We are going on our first trip to Egypt/Jordan with Lady Egypt and am thinking about some things we'd like to do at night and on our more relaxed days. Is it easier/cheaper to go through our tour company or do it when we get there? Looking for the least stress and of course price. Looking for thoughts, ideas, suggestions. Thank you.

Are you traveling on a pre-planned itinerary with a group, or are you on a private tour with Lady Egypt? What's on your itinerary already?

We will be on a private guided tour, but was thinking at night of doing the light & sound show at the pyramids, and in Jordan going to the Chariot races (if they are available), and possible doing one of the popular spas at one of the hotels we will be at a short time(they say you have to book way ahead of time etc.Thanks.

Solsenz.... I am going with Lady Egypt next week and I too am pondering things to do at night. Often when I travel I am a "I am pooped I am going to bed early gal" however my husband is the opposite. I figure I need to change my MO in the evenings so will be interested in seeing what is on offer. Chariot races sound fun... I am off to Jordan too. I hope the spas are not booked up... I would love a foot massage regularly after a day of siteseeing. I'll be interested in what other folks say.

When you book excursions through a tour company remember that you're paying for the driver and the tour representative and maybe a guide that accompany you also. But you also have a piece of mind that everything is taking care of for you. You could of course ask to have only the driver. It's cheaper to book some things on your own, but the experience of negotiating the price of a taxi can be taxing. The cab driver will almost always ask you "How much do you want to pay?" and then there'll be a haggle over the price. Don't even bother asking if they can make changes. Unless you really are aware of how much it's supposed to cost to get to places, you will most likely be overcharged.

<<Unless you really are aware of how much it's supposed to cost to get to places, you will most likely be overcharged.>>

Overcharged is relative though. Have a cheat sheet with you so you have SOME idea what 20EGP is when the driver asks for it, and ask yourself if it is a price you are willing to pay to get where you are going? Most times it will be. Yes, mostly you will be paying more than an Egyptian or a local foreigner would pay, but it probably won't be so much that it is worth a lot of stress worrying about how much you are being "ripped off". You have to decide how much time/effort you have to give to being stressed over the issue.

One thing, IF the driver speaks enough English to understand, you can say to him IF I AM HAPPY, I WILL PAY (WHATEVER THE PRICE IS THAT HE QUOTED). He MUST speak English for that though and let him know that if you aren't happy, the price will change. That will often keep him driving well and doing what you want... not always, but often.

Miss Green- I'm looking forward to hearing about your trip since it sounds quite simular. Have a great trip and bring back a great trip report Thank you for the thoughts....

we will be going through LE in November. What spas did you find in Egypt-Cairo, Aswan? I would love to book something as well. Thanks.

Casual Cairo... I too had the same thought you did about what one considers too expensive of being ripped off. I don't mind paying in excess of what others pay if it means that some family can have a nice evening meal on what I gave them!

Many of the hotels have their "spa menu" listed on their website..

Right on MissGreen. There are not a lot of RICH taxi drivers in Egypt. The worst drug they may spend the money on is nicotine, and you can bet wine, women and song are not in the picture. Usually a child is being clothed or educated better if you are paying a bit more.