Hi - my husband and I are considering celebrating my 30th birthday next March/April with a 10 day trip (maximum, unfortunately) combining sites in Egypt and possibly a few days in Dubai. My initial thinking is as follows:
2 nights in Cairo
4 night Nile Cruise on the Sanctuary or the Sun Boat IV (from Aswan to Luxor)
4 night relaxation/beach at either the Red Sea or Dubai
Hotels I am considering:
Cairo: Oberoi Mena House (like the view), Four Seasons
Red Sea: Four Seasons Sharm el Sheikh or Hyatt Regency - although I could use input on other cities, I only know of Sharm
Dubai: One and Only properties, Mina A'Salam (and sister properties), Ritz Carlton, Le Meridien
Any help that can be given regarding any part of the trip would be appreciated! I hope this is enough time for both a cultural/historical experience along with some down time (and if Red Sea, some snorkeling)
Thanks
Egypt/Dubai Trip - looking for suggestions
Recent Activity
View all Africa & the Middle East activity »
- 1 Difference between Air Botswana and South African Air
- 2
Morocco . . . Rough Around the Edges
- 3
Mozambique 1 - 13 June 2013.
- 4 Tanzania in 2014
- 5 Yellow Fevor innoculation revisited
- 6 Questions re Gorillas in Rwanda and money in both Rwanda and Tanzania
- 7 6 nights in Morocco - how long to spend in marrakech and fes each?
- 8 Driving Aswan to Luxor
- 9 Help! First trip to Africa and overwhelmed!!
- 10
TRIP REPORT: Northern Tanzania with a Birding Twist 2/13
- 11 Cross Egypt Challenge and 4 extra days
- 12 Makoa-Farm Tanzania
- 13 Africa Safari
- 14 Morocco Tour Operators: Morocco Expert Tours
- 15 Wildebeest Mara river crossing started?
- 16 3 Different Ports in Oman: Salalah, Sur and then Khasab
- 17 2 weeks in South Africa with teens
- 18 Budget Safari options in Botswana?
- 19 Morocco - private tour operators
- 20
Our best trip ever - in Morocco
- 21 Experience with Journey Beyond Travel or Sahara Services in Morocco?
- 22
Tanzania Feb 2013 -- my first but not last safari!
- 23 Most Romantic Places in Marrakech or Essaouira?
- 24 Help with Zambia itinerary? Victoria's Fall, South Luwangha NP
- 25 Kruger Park trip
Consider a Splurge at the Burg
travela.priceline.com/hotel/POI-Burj_Al_Arab_Dubai
www.atlantis.com more moderate
Mena House my fav when there last
Marriott was great at Sharm for me last
A tour to Petra would be great with an overnite if possible
at the Movenpick there simply awesome place what I did.
A rose red city half-way lost in time
Happy Deciding,
My 2 cents worth -
Add at least another night in Cairo. You need 3 days in Cairo to see it (even a little bit) and not feel horribly rushed, especially if you stay at the Mena House which is out of town and a time consuming drive into the city.
Find a cruise that is 3 nights/4 days from Aswan to Luxor - generally boards on Friday and disembarks on Monday.
I would choose Sharm over Dubai on this trip. Do Egypt this trip and do Dubai and somewhere else on the next trip. The temps will be better in Sharm in April than Dubai where they may be starting to get too hot by then.
Have fun and keep asking questions.
I loved the Mena House. In Cairo I didn't like the Cairo Marriott so good to see that you're not looking at staying there!!!
Hi - thanks for the helpful tips so far! The same cruise I am looking at does do a 3 night/4 day trip from Aswan to Luxor, so if that's enough time for the Nile then I'd be happy to do that and save an extra day in Cairo (which will also include one of our travel days from London).
I had the same thoughts re: Sharm - plus my active husband will at least be able to do snorkeling/diving, whereas in Dubai I wasn't sure he'd have enough to do during the day...I only said Dubai since its my 30th birthday so would be easier location for some friends to meet us, and since transfers back to London are direct. (Although I guess so would they be from Sharm?) Would you consider any other city on the Red Sea?
Thanks for the feedback on Mena House - I wasn't sure if it was worth the distance outside the main part of the city, but I love the photos of views from there.
We shall see!
We have only visited the one city on the Red Sea so I can't compare it -- but have you looked into El Gouna? http://www.elgouna.com/
It's just a short drive from Hurghada. We thought it was a bit like a grown up Disneyland -- manufactured and hardly authentic, but completely designed with your satisfaction, comfort, happiness, etc in mind.
