Trip Start-up

The Sphinx at Giza outside of Cairo
Photo courtesy of Neiljs on Flicker

Some of you may remember we had planned to visit Egypt back in 2011. In fact, we were all set to go, and then Arab Spring happened. We have never given up on the dream of seeing the pyramids, so we are giving it another try.




Once again, our intrepid friends Amy and Ted are joining us for this second attempt. We have booked a private tour for just the four of us using the well-respected travel agency Memphis Tours.

Kom Ombo Temple along the Nile
Photo courtesy of Dennis Jarvis on Flicker

We developed a customized itinerary with Memphis Tours, and they will take care of everything for us, providing private guides and drivers (in air conditioned vehicles!) along with tours of all the sights. We have also booked a Nile cruise on a dahabiya which is a small, old-time wooden yacht. With just eight cabins, the dahabiya provides a much more personal cruising experience.

Here is a basic outline of the trip:

Vienna (2 nights) -- to break up the long flight, we'll stop off in Vienna to see a ballet and check out Anne's favorite Vermeer painting at the Art History Museum

Cairo (3 nights) -- tours of the Great Pyramids at Giza along with Saqqara and Dahshur

Fly to Aswan

Aswan (3 nights) -- stay at the renowned Old Cataract Hotel, visit the Aswan Dam, eat some Nubian food, and best of all, take a day trip to see Abu Simbel

Board the Queen Farida Dahabiya for a four-day cruise on the Nile including stops at Kom Ombo and Edfu

Luxor (4 nights) -- visit Karnak, the Valley of the Kings (and the Queens), plus a day trip to Abydos and Dendera

Fly to Cairo

Cairo (2 nights) -- explore the Egyptian Museum and the Khan El Khalili bazaar

Fly to Munich

Munich (1 night) -- to break up the flight and give Frank a chance to drink his favorite Augustiner beer

This will be one you won't want to miss, so stay tuned for more!