...of the River Nile in Aswan as we watched the Pharoanic Barge make its way across the river from Elephantine Island to transport us back to our home for a further week-The Hotel Oberoi situated on this palm covered island in the middle of the Nile. Nothing had prepared us for the beauty we were about to experience. This stretch of the Nile between the city of Aswan, the Old Dam and the High Dam and Lake Nasser is scattered with islands. Ancient Aswan ... ...The ancient city of Aswan was once the largest trading centre for Upper Egypt exchanging goods from equatorial Africa and the Mediterranean. Aswan lies on the first cataract of the Nile which acted as a natural insurmountable barrier for river traffic as the bubbling waterfalls, rocks and torrents were impossible for boats to navigate. South of Aswan goods had to be carried by caravan across the barren Nubian Desert. However, the building of the ...
mornev 05.03.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Aswan (Egypt)
Advantages: Pyramids, temples, history, the Nile, interesting people. Disadvantages: Extreme heat, culture shock, attitude to women.
...part of my trip included Aswan and a visit to the unmissable Abu Simbel. Sailing down the Nile from Thebes was an incredible experience, you could see how the river was essentially the source of all life with a small patch of green farmland on either side which soon dissappeared into sand and mountains. Aswan is in the south of Egypt and consequently has a more Nubian influence. There are a variety of floating restaurants which are wonderful to relax ... ...visit here are the impressive Aswan Dam (if you like that kind of thing) and the Kom Ombo Temple, which is on an island. You will find that taxis are happy to take you around all of the places and wait for you while you look around, just make sure to agree on a price before hand.
The visit to Abu Simbel cost around £80 extra because you have to fly down to it (the road was closed when we were there). I would stress that this trip is well worth the ...
setimerenptah 01.06.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Aswan (Egypt)
Advantages: A real taste of Egypt Disadvantages: Usually only a stop off for the visit to Abu Simbel
...a 10 day trip.
Aswan was probably my favourite of the towns we stayed in during our two weeks. The first morning we arrived and walked through the bustling streets from the station to the hotel I knew I was going to like it. The bazaar with it's bright stalls of multi coloured spices, the people hurrying about their business with smiling faces, it was wonderful.
I'd heard so many bad stories about Arab markets,about the hard sell from the sales ... ...became more used to the Aswan bazaar, we began to give answers such as "Yes, I have 4 husbands at home" and on one occasion when our group consisted 5 girls and one guy we all claimed to be his wives, to which the reply came "Very lucky man!".
During my stay in Aswan I did not feel threatened at any time. The people there rely heavily on tourism so, let's face it, it is in their interest to make you feel relaxed and at ease.
The highlight if our ...
indychick_uk 23.02.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Aswan (Egypt)
Advantages: history, friendly Disadvantages: third world country so be prepared
Aswan is the last stop down the nile before you get off the beaten track.
Many people join the big cruisers here to head back up to Cairo. It is often overlooked but boy is that a mistake. This is a friendly city and the people are only too eager to chat and give you the customary cup of Tea (or a coke if you prefer). Yes they are trying to get you to part with your money but if you don't there is no anger just an invite to take tea again the next ... ...to be moved when the Aswan dam was built so that the temple did not end up under the lake.
Elephantine island is a short boat trip away and the hotel from death on the Nile is here as well.
Egypt is still one of my favourite destinations and I recommend Aswan as one of Egypts best destinations. ...
rowemg 25.08.2000
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Advantages: temple/tomb visits, Nile cruises Disadvantages: Nile is too polluted
Aswan is situated on the eastern bank of the Nile River at a point where the river narrows and the terrain becomes hilly and festooned with rocky outcrops. The possibility of Islamic Fundamentalist attacks on tourists in Egypt remains. Foreign Office advisory notices offer the latest official advice and should be consulted before booking. There is the usual array of scruffy souk and bazaar-type shopping streets in the centre. Intimidation and fierce ... ...Although Aswan has no beach it does have the Nile, which helps create a resort-type atmosphere. Unless you are an avid collector of virulent waterborne diseases or exotic infections do not, under any circumstances, swim or even dip your toes in the river. Daytime activities include temple/tomb visits and Nile cruises. Nightlife is limited to hotel entertainment and a few bars.
Taxis (fix the fare before setting off) are the usual way of getting ...
teen 12.10.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Aswan (Egypt)
Advantages: Beauty, peace, Nile at its best Disadvantages: none
Aswan is the place to ease into the sounds and sights of Egypt or the place to calm down in after the hustle and bustle of Cairo.From the plane you get a great view of the High Dam and Lake Naser - get a window seat!If you fly to Egypt on Egyptair then internal flights come at half price - worth considering if you want a good deal. Egyptair in Manchester or Birmingham are better offices to deal with than London although Soliman Travel has late discounts.(for ... ...even encouraged, on International Egyptair flights!!)
The best place to stay is the New Cataract Hotel - or the Old if you can afford a Nile View room. From floor 4 up you get one of the best balcony views in the world - or go up to the roof - I do this in every hotel and can recommend it!! Walk by the river and felucca "captains" will accost you. Bargain hard and you can have your own boat for about £6 for 3 hours. A good silor will take you up ...
whetton 10.12.2000
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...Aswan. The
zone of Aswan is that one that more than every other has changed
modern Egypt. South of the city rises in fact the old Dam and,
still more to south, the New Dam. These two immense works of the
civil engineering in fact have allowed Egypt to satisfy the water
demands and necessary electrical workers to the increase of the
country, but the humidity has grown incredibly and some
monuments are remained under waters of the immense one ... ...Some templi as Abu Simbel and Phile
have been literally more take apart piece to you for piece and
transferred in higher places .Phile's templus rises on one
little island between the two dams and has the Greco-roman infuence.
Particularly beautiful to my opinion it is the colonnato outside. If you want you can go up on one feluca
to sail and go to visit the Elefantina Island: here you can find a
botanical garden truly evocative. Try in order ...
Advantages: It never rains Disadvantages: Can be hot
...river Nile before the great Aswan dam. Many of the Nile cruise ships stop here for a night so that tourists can visit the nearby temples on the island of Philae and also take an excursion to Abu Simbel.
Aswan is famous for the Old Cataract Hotel; probably the most romantic hotel in Egypt, made famous by the film 'Death on the Nile'. Built in the 1920s it retains the 'old word' colonial charm and fabulous service you expect of a 5 star hotel but ... ...HUGE and the best have views over the Nile. In the evening take a felucca ride into the sunset. Its just a fabulous place which I could return to many times (I've been back twice so far!). Avoid the summer months, its just too hot. December and january are the best months to go, although prices will be higher.
Voyages Jules Verne usually do special packages staying at the Old Cataract Hotel. ...
RGG 28.07.2000
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Advantages: A very nice city with vibrant colours and attractions Disadvantages: NONE
Aswan is a very big city because it supports almost all of the power to most of Egypt. The Aswan dam controls the wild torrents of water cascading from the Nile. I went to Aswan and we toured over the dam and I found it very interesting. This is not the only thing that you can see at Aswan. There is the palace on Elphantine dating back to the time of the Pharaohs. This is very interesting and we took a feluca ride around the island to get a better ... ...definetly recommend is the old cataract hotel. This is famous because Agatha Christie (the author) stayed here while writing her book about Anthony and Cleopatra. We went here for lunch and I enjoyed it a lot because the food was excellant and it had nice ice cold A.C.
So I definetly recommend that you go here because it is so good. ...
Inferno 08.12.2000
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