Advantages: Amazing Temples, Tombs, desert landscapes,sunsets,food, weather Disadvantages: Hassle from hustlers, Extreme heat, apparent extreme poverty of some
Before even beginning this review of our recent holiday, I must preface it with the fact that my wife works as a cruise consultant for MyTravel plc, and so we got a heavily-discounted price for this holiday of a lifetime: consequently any overall holiday cost indication would be irrelevant. ( I daren't even say how little we paid for it, but my wife had worked hard to get the bonus points and concessions she used against the cost, honest!)
We booked ... ...followed by a 7 night stay at the Iberhotel, 4*, in Luxor, beginning in early June 2006 through Panorama Holidays, part of MyTravel.
As the flight time from Manchester was over 5 hours to Luxor, my wife had taken the very wise move of pre-booking extra-legroom seats both ways (about £40 per person), which, as I am 6ft and notoriously twitchy on planes, was a definite GOOD IDEA: all the sardines squashed into the charter plane for 5 hours eyed me, ...
billybunter85 21.10.2006 (28.10.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of General: Egypt
Advantages: The hotel had it all Disadvantages: No snow!
The first Sofitel hotel was opened in Strasbourg, France in 1964. Now Sofitel, part of the hotel brand of Accor, has 180 hotels in 53 countries around the world. They employ approximately 12,500 people in different countries around the world. The one that I am going to review is the one in Hurghada, Egypt and it is built on forty hectares in the Arabian desert and has the luxury of its own private beach by the very clear and lively Red Sea. It is ... ...Luxor. It has 312 rooms and four villas and we stayed there for two glorious weeks over the Christmas period of 2004 and we loved it, the staff at the hotel were extremely friendly and helpful. We booked to go six months in advance and arranged everything with Portland Direct, who are part of the Thomson holiday giants, and payed for it through their website at portland-direct.co.uk. The price was around four hundred and sixty pounds each, flying ...
yampy-uk 12.01.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of General: Egypt
Advantages: The breathtaking scenery and diving Disadvantages: The scattered rubbish that is not cleared up
At the far Southern tip of the Sinai, the desert peninsula of Ras Mohammed edges out into the Red Sea. Here the craggy plateau disintegrates into broad sandy beaches separated by rocky outcrops, which drop off into rich coral reefs whose brilliantly coloured reef fish attract barracuda and sharks. It is not surprising that Jacques Cousteau rated this small national park as one of the world's top three dive sites. It is also not surprising that thousands ... ...year.
The best dive sites can be identified from the land due to the proliferation of gleaming white boats that are anchored in one location. Once underwater the shoals of divers seem to outnumber the fish. It is possible to merge into another group and surface with strangers at a completely different boat to the one you began your trip with. Back on shore the memories of the reef still remain but you wonder how much more of an experience it would ...
sean0107 02.11.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of General: Egypt
Advantages: A must for history fans and sightseers. Disadvantages: Generally not good for children or teenagers.
Along the Nile
A Dream
Egypt was a place I had always wanted to visit. Since I was a small child I dreamed of visiting this mystical and ancient land. I was brought up a catholic and Egypt played an integral part of history lessons and bible study. During my teenage years I read about discoveries of new tombs and the unearthing of new artefacts. When I reached maturity it still remained of enormous interest to me. However due to circumstances and ... ...always remained a dream.
This all changed when I was 45. Family, and work circumstances changed for the better and the funds became available to live my dream. My wife and I booked an eight day cruise along the Nile for the following October. (2002)
A journey
We arrived at Gatwick about five hours before our flight was due to leave. In the airport I wondered if they sold my brand of cigarettes in Egypt. We later found out they didn’t so unless ...
milleniumzeus 22.09.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of General: Egypt
Advantages: Better than my dream, romance, culture Disadvantages: The troubled Middle East
A Childhood Desire ***************** “You can open your eyes now and see your Christmas present!” I dutifully obeyed, and saw the old Ford Fiesta belonging to a friend parked outside our house, gift wrapped in pink ribbon and tinsel. My heart sank as I tried in vain to hide my utter disappointment. For sure, I’d been complaining about my own old, unreliable MGB, but it was far superior to this heap of junk that I assumed Morty had ... ...“Look closer” he said “Open the envelope” I hadn’t noticed the envelope wedged behind the windscreen wipers, for the barely held back tears of distress welling up in my eyes. Inside, to my sheer delight was a ten day holiday to Luxor and Cairo in Egypt, booked and paid for. Departure in eight days time! This time my tears were those of happiness! He had heard me and taken notice of my dream. A dream inspired, while a ...
mornev 15.12.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of General: Egypt
Advantages: Hot with plenty to see and do Disadvantages: Harrassment from street sellers
This year I went on one of the most amazing holidays I have been on. I went to Egypt. My trip to Egypt took months of planning and was in fact very difficult to book. This stemmed from the fact that I had a clear idea of where I wanted to go in Egypt and when.
