Land of the Pharaoh's
Egypt
Africa
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ITINERARY -
Cairo 3N
Aswan 3N
Nile Cruise 3N
Luxor 2N
Hurghada 3N
= 14N
WHEN -
March / April and October / November are shoulder months with fewer crowds, cooler temperatures and cheaper rates.
December - February is winter and peak season.
May - September is summer and very hot.
STAY - 3 great Colonial Era 5***** Classics
Cairo - Marriott Mena House *****
With the most coveted location in Egypt and fantastic views 700 metres from the Pyramids this historical hotel is a frequent stop for celebrities, dignitaries and world leaders. Fantastic 40 acres of gardens and pool area with the treasured Pyramids as a backdrop.
It began life as a Royal Hunting Lodge and opened up as a hotel in 1886. During WWI it was occupied by the 2nd Australian General Hospital. Churchill and Roosevelt came here to discuss the D-Day invasions.
Book early (at least 6 months in advance) because the good rooms go quickly. The old section is where you want to be. With a pyramid view.
Aswan - Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel Aswan *****
A 19th century Victorian Palace where King Fouad and Agatha Christie sipped cocktails together. She spent a year here in 1937 and wrote Death on the Nile. Located in the Nubian desert it sits on a pink granite cliff overlooking the Nile, the world's longest river. Another favourite of Royals and dignitaries where you will get the celebrity treatment.
Nile Cruise - Royal Cleopatra Dahabiya - with Dahabiyat
Dahabiya means the Golden One in Arabic and they are by far the most romantic way to cruise along the Nile. Like a luxury house boat with sails. These boats can stop in a lot of places the regular ones can't. This is a 4 day 3 night cruise starting in Aswan.
You will be picked up from your hotel and night 1 will be in Kom Ombo. Night 2 is Edfu, night 3 is Esna then you will be taken around the sights of Luxor and then delivered to your hotel the Winter Palace. Another historical gem. The cruise is all inclusive except for alcohol and crew tip. There are 6 a/c cabins and 2 suites with a private terrace. Go on lash out. If you see another cruise you would prefer go for it.
Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor *****
Opening in 1907 it has been favoured by Royalty and adventurers over the years. Stunning Victorian architecture, Colonial charm, harmonious decor and spectacular views. Built in 1886 with hundred year old gardens it is an oasis of tranquillity and gate way to the splendours of the Pharaohs. Lord Carnavorn announced the discovery of Tutankhamen's Tomb by Howard Carter on the steps here in 1922. Charles and Diana came here on their honeymoon.
Hurghada - Sheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna *****
Spread over 9 Red Sea islands interlinked by crystalline lagoons. Designed by a world famous architect and inspired by ancient Egyptian designs with a unique seafront setting. The style is Arabic and Nubian and all rooms are spacious with a terrace or balcony with stunning views.
ABOUT -
Fly into Cairo and stay at the wonderful Mena House right next to the Pyramids. Have a couple of days to settle in and see the major sites. And in this town they are pretty big. Plenty of time for pampering and romance too.
Fly down to Aswan and stay at another wonderful old hotel with plenty of history. This one is on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Nile and the views are sensational. There's plenty to see and do or just lounge around the hotel and that amazing pool.
The most romantic way to travel down the Nile is by Dahabiya. When you see these boats you will be rapt. Only a dozen guests on board means you will get special treatment and not have to endure the crowds on the bigger boats. They have hundreds of people aboard and you would end up feeling like cattle. They have big noisy engines and stop in less than half of the places due to their size. You can stop in places they can't and when you get there you'll have the place to yourselves. Plus there is no engine onboard.
All meals non-alcoholic drinks and entrance fees are included. Lash out and book one of the suites. It is a 3 night / 4 day trip with multiple stop offs along the way to see the sights.
After your tour of Luxor at the end they will deposit you at your next wonderfully historic hotel. Also on the Nile with fantastic views.
From here it's a 4 hour private transfer to El Gouna and your resort on the Red Sea. Enjoy a few days by the sea with nothing else to do except indulge your every desire.
Fly back to Cairo and then home to your new lives together with some wonderful memories. And some Egyptian art for the house.
ADD ONS -
You could catch the ferry from Hughada over to Sharm El Sheikh and see some of the attractions on the Sinai and the Suez Canal on the way back to Cairo.
