A Dream Vacation Realized - Egypt

My most memorable moments include the first view of the great pyramids. As you travel through the small, heavily congested streets of Giza, you are surrounded by an interesting mixture of old and new. One man may look like a painting from a 17th-century view while standing next to a young professional with cellphone. The streets are lined with vendors and children playing. Suddenly, rising from this mixture of activity, are the great pyramids. The view is breathtaking and it takes the mind some time to realize it is not a dream, but a reality in full view. You must view the pyramids at night in order to appreciate the full event of these majestic structures. Additionally, the camel ride at the great pyramid is essential. If you tip the camel rider well, you can ride as long as your backside can take it :).

Quick Tips:

Tipping camel leaders will afford you a much longer and more fulfilling ride at the great pyramid. I found the camel excursion to be the most worthwhile in terms of actually viewing the ruins and pyramids (including Saquarra). Do NOT let any vendors place their wares in your hand. They will tell you it is a gift, only to stay on your heels until you pay them money.

Best Way To Get Around:

In Giza, the best way is the camel rides, and then take the short but breathtaking walk from the pyramids to the Sphinx. Once you are at the Sphinx, you will find a clean restaurant with comfortable seating to take a drink and reflect on the incredible view.

AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME . . . and contrary to what others say about the food in Cairo being gross, everything we ate at the Semiramis was wonderful. There is a strong French and Mediterranean flair to all of the dishes, and if you go . . . the cream of chicken soup is to die for!!!

Rooms were elegant and beyond comfortable. Bathrooms were marble, and beds semi-firm. Rooms were fairly large and boasted impressive views from the private balcony with table and chairs. The furniture was beautiful, with inlaid wood and papyrus wall hangings.

The staff at the Semiramis were invaluable in their care at ensuring an interesting and safe vacation. They will meet you at the airport arrival gate and guide you through obtaining visas and clearing Customs. While this may seem petty to the novice traveler, beware that the Cairo airport is CRAZY! . . . Having hotel staff available to get you safely and quickly from plane to room will start your vacation off on the right foot!

The hotel shopping plaza was convenient, with an incredible assortment, although FAR more expensive than can be found in the local bazaars.

Overall, you can't go wrong with this hotel.

Unquestionably, this was the dining highlight of our trip to Egypt. This is a Nile cruise where the food is heavenly and set in a warm atmosphere of candlelight and the exciting, exotic beat of traditional belly dancing and whirling dervish! My children were entranced; my husband and I charmed.

There is a rich and lavish salad bar to keep you satisfied until the main course arrives. The prime rib was incredible, with grilled shrimp running a close second. My son ordered the smoked salmon every night that we ate there.

The show begins with a reenactment of pharaonic interactions with the commoners. This blends in well with the first of a long night of traditional dance and drama. Belly dancers were professional and beautiful, while the whirling dervish left you stunned and dismayed. It is said they put themselves into a trancelike state in order to perform this unusual feat of movement. The trip is worth it simply for the whirling dervish, although the food and atmosphere work to make it a major attraction in Cairo.

My family and I (husband, 5-year-old daugher, and 16-year-old son) repeated this cruise three times due to the good food for the adults and the exciting entertainment for the kids. On any trip to Egypt, you can NOT NOT NOT miss this fun, relaxing dining experience :)

You MUST have the cream of chicken soup for lunch :)

Everything we ate was wonderful . . . but without question, the cream of chicken soup is the richest and most luxurious food I've ever tasted.

You simply cannot take a trip to Egypt without beholding this wondrous sight. Your breath will leave your body as you first walk into the showroom. You'll first see a 5-foot-tall CRYSTAL pirate ship. There are crystal swans and mosques all over the place. You can go upstairs to buy individual crystals for Christmas decorations and such. You will lose your breath a second time as you see the prices on these delightful items. CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP. The only problem I had coming home was stopping at every security check for the density and weight of my carryon luggage . . . and the additional time delay as all of the security workers oohed and awed over my unwrapped crystal treasures. I'm planning another trip to Cairo in March . . . and the SINGLE reason for this trip is SHOPPING AT THE CRYSTAL FACTORY!!!!!

The pyramids at night . . . one word . . . SPECTACULAR. Without question, after a frantic day fighting the crowds and traffic of Cairo, this wonderful, relaxing sight at night is well worth the extra time. You may simply sit back and bask in the majesty of these miracles on earth. The night gives the whole event a surreal quality that seems to capture the essence of Egypt in a moment. I fully recommend that you not miss Cairo without this additional nightly side trip . . . although consider it relaxing and calm, and NOT a typical nightlife kind of activity. You may simply stare in awe at the wonders before you and reflect on the greatest journey of your life :)

If you enjoy jewelry and gemstones . . . you'll think you've died and gone to heaven. You must ask to be taken "downstairs." Once there, you'll be surrounded by what may very likely be the largest selection of fine unmounted gemstones in the world. I was stunned, to say the least. You choose your stones, and they will then mount the stones in an 18- or 24-karat setting. They deliver to the major hotels, so you will not need to worry about waiting for the finished product. They do not receive payment until they deliver to your hotel. Awesome AWESOME AWESOME!!!

The biggest tip I can offer is . . . have your hotel make arrangements to pick you up. Depending on some of the hotels, you can be met at your arrival gate and helped to maneuver through Customs and visa check. The scene outside the Cairo airport is WILD!!!--so don't take this advice lightly. You must arrange for and check check doublecheck that you WILL be met at the airport and transported to your hotel.

MY personal suggestion for hotel customer service is the Semiramis Intercontinental. We were treated like royalty, and every problem was averted and/or attended to with haste and great spirit. They will guarantee a great trip and you'll feel safe knowing they are so attentive to their clientele.