How to explore this incredible country rich in history and culture.

The Basics

Who & Why: I was one of a group of luxury travel advisors selected to visit Cairo and Luxor with High End Journeys, a luxury company who organizes private and small group travel to Egypt. They wanted to showcase their expertise and experiences to help us promote Egypt to our clients around the world. These kinds of trips are the best way for me to learn quickly about a destination, because when you go in person, you learn so much more than you would ever learn through research alone.

What & Where: We spent two days in Cairo and two days in Luxor, and visited tons of different spots in both. From hotels to Nile cruise boats, to historical sites and different neighborhoods in the city, we packed as much in to each day so we could learn how to best create amazing trips for YOU.

When: We went the last week of June. Yes, it was hot. But surprisingly, in the mornings and evenings it was quite pleasant (I even wished I had a jacket during our sunrise visit to the pyramids!). The heat is dry, and the temperatures weren’t much different than they were in many parts of Europe and the US this summer. If you were by the pool or on the Nile, it felt much like any other beach destination.

Learnings

What I Loved

• Our Hotels:  We stayed at some of the best hotels in Egypt, and they were gorgeous. The Four Seasons Nile Plaza had great views of the Nile, along with nine restaurants (the ones we tried were amazing), and their renovated rooms are stunning. They are working on several floors at a time, so be sure to talk to us when selecting your floor! The property that blew me away though was Al Moudira, one of the top 15 most beautiful hotels in the world, and the first and only Relais & Chateaux property in Egypt. Each room was unique, and the grounds, restaurants, pool and wellness facilities, and their on-site boutique we all out-of-this-world!
• Exclusive Access Visits: First, a story.  When my son and I went to Petra in Jordan, as soon as we came out of the long tunnel leading up to the Treasury (the iconic building you’ve seen in thousands of pictures), we were immediately mobbed by people trying to sell us everything from camel rides to souvenirs to offering to take our pictures.  It was AWFUL, and I was so angry that they had essentially ruined my moment of viewing this incredible sight with my son by essentially yelling in my face and refusing to let us enjoy the moment (and we even had a private guide for our small group of 6 people).  Everyone I talked to after that said that Egypt was even worse, which I kept in the back of my mind. Now, fast forward to our experience at the Great Pyramids this time.  Our organizers reserved sunrise access for us from 5-7am (and they can do the same thing during the winter months for sunset), meaning we were the only people there!  We had the pyramids all to ourselves for two hours, and it was nothing short of spectacular.  I think that is an incredible gift, and made it truly special, so even though it’s not cheap, I would highly highly recommend trying to do this for your trip since you’ll be seeing the pyramids. They can do this for the Sphinx, Valley of the Kings/Queens, and more!
• The Nile Cruises: I wasn’t sure what you would do on the Nile for more than a day, but I learned so much about the incredible gift that the Nile is for those wishing to combine relaxation, privacy, and touring. Many of the boats are small cabins (think 12-18 people max) and are buy-out only. Can you imagine a more amazing experience than cruising down the Nile for five nights with your favorite people in a luxury boat? Cruise pricing typically includes all your meals AND tours, and you can stop at many different locations along the river to visit and see different sites. The boats even had saunas, gyms, a 24/7 masseuse, spa, and hot tubs!
• Gastronomy: Middle-eastern food is one of my favorite cuisines, and the food we had in Egypt was no exception. The flavors, variety of offerings, and the high quality were second to none, and I loved that most meals were all served family-style.

What I’d Change

• Length of Trip: Obviously, just a few days wasn’t nearly enough to see everything I wanted in Egypt. The nice thing about this country though, is that you can see and do a lot in a shorter period of time, as long as you know what you’re interested in. Sharm el Sheik and Hurghada are wonderful beach/resort destinations, and the cities along the Nile offer history and culture. The desert and northern coast have adventure and landscapes, and there are many different cities that offer specific artisan crafts (from spices and oils to pottery, rugs, and cotton/linen goods). If I were coming back with my own family for a trip, I would want 9-10 days so I could see a variety of things and not feel rushed.
• Locations Visited: As I said, we were fortunate to get to see Cairo and Luxor, but there are a lot of other places I would like to visit. For example, we didn’t make it to Aswan, nor to Siwa and the desert (which is the family and adventurer’s playground). I would also love to see the beaches along the Red Sea. Again, there’s always next time!
• Visiting Khan el Khalili Bazaar: While this is a “famous” site, I really didn’t like it. None of the items were locally made (I saw a lot of the same things I’ve seen in many other places around the world), and the constant haggling and calling out to me to come buy things got old really fast. It wasn’t an atmosphere that energized or delighted me, and I would highly recommend working to curate a shopping experience at another location depending on what you’re looking for.

Tips for Travelers

Thinking of visiting Egypt? Here are a few key things to keep in mind:

• Tipping: tipping culture is huge in Egypt, so have tips ready for guides, drivers and porters. Be aware that you’ll also need small change for using any toilets at tourist sites, and even in places like airports, malls, and potentially restaurants. I find it helpful to be aware of the exchange rate in advance, and you can always ask your friendly travel advisor in advance for suggested amounts. 🙂
• Supplies to Bring: Due to the sand and wind, I found myself with itchy eyes, as well as needing bug spray and allergy medication for the different flora in Egypt and mosquitos that came out at dusk in Luxor (you are near the Nile River Valley, after all). Bring supplies with you so you don’t have to hunt these down at a local pharmacy.
• The Sky’s the Limit: Anything is possible in Egypt. I never thought you’d be able to privatize a viewing of the pyramids, block off the Grand Egyptian Museum for a private dinner, or see an active archeological site, but this is all possible in Egypt, and for much less than you may think. Want to do a sunrise hot air balloon over the Valley of the Kings? Done. Want to do desert glamping in the Sahara? Piece of cake. World-class diving in coral reefs? Check out Sharm el Sheik. Egypt is so much more than temples and tombs.
• Be Strategic about Timing: With the weather, it sometimes makes sense to do things in the morning or late afternoon/early evening, and then spend the warmest hours of the day near your pool or at the spa. Work with your travel advisor on how to make the best use of each day, and how to avoid the crowds at some of the most popular places.

Final Words

Egypt was a place I left knowing I would certainly be back. I came away awestruck by the complexity and magnitude of their ancient civilization, and impressed by the country’s peaceful, tolerant, and laid back international culture. Not only is the value for your money incredibly high in Egypt, but it’s a country that offers something for everyone. Before I visited and spent time with our hosts from High End Journeys, I had limited knowledge of what it offered other than historical sites that any museum fanatic would dream of. But now, I know that it would be a perfect place to do a little bit of everything, for people of all ages, backgrounds, and budgets. A huge thanks to Laura Rodriguez for organizing this experience, and to the stellar team at High End Journeys for putting this together.