Carole
Makus [CANADA]
Both my husband and I are seasoned travellers. I
am 51 and my
husband is 61. We have just returned from a 30-day
cruise, with a 4-day
stop in Egypt. We arranged a private tour with a company
we found on the
net, CHAMPION TOURS/RENAISSANCE TOURS. We did the
tour and had a
wonderful experience! ALL of our needs and wants were
looked after, and
we were treated with respect, courtesy and friendliness.
I have been to
Egypt twice before and so have a basis of comparison;
this company treated
us VERY WELL! It is owned and operated by a retired
general, MOHAMED
HABIB...a nice man! We felt TOTALLY and COMPLETELY
safe for our entire 4
days. We plan on returnING to Egypt and are helping
to organize a tour
with Canadians and Americans. This company is EXCELLENT
(we feel
fortunate to have 'discovered' them)! If anyone wants
information/advise,
please contact me: cmakus@shaw.ca. This is an excerpt from an article I wrote after
my first visit
to Egypt.
" ...Here
the past lives in the present and is preserved for
the future....
As I stood in the hot, bright sun, I watched riders
on their horses
galloping over the sand, while a caravan of camels
followed along the
horizon at a more leisurely pace. My imagination
and sense of adventure
soared! Egypt was everything I could have hoped for:
beautiful,
fascinating, charming and spectacular! A country
of adventure and mystery!
A land that is calling to me. O mighty Egypt, I shall
return."
I have since returned twice more and
am planning another trip (with
Champion Tours).
Hello I am a recent member and I am very interested
in traveling to Egypt but unfortunately, several of
my friends are afraid to travel there. If you know
of anyone who would love to travel to Egypt, please
ask them to e-mail me so that we could make plans to
visit Egypt. I'm looking forward to meeting future
travel companions.
Contact Me on: maskwind7777@aol.com
Carmen
Soler [PUERTO RICO]
Read all you can about Egypt, admire and respect
everything you see. Be friendly and respectful to everyone
and you will get the same.
Stuart
[WALES]
I have just returned from my second visit to Egypt.
The best tip I could give anyone is to speak to the
local people, don't wait for them to say hello, say
hello yourself. Make eye contact, even when you feel
a little bothered by the sometimes constant ...felluca,
taxi, come into my shop.
Many British tourists get annoyed by the salespeople
at many of the sites, don't be. This is how they make
their living, if you don't want to buy just politely
say no, they will get the message. This year I visited
three local houses of some of the people I met in Aswan
last year. Don't be afraid to go. You will have a great
welcome, and you will get to see how the locals live.
Finally, if you havn't been to Aswan , you must go the
people are the friendliest in Egypt. If you go to the
bazzar visit Raffael's shop and say hello to George
and Nubie.
Peter
[NEW ZEALAND]
Go to a village outside places where are the tourists
and enjoy the real egyptian hospitality.
Joyce
Miller [NEW ZEALAND]
I hope to return to Egypt yet again. It pays to
find out exactly what site may be closed before you
go to avoid dissapointment. Great people and fantastic
sites to enjoy.
Pauline
[MALTA]
I went to Egypt in 1988, and would love to go again.
One thing I would like to share with you is that if
you are keen on history, Egypt is the place for you!
Once you experience Egypt you will want to go again
and again.
Peter
Vanderzwet [CANADA]
One thing that I Was kicking myself in the butt
about, was that I forgot a flashlight (torch)! South
east of the Great Pyramid, there are hundereds of Mastabas.
I was crawling through most of them without a light,
but it was well worth the experience.
Have respect for the land you're in and be open to
experience. Talk to the people, they are just as wonderful
as the monuments!
Darra Ross
Egypt is marvelous, especially the people! I had
a wonderful time and am going again this year. A lovely
tip is to have tea with the bazaar owner if you are
lucky enough to be invited. You will have a friend for
life. The owner will then cast his net out over the
whole network of shops to bring anything you want to
buy right to you. Another tip, be open to every experience
and take time to stop and let Egypt just soak into your
being. Those little moments will steal home with you
and stay in your heart forever. I came away feeling
as though I was tied to this country with a golden cord
and every day I can feel the tug to return to my "adopted"
home. I can only wish that your trip will be as joyous
and fulfilling as mine was.
Tarek Lotfy
Shopping in Egypt, now has a different vision, think
of the Egyptian cotton, the best quality you can find
at a very reasonable price compared to any part in the
world.
Sandy
Kancianich [USA]
Egypt is wonderful: full of wonderful
sights and sounds. But remember that this country is
home for millions of people. Have respect for their
culture, and for them as individuals. Consider not taking
any pictures of the local people at all. If you do,
ask first, and perhaps tip them for their trouble. Some
enjoy being the center of attention. Many will not.
Remember that you are a "guest" in their "home."
Cory
Smids
[GERMANY]
You
will need to bargain on the prices in most shops, except
those where there are price-tags indicating the prices.
Bert Vermeersch [HOLLAND]
The people are really nice and friendly. Egypt is the best place to visit.
Alan Richards [MANCHESTER]
Even when travelling during the winter, always bring your anti-mosquito creme if you want a good night's sleep.
Hans Helderweirldt [ANTWERP]
When in Luxor, visit the new "Museum of Mummification". It gives an overview of mummification-techniques and displays some beautifully preserved mummies as well. A must
Mary Peeters [USA]
The best place to buy gold and jewellery is Radwan, near the temple of Luxor. Nice and friendly service, good prices...
Herman De Smedt [BELGIUM]
Don't forget to bring medication for intestinal problems (diarrhea or constipation). Try to avoid uncooked food as much as possible and don't drink water that does not come from a bottle that was sealed when you bought it. The water contains some germs that we're not accustomed to and may upset our intestines. Also bring some disinfectant, a mild anti-biotic, ...
Mr. and Mrs. Delvaux [FRANCE]
We went for a horse-ride at the pyramids in Giza. It was fun. Ask your tour-operator to organize it for you and enjoy the ride!
J. Hermans [GERMANY]
I really enjoyed my visit to the restored temple of Kalabsha, in Aswan.
Corinna Rossi [MILAN]
Wear something to protect your hair from wind, sun and sand,
and drink plenty of water during the day; if you are going to walk
a lot wear strong shoes;
if visiting pyramids, tombs, etc., a small torch may be useful in case of loss of power of the electrical system;
Nathalie De Bruyn [LONDON]
Avoid food which has not been cooked and water of dubious
provenance: this may reduce the risk
of intestinal infections, but, unfortunately, it is
not a guarantee! Do bring some medicine just in case.
Always remember you are travelling in an Islamic
country, which means that behaviours which are perfectly
normal in a Western country may result offensive for
the locals. In particular, avoid (women AND men) to
wear clothes which leave a lot of skin uncovered (just
look at how covered the locals, men and women, go around).
This suggestion is meant especially for the less touristic
areas. |
