Wanderfilms

Hello everyone! I'm going to be leaving in a few short weeks for my trip to Egypt and Jordan with Ahmed Yousif. Since many of you have also used him (and it was thanks to your wonderful trip reports and advice--especially Elizabeth S!- that I decided to go with him), I'm wondering if you can give your opinions on some of these optional excursions he has talked about:

1. The visit to the Nubian Villages-- I love culture and learning about the way different people live around the world, but I am worried this may be too much of a cheesy touristy place. Any thoughts?

2. Day trip to Abydos and Dendera- worth the trip?

3. Tombs of The Nobles and Temple of Madinet Habu-

4. In Jordan- Trip to Jerash?

For those of you who have ben to Jordan, we are already doing Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, and The Dead Sea...anything else you saw and loved and think we shouldn't miss?

thanks in advance! I'm always eager to read your advice.
best,
kim

Elizabeth_S

Hi Kim! This might be repeating info you've read on our blog but here goes.

1. Can't comment/didn't go
2. Same - considered it but it was a long day trip
3. We loved Madinet Habu - pics on our blog
4. Jerash was great - but then we love Roman Ruins

When do you leave?

wanttogo

I can comment on two sidetrips:

1. Abydos and Dendera-well worth the time, effort and cost-very interesting. Assuming that you go from Luxor, a good view of the countryside on the way.

2. Nubian Village-We substituted this for a trip to St. Simons monastery at the last minute because of the heat. The small boat ride over to the village was very relaxing-otherwise it is kind of touristy and fakey.

Have a good time.

Pat

jat

I found the Tombs of the Nobles (and tombs of the workers) to be extremely interesting, and was very glad I went. I thought Medinat Habu was interesting, but not as impressive as the other temples we visited.

I thought Jerash was very interesting. We had a local guide at Jerash and he was just so-so, but Jerash itself was interesting. I would recommend combining Jerash with a visit to Ajloun Castle, which is nearby. We got a local guide at the castle and he made the visit extremely interesting. He didn't charge much. I thought our trip to Madaba, Mt Nebo and Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan was very interesting, and it is not too far from Amman. We were at the Dead Sea at sunset, and the sunset there was lovely. It is easy to do Madaba, Mt Nebo, Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan, and the Dead Sea in a day trip from Amman, and then Jerash and Ajloun in another day trip.

sandi

Abydos and Dendara - absolutely
Jerash - absolutely

Wanderfilms

thanks so much to everyone!
Elizabeth- I leave the weekend following Thanksgiving! so excited!
best to you all~
k