I wanted to start in Luxor. This was primarily because I could book a cheap return flight to Luxor via Thomas Cook. I wanted to board a Nile Cruise in Luxor for 5 days (4 nights). Many cruises ... ...return to Luxor. I wanted to travel from Aswan to Cairo - on the sleeper train. From Cairo I then wanted to go to a Red Sea beach resort, wasn't bothered which one.
After months of trawling around Travel Agents, none of who could offer my perfect package, I discovered a company called ATB holidays on the internet. From day one they were fantastic. I told them what I wanted to do and they were so accommodating. I could start my trip around Egypt ...
Bridezilla 27.09.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of General: Egypt
Advantages: cheap, only 5 hours away, amazing weather, amazing sites! Disadvantages: heat (for some may be disadvantage), annoying hagglers
Me and my partner visited back in June this year for a week: we bought the whole package on Ebookers for just under £400 each which included flights and all inclusive accomodation.
We flew with Monarch and had no problems at all with the check in, flight or baggage collection.
We chose to stay in the Hilton's Sharks Bay Hotel in Sharm El Sheikh. The hotel was lovely: it had 4 swimming pools, its own private beach and hosted alot of activites for ... ...day with a buffet breakfast in the hotel resturant and they provide a wide range of food from cakes and doughnuts to a traditional english breakfast! We would then make our way down to the pool and grab a couple of sunbeds and spend the morning soaking up the VERY strong rays! (Defnitely have your factor 30 at the ready!) Once the heat got too much, it was nice to jump in the pool and cool off with a beverage at the pool bar! We found ourselves to ...
rhinoklo 23.11.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of General: Egypt
Advantages: History, atmosphere, weather.... I could go on! Disadvantages: Not for you if you hate to haggle!
Hearing on the news that bombs have exploded with tragic consequences at a destination you have just locked your suitcase to travel to is not the best start to any holiday. We spent the whole of the day before we travelled to Taba and Nuweiba constantly on the phone to our tour operator (Libra Holidays) and the Foreign Office, both advising us that it was safe to travel.
Being the staunch Brits that we are, we arrived at Gatwick airport the following ... ...whilst the two men headed for the bar! A couple of drinks later and the Egyptian jokes started to flow 'Do you sphinx it will be safe there? I hope the camels haven't got the hump with us.......' you know the type, this set the mood for our whole week's stay! Our flight was not full - there were many who had decided not to take the chance, but those of us that did all agreed that now was probably the safest time to travel.
*Airport*
Arriving in ...
chatterbox3110 29.10.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of General: Egypt
This opinion is mainly about Cairo but includes alittle about Ras Sudur near Suez.
I visited Egypt in August 2001 and i am returning August 2002. The first thing that hit me as we travelled from the airport in Cairo to our hotel, apart from the heat, was the living standards in the city. In general Cairo appears quite a run-down place with many earthquake damaged flats filled with the homeless and many other run down buildings.
Yet this is no real ... ...noise of the traffic can be heard 24/7 yet it is not expecially diturbing as you quickly grow used to it. Crossing a road is an adventure in its self as there appear to be no driving regulations on those streets. This all gives you the feeling of something exotic and totally different from my UK home. As westerners you will be hassled by people on the streets trying to get money out of you. But as this country would have no hope of surviving without ...
livelifeandsmile 24.07.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of General: Egypt
Advantages: Bigger, better, more extensive than any other historic vacation Disadvantages: Somewhat aggressive vendors, food can vary in quality
If you've ever been inspired by the the efforts of man in the early days of civilization and have perhaps seen some Greek or Roman ruins then prepare to be amazed. Egypt is positively a global treasure house. From the temple at Abu Simbel built out of a mountain to the extensive Karnak complex at Luxor there is simply nowhere in Europe to compare to the historical paradise of Egypt.
Flying into what we anticipated would be a third world country ... ...a Gate 1 representative who whisked us through immigration. If you travel Gate 1 they have a great system where they send yellow Gate 1 straps which you can strap around your bags. Then they take care of picking up your bags from the airport belt making the travel experience even easier than travelling in the Europe.
