Great forum, it's one of the few places I found reviews for Isram World, which we're leaning toward because of the smaller groups. My husband is a big old grouch who doesn't like being lined up like cattle with a huge tour... after a large-group CIE tour with him being miserable in Ireland I swore, "Never again!"

Any other smaller group tour companies recommended to Egypt, with the ubiquitous Cairo tour/nile cruise? While A&K and Tauck look lovely, they're really out of our price range.

I also need fashion advice. I plan to wear salwar kameez while in Egypt but usually pair them with heels or nice flats. Everything I read says stay away from sandals due to sand/dirt/debris. Any ladies have shoes they wore to Egypt that fit the bill of cute and functional? I'm at a loss.

Thanks for any advice offered!

Shoes for walking in Egypt are dependent upon the amount of gunk in the street and the amount of support that your feet need, i.e. the amount of time on your feet.

If you're going to a restaurant in Cairo and you will be picked up and delivered by taxi, you can wear sandals or heels -- you won't be on your feet a long time & you'll can avoid the gunk in the streets.

If you're walking in the streets (especially in the Khan al Khalili) you'll want something that covers your feet & and will be comfortable for walking a few hours at a time. Ergo, no heels, no sandals. There are European walking shoes that are a little more fashionable than tennis shoes.

Because you'll be a a great big city, you'll find fashionable people wearing fashionable clothes & shoes with higher heels. Remember that these are locals who are not on their feet for hours at a time.

You will look like a tourist there no matter what you do, you may as well be comfortable doing it.

Gate 1 is another good operator for Egypt. Compare between Isram and Gate 1, they do similar tours, with similar prices. If you prefer not to be with a group, both offer independent tours... basically the same itinerary as a group, but you have your own guide/driver in Cairo. On the cruise, there is usually an English speaking tour guide for English speakers (Spanish for Spanish, Italia...... etc. etc, based on the expected guests on a particular ship). We never had more than about 10-15/people when we went ashore and they were a great group of people. The rest of the time, you can eat meals by yourself, tour Aswan on your own, return to temples in Luxor on your own... don't always have to be with the group.

As to footwear... comfort, comfort. Forget the sandal and heels, even in Cairo unless you're not leaving the hotel or being picked-up and returned by taxi or private driver. You can find comfy rubber soled ballet slippers if looking for something other than tennis shoes. I only wear mocassins when touring and ballet slippers at night. Sunshine is correct, besides sand and dirt, most ground is not level and quite uncomfortable under foot.

Check out Maupintour. I did a tour with them several years ago and couldn't have asked for more. There were 7 participants and we never had to wait in line as our tour guide (Egyptian) always went to the front of lines and got our tickets. Probably made everyone waiting furious. As to shoes, I wore tevas - they go everywhere with me.

Hello,

For good walking shoes which are reasonably stylish I'd recommend taking a look at Ecco (http://www.ecco.com). Their shoes are extremely comfortable -- my colleagues and I spend a lot of time on our feet (I'm a doctor) and we rarely buy anything else.

Cheers,
Julian

Skechers has a really cute pair of shoes out that look like Mary Janes but have a "sport shoe" sole. They come in several colors and materials. My daughter says they're really comfortable. They have more support than totally flat shoes.

You can find them at Penney's, Mervyns, Famous Footwear, probably other places too.

OAT has groups of 14-16 and their prices are fairly reasonable. I loved my trip to Turkey with them and we leave in 2 weeks for Egypt!

Thanks much for the replies. Both shoe companies look like a good bet for stylish yet comfy, that's a huge help. (I had always though Sketchers were for teens! I never would have thought to look there.)

Thanks also for the tour group advice.

Sandi - you said "we" - did you travel with either Gate1 or Isram?

I leave my 'fashion' at home and look for total comfort when traveling. There was a time I'd actually take matching shoes for each outfit. Those days are over; comfort and practical. You'll probably never see any of these folks again. A good tie athletic shoe with sock and support on these uneven streets.

OAT is tops groups are from 12-16 and the guides try so hard to please and are most knowledgeable.

Grand Circle has too much free time but stays in higher end hotels but if you are going to travel and want to see a lot for your money - OAT is the way to go. We leave next month for Egypt; just got back from Thailand - OAT was super!!!!

This message is for mowmow or anyone else who has has experience with OAT tours. We went with them to Tuscany last October and they were great. We are now deciding whether to go with them this fall to either Turkey or Egypt.

Since you have now been to both places with them, I'd appreciate any input/feedback re these destinations.....hotels, toiurs, etc.

