who oversees the day to day running of the factory, shares an easy camaraderie with the weavers who were very curious about our clicking entourage. Many of the women stopped working, others carried on.

Kleem making has a long history in this region, and rugs developed here used to be shipped to different parts of the world, but globalization and capitalism has diminished the viability of this industry and the skills traditionally passed from women to women were at risk of extinction.

Dr. Eng. Shereif A. Temraz, Prof. Assistant, Faculty of Specific Education, Alexandria University-Egypt says that “The significance of the popular heritage (folklore) in studying of the design is…linked to our roots and ammunition against the cultural invasion aiming to deprive us from our Egyptian entity and the future of the traditional crafts.”

For the last 15 years, dozens of women have been trained to use longstanding symbols such as circles, representing the completion of life, and triangles that show the link between earth and sky, in unique designs woven with weft and warp technique.

Roughly 25 weavers and their families currently benefit from this cottage industry, though it is unclear who initiated it, who funded that initiation, and whether the project continues to receive outside help. What is clear is that these rugs, along with bags and other accessories, are sold in the factory, in downtown Siwa, and in Cairo, Alexandria, and other commercial centers scattered throughout the country. Mr. Aman said that the women receive a small stipend in addition to commissions on rugs sold, so it may be that the project is self-sustaining by now.

The Wikipedia definition of sustainable development is as follows: “a pattern of resource use that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come (sometimes taught as ELF-Environment, Local people, Future).”

While it won’t make them rich, this effort to empower the weavers of Siwa is an inspiring example of sustainable development. Last year we wrote about an Egyptian photographer’s efforts to draw attention to the way in which unsustainable development and tourism threatens the unique culture of this beautiful oasis town. Let this post be a testament to their resilience.

More on Sustainable Tourism in Egypt:

Romantic Desert Lodge in Egypt Offers Fresh Eggs and Sanity

Egypt’s Bahariya Oasis Trampled by Tourism

Bake Bread Like an Egyptian

The Famous Potters of Egypt Got Soul

Green Prophet’s Whirlwind Tour of the Siwa Oasis in Egypt

The post Siwa Oasis and the Veiled Weavers Society appeared first on Green Prophet.

This was the plan: leave at 8pm Friday night from Turgoman station in Cairo. Arrive in Siwa at 5.30am and meet my friend Gwen from France at the Siwa Inn Hotel. Bestow copious hugs and kisses before finding Vivek, a Couchsurfing buddy who traveled from Alexandria. And then, after introducing my friends, relax in this beautiful oasis just 30 miles east of Libya before taking the Sunday overnight bus back to Cairo.

Here’s what really happened: the bus showed up with a broken belt, but I and a handful of other passengers, including a couple from Sicily, climbed on anyway. We were driven to a greasy junkyard, where we were given a bus that I was sure had not seen the light of day in months but that pacified a group of now grumpy Egyptian passengers. Finally, three hours behind schedule, bus #2 with the wheezy engine finally hit the road… and then broke down the following morning one hour shy of our destination!

Siwa is a colorful, sleepy town that lies in a depression roughly 30 feet below sea level. In the summer, fair-skinned people need not come by. But in November, the sun eases off during the day and the evenings are cool enough for a camp fire.

The area is known for its dates, olives, olive oil, and a few other cottage industries. It is also renowned for its green building techniques (more on all of this to come). Because of its remote and tranquil location 350 miles away from the hustle and bustle of an increasingly-tense Cairo, it has become a popular destination. But this isn’t necessarily great for the locals, who are beginning to face serious water shortages. Although there are signs of destructive tourism operations, we received a rare look at the same soporific inner workings that have sustained this community for hundreds of years.

The population currently stands at roughly 23,000, comprised mostly of Berbers. While they share the same gentle, hospitable attitude of the Berbers that Karin and I met during our respective stays in Morocco, the Siwi language here is distinctly different.

Gwen and Yehia, a prominent local man whose 19 brothers and sisters (from two mothers, I should add) own a lot of agricultural property in and around Siwa, came to my rescue at the side of the highway at 9am on Saturday morning. Bus #3 showed up two minutes later, but we didn’t care. We left that bus in our dust!

It’s easy to lose track of time wondering among the dusty streets alongside donkeys and tuk tuks, watching young boys and men completing their daily chores, or else sipping sugary chai in the shade.

A short climb up the melted Shali fortress made of mud-brick and salt provides a wonderful sense of perspective. From the top, there are views of two small salt lakes, a valley full of leafy green palms used for pretty much everything, and the necropolis or mountain of the dead rises in a lumpy mound on the outskirts of town.

