Gorgeous pictures. I can't wait!!

I may be missing something but I could not access the photos.

Doug, thanks for the clarification about payment. My unfounded concern was the OAT paid, which could be perceived as prejudicing your review.

Too bad that Fodor's, though, doesn't offer a travel stipend to its editors!

Michael

Shokran gazilan(thank you), all, for your thoughts about free time with the OAT trips in Egypt. Sorry about delay in replying; I'm dealing with family in Florida suffering from hurricane consequences! I was supposed to be there this weekend.
I certainly will read info that you who are about to go will be adding once you return.
Is anyone interested in a list of some books on Egypt I've read that I found especially helpful?
King Tut Exhibit will be in Ft. Lauderdale (clean-up depending) in December and early winter; then it goes to Chicago.

Doug--Thanks for all the useful information on your OAT trip to Egypt, which my wife and I are taking next month. A few questions: Did you or any of your group bring along a laptop, and if so, did it present any problems? Would you recommend I bring a sportcoat with me to wear to dinner? Any other clothing guidance?

Two of the men in our group brought sport coats and wore them a few times. There will be opportunities for rather fine dining both in Cairo (at the Mena House) and in Luxor (at the Winter Palace). I had very fine meals at the Indian restaurant in the Mena House, but dressing up certainly wasn't a necessity. There are a couple of Winter Palace restaurants that request jacket or jacket and tie, and the food is good at both and rather well priced if you want to splurge. Most other places are pretty casual, though I guess you could wear a sport coat on the ship.

You'll find it cooler than we did, so I think you'll like the hot and dry weather. Cargo pants were very popular, and I like having lots of pockets. I wore long sleeves a lot to protect against the sun. Many people wore shorts, but I did only a couple of times. In December, it might be a bit cool in the mornings. There are opportunities to do laundry at all the hotels, so pack light. The cost is about the same at the hotels and on the ship (about $1 to $3 per ITEM, including a pair of socks ... perhaps a bit cheaper on the ship, though).

No one on our trip brought a laptop, but I actually advised a friend who was traveling in our group not to bring his. The luggage is often transported on top of the van (in at least a few instances for hours at a time), and it can get hot. During sightseeing visits, the bus is usually secure and we often left our bags, so I guess you could do that if you brought your laptop. The question is would you want to. But I found Internet service expensive, but available in most hotels (though not the Winter Palace ... they said they were having problems with their connection). For me, I kind of enjoyed being out of touch.

We found internet cafe's within 1-2 blocks of the hotels in Luxor and Aswan (OAT trip). Both were inexpensive and the connection was good. Ask your guide for directions. I wouldn't suggest bringing your laptop.