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Cairo Recreation
Almost every five-star hotel in Cairo has a health club and swimming pool, and they will admit nonguests for a fee. Health clubs that are not at hotels usually lack pools, but they generally offer aerobics/dance classes and (in some cases) belly-dancing classes. Horseback riding near the pyramids is a popular activity, as is sailing in a felucca on the Nile. Golf is another option, though most clubs are far from downtown. Unfortunately, most parks and gardens in Cairo are "to be seen, not visited." The green spaces are often fenced off to ensure they don't get trampled.
BOATING AND SAILING
Feluccas (ancient broad-sail boats) are moored along the Nile in front of large hotels. Cruising on one of them provides a pleasant diversion from hectic sightseeing. (Try to go around sunset.) The boats can be rented for about £E 30 per hour-but make sure you settle on a price before casting off.
GOLF
Dreamland Golf and Tennis Club-This new club is about 50 minutes north of downtown. It has an 18-hole golf course, driving range, tennis courts, heated pool, gym, sauna, restaurant and bar. Daily 8 am-sunset. Nonmembers pay £E 150 for 18 holes weekdays, £E 200 on Friday, Saturday and holidays. Reservations recommended for weekends. Caddy fee £E 40-£E 50, club cart £E 60, club rental £E 40. Dreamland City. Phone 011-400-5777. Fax 011-400-579. E-mail [email protected].
Gezira Club-An exclusive club with a nine-hole course. Daily 6 am-sunset. Nonmembers pay an entrance fee of £E 20, plus a greens fee of £E 70 per day. You can play the course twice without paying extra. (Zamalek, across from the Cairo Marriott Hotel). Phone 735-6000.
Katameya Heights-A popular course, located in a resort community about 40 minutes from downtown. It has 27 holes of championship golf, plus practice facilities, a golf academy, pro shop, tennis center, swimming pool, health spa and a clubhouse with a restaurant and lounge. Daily 7 am-sunset. Reservations required. Sunday-Thursday (excluding holidays) there's a resort entry fee of £E 55, plus a greens fee of £E 160. Friday, Saturday and holidays, the resort entry fee is £E 80, with an additional greens fee of £E 180. Golf clubs can be rented. Ring Road, New Cairo City (5th District, near the New Police Academy). Phone 758-0808. To book tee times, call 758-0505. http://www.katameya.com.
Mena House Oberoi Golf Club-An 18-hole course where club members and hotel guests tee off in the shadow of the pyramids. Daily 7 am-sunset. The floodlit driving range is available after sunset. Nonmembers pay greens fee of £E 105, hotel guests pay £E 15.75 per day. Other charges include £E 52.50 for club rental, £E 25 caddy fee. Pyramids Road, Giza (at the Mena House Oberoi Hotel). Phone 383-3444.
HEALTH CLUBS
Cairo Sheraton Hotel-Daily 6 am-11 pm. Galaa Square, Giza. Phone 336-9700, ext. 599 or 177.
Creative Dance and Fitness Center-Two locations. 13B Road 254, Digla (Maadi). Phone 519-6575. 6 Amir St. (Mohandiseen, off Wadi el-Nil Street). Phone 580-8000. Gold's Gym-A new branch is housed in a boat on the Nile. Daily 5 am-midnight. 121 El Nil St. (Dokki). Phone 748-5565 or 748-0003.
HORSEBACK RIDING
There are several stables near the pyramids, offering horseback riding and lessons. However, not all the stables take good care of their horses.
We recommend AB Stables, FB Stables and MG Stables, all located on Gamal Abd el-Nasr Street, off Abu el-Hol el-Siyahy Street. Most cab drivers know how to find the stables, but make sure they take you to the one you specify. Horse and guide cost around £E 20 for 90 minutes to two hours. A trip by horseback to Saqqara will take about four hours. No reservations needed; just show up
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