Wondering About Egyptian Wonders?

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This week's heatwave reminds me of our last big travel destination: Egypt.

We were there at the end of September of 2023.  The heat was indeed hot in the Sahara Desert, but far from unbearable.

Yes, the Hamas sponsored attack of a music festival in Israel would explode into a war a week after we returned with good tidings from Egypt.

Somewhat ironically, our guide Fawzy had regularly repeated that we should tell everyone back home that Egypt was a safe place to travel.

And it was true.

The unfolding drama of a hot war in the Middle East, however, resulted in my holding back on singing unbridled praise for the amazing historical country of Egypt.  

After eight months of war, Egypt has managed to stay clear of the conflict, and now some of my top travel suppliers including Insight Vacations, AmaWaterways, Globus and Viking River Cruises are encouraging a return to Egypt with great promotions.

Are you surprised that river cruises go through the vast deserts of Egypt?

Remember, civilization --- not just Egyptian, but Western Civilization --- developed along the shores of the great Nile River.

There are amazing wonders to be discovered at the ports of call.

Fascinating sites are sometimes steps from your floating resort.  Other times, overland journeys to places like Abu Simbel or the Valley of the Kings take you on comfortable, air-conditioned coaches through the desert at highway speeds.  No need to ride a camel, but then again, you have the opportunity to do that --- or at least get a photo taken of you seated on a camel --- should you so choose.

Like most Nile River cruise vacations and packaged land trips in Egypt, we started and ended our trip with stays in 5-star resorts in Cairo. These were treats in its own right.  Think affordable luxury that's a touch exotic. 

Arabic people are often excellent hosts.  We had learned this on prior cruises to Istanbul, Kusadasi and other ports in Turkey.  We were able to visit the vast archaeological collections at the Egyptian Museum and pyramids while staying in Cairo.

Visiting the pyramids would make it worth the trip, but the history and legends told through remarkably preserved and restored hieroglyphics are just as awesome or even more so.

If you've always wanted to go, now might be a great time to book.

Before the war, Egypt was becoming a very hot destination for experienced travelers.

Prices have moderated.

Egypt takes safety seriously, including armed guards at the historic temples and state-of-the art metal detectors at doorways of large buildings.

Still, this is a bold journey, and sometimes that can be part of the excitement of travel.