Pyramids of Egypt
Written: Feb 26 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: interesting, historical, safe
Cons: so hott in summer!
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| clairebear215's Full Review: Cairo |
Egypt, for all its problems, remains one of the great wonders of the world. The famed Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and other monuments of the 5,000-year-old culture are just a taxi ride from downtown Cairo.
My husband and I visited during the heat of summer and practically wilted. Next time we’ll take our chances with the tourist crush of the cooler months. And get to the Egyptian Museum plenty early. For easy access to Cairo’s drive-up pyramids, try the Mena House Oberoi Hotel, a former palace practically in the shadow of the famed tombs. Try to get a room with a pyramid view. Winston Churchill’s suite has one.
But Mena House is not convenient to Cairo’s downtown. The centrally located Cairo Sheraton and El Gezirah Sheraton, where we had the Nile literally at our feet, are great for sheik-watching. For hookah shopping, we headed for the Khan El-Khalili Bazaar, dating to 1382, then nibbled falafels and shish kebab at the famous restaurant of the same name.
One night we glided along the Nile on a dinner cruise boat, sipping mellow Stella beer and karkade, a sweet drink made from flower petals. Then we hit the nightclubs, featuring bellydancers and waiters in fezes. You can find casinos in the major hotels.
We hopped Egypt Air upriver to Aswan and boarded a river boat for a leisurely drift back to Cairo. These floating hotels stop at ancient temple cities as they go. Don't expect the Queen Mary but they aren’t the African Queen, either.
Eat and drink sensibly and even then you might fall victim to the Pharaoh’s Revenge. By all means, don’t drink the water. Everyone carries plastic bottles of H2O. Both men and women should dress modestly when visiting mosques. Although there have been nasty incidents involving terrorists targeting tourists, Cairo is known as a city with a relatively low crime rate. Your health is in more jeopardy than your pocketbook.
Many people attempt to avoid "tourist season" but in this case trust me, there is a reason no one goes in the dead of summer and we found it out the hard way!
If you are going these are some good hotels to look at!
Mena House Oberoi Hotel: Doubles from $240 in the Palace and $160 in the garden wing.
Reservations: (800) 562-3764. Oberoi Nile Cruises: Same number.
Abercrombie & Kent has launched its fourth Nile cruiser, the Sun Boat IV, which boasts a swimming pool. Phone (800) 323-7308. Fax: (708) 954-3324.
Cairo Sheraton: Sure-Saver rate doubles $134. El Gezirah Sheraton: Sure-Saver rate doubles $112. Reservations: 800-325-3535.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
clairebear215
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Location: Yardley, Pennsylvania
Reviews written: 18
Trusted by: 16 members
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