Cairo Tower

Advantages: the atmosphere and strangeness of the place
Disadvantages: don't go if you dislike heat, pollution and stench!

...I visited to Egypt in 1998 and stayed at the Luxor Hilton, travelling to Cairo on the overnight train which cost around £20 return per person at that time. The "sleeper" compartments of the train really just meant large reclining chairs and curtained windows! I remember it being comfortable enough though - one advantage being that you wake at around 8am having slept for most of the journey, and so feel somewhat refreshed - which is lucky because Cairo hits you right between the eyes! The almost suffocating choke of the city's pollution and dust was quite shocking after the relative peace of Luxor, which is still considered a "village" by many! The traffic is incredibly busy and crossing the road is to take your life in your hands! I took a taxi from the train station straight to the Giza Plateau to visit the Pyramids... Read review

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Advantages: See the wonders of the ancient world
Disadvantages: Cairo is a very busy and noisy city.

...for a sucker, just use common sense, use alot of good humour and always be polite. We went to Egypt last May (7-21 2005) for 15 glorious days travelling with Bales Worldwide on their 'Splendour of Egypt'* escorted group tour - there were twelve of us - (with a tour manager from travelling with you from London and Egyptian guide throughout); 3 nights in Cairo, 1 night at Abu Simbel, 7 night Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor, back to Aswan for 2 nights and then 1 night in Cairo before flying home. *This year the tour has changed, there are 4 nights in Cairo, 7 night Nile cruise, 2 nights at Aswan and 1 night in Cairo. You are now met at Cairo Airport by your tour manager/guide. CAIRO We arrived in Cairo after a five hour flight and while I was busy dying (I am a poor flyer) my mother had enjoyed herself chatting to a really nice Egyptian man... Read review

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Advantages: Obvious - The Pyramids, The Sphinx and the Cairo museum!
Disadvantages: Very busy and very polluted but don't let that put you off

...and in need of a holiday I began to think about fulfilling my dream and visiting the Pyramids. However, being a single woman, travelling to Egypt without a companion did not seem sensible and as most of my friends have young children finding a travel companion seemed unlikely so I began to dismiss the idea. Then a friend lent me "The Alchemist" by Paolo Coelho, a modern fable about following your dreams (I intend writing about the book in an article soon) and it inspired me to find a way. Then a work colleague, also a single woman who loves to travel to out of the way places, introduced me to a travel company called Explore (see my article Lone Traveller - you can see the world) and on 20 November 1999 I was on the plane to Cairo. Arriving in Cairo at midnight and being driven straight to the hotel, my first real sight of the city was early... Read review

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