In addition to snorkeling/diving, your active husband can also try kiteboarding and windsurfing. There is also golf and excursions into the desert.
Most of the hotels are all inclusive but the dine around option allows you to eat at a variety of them.
We rented a private villa for our stay there and loved every minute of it!
I have a friend with a flat for rent in El Gouna if you want another option. It's really a lovely flat near one of the nicer Marinas and very close to the ocean for kite boarders. Contact me if you want her email address. She also lives in El Gouna, so it's nice that she is close if you need anything.
I LOVE El Gouna! Have been there several times and MUCH prefer it over Sharm (been there twice). It's smaller, but there is an active nightlife.
Okay - I was always there with kids, so didn't personally "experience" the nightlife.....but I know it's there!!!
We always stayed at the Movenpick, and it was great (fabulous Thai and seafood restaurants onsite).
definitley add more time in cairo. i was just in egypt for 16 days and i spent 11 of those in cairo
Since you have only 10 days, leave it all for Egypt. Do Dubai on another trip (or never--- it's just a modern piece of manmade desert with lots of malls and manmade stuff built on the backs of abused and mistreated foreigners, capitol of the Arab world's money launderers, symbol for everything wrong with the Arabian Gulf and financed through major debt). Why bother? Just my two cents on that question.
You will love the Sunboat IV! We were on it this past summer and did the Abercrombie/Kent tour from Luxor to Aswan (4 nights, 5 days). You WILL love that!
I noticed you didn't mention Abu Simbel. We went (yes, it was hot. We were there in July so it was very hot). However, it was amazing and I would highly recommend it. I'm sure you can talk to your tour guide to set something up for you while you are in Aswan.
For me, 2 nights in Cairo is enough. On the first day, you can go to the Giza pyramids then go to Saqqara (it's less than an hour away but much nicer than the Giza pyramids because you are alone, without any annoying touts and the guides there are so nice. The pyramids there are beautiful too.). Start the day early but you'll have plenty of time for both Giza and Saqqara and even (if you wish) shopping at the souk and/or eat at a nice restaurant in Cairo. I recommend Abu El Sid. On day 2, you could go to the Egyptian museum (make sure you get a guide for it because the place is huge and there are few things that are labeled). That should take up most of your morning (3 hours?) so you'll still have time to do anything else you want.
We stayed at the Giza Four Seasons (there are 2 in Cairo). It was ok (nothing special) and, if you go, don't put your money in your room's safe. We did and got robbed.
We went to Sharm El sheikh and stayed there 7 nights (this was a 3+week vacation in Egypt). I'd say 3 nights is enough for Sharm. We stayed at the Marriott Renaissance (you can snorkel at the hotel itself). There are 2 Marriotts in Sharm. The other one is at the Na'ma bay. I'm glad we didn't stay there because Na'ma bay is filled with people harrassing you to buy their tour. It just wasn't my cup of tea (tacky).
Have fun!
Hi, it is great that you have planned your trip very well in advance. Oberoi Mena House is best hotel to stay in Cairo even I stayed there many times.When you will visit Dubai I would like to suggest you to Charter a yacht or cruise. It will be your great and adventurous experience for your while traveling.There are many Charter companies available which provide yacht charter in Dubai service but I prefer Charter Yacht Dubai because They are providing yacht and other services at very affordable rates.
http://www.charteryachtdubai.com/
Comment has been removed by Fodor's moderators
For me 11 nights in Cairo was not enough
but again I was with my husband the whole time and we arent historic people museums and citadel are NOT for us, we did love the pyramids 
but i loved the mall and the stores and everything. cairo is my favorite place in the world
Hi There
Congratulation, I had same trip between Egypt, Dubai & Jordan for 20 days,
I'll recommend few hotels for you like, Fairmont Nile city or Sofitel El Gezirah or Four Season Nile plaza in Cairo, Oberoi Philae, Sonesta Moon, Sonesta Star or Moon dance for Nile Cruise, Sonesta Pharaoh Beach Resort, Pyramisa Sahl Hashish or Hilton
For Dubai, InterContinental hotel & The Jumeirah Beach Hotel
Here is my itinerary as booked last year
Day 01: Cairo arrival
Arrival at Cairo international airport - Meet Le Caire Travel representative
Holding the Signboard with your name - escort to the hotel check in.