ROMANCE -
Cairo -
In room dining at the hotel
Aswan -
Stroll around Elephantine Island / High Tea in the Palms
Couples massage at the hotel
Nile Cruise - Royal Cleopatra Dahabiya
Staying in the luxury suite as the scenery passes by your windows
A sky full of stars at night time
Luxor -
Romantic dinner in the garden at the hotel
Hot Air Balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings
Horse and Carriage ride at night along the Corniche
Sunset and starry night felucca cruise
Hurghada -
La Piscina Italian Restaurant - romantic candle lit dinner
Bedouin Dinner in the desert - under a night sky full of stars
Adam and Eve program - at the Sinbad Club
SUNRISES & SUNSETS -
Cairo -
At the Pyramids
Sunset felucca cruise on the Nile
Aswan -
Cocktails at the Palms
Terrace Restaurant & Bar - Mediterranean cuisine with stunning views over Elephantine Island
Roof Top Terrace - at the Basma Hotel for drinks and sunset views of the cataract
Nile Cruise - Royal Cleopatra Dahabiya
Out the Port side
Luxor
From the hotel terrace across the Nile
Hurghada -
BUDGET -
Good value considering its 5 star all the way. A two week holiday will be cheaper than a week in a resort at one of the popular destinations like Bora Bora or the Seychelles. And if you use the cheaper options it will be a real bargain.
HIGHLIGHTS -
Cairo -
The Spinx / The Pyramids of Giza (don't miss the sound and light show)
The Egyptian Museum of Antiquities (Tutankhamen's Death Mask) - no cameras
The Khan el Khalili Bazar - (Cairo's oldest cafe - El Fishawy)
Aswan -
Nile Cruise - Royal Cleopatra Dahabiya
Only 12 guests on board (counting you two) so you avoid the big crowds when you stop off to look at the attractions and have them to yourselves.
Karnak Temples / Valley of the Kings
Luxor -
Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show
Hurghada -
The Red Sea beaches and coral reefs
PAMPER -
Cairo - Marriott Mena House *****
World Class Service / Full service spa
Aswan - Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel Aswan *****
Spa, Sauna, Hammam, Hot Tub, Massage
Nile Cruise - Royal Cleopatra Dahabiya
Everything is done for you and you just have to work out where you want to relax
Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor***** -
Beauty / Barber Shop
Hurghada - Sheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna *****
Spa Day
RELAXING -
Cairo - Marriott Mena House *****
By the pool with the Pyramids for a backdrop
Aswan - Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel Aswan *****
By the pool looking off the cliff at the Nile
Nile Cruise - Royal Cleopatra Dahabiya
On the top deck watching the world go by
Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor *****
By the stunning oasis that is the swimming pool in the gardens
Hurghada - Sheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna *****
Two swimming pools or on the private beach
VIEWS -
Cairo - Marriott Mena House *****
Garden, pool and the Pyramids
Aswan - Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel Aswan *****
Stunning views of the Nile and Elephantine Island
Nile Cruise - Royal Cleopatra Dahabiya
150kms of the banks of the Nile
Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor *****
Exceptional view over the Nile and the west bank
Hurghada - Sheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna *****
Lagoons, pools, private beaches, islands and wooden bridges
FOOD -
Cairo - Marriott Mena House *****
139 Pavillion - International cuisine and breakfast room - 24 hours and remarkable views of the Pyramids
The Moghul Room Restaurant - Authentic Indian Cuisine
Oriental Kebabgy - Spicy grilled meat and herbed rice on the terrace with sweeping views of the Nile
Aswan - Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel Aswan *****
Saraya - Mediterranean cuisine
1902 Restaurant (opened by Winston Churchill) - Signature gourmet French cuisine with the lobster risotto being famous
Movenpick's Panorama Bar and Restaurant - for 360 degree views of Aswan at night
Solaih Nubian - like grandma's cooking, overlooking the Philae Temple
Nile Cruise - Royal Cleopatra Dahabiya
3 meals a day and snacks cooked by Chef - Egyptian favourites including homemade bread, cakes, salads, chicken, duck, fresh fish from the river and beef stew.
Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor *****
El Nakhel - French cuisine, overlooking the west bank
Sofra - best restaurant in the town with upstairs terrace. Egyptian cuisine with traditional favourites and reasonable prices.
