Three female friends (40s/50s) are planning a 2 week trip to Turkey and Egypt (primarily for the pyramids and Nile) in 4/10. Has anyone traveled those two destinations in one trip? If so, how did you travel between countries, can you suggest an itinerary of highlights in each country? We hope to use Marriott points where ever possible if anyone can recommend convenient locations. Any suggested precautions?

Hi Chernsu

I havent done the two in one trip but I have done Egypt many times and I have done turkey 3 times.

Precautions, the biggest one I can give you is (and I dont mean this derrogatory to any Egyptian or Turkish men) but many and I mean many of the Turkish will try and hit on you, and if you are blonde! dye your hair haha.

Now I am not saying that all men are like that in Turkey, of course not, but my female friend and I encountered a lot of harrassment and come ons in Turkey. So be careful and I would suggest dressing appropriately too. (no bikini's to the shops etc)

And if they offer you a massage while your friend tries on clothes - DECLINE!!! my friend didnt decline and it caused a number of complications (i can expand but best not to haha!)

In Egypt, they are wonderful wonderful people but, again, dress appropriately. I was in Cairo in May, and I only left a cafe to pop over to the ATM, and it was beep beep beep, from men in cars (not about the traffic but trying to get my attention, and when I did turn round I got something shouted at me). Goodness knows what haha! but I was dressed in long trousers, covered arms, etc so I wasnt dressed inappropriately. Some men do harrass you, particularly if there isnt a man with you you might find you get a lot of attention.

Unfortunately there are some gigalo's in Egypt, and it has, in the past been the case where women from the west have shown them a lot of attention and as a result some of them try it on with any women that come over. But, my best advice is to ignore them. Whatever they say to you just ignore them, because even if you smile and say thanks, then they will see that as an opening for a conversation.

There are around 80 million people in Egypt and the majority of men are not like that, but the small majority can make you feel harrassed. That is why many Egyptian women feel that wearing the headscarf gives them anonymity and they dont get any unwanted attention.

Of course you dont have to go to that length, just ignore them. IN BOTH COUNTRIES.

Other than that, both countries are great, Egypt of course is my preference out of the two.

Hope this helped

Scotsgirl

Scotsgirl,
Thank you so much for the information. I've had warnings from a couple people who said it might not be the best idea for 3 women to travel independently in either country. I've experienced that kind of harrassment in other countries, but as long as it doesn't border on a safety threat, I can just ignore it.

I traveled to both countries though not the same trip. In both instances with another female friend.

As to Scotsgirl's comments - hey, men are men and they flirt. Did we find this at these destinations? Of course, and even one of us was a blond when in Egypt, and a redhead when in Turkey. But this has happened in Jordan, France, Thailand, Cambodia, Australia (at the later I was with my boyfriend)... it's no big deal. Just smile and go on your way. We've approached groups of men if we were lost to ask for directions, would chat a bit and then move on. In Jordan, the men were so good looking (be still my heart!) we only wanted to meet up with them.

Single women not traveling together - ridiculous. Go about going about and deal with experiences as they appear and don't let this weigh on you. It'll only keep you home from wonderful destinations, history, culture and people.

To visit both countries on same trip, it's a matter of the airline that will get you between both - Cairo/Istanbul. So check with Egypt Air and Turkish Airlines for their schedules and fares. Try a site as www.kayak.com to search for flights.

With 1/week each, in Turkey you can certainly spends a few days in Istanbul, down to Izmir/Ephesus and maybe Antalya (or out to Cappadocia). Travel takes time, so if you had to choose then Istanbul and Ephesus.

In Egypt, certainly Cairo for a few days, then fly to Luxor or Aswan for a Nile Cruise.

Good luck.

HI Sandi

What do you mean single women not travelling together - ridiculous!

are you saying that single women cant travel on their own? of course they can, they just need to be extra cautious.

Scotsgirl