Hello All,
Thanks to all who have shared insight, websites and offered to personally assist in
planning a trip to Egypt. I'm still open to suggestions. In the meantime I have
been requested to post a HIT and didn't want to delay getting information back to
those who requested so here it is:
I can recommend http://www.questtravelegypt.com/ . I have been to Egypt twice in
the last three years. Mohamed Nazmy, the present of this travel company is a rare
jewel! I have a group that I travel with to Egypt, but I believe that all his
tours would be wonderful.
http://www.tauck.com/tours/africa-travel/egypt-tour-ey-2008
I have traveled with Tauck tours and had a wonderful time.
I went to China with Viking and it was great.
http://www.vikingtours.com/destinations/africa/Pharaohs.aspx
Try to schedule your flights in and out during daylight. Flying along the Nile,
seeing the settlements and farms near its fertile soil, then looking farther away
at baron desert, makes the study of civilizations come alive. It's fascinating.
Bring a smile and a sense of humor--the vendors are generally friendly, but can be
persistent.
If you can afford one splurge, and you are going to see the pyramids, the old
section of The Mena House with a view of the pyramids is magnificent.
It has been many years since I was there last, but "back in the day" one could pay
guards [baksheesh] for permission to see "closed" rooms in the National Museum,
enter "forbidden" sites, and, even climb the Cheops pyramid at dawn.
It has been several years since I went to Egypt, but it was definitely one
of our best (or the best) family trip we ever took. We were living in
Belgium at the time, so the length of the flight was significantly reduced.
We went in February, so you're right, it will be hot. Probably over 100
every day, but July and August might be even worse.
Cairo itself is ugly and unruly. I would go there because the pyramids and
sphinx are in Giza which is accessible from Cairo. Egyptian Museum is also
worth some time. Then I'd get out.
We flew to Luxor and spent most of our time there. We made arrangements
through the hotel to take guided trips with small groups. Sometimes just our
family or maybe one other small group. It is not a problem to get tours in
English. We would spend the morning touring (Valley of the Kings,
Hatsupeth's temple, etc) and the afternoon R&R and poolside. Our hotel was
right on the Nile and had a small boat excursion from one end of the
property to the other. There they had set up a tent party. Camel rides,
outdoor meat roasting, live entertainment, etc. It was great fun so if your
hotel offers it, do it.
I hope one day to get back to Egypt to get to Aswan and Abusymbel. (Good
chance those are not spelled correctly). It just seemed like too much to try
to fit that in all in one 10 day trip.
An all inclusive resort is the way to go. Egypt is not the kind of place to
go wandering by yourself and eating from street vendors.
There is a travel company that I know North Americans like for "authentic travel"
and good pricing. In our travels around the middle east and india (which we do
independently) I have met many on "Intrepid" Tours. They seem to love the fact that
Intrepid tries to keep the money with the local people and not some big
international travel company.
I haven't, but good friends traveled with a tour to Egypt two years ago with their
Aspberger grandson. I only mention it because he was the hit of the tour whenever
they went to sites. He has a great memory for historical facts, and knew things
that the tour guides didn't.
Anyway: water bottle and lots of dollar bills for tips. There will be people to
hand you out of boats and buses, take a mask if you have asthma or any of the other
breathing disorders, Handi-wipes and waterless soap, lots of sun screen, the higher
the number the better, a wide-brimmed hat, lots to read and leave because you'll be
waiting a lot, clothing that acts as a sunscreen. Do not venture out alone in
large cities and be aware in the bazaars.
I went to Egypt in June a couple of years ago. It was hot but I had the
opportunity to visit a friend there so I went. I really enjoyed it. The lines at
the big tourist spots are not so long in June. We especially liked the camel ride
around the pyramids, the Cairo museum and all the sites around Luxor. We didn't
make it to Aswan but people say that's wonderful too. We then spent a few days in
Sharm-el-Sheikh for snorkeling if you like that. It's more culturally sensitive to
keep your shoulders covered so don't take tanks or tops with spaghetti straps.
Pack lightweight blouses and plenty of sun block.
I didn't go on a tour but made my own reservations with the help of my friend. We
did get a guide for our day in Luxor. My one regret is that I didn't spend more
time. Maybe I'll get back there sometime.
http://www.traveljournals.net/stories/24885.html
This is the one entry from Egypt of my friend's travel blog. Only one
entry because she got very sick and had to return to the UK, but I
wouldn't let that worry you.
Boy, can I help! I lived in Egypt for five years, just returned to the States last
year. So let me know what you're interested in, how much time you have, etc. and
I can tell you what's worth seeing and what's a tourist trap!
Jeri Hurd
Library Media and Technology Specialist
King and Low Heywood Thomas School
1450 Newfield Avenue
Stamford, CT 06905
203-322-3496 ext. 332
jhurd@klht.org
loveyourlibrary@verizon.net
Janice Kowalski-Kelly, LMS
Cleveland Hill
Elementary
"I really didn't realize the librarians were, you know, such a dangerous
group. They are subversive. You think they're just sitting there at the
desk, all quiet and everything. They're like plotting the revolution,
man. I wouldn't mess with them." Michael Moore
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