After a decade of turmoil brought on by the Arab Spring, Egypt is entering a much more hopeful period. This year marked the 100th anniversary of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb, and Egypt will host the COP 27 United Nations Climate Summit in November 2022.

In the upcoming year, many high-profile projects, including the much-delayed Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, will finally open, bringing to fruition long-held ambitions. The space, which is supposed to open in 2023 and be the largest archaeological museum in the world, will house priceless items, including everything that was found in Tutankhamun’s tomb. Egyptology-wise, the exciting return of some artifacts from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the move of the nation’s extensive collection of royal mummies to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo are additional tourist draws.

New infrastructure and a new capital are rapidly taking shape as part of larger transformations that are underway. Egypt’s New Administrative Capital, east of Cairo, will take over as the country’s governing hub. It will feature Africa’s tallest tower and the 22-mile-long Green River Park, which is designed to look like the Nile. This is a controversial development. In that regard: The Viking Aton, which will operate the well-known Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary, is expected to join Viking River Cruises’ fleet in August 2023, marking yet another expansion. In the meantime, the eco-resort The Chedi El Gouna is scheduled to open in December 2022, making it necessary to travel through Egypt multiple times.