Anonymous

Posts: 4064

Re: Beyond the Pyramids

Nats and Alex,

My first ever trip outside Europe was to Egypt and I had a great time. It was while ago now though so things will have changed but I'm sure the sights and sounds are pretty similar. Looking at your tour you'll get to see some really good sights. I would advise you to get to the museum of antiquities in cairo if your tour doesn't cover it - it's huge so allow some time, but houses all sorts of stuff from around the country, as well as King Tut's stuff of course if it's not on tour somewhere else in the world. Very often you'll see a blank space somewhere else in the country and the guide will comment - now in cairo museum.
The citadel and some of the other mosques in the islamic quarter are also very good to see.
Abu simbel is spectacular in itself, and even more so when you realise the efforts that went into relocating it. If you drive there and back, the mirages in the desert can be quite amazing.
A felucca cruise really allows you to see the nile at local level and sleep under the stars.
Luxor and surrounding areas has some of the most famous things of course - and for good reason. When you consider the size (or lack of it) of Tut's tomb and what came out of it, and then look at the size of Ramses II, you can only stand in awe of what riches must have been buried in the larger tombs.
Hurghada is great for some snorkelling or diving of course. It was quite a small town when I was there but has grown big time over the last ten years.
I Didn't go to the sinai.
For every day stuff - get used to heat, bartering and people coming up to you on a regular basis trying to sell you things. Once you've got the hang of handling these things it's fine - it can actually be quite interesting accepting an invite into a shop for tea and just chatting even if you don't buy anything (if you have the will power not to). Barter for everything basically.

Enjoy
Jerry

Anonymous

Posts: 4064

Re: Beyond the Pyramids

quote:
Originally posted by jerry:
Nats and Alex,
My first ever trip outside Europe was to Egypt and I had a great time. It was while ago now though so things will have changed but I'm sure the sights and sounds are pretty similar. Looking at your tour you'll get to see some really good sights. I would advise you to get to the museum of antiquities in cairo if your tour doesn't cover it - it's huge so allow some time, but houses all sorts of stuff from around the country, as well as King Tut's stuff of course if it's not on tour somewhere else in the world. Very often you'll see a blank space somewhere else in the country and the guide will comment - now in cairo museum.
The citadel and some of the other mosques in the islamic quarter are also very good to see.
Abu simbel is spectacular in itself, and even more so when you realise the efforts that went into relocating it. If you drive there and back, the mirages in the desert can be quite amazing.
A felucca cruise really allows you to see the nile at local level and sleep under the stars.
Luxor and surrounding areas has some of the most famous things of course - and for good reason. When you consider the size (or lack of it) of Tut's tomb and what came out of it, and then look at the size of Ramses II, you can only stand in awe of what riches must have been buried in the larger tombs.
Hurghada is great for some snorkelling or diving of course. It was quite a small town when I was there but has grown big time over the last ten years.
I Didn't go to the sinai.
For every day stuff - get used to heat, bartering and people coming up to you on a regular basis trying to sell you things. Once you've got the hang of handling these things it's fine - it can actually be quite interesting accepting an invite into a shop for tea and just chatting even if you don't buy anything (if you have the will power not to). Barter for everything basically.
Enjoy
Jerry

Hi Jerry,

Thank you very much for the information, as for the heat its the least problem we're from Malta and so the temprature is very much the same. As for the sights i think the highlight will be Abu Simbel, i did read quite alot about it and how it was relocated, besides Abu Simbel i guess the most impressive are the Pyramids, i have always imagined just standing there infront of those immense buildings having seen so many photos of them and my mother being brought up in Egypt.
once again thank you very much.
nats and Alex

Anonymous

Posts: 4064

Re: Beyond the Pyramids

Hello nutscic,

I have just returned from Egypt and it was fantastic. My feluca trip was a shock to me but ended up the best part of the trip. The pyramids are beautiful and even more impreseve that I ever imagined. Aswan and Luxor are fun and as it was my first time with imaginative Travel and to Egypt I can assure you the country is fantastic. I was looked after all the way by our tour leader as were the group, some australians, people from New Zealand, Ireland, England, a Scotish man and two South Africans. Our guides were different in Cairo and Luxor but were the best I have experienced.
Carol

Anonymous

Posts: 4064

Re: Beyond the Pyramids

quote:
Originally posted by Carol:
Hello nutscic,
I have just returned from Egypt and it was fantastic. My feluca trip was a shock to me but ended up the best part of the trip. The pyramids are beautiful and even more impreseve that I ever imagined. Aswan and Luxor are fun and as it was my first time with imaginative Travel and to Egypt I can assure you the country is fantastic. I was looked after all the way by our tour leader as were the group, some australians, people from New Zealand, Ireland, England, a Scotish man and two South Africans. Our guides were different in Cairo and Luxor but were the best I have experienced.
Carol

Hi Carol,

Thank you very much for your info, and i hope Egypt is as beautiful as you say.

Thanks

Nats and Alex