Optional to visit Sound & Light Show at Giza Pyramids
Overnight at Cairo
Day 02: Giza Sightseeing Breakfast/Lunch
Morning breakfast at your hotel
At 08:00 AM meet Le Caire Travel tour Guide - escort to visit Sakkara. Step Pyramid and
The surrounding Tombs
Then escort to Memphis to visit the Colossi of King Ramses II
Escort to Local Restaurant for Lunch
Then Escort to the Giza Plateau Area and start the guided tour to visit the Great Pyramids and Sphinx and its complex that had been built by 100,000 people about 2550 B.C - Optional to Visit the Sun boat.
Leisure time to have Camel and Horse Rides Optional .
Back to Hotel
Day 03: Flight to Aswan Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Early Morning – breakfast box
Escort to Cairo international airport Flight to Aswan Duration 01 H 30
Arrival to Aswan airport - Meet Le Caire Travel representative
Escort to Nile Cruise - Check in
Then meet your tour guide and start the Tour to visit The High Dam , Phila temple and The Unfinished Obelisk..
Evening :escort to the River Nile and board the Felucca for Sailing
around the island Botanical Island , Elephantine Island and Agha Khan Mausoleum
Escort to the Cruise
Overnight at Nile Cruise
Day 04: Nile Cruise Sightseeing Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Optional early morning - escort via Flight to Abu Simbel - visit Abu Simbel temples – Back to Aswan
Start Sailing to Kom Ombo - upon arrival start the visit to The temple of Gods Sobek and Harorise
Overnight at Nile Cruise..
Day 05: Nile Cruise Sightseeing Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Sailing to Edfu - Start the visit to the temple of God Huros
Sailing to Essna - Cross the Nile Lock
Proceed Sailing to Luxor
Night arrival
Over night at Luxor
Day 06: Luxor Sightseeing/ Hurghada Breakfast/Dinner
Morning breakfast Disembarkation
Meet Le Caire Travel Tour Guide Cross the River Nile and visit the
West bank sightseeing Valley of the Kings , Queen Hatchepsut temple and Colossi of Memnon
Cross back to the River Nile east bank to visit the Karnak temple and visit the Luxor temple
Evening : Transfer to Luxor airport Flight to Hurghada (LXR/CAI/HUR)
Meet Le Caire Travel Rep. - Transfer to hotel - Check in
Day 07: Hurghada Breakfast/Dinner
Morning : Free at Leisure
Optional to diving Or Safari
Evening : Free at Leisure
Day 08: Hurghada Breakfast/Dinner
Morning : Free at Leisure
Evening : Free at Leisure
Day 09: Hurghada Breakfast/Dinner
Morning : Free at Leisure
Optional to Glass Boat
Evening : Free at Leisure
Day 10: Hurghada Breakfast/Dinner
Free Morning
Evening : Transfer to Hurghada airport Flight to Cairo
Meet Le Caire Travel Rep. - Transfer to Hotel - Check in
Overnight at Cairo
Day 11: Departure Breakfast
Morning Breakfast
Escort to Cairo international airport based on your flight details
Fly to Dubai; meet at airport transfer to hotel
Hope that will help you
Hi,
I'm not sure how calm Egypt would be in March/April but i do hope things settle down there. Either way, I live in Dubai and I think the temperatures will still be cool around March/April (from last year's experience) so it will still be a good time to come. Dubai has 2 very different faces to the city. One one hand, there is the bling- the yacht cruises, the expensive brunches, nightlife, restaurants and stores to visit. But on the other hand, (which is my favorite part) there is the more cultural (and real) side to the city. It's the old Dubai which include Bur Dubai, Bastikiya, Deira and even Satwa to explore. The best way to get a glimpse of this is by booking a cultural tour with SMCCU (the Shielh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding). They will take you to visit the Grand Mosque (the largest in the city) where you can enter and even try out some traditional clothes for men and women. This is followed by a tour of the heritage site in the bastikiya area where the tour guide tells you how the arabs used to live in the olden times in the dessert, etc and this is followed by a traditional arabic meal where you have a sit down and the guide answers ANY and EVERY question you have in mind regarding the arab nation and traditions. from women covering themselves to even men having 4 wives. It's a great way to understand the culture and traditions of the city.
I also recommend visiting Deira. There's plenty to look at there from the Gold Souk, the Spice Souk, museums and you can end your day by taking the Abra (the old traditional arabic wooden boats) across the creek at sunset and take in the beautiful city. And it only costs AED 1 (which is less than half a dollar!!). They do have more expensive ones by RTA but make sure you get the right one else you will be paying more than 10 times the price for the same thing. But make sure you wear comfy shoes since there's be a lot of walking to do.
Hope you have a good trip!