I am planning a trip for my husband and me to travel to Cairo (3 days), Athens (2 days) and Santorini (2 days) in July 2010. Is there any way we can book this trip other than by booking each flight and each hotel separately? I am trying to keep the costs down. Thank you in advance for any ideas.

Robin G

Hi RG,

I'm sure that a travel agent will be pleased to arrange your trip for you.

As far as airlines go, you want an "open jaw" (multi city) flight - into Cairo and out of Athens or VV.

You might contact Fantasy Travel in Athens and ask them if they have packages to Cairo, originating in Athens, other than the ones described on their site:


They were quite helpful to me on my last visit to Greece/Turkey, in 2005.


http://www.fantasy.gr/egypt_details.php?category=1

Aegean Airlines often has good sales from Athens to Santorini.

It does seem a shame to go all the way to Cairo and spend only 3 nights. But certainly better than not going at all! Utterly fascinating. Utterly exasperating!

I think ekscrunchy has a good idea there. When I was in Athens in the summer of 2008, I believe I saw ads at travel companies for excursions to Cairo.
Do price it out yourself though to see if you can do what you want to do for the same or less cost - to compare.

Thank you for the ideas. I will be calling Fantasy Travel and comparing their quotes to what I can book myself.

I have heard that my husband and I need to wear pants because the country is very conservative. Is this true? Do men wear pants even in the heat of summer? I'm not worried for myself, I can wear long skirts if I need to.

Thanks,
Robin G

As a tourist your husband can probably get away with decent shorts, but yes, Egyptians wear long pants in the summer usually. At the beach or resorts they will wear shorts though.
Maybe your husband can get a galabayia and go comando underneathe if he is too hot. Hubba Hubba!

You do not need to wear long pants, though -- capris are fine (quoting Casual_Cairo, as I have done innumerable times -- for women, "no shoulders, no breasts, no knees").

I think you might have to book it separately but I can recommend hotels in Athens and Santorini. Elektra Palace is a great place in the Plaka for Athens and depending on where you want to stay, (we like Fira for the views) Santorini Palace Hotel is a short walk and a nice hotel. Of course there are many. I know nothing on Cairo but hope to go one day!

Casual Cairo... I tell my husband to do just that...!!!

I think my husband would die before he would wear a galabeya. I don't even think I would have the courage to make the suggestion. How hot is it in July? How do the ex-pats manage in the heat?