Egypt and Jordan: it was truly amaazing!
Jul 3rd, 2023, 12:41 PM
#321
Thank you for taking the time to do this report. As I mentioned, it twigged me to get off my butt and book our first trip out since covid and since my retirement from a career that involved a lot of travel. Like you, we are trusting Djed for the dahabiya and their guide/driver services and we also ended up booking our own accommodation. We are excited.
Thank you for the inspiration!
Thank you for the inspiration!
Jul 4th, 2023, 08:05 AM
#322
Original Poster
Ian, I’m touched that this report motivated you to book a trip to Egypt! And, my experience with Djed on the ground was excellent, despite frustrations with their communication, so I hope you also have a good experience with them.
When you get to Luxor, ask for Mohammed, if he is still doing tours for Djed (he has started his own business). He was one of our favorite guides. The dahabiya was, for us, a highlight, too.
Enjoy your trip! I suspect you will.
When you get to Luxor, ask for Mohammed, if he is still doing tours for Djed (he has started his own business). He was one of our favorite guides. The dahabiya was, for us, a highlight, too.
Enjoy your trip! I suspect you will.
Jul 5th, 2023, 01:59 PM
#324
Yes, there is little doubt about that. Thank you.
My wife always jokes that I rent bathrooms & balconies rather than rooms. The bathroom is très important to her and the balcony is vital for both of us - for winding down each day with a cocktail or two of our duty-free stash. I am happy to say that I rented great balconies!
My wife always jokes that I rent bathrooms & balconies rather than rooms. The bathroom is très important to her and the balcony is vital for both of us - for winding down each day with a cocktail or two of our duty-free stash. I am happy to say that I rented great balconies!
Jul 6th, 2023, 06:14 PM
#325
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Wow - what a great trip report! Thank you so much for putting in all the effort with both the details and the photos. My husband and I have Egypt and Jordan in our top 5 trips to make post-pandemic. Your trip report will be so helpful as we plan our trip. Again - thank you!
Jul 8th, 2023, 01:26 PM
#326
Original Poster
Songdoc, I hope that the GEM is open by the time you go, but nothing is certain. This site is really the best site for finding out whatever IS happening!
Ian, I’m all for comfort and views, when possible! Glad you have some great balconies - I look forward to the photos of them! What balconies did you rent? I’d love to ooh and aah ans dream of returning!
61luv2travel, I’m so happy you enjoyed this trip report! It’s really been fun to relive our trip as I did this. It’s an amazing region with so much remarkable history, and, as I’ve said many times, filled with more “pinch me” moments than I could count. Feel free to ask away when you’re ready to start planning.
Ian, I’m all for comfort and views, when possible! Glad you have some great balconies - I look forward to the photos of them! What balconies did you rent? I’d love to ooh and aah ans dream of returning!
61luv2travel, I’m so happy you enjoyed this trip report! It’s really been fun to relive our trip as I did this. It’s an amazing region with so much remarkable history, and, as I’ve said many times, filled with more “pinch me” moments than I could count. Feel free to ask away when you’re ready to start planning.
Jul 9th, 2023, 05:20 AM
#327
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progol - I have to admit that we kind of wanted to wait for the GEM to open - though watching its slow progress makes me wonder how long that might be. Your comments about how maybe it wasn't such a bad thing that it wasn't open yet gave me food for thought. In the meantime, when we finally decide to take this trip I will definitely be back to ask questions! Thank you for being a resource!
Jul 9th, 2023, 05:31 PM
#329
Original Poster
61luv, If you look at the link I posted above (post #320), you can follow when the GEM May open. As of now, there are a few tours available even now, but, they are of very limited locations around the museum. These tours are apparently to “test site readiness” and “access is currently limited to the Grand Hall, commercial area, and exterior gardens”.
Songdoc, the above description doesn’t sound like there’s much in the way of artifacts to see, but it could be fun to see the site itself if you have time. But it’s a guessing game, isn’t it?
Songdoc, the above description doesn’t sound like there’s much in the way of artifacts to see, but it could be fun to see the site itself if you have time. But it’s a guessing game, isn’t it?
