mammafacch

Has anyone had a good experience with Global Gate vacations? We are scheduled (and paid for)for an Egyptian vacation in April and are starting to worry about some of the things we are reading. Any insights anyone can give us in advance to help offset any potential problems would be most appreciated. Also any tips regarding use of money (dollars or otherwise), safe places to shop in Cairo, light shows, etc. We are scheduled for a three night Nile cruise aboard the Sonesta Sun Goddess. Any help there is also welcome. Can we bring our own wines or booze on board? Is everything really very expensive. Anyone with experienced suggestions to help make this dream vacation successful would be most welcome.

Grcxx3

I can't help you with any logistics related to the tour, but let me see what I can do.

Visa - Assuming you are from the US, you can get a visa at the airport when you arrive. Have $15 in cash and go to one of the visa windows (before you get into the passport control line). Easy.

Money - you can exchange dollars into Egyptian pounds right by where you get the visa in the airport. Also, the hotels and the cruise ship will have exchange desks. Single US dollar bills are sometimes used for tips. Otherwise - try to gather smaller denomination Egyptian pounds (1,5, 10, 20 LE notes are best). Egyptian vendors are not known for having lots of change, so having smaller bills for your purchases is handy.

Shopping - I hope your tour includes some time at the Khan el Khalili bazaar. Great shopping and great fun. Your hotel might have a shop or two, but it will be more expensive.

Booze - I don't see any problems bringing your own booze on board - but I suggest you bring stuff from the US! The imported wine in Egypt is expensive. The local stuff is certainly better than when I lived there - but nothing spectacular. The local beer is pretty good. Hard liquor is available, but name brands can be pricey.

Things in Egypt are really pretty cheap. As I said, imported booze can get costly. Be sure to bargain hard for things that you buy in bazaars. Bargaining is part of the experience and is expected.

sandi

>>Has anyone had a good experience with Global Gate vacations? We are scheduled (and paid for)for an Egyptian vacation in April and are starting to worry about some of the things we are reading. Any insights anyone can give us in advance to help offset any potential problems would be most appreciated.<<

Not familiar with Global Gate, but what are your concerns? With the tour operator? With travel in Egypt? If either one, shouldn't you have asked these questions before you paid for the trip?

Info provided by Grcxx3 - are spot on.

dssxxxx

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...ons-Egypt.html

cheriegal

We just returned from 15 days in Egypt with Global Gate. I had posted a message a few days before we left that you might have read that I was concerned because we had received no travel document and Richard at Global Gate had been very rude to me and my traveling companions. The trip turned out really wonderful in nearly every way and we were very pleased with the local company - Ancient Royal Tours. I would be happy to answer any questions and we can correspond directly if you would like my email address.