CDRM

We were visiting Egypt for the first time and wanted to see as much as possible in one week. Our guides, Egyptologists, and driver were fantastic. On the first day we started off with the Pyramids at Dakshur and the Great Pyramids. Our guides were patient as we took lots of lots of pictures and video. We suggest good walking shoes (I wore sneakers the entire time), sunglasses, and a hat for shade. We went in the begining of July and although a lot of people said that it would be too hot, I did not find it any hotter in Egypt than at home. The big advantage is that there weren't great crowds so we could really linger and enjoy. The Light and Sound show that first night was incredible. I wish we could have taken our camera in there because the Great Pyramids were beautiful against the setting sun. It looked like a picture and was completely unreal. We stayed at the Staybridge Suites which is within walking distance of the Citystars mall (largest mall in Africa and just around the block). The mall stayed open until midnight. We used the ATM machine of the HSBC bank (the egyptian ATM machines did not honor our ATM cards). One mistake that we made was getting travelers checks before arriving - never again! It was hard converting traveler checks to Egyptian currency. From here on we will just carry cash or convert at the airport before arriving in Egypt. Our hotel converted our US Dollars to Egyptian currency with no problem. We went on the Nile Cruise for dinner at the end of the second day - it was fantastic! The food was the best we had the entire time in Egypt! Again a great picture opportunity at night. Make sure you have a camera that takes good pictures in low light (at night). Cairo was truly beautiful at night. Our guide was great - he even saw us on the cruise ship and seated before he left! The second day we visited Coptic Egypt full of churches and the Mohamhed Ali Mosque. The Egyptian museum was also a must see. On the third day we flew to Luxor and visited Karnak temple, the Valley of the Kings and the temple of Queen Hatsheptsut. Again visting in July was great - no crowds! One suggestion is to bring a little hand fan. Some people had little hand held battery operated fans with them. Going into the different tombs especially at the valley of the kings was hot. By our fifth day in Egypt, my husband and I were ready to explore Egypt by ourselves. We negotiated a price with the taxi driver and went shopping at Khan al-Khalili. This is Cairo's main souq. It was very picturesque, you can find all of your souvenir items here. We were constantly being approached to buy something, but it was all a lot of fun. Just shake your head no and keep walking if not interested. Just about everywhere we went the people were nice and friendly. Every shop you go into will offer you something to drink, its part of their hospitality and everytime you go to the bathroom it will cost you some "baksheesh" (a tip). We had a great vacation in Cairo and Luxor - one that we will not soon forget. I've already told all of my friends if they are going to Egypt for the first time they have to have a guide. I know we would not have enjoyed our vacation without the wonderful people we had showing us around and taking care of us in Cario and Luxor.