Thanks

I can recommend the OAT trip to Turkey very highly. We took the trip last October and thoroughly enjoyed it. OAT has a very good itinerary and provides opportunities to experience the true life of the Turkish people. The 5 days on the gulet was very enjoyable and relaxing. If you have any questions, feel free to email me.

Dito for OAT recommendation. We did Thialand/Cambodia in Jan. and were so impressed with everything, including the small group, that we are doing the Egypt/Red Sea with OAT in Dec./Jan. I had heard so many negatives concerning the company and it was by far the best we have been on. Fantanstic guides, well traveled, intelligent group. It was a super experience.

We have booked a trip to Egypt for next May with a company called Museum Tours, web site www.museum-tours.com They take small groups - will go with a minimum of two and have great itineraries. The American Archeological Association books out a few of their departures for their own groups. We are doing their Egyptian Odyssey tour. It is not cheap, but better priced than Tauck and A and K and include so much more.

I also took the OAT trip to Turkey, and I loved it. It had a great variety of sights, but the best thing is that the tour guide was passionate about sharing his knowledge -- we asked him questions about history, archeology, botany, culture, and everything we could think of, and he was a great resource.

Do any of these companies that you recommend do tours for 6 (as opposed to 15 or 16)?

Also, as a follow-up regarding shoes and other fashion issues, I did try on a pair of Skechers yesterday - slipon, but with ties that can be tightened, and found them extremely comfortable. I'm going to get them for out Egypt trip, and take a pair of nicer sandals for eating out, and a pair or Eccos or sneakers for the plane. I wear Eccos a lot and they are very comfortable.

As to the rest of my clothes, is it correct to say that adult women should not wear no-sleeved shirts/tank tops/shorts in Egypt? What about knee-length skirts? We will likely be in Cairo, maybe Alexandria, Luxor/Aswan, and either Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh.

dmlove - you asked this "As to the rest of my clothes, is it correct to say that adult women should not wear no-sleeved shirts/tank tops/shorts in Egypt? What about knee-length skirts? We will likely be in Cairo, maybe Alexandria, Luxor/Aswan, and either Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh."

I would say that you should not wear those clothes in Cairo. And not in Cairo if you are outside your hotel, or without your group. Inside the confines of your hotel property, while it may not be really appropriate, there certainly will be others dressed less modestly so you won't be alone, and it might be perfectly OK. Also, at the tourist sites, like the pyramids, you will see loads of women in skimpy clothes. It doesn't make it right, but at least you won't be alone, again, there. If you can follow these rules without being uncomfortable, you will be fine -

Show
NO BREASTS
NO SHOULDERS
NO TUMMIES
NO BUTTS (CHEEKS OR CRACKS)
NO THIGHS
NO UNDERWEAR (BRA STRAPS OR THONG STRAPS)

This is especially true away from your hotel and when you are not with many other tourists from your group tour.

On the Red Sea (Sharm or Hurghada) all bets are off. Wear pretty much whatever you like there. The topless Europeans will make your shorts and sleeveless tank tops look modest.

Hi, Debbie! Are capris appropriate for women, or should we stick to long pants? What about skirts knee-length or slightly longer?
Karen (see you in October!)

You will also find that in Cairo they wear dark clothes, not bright. I always travel with dark (black, beige, olive, brown, tan) clothes. You can mix and match easily, people don't recognize that you've worn them twice before, and they don't show "slops" as easily as whites, etc. You will also fit in better with the locals. A nice scarf or a piece of inexpensive jewerly (I never take good) can add pop and interest to an outfit.
By the way, you hubby isn't an old grouch. I think most traveler dilike the large groups-cattle call.
Egypt is a wonderful place to visit, have a great trip.

I honestly don't care much about what colors they wear, nor about blending in with the locals. I do care, however, about not disrespecting them by wearing "inappropriate" clothing, i.e. I know that what I would wear at home on a normal weekend would not be appropriate in Cairo.

Thanks Debbie, for the list. Could you post a followup regarding knee-length skirts and/or capris (none of your list of "don't shows" would be showing)? I figure I could wear cotton skirts or capris, neither of which is too short, with a solid-color tee shirt.

Also, I gather open toe shoes are ok for restaurants and the like? I figure a mid-calf dress and sandals for dinner out?

Yes, you can wear capris, but not too tight. These are appropriate everywhere. Toeless shoes also are fine--Egyptian women wear them.

Your skirts and dresses should cover your knees everywhere but resorts.

You can wear whatever colors you like. Many women here wear bright colors.

<i>Yes, you can wear capris, but not too tight.</i>

Now THAT is not a problem (my body and tight capris - no way!) Thanks for the followup.