I am looking at booking this holiday as I would really like to visit Egypt as I have an interest in the history of Ancient Egypt and would like to see the sites.

However this would be my first time travelling abroad by myself and I'm a little nervous about it. One thing that worries me is what happens at meal times? Not all meals are included are they? So do are we all left to our own devices to find something to eat? TBH I'm nervous about that in a foreign country.

I'm sure you'll have a fantastic time in Egypt - it's one of the places I'd most love to see.

There's nothing to worry about regarding meals. As you say, not all of the meals are included in the price on this tour but where they aren't, there will usually be the option of dining at the hotel.

Your tour manager will also be able to advise you about suitable restaurants or cafes in the area, if you feel like venturing further afield. You can often learn a lot about a place by eating away from the hotels, so I would defintely recommend trying the experience at least once.

Kind regards,

Olly, your editor

Thanks for your reply. I'm not sure about venturing outside of the hotel for food on my own in a foreign country. For the meals that are not included do people usually go as a group or do they separate into small groups or individuals? I'm sorry if my questions seem a bit silly, but this would be my first holiday abroad since I went with my parents when I was 16 20 years ago, and I'm not a very confident person.

Cheers,

Graham

I knew I would forget to ask something! I know that visits to Egypt require early starts because of the heat during the day, but what sort of times are we talking about? If I think of any more questions I'll let you know. ;)

Cheers,

Graham

In these situations, people tend to venture out in a group or smaller groups but there is usually the option of eating in the hotel for a small charge. You will probably find there is a group 'eating in' as well. Either way you won't have to venture out on your own if you don't want to.

Kind regards

Olly, your editor

Airport transfer in Cairo: 20-30mins.

Day 2 Cairo: Start 8-8.30am and return to hotel 4.30pm

Day 3 Luxor & Karnak Temple - Depending on flight arrival time from Cairo but roughly 9am-12pm.

Day 4 Early start for Valley of the Kings - 05.30-06.30 and return for lunch 1pm.

Day 5 Esna Temple: 9am return for lunch and continue to Edfu Temple at 2.30pm return to ship at 4.30pm.

Day 6 Kom Ombo Temple: 7.30am return to ship for a morning sailing to Aswan. Depart for Aswan Dam at 1pm.

Hopefully this information will help give you an idea as to how early a day can start.

Kind regards

James, your editor

Thanks a lot for all the info, guys!

What happens about food when we're away from the hotel for most of the day?

Cheers,

Graham

I hope this information has been helpful and if you have any further queries then feel free to email me.

Kind regards

James, your editor

I have just returned from this holiday, couple of things you need to be aware of. First of all although they say it's a four night cruise you are actually only cruising up the river nile for a day & half the majority of the time you are moored and usually 3 or 4 a berth, so although you may indeed have a "panoramic" window, for most of the time you are either looking at the dock which is filthy and full of rubbish or the boat moored next to you, depending on which side you are on. The Early starts are well worth putting up with as the sites are amazing, however do be prepared for the amount of crowds at ALL the sites and for the pestering from the market & bazaar traders. As long as you are firm and fair though you will have a fun time. Don't worry about the eating arrangements as the hotel has some very good restaraunts and I am sure your tour manager or local guide ( both of whom- Carole & Rasha- on our tour were fantastic, can't praise either of them enough) you should get two bottles of water a day and any extras you can purchase from the driver (cheaper than the hotel/boat etc) Don't expect first class cuisuine on the Ms Tulip as I am afraid you wont get it! I would highly reccommend the Hot Air balloon trip and with any luck you will get Captain Bob a great pilot (what he did with our balloon was to be seen to be beleived!)do keep things locked away on board the boat!!!! I suspect that this message will be highly summarised/censored so do ask Olly for my e mail address I am happy for you to have it! and just enjoy yourself and have fun It was truly a fantastic holiday!

PS I do hope you get to see the whirling dervish,I still have no idea how A)he walked in a straight line afterwards and B)his head didn't fall off!

Have fun Graham

Debbiew

Thanks for your post; it's nice to hear from someone who's actually been on this trip. I more or less knew about what you mentioned about the cruise from some research I've done about it on the net. It doesn't really bother me as my main interest in this trip is to see the sites, and the cruise itself is secondary. Also my brother, who has been to Egypt, warned me of the pestering by the locals.

I'm not sure about the balloon trip as I'm not one for heights!

BTW when you were on this trip what sort of age range were your fellow travellers, and was it mostly men or woman or mixed?

Hi, James.

Thanks a lot. What is your email address btw?

Cheers,

Graham

Kind regards

James, your editor

The mix of ages varied from 26 ish up to 85ish (I think). There were more women than men but we all mixed and no one was left out unless they wanted to be. obviously little groups formed as they do, but even in these the majority of people included everybody. I really wouldn't worry too much just go & have a fabulous time; there will always be someone to chat with, have a beer with etc and of course everyone goes because they are interested in the cultureand history of Egypt. I can't give you my email address here as they wont print it but please do ask James or Olly and they will pass it on! As for not liking heights, I am terrified of them but somehow in a balloon it is different I really can't explain why but it was simply fantastic & well worth the early start, honestly I wouldn't lie to you it really is different up there in a balloon so quiet & peaceful.

Just go for it Graham you wont regret it, honestly!!

Bye for Now

DebbieW

Have also recently done this tour.

The sites were really quite amazing and not to be missed.

I was also concerned about meal arrangements when they were not included, but for us it was really only one night.

The day we arrived was so late that you had to be content with the in flight meal, maybe put some provisions in your luggage. The next evening there were several restaurant options in the hotel, and we shook out into different groups depending on your food preference, After that all meals were included, but do not expect a wonderful culimary experience. Also if you like wine, it had to be bought by the bottle, so you need a friend, or a pen to write your cabin number on the cork, if you are not up to a full bottle at one sitting.

The loacl guide was very knowledgable and very helpful. The days were long. The weather good, exhaustion only set in after I got home.

Hope you enjoy.

SFM

Price: US$195/E£1060/£126 per person

Kind regardsJames, your editor

The 4.45am start is well worth it, the balloon trip is probably the best thing I have ever done & our pilot (Bob) was great. And despite them telling you to wrap up it isn't cold up there at all, even less so if you are in a compartment next to the pilot! You get a nice cup of tea or coffee and a bit of cake as you cross over the nile and you get a big Breakfast box from the MS Tulip with far too much in it to be honest LOL. Anyway John go up in the Balloon and have a great holiday!! Just don't expect good food on the MS Tulip as I am afraid you wont get it! it was passable but only just,except when they did Egyptian food on the Galabaiya night which was delicious.

Enjoy

PS we are not that far from each other I am in Shrewsbury!

Bye for now