Hurghada - Sheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna *****
Oriental 1001 - Middle Eastern cuisine on its own island
Coconut Grove - Coffee House
Wave Terrace Restaurant - by the pool for lunch and drinks
Mirimar Restaurant - Buffet with a different theme every day and live cooking stations
DRINKS -
Cairo - Marriott Mena House *****
Pool Bar - has ice creams too / Lobby Lounge / M Club Lounge
Belly dancing and Whirling dervish dinner show
Aswan - Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel Aswan *****
The Promenade - views over Elephantine Island
The Bar - evening piano lounge
El Pasha Coffee Shop - tables by the water's edge for coffee and shisha
Nile Cruise - Royal Cleopatra Dahabiya
The crew might entertain you with some drumming, dancing and singing
Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor *****
Central Park Bar - Palm shaded terrace
Hurghada - Sheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna *****
Mirimar Bar - the Jewel of the design concept - the place to meet for cocktails
Beach Bar - daytime bar for cocktails and other drinks
Mirimar Boat Bar - an old boat in the middle of the lagoon with great views of the Red Sea and live music
Tamr Henna Square Event - traditional Nubian show, dinner and drinks
SIGHTS -
Cairo -
The Nilometer (it measures the Nile)
Aswan -
Elephantine Island
Philae Temple (sound and light show)
Nile Cruise - Royal Cleopatra Dahabiya
Luxor -
Howard Carter's House (the man who discovered Tutankhamen's Tomb) and an exact replica of the tomb.
Hurghada -
Mangroovy Beach - BBQ, drinks and the beach
ACTIVITIES -
Cairo - Marriott Mena House *****
Horseback Riding / Horse and Camel Rides to the Pyramids
The hotel has a golf course right next to the Pyramids
Aswan - Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel Aswan *****
Visit the Sharia As Souq famous market
Hotel walking tour that includes Agatha Christie's suite
Nile Cruise - Royal Cleopatra Dahabiya
Stop in small villages and see ancient sites along the way
Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor *****
Visit Luxor Temple - illuminated at night and worth the effort and Luxor Museum
There is a Duty Free shop here if you want to stock up
Hurghada - Sheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna *****
Spectacular diving / Water sports / USPGA Golf Course
Segway tours / Ultra light sightseeing / Desert Quads
Beach Buggies / Volleyball / Glass bottom boats
SOUVENIRS -
Your name written in hieroglyphics / mini pyramids / Ancient Egyptian art on a papyrus scroll / Scarabs / Jalabeya (for men and women and very comfortable - you'll kick yourself if you don't get one) / Belly Dancing Outfit (liven up the honeymoon) / Perfume / Egyptian Cotton sheets (ironically most of the best stuff gets exported - try Malaika in El Gouna)
TIPS -
· It gets VERY hot in Egypt in summer
· Bring some US$ for your visa
· Book way ahead and get rooms (or suites) that have the Pyramid and Nile views
CHEAPER OPTIONS - all on Booking.com
Cairo -
Cleopatra Pyramids View / Pyramids Valley Boutique Hotel / Hayat Pyramids View Hotel
Aswan -
Philae Hotel Aswan / Nuba Dool Gust House / Nubian Paradise
Nile Cruise - Royal Cleopatra Dahabiya
This is one of the cheaper ones and you save a night by travelling downstream.
Click here to look at Egypt Tours Portal
Luxor -
Pyramisa Hotel Luxor ***** / Iberotel Luxor **** / Aracan Eatabe Luxor Hotel ****
Hurghada -
The Three Corners Ocean View El Gouna **** / Ali Pasha Hotel ****
VISAS -
Citizens from 40 countries can obtain a visa on arrival at Cairo International Airport that are valid for 30 days.
Click here to check your status
TRANSPORT -
Cairo International Airport (CAI) -
Fly in and out of Cairo (or Hurghada see below) which has direct flights to 113 cities in 52 countries. They also have cheap domestic flights from Hurghada for the return trip.
Aswan International Airport (ASW) -
There are cheap flights from Cairo.
Hurghada International Airport (HRG)
Flies to 71 destinations in 21 countries mainly in Europe. If you are one of these you can skip the leg back to Cairo.
Cairo - Marriott Mena House
You'll need to organise your own transfer. It's always best to use the official airport taxi service. They also have a limousine service and there are companies you can book online. Don't use the local drivers who might come up to you at the arrivals hall. It is an hour drive.
Aswan - Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel Aswan
The hotel does an airport shuttle so contact them. It is a 45 minute drive.
Nile Cruise - Royal Cleopatra Dahabiya
They will pick you up from your hotel in Aswan and drop you off at your hotel in Luxor.
Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor *****
Organise a private transfer from here to El Gouna
Hurghada - Sheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna
The hotel has an airport shuttle. It is a 40 minute drive to the airport.
EXTRA -
See Cairo (Alexandria) in 'Cities'
