Turkey & Egypt -Pyramids/Nile
 

Three female friends (40s/50s) are planning a 2 week trip to Turkey and Egypt (primarily for the pyramids and Nile) in 4/10. Has anyone traveled those two destinations in one trip? If so, how did you travel between countries, can you suggest an itinerary of highlights in each country? Is it too much to add on a Greek island, or two? We hope to use Marriott points where ever possible if anyone can recommend convenient locations.

Hello Chernsu,
I can only comment on the Turkey section of your trip:
-Istanbul needs 3-4 days for a partial discovery of the major touristic sites. There are 3 Marriott group hotels. Only the Ritz is at a good location for a short touristic stay, and it may take too many points to stay there.
- If you want the antique sites, you probably should go to Ephesus, 120k South of Izmir.
- In Antalya, the Renaissance Resort Beldibi (Marriott group hotel) will give very scenic, pine-forested and mountain view location on the beach, with the possibility of excursions to the Perge, Aspendos and Phaeselis antique sites. My wife swam in that area before and enjoyed it in the second half of April, although the water temperature was about 18-19 degrees Centigrade. (you should check if hotel is open in April)
Otherwise, the resort town of Side may be slightly warmer and also closer to some of the antique sites mentioned, a well as some waterfalls and a more sandy beach.
- Another possibility is flying to Izmir from Istanbul, renting car at airport, driving to Ephesus, staying one night, driving to Bodrum, visiting Miletus, Prienne, Herakleia on the way. Staying one night in Bodrum, dropping car and taking short boat ride to Kos Island, and finding your way to Egypt from there.
- If you wish to leave day to Bodrum out, you can get a boat from Kusadasi only 20k from Ephesus to Samos Island.

april may be rainy and windy on the Aegean Coast and the islands, and too cool for swimming. Also there may not be a lively evening ambience at both the Turkish coast towns and the Greek islands. antalya region will be drier and warmer.

From what I hear, 4 days would be enough for Egypt. This would give you a bit extra time for Turkey. However, this is hearsay and I cannot take responsibility for limiting your Egypt trip.

Hi Chernsu - Besides the pyramids (- and Cairo museum), the highlight of any trip to Egypt is Luxor (- plan at least 2 days there). Besides the temples (- Karnak, Luxor) and the Valley of the Kings/Queens, don't miss a balloon flight at sunrise, and a boat trip on the Nile.

I don't think you'll have time for Greek islands as well ...

Steve

Some thoughts about Egypt:

Driving in Egypt is a pain, especially in and around Cairo. A distance of 10km might require 2 hours (!). I would never drive by myself in Egypt - and I am anything but an anxious driver.

Therefore, it is a major decision whether you stay in a hotel in central Cairo or in Giza. In Giza, you are close to the pyramids. In central Cairo, you are close to the Museum and the Bazaar.

Driving time between Giza and central Cairo is at least one hour.

Luxor is the other rewarding destination in Egypt. From Cairo, you take the plane to Luxor. From Luxor, you take the boat to Assuan and back in order to explore the famous temples and graves along the Nile.

Optional, you can visit Abu Simbel.

Required minimum time:

1 day for central Cairo
1 day for the Pyramids
5 days for the Luxor-Assuan cruise
1 day for Abu Simbel

I would suggest that Turkey and Egypt together for a 2 weeks trip is too much already without trying to add a couple of Greek islands. Both countries have rich histories and I spent 2 weeks alone in western Turkey. Egypt is on my list of countries that I want to see and again it would be a 2 week trip of Egypt alone.

If your primary focus is on the Nile and the pyramids then you should think about a 2 week river cruise along the Nile between Aswan and Luxor, including Cairo. Most travel companies offer these trips but a couple of the popular companies are Viking River Cruises and Grand Circle Travel.

Easy question first. Is adding a Greek Island or 2 out of the question - yes. There is soooo much to see you could easily spend 3 weeks in each country.

If you split it up 1 week in each place, I'd do this.

Day 1 - Depart to Cairo.
Day 2 - Arrive Cairo. Stay in Giza (Mena House, La Meridian Pryamid) Depending on your jet lag, see the Pyramids. They are WOW! Why / how some people can wait until later in their trip boggles my mind. Maybe do the sound and light show.

Day 3 - If you didn't see the pyramids the day see now. Also do 1/2 tour down to Saqqara / Memphis.

Day 4- Fly to Abu Simbel, See Abu Simbel in am. Fly back to Aswan and catch Nile cruise. The cruise usually does a tour of Aswan: high Dam (nap time), Unfinshing Obleisk, Temple of Philea. Some do another stop, but almost all cruises do these.
Day 5 - the boat has taken to overnight to Kom Ombo. sail to Edfu. Sail on toward Luxor
Day 6 - Luxor - cruise tour to Colsi of Mememon, VOQ, Temple of Hatchesupt, VOK.
Day 7 - Luxor -(over night on cruise ship)- Temple of Karnak, Temple of Luxor. - Fly to Cairo - stay in hotel nearer airport
Day 8 - see Cairo Museum, Coptic Cairo, and Citadel. Maybe late night flight out of Cairo to Istanbul. - I don't know if there is one.
Day 9 - Fly to Istanbul (if you can't get in late night) - Fly to Izimr- Either rent a car or bus to Selcuk. Stay in Selcuk. From there you can see Ephesus, House of the Virgin Mary and St. John's Basiclia
Day 10 - Drive to Pamukalla see / swim in therma springs and ruins.
Day 11 - Drive north up coast to Pergamum - see the ruins. drive on into Canakalla.
Day 12 - See Troy (outside Canakalla) Cross Dardenails on ferry. If important see Gollopli. Drive into Istanbul. Drop off car.
Day 13- See Golden horn sights. Topkapi palace, Haiga Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrom, etc. it is all in one place.
Day 14 - Fly home.

I wish I could say how to squeeze more in.

Thank you all for the very helpful information. We've decide to drop the idea of squeezing in a Greek island...there's already too much to see! You've given us great ideas!