Jul 17th, 2023, 01:35 PM
#332
Jul 18th, 2023, 05:32 AM
#333
Original Poster
Ian, from what I could tell, Mena House was by far the most comfortable place to be. And you won’t be stuck with the poor dinner buffet at 139. I’m sure you’ll be glad you stayed there.
I would’ve loved to stay at the Old Cataract in Aswan but we were going at what must’ve been peak time and the only rooms available to us by the time I got around to making our reservations were just way too high. But that is were I’d love to stay. I stayed at the Movenpick in Elephantine Island, and while I liked it well enough, it’s much more of a glitzy resort-style hotel (not a bad thing, just not my preference).
I would’ve loved to stay at the Old Cataract in Aswan but we were going at what must’ve been peak time and the only rooms available to us by the time I got around to making our reservations were just way too high. But that is were I’d love to stay. I stayed at the Movenpick in Elephantine Island, and while I liked it well enough, it’s much more of a glitzy resort-style hotel (not a bad thing, just not my preference).
Jul 18th, 2023, 06:03 AM
#334
Ian, from what I could tell, Mena House was by far the most comfortable place to be. And you won’t be stuck with the poor dinner buffet at 139. I’m sure you’ll be glad you stayed there.
I would’ve loved to stay at the Old Cataract in Aswan but we were going at what must’ve been peak time and the only rooms available to us by the time I got around to making our reservations were just way too high. But that is were I’d love to stay. I stayed at the Movenpick in Elephantine Island, and while I liked it well enough, it’s much more of a glitzy resort-style hotel (not a bad thing, just not my preference).
I would’ve loved to stay at the Old Cataract in Aswan but we were going at what must’ve been peak time and the only rooms available to us by the time I got around to making our reservations were just way too high. But that is were I’d love to stay. I stayed at the Movenpick in Elephantine Island, and while I liked it well enough, it’s much more of a glitzy resort-style hotel (not a bad thing, just not my preference).
Jul 18th, 2023, 10:10 AM
#335
Original Poster
Hi, yestravel! It’s always helpful to have someone chime in who actually stayed at a hotel! I’m Giza, the smaller hotels have such mixed reviews and, at least in TA, important to figure out the style of the reviewer and how much our our own styles match or differ.
In Aswan, I was intrigued by this hotel, which carrom on this board stayed in this past winter and really liked:
https://dharahotels.com/en/aswan/benben-hotel/
It looks a bit glam but more in the small boutique style, and the views are great. It’s a bit far from the “downtown” area but, really, that’s not such a big deal.
In Aswan, I was intrigued by this hotel, which carrom on this board stayed in this past winter and really liked:
https://dharahotels.com/en/aswan/benben-hotel/
It looks a bit glam but more in the small boutique style, and the views are great. It’s a bit far from the “downtown” area but, really, that’s not such a big deal.
Jul 18th, 2023, 03:15 PM
#336
We are 4 nights in Giza, one overnight with late arrival in Aswan and then the cruise followed by 4 nights in Luxor - where we opted for west bank - a Nile view in the Dorff Palace got our booking over the Al Moudira which seen too isolated & not really our style anyway. Other than the obvious sites, we plan to also have a day or two of chill or simpler activities in Luxor. Then it is back to Cairo for a night and the last day to wrap up before we fly out just after midnight for a direct flight home - which will unfortunately fall on the last day of school break here so the airport might be insane - even with a 7 am arrival.
So we skipped Abu Simbel as impractical for us and we won't really see much in Aswan but I know our tolerance level for short stays and too many ruins so I think it will work well.
I am already on my 4th historical novel about Egypt and Pharaohs etc . . .
So we skipped Abu Simbel as impractical for us and we won't really see much in Aswan but I know our tolerance level for short stays and too many ruins so I think it will work well.
I am already on my 4th historical novel about Egypt and Pharaohs etc . . .
Jul 18th, 2023, 04:52 PM
#337
Original Poster
Ian, it all sounds great to me. There is always so much to see and we won’t see it all, but to me, Luxor is so rich with sights that you will feel sated after your visit. And I’d definitely stay on the West Bank if I were to return. The Djorf Palace looks like it’ll be a wonderful place to stay with its traditional, old-world feeling.