The planned group of three turned to six: the couple from Sicily joined our party, I called them Juicy and Crunchy, Vivek met Pierre from Quebec on his bus, Gwen spent the day meandering through town with us before leaving on Saturday night, and then there was me.. happy as can be away from the city again.

Stay tuned over the next few days for a peek at a group of woman in Siwa who make carpets under the army’s watchful management, the man who lost an eye to salt crafts, Siwa’s veteran green builder, and the man who makes olive oil that is good enough to drink…

Click here for Siwa Part II

More on Eco-Tourism in Egypt

Romantic Desert Lodge in Egypt Offers Fresh Eggs and Sanity

Egypt’s Bahariya Oasis Trampled by Tourism

Bake Bread Like an Egyptian

The Famous Potters of Egypt Got Soul

The post The Siwa Oasis in Egypt appeared first on Green Prophet.

The Siwa Oasis is becoming a hot eco-tourism spot in Egypt, away from the glam of 5 star hotels. Alexander the Great loved the spot. 

While high-end, luxury travel continues to suffer somewhat, not all segments of Egypt’s tourism sector are declining. Eco-friendly destinations are continuing to burgeon. On the Red Sea coast are dozens of small environmentally sound “off-the-beaten-track” camps that house scores of Egyptian and foreign visitors daily.

One of those places is Basata, arguably the first such eco-lodge in the country. Lining the pristine sandy beaches are small huts, capable of housing two, three, four and more campers nightly. One of the draws to the camp is their low waste production.

According to Maria Wuersel, co-owner of the camp, they produce their own water. She said that each guest receives an introductory course in water management, which includes what the waste water is used for: flushing the few toilets, pre-washing dishes, and more.

“We use much less water and expel less waste than your typical hotels elsewhere,” she said in a phone interview.

Although many destinations across the country expect a fall in clientele this year, Wuersel argued that because Basata is so different from the average high-end locations in Egypt, their profits are not expected to drop.

“We expect things to stay about the same. Everything thus far is the same and we are already fully-booked for all the major holidays,” she said.

Because most of Basata’s visitors are not the typical “mass tourism” common in Egypt through tour operators like Hassan’s Alexandria-based agency, the fear that the global recession will affect the camp is unlikely.

“Our clients are going to come, we are confident because they want to have this experience. We are not in fear at this time of losses, but we will see by the end of the year,” she added.

Becoming even more popular than the Red Sea eco-lodges is the Western Oasis of Siwa. It is here where legend tells that Alexander the Great received his divine mission to conquer the world from Athena at Siwa’s Oracle.

It is here, in the midst of Egypt’s barren Western desert that the plush town opens to the visitor. Its green landscape filled with trees, palm trees and farming that betrays the area, reminding even the most knowledgeable visitor that from the sandy desert life somehow manages to surface.

Unlike the hundreds of high-end luxury resorts on the Red Sea and northern coasts of Egypt, Siwa boasts its “traditional” experience. There are no five-star monster hotels, at least not yet and no airport. Getting to Siwa requires a 10-hour bus ride from Cairo across the desert towards Libya.

People come from all over the globe to experience the pristine calm that Siwa’s over 230 natural freshwater springs offer; a far cry from the bustling cities and markets that line much of Egypt’s streets. Locals in Siwa offer some of the most exquisite organic materials that are inaccessible anywhere else in the world.

Entirely free of chemical fertilizers, the residents sell their trinkets to tourists and ship them to Egypt’s Crafts – a Cairo-based shop selling the high quality organic materials and souvenirs – for those unfortunate few who don’t make it to the oasis.

There are worries, however, that the current economic crisis will deal Siwa a major blow. With no airport – one is scheduled to open sometime this year or early 2010 – Siwans wonder if tourists will stop coming.

Hassan said he has already booked a number of tours of the oasis for the spring – it is too cold for most tourists to venture into the desert in the winter months.

“I think Siwa and the Red Sea environment places will do just fine this year because the types of people going to these places are going to go there anyway,” he argued. The reason is because eco-tourists are not as worried about financial considerations. The prices are already measurably cheaper than the five-star resorts and hotels in the country.

The only question for Wuersel and Siwa to ask is whether people will venture to Egypt in the first place. At least the draw of such “untouched” landscapes will keep tourists whetting their appetite when searching for that new destination.

Despite government worries that tourism will dwindle in light of the global economic crisis, and ministry of trade said that overall growth dropped into the negatives (3 percent) in 2009, Minister of Tourism Zoheir Garranah is confident that now is the time to invest.

“I am an astute believer in investing even more heavily when things are bad,” he began, “because when they start to rebound the investment pays back dramatically.”

With eco-tourism still booming, one wonders where the government will invest in and if the future projects will be beneficial.

::Basata website

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