Travelling with Gate 1 we were escorted all the time to the front of lines, avoided the ticket buying experience and given a first ...
rihallix 13.08.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of General: Egypt
Advantages: amazing country!! lots to see and do Disadvantages: bash to tourism after masacre
Egypt, the land of camels and pyramids. Think on, there is so much more to this amazing country and this makes Egypt the potential holiday of a lifetime. I visited Egypt nearly 6 years ago and I can still remember it like it was yesterday because it made such an impression on me.
My family flew to Egypt then joined a Nile cruise ship before setting off on a voyage along the River. We had a set week long schedule which would take us to 5 stops along ... ...the Country. Being the kind of person that burns as soon as I hit sunlight I found the heat unbearable but valuing my skin enough I was marinaded in factor 32. Our first day in the town of Edfu was like walking into the flames of hell- we thought we would die we were so hot. It's therefor extremely important to carry around massive bottles of water and protect yourself from the sun. Dont follow our example and go at the hottest time of year! Also ...
emilystobbs 07.02.2001 (14.10.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of General: Egypt
Advantages: very hot and historical Disadvantages: none
Although I only went to Egypt for a few days I found it fasinating and would definately visit again. Egypt is full of things to see and do including the Cairo museam, the Sphinx and the three pyramids. The Cairo museam: The Cairo museam is well worth visiting and is full of Egypt's history. It contains Tutankamun's mask, the coffin's he was burried in along with everything else found in the young boy's tomb including his mummified body! The museam ... ...count. It is very interesting and well worth visiting. The Sphinx: The Sphinx is a little way away from the pyramids and is very big. It is definately well worth visiting. Next to the Sphinx are the temples in which the Pharo's were mummified. The Egyptions carried stone hundreds of miles to buld a temple for every person they mummified. This showed that the Egyptions were very commited to their leaders. It is worth having a guided tour to tell you ...
chuckb 22.06.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of General: Egypt
Advantages: A very relaxing intermission to absorb the impact of the sights of Egypt Disadvantages: Cramped and the sanitary arrangements are basic
I travelled to Egypt with a company called Explore Worldwide who specialise in "small group exploratory holidays". They are prefect for anyone travelling alone, as I was, or on a budget or anyone who wants to get "off the beaten track" but still have support from a guide and a group of fellow travellers.
Their website is www.exploreworldwide.com and the trip I went on was the Nile Felucca Sailtrek, this opinion is part 3 of my travelogue covering ... ...a felucca. If you want to find out about other parts of Egypt please read my other opinions (more coming soon)
I also travelled to Turkey with Explore last year and hope to travel with them to Nepal next year.
One of the main reasons for me picking the particular trip which I did was the opportunity to spend four days travelling down the Nile from Aswan to Edfu on board a traditional Nile felucca. The felucca has been the most popular vessel on ...
indychick_uk 23.02.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of General: Egypt
Advantages: sun plus culture Disadvantages: I couldn't see disadvantages
If you travel to Egypt you shouldn't intend just to enjoy the sunshine but you should use the time to make excursions.
Here are some excitements:
LUXOR:
Luxor is after Theben the second oldest town in Egypt. You can visit the Karnak temple which is the biggest temple in the world. You get an insight in history and you wonder how the Egyptians managed to build such an installation at that time's technique. The pillars of the temple are 14 metres ... ...be as old as they really are. You can visit a papyrus-shop there where you can buy real papyrus and where they'll tell you how this material is manufactured. After lunch near the Nile I recommend to continue the trip to king's valley. There are 64 pharaos buried. Every year only 12 graves are opened because they want to avoid a decline of the wall painting. If you are lucky you are allowed to see the grave of the famous Tutenchamun. Alas, I was not ...
Ronny 06.05.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of General: Egypt
Advantages: Please read my review Disadvantages: Please read my review
I have been to Egypt twice. The first time was when I won a free cruise of the Mediterranean from the Orient Cruise Company. I have been on 5 Cruises of the Mediterranean and the Orient wasn't my favorite. It was the only Cruise I took that stopped in Egypt.
My Greek Friend Nini worked as a Tour Guide and she was able to get a free trip as well so we share a Cabin.
Nini's Company arranged for a private taxi to take us on a short tour of Alexandria ... ...us to have one free night at the Sheraton Hotel in Cairo.
I was a little worried about how we would get back to meet our Ship the next day but Nini said she had a Friend, (Nesma Sadiq), who would give us a tour of Cairo and arrange for us to take a taxi to Port Said.
~O ALEXANDRIA O~
It took us a long time to dock in Alexandra because there were so many Cargo Ships that we had to pass between. The Russians had left Egypt a few years before and ...
MRS.CANADA 09.09.2002 (19.09.2002)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of General: Egypt
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