see_the_world7

We just returned from a 15 day trip to Egypt and Jordan (19 March - 2 April). I'll try to write a trip report soon, but if anyone has any questions in the meantime, I'd be happy to answer them. We traveled with travelegyptnow in Egypt and Petra Moon in Jordan, and we took our 6 and 7 year old children with us.

impacked

We are leaving in 3 weeks to Jordan only and have our trip pretty welled planed. Thanks for your offer to help. Can you recommendations for restaurants or shopping?

see_the_world7

In Jordan we went to the Dead Sea, Petra, and then stayed in a Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum where they cooked for us. So we didn't do a whole lot of shopping or eating out. We did find that many of the local Bedouins sold items of jewelry and for display at Petra that were reasonably priced and many were quite unique and nice.

Leslie_S

Did you enjoy the Dead Sea? Were you staying at a resort there or just visiting a beach for the day?

I'd like to get a driver to take me there from Amman just for a day trip so trying to figure out some logistics -- which beach to go to, if there is a fee, if there's somewhere that you can pay to use facilities like showers. Would you possibly have advice on that?

SWD

We're leaving for Egypt mid-week. How was the weather? Did you go to Cairo? If yes, did you feel comfortable walking around unescorted? We have a few hours free the day we arrive and I suggested we walk to the Citadel, but my husband is a bit concerned about walking around without being part of a tour. What about clothing? Can I get away with Capri's or should I wear long pants?

Grcxx3

capris are fine - just make sure you have your shoulders and upper arms covered.

You should have no problems.

sandi

Whether alone or with a group, walking is perfectly safe. But, do watch yourselves crossing the streets... few traffic signals and those that are, few adhere to.

We managed to attached ourselves to an elderly person figuring if they've lived thru and crossed these streets over the years... they knew how!

Depending where your hotel is and where you wish to sightsee, you can alway take a taxi... inexpensive, but confirm price before entering. When finished, there are plenty of taxis waiting at sites for a return trip.

Have fun!

makamisa

WE are leaving on a trip in three weeks- same destination as see_the_world7, different tour company - Friendly Planet. Could use information on sites to see on our own and restaurants. We are staying at the Ramses Hilton- I guess not the best choice. We are arriving a day early on our own so should have a few hours at least, then also a few hours on the last day before departing for Jordan.Obviously, the Egyptian museum. Any other ideas? Also restaurants?

see_the_world7

We felt completely welcomed and safe everywhere we went. It was a bit of a challange to cross the streets, but as far as security or safety we were fine. My daughter was sick for our first week in Egypt and we even ended up taking her to a doctor at the Cairo hospital and we felt safe there too (we did have a guide with us to help us get around the hospital which was very fortunate).

It was unseasonably hot when we were in Egypt. We were expecting around high 80s or 90 and it easily reached 100 the first week we were there. Our last few days in Egypt it cooled down quite a bit though.
Jordan was much cooler.

We wore long pants and capris, but I saw lots of people in shorts everywhere.

We are glad we went to the Dead Sea although we only spent a short amount of time in the sea to say we did. The rest of the time was at the pools. We just spent several hours there and had lunch and then moved on. We were at the Dead Sea Spa Hotel and our driver said that was the 'low end' of the group of hotels there. But it was really quite nice so I don't think you can go wrong with a day at any of the main hotels along there.

In Cairo we went to the Egyptian museum and then to Coptic Cairo the first day and saw the oldest mosque (which our kids really really liked), plus several churches. The second day we went to Giza and then down to Dashur to see the Red Pyramid (you can go inside) and bent pyramid. Then we went to Saqqara to see the Imhotep Museum and the step pyramid. We were supposed to see the tombs there as well and then stop by a museum to see papyrus being made, but my daughter was sick so we quite early and just went back to the hotel. After visiting Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel, we had a final day in Cairo. We saw the Citadel and Khan Khalili. Our kids really enjoyed bargaining in the market. We let them have a small amount of money to bargain with and get whatever they wanted (and helped them) and they really enjoyed that.

Because our son had been sick with a fever and stomach problems right before we left, and my daughter was sick while we were there, we were not very adventurous on restaurants so I can't help you there. We did Pizza Hut a couple nights to try to keep everyone with good stomachs. On our cruise of the nile we had pretty good food though.

makamisa

I'm so sorry see_the _world. Nothing worse than being sick on a trip.Will follow your ideas for things to see. But does anyone else have any thoughts on Cairo restaurants? Anyone?Anyone? I know on the tour, especially the cruise, we will eat adequate, but probably not fun food.

goody888

Hi There

How did you like Petra? I will be at the beach in Egypt and wonder how difficult it is to cross over to Israel to get to Jordan. Did you need extra pictures or do they just stamp your passport? My girlfriend and I leave on Sat. for Egypt. We plan to take a cruise but have not booked it yet. Can you recommend a good ship?

Thank You,
Andrea

see_the_world7

We really enjoyed Petra. That is somewhere that I've always wanted to visit and is the main reason we added Jordan to our trip. We also really enjoyed Wadi Rum as well. You do need a visa for Jordan, but we were able to just get them at the airport. I don't know how that works if you are coming across from the beach on a bus or the ferry.

Our cruise boat was booked by the company that we booked the whole trip with. We ended up having to change on Easter Sunday because they had mistakenly booked us in a double room (for 4 people). Luckily (after some long waiting) they sorted us out and we ended up on a 5 star cruise that was mainly filled with Germans and French. That didn't really matter since the stops on the cruise were places you could easily get off and tour on your own or find a taxi right when you got off the boat.

There are dozens if not hundreds of boats all lined up 3-5 together (you walk through other boats to get to your own) when they are docked in Luxor. Hopefully someone can suggest a good website if you are booking on your own.