Egypt

Standing for over ten centuries on the banks of the Nile, Cairo is a city of antiquity that has stood the test of time. Alongside Roman, Arab, and Turkish monuments, ancient souks and khawas (coffee houses) there are malls, restaurants featuring cuisines from around the globe and skyscrapers. The hustle and bustle of Africa's biggest city is offset by the palpable presence of the Great Pyramids and the Nile River, which are its heart and soul. 

In ancient times the only way to visit the pyramids and other temples and monuments in Southern Egypt would have been to set sail down the Nile. Though airlines operate flights to these tourist spots, sailing down the Nile is still a good way to visit the historical and cultural monuments that line its banks. Nile cruises are usually three, four or seven nights. The ideal time of the year to go on one is between October and mid-April when the locks on the river are open and the weather is pleasant.

The shorter tours ply between Luxor and Aswan, while the longer cruises travel further north, with day trips overland to more interior locations. A cruise can cost anything between $55.00 USD to $300.00 USD per night, with seasonal hikes of  25% to 50%.

Modern-day Nile cruisers have evolved from the traditional dayabeeyah or "golden boat". These boats were used by royalty and in their present incarnation are floating hotels that have all the modcons, including swimming pools, hot tubs, in-room videos and even internet access. The restored dayabeeyahs that now sail the Nile, offer a scaled-down version of this luxury and can be compared to a floating bed and breakfast. Being smaller than the Nile cruisers they don't have to follow a rigid schedule and are able to berth at sites that are not accessible to their larger relatives. Their main charm is the fact that they give you a glimpse of the past.  

Nile dinner cruises are available for an evening out within Cairo and offer good food, entertainment and a view of the city lights. They are open between 5-8 pm and last about 1-2 hours. They have a number of set menus priced between 50-90 pounds. The boat in Agatha Christie's famous novel Death on the Nile is said to have been loosely based on the Nile Peking, one of the finest dinner cruises in Egypt.

While you are in Cairo, why not sample a Khawa, meaning coffee or coffee shop? These are sidewalk cafés that are the popular watering holes where people meet to exchange news. Traditional beverages are served - which include tea, Turkish coffee and tamarind. 

The Khan el-Khalili bazaar is an experience. It has brass and copper trays and pots, and silver jewellery, handmade applique pillow covers ($10 to $20), wall hangings and tote bags, inlaid boxes and djellabas (the traditional robes for men and women). Kerdassa near the pyramids has hand-woven Egyptian rugs, cotton scarves and tapestries.

For a short break or a longer holiday in Egypt, there is a lot to see, and our specialist consultants will be pleased to advise on the best and most reliable arrangements, so do contact us.