Hi. We're looking for suggestions. We're going to be in Cairo Dec 31, Jan 1 and 2.

Following that we have a full two week itinerary planned to see Egypt and Jordan. So, we really are looking to experience the best of Cairo before we set out to see the rest.

Any recommendations for hotel, restaurants, sites? What to do to bring in the New Year?

Btw, we're both 40.

Thanks!

Sass

What sort of things do you like to do for NYE? Are you a party crowd? Do you want to drink and be around like minded people? Or are you more for a quiet, romantic type NYE? Would being out in the desert by yourself be something you'd enjoy? Would you like to party like a Westerner parties for NYE? Or do you want to be around Egyptians that are having a party? You tell us what your ideal NYE party is, and it will be easier to give you ideas you might actually like.

Be around Egyptians who are celebrating would be the best!

Then there is a great place to go that you might enjoy. It is called Elhammra Eco Lodge. Here is the website - http://www.elhammraeco-lodge.com/

It is in Wadi Natrun which is about 1/2 way between Cairo and Alexandria. I happen to know that Dec. 31 is the owners b'day so he gets a lot of his friends out there that night for a party. If there are guests staying over night they are invited to come along and enjoy the festivities. (Before making a reservation, I'd make sure the owner will be there for his b'day. Just your luck, this year, he'd plan to travel to Europe or somewhere else for his b'day party).

That is one idea.

Another that you might enjoy is going up to Sharm or Dahab and taking a Bedouin trip overnight in the mountains. I did that one year, and it is one NYE I'll never forget. It was significantly more physical than I'd wanted (we walked a LONG way to get where we were going), but most of the tourists really liked it.

The problem with celebrating NYE with Egyptians is that they don't celebrate like Westerners do, so you'll have to find a group that is doing something special. They really don't seem to put the same emphasis on NYE that we do. They don't even necessarily take New Years Day off work. I never had it off when I had a real job, and I know several teachers that have to work Jan 1.

Thanks, Casual Cairo. Some good ideas. We'll talk about it and figure out a plan!

Sass