TheWaz

Took an 11 day tour in November , 2010 that included 2 days in Cairo , 1 day in Aswan , 1 day in Abul Simbel , 3 day Nile cruise , and 3 days at Red Sea resort . (1 day travelling ) During the arranging of the tour with Memhis , we found them to be very responsive and helpful to all of our e-mails and inquiries. All questions and requests were handled to our complete satisfaction . Cairo - Stayed at the Sheraton Cairo on the river . Comfortable , clean hotel . Only drawback was the noise from the disco clubs located on permanent barges on the river . Suggest that you request a room on the highest floor possible and AWAY from the river . We always pack ear plugs and they did the job . We found their front desk and staff very efficient and friendly . The city of Cairo is very, very noisey - constant car horns - and filthy. Traffic is unbelievable - 5 lanes of traffic on a 3 lane road . At one point , on main street , we had to stop for a herd of goats . Everywhere you looked was garbage . You will be constantly pestered by vendors so be prepared to not make eye contact and don't speak to them . They can detect fear ! Memphis put together a good tour of the city . The guide was knowledgeable and professional . Highlight was the visit to Giza and the Pyramids and Sphinx. Don't miss the evening light show but bring a sweater or jacket because it gets cold at night . This show was an extra cost but worth it . Overall suggestion ... go to Cairo , see what you want to see in as few days as possible and get out of the city . We flew to Aswan from Cairo - do not take the train as fellow travellers who did , said it was uncomfortable , noisy and stinky. Spend the extra to fly and arrive fresh as we did .. Aswan - Stayed at the Movenpick Aswan on Elphantine Island . A very nice 4 star hotel that is comfortable , clean and has a friendly , efficient staff . Tip - don't eat there as food was extremely expensive . Eat on shore in Aswan . Nile River Cruise - Our ship the MY Alyssa was much better than we expected . We have done a lot of ocean cruising and a 3 day river cruise in China , so were prepared for a " barge " . Far from it . The ship was extremely comfortable ( get an upper deck room ) , clean and the staff went out of their way to make it enjoyable. Not an ocean liner but after seeing other ships on the Nile , this is one of the better ones . A tip - get up to the observation deck early to secure lounges at the rail .The passing scenery is not to be missed. The only negative was the food at dinner . There was not a great variety ( buffet ) and was all heavily spiced . Breakfast and lunch were fine . After three days , it became boring . Also be prepared to pay extra for water , coffee and tea at dinner . Coffee and tea fee at Breakfast ???? Wine is very expensive however with upper deck room you get one free bottle to bring to dining room . Tip the staff by deciding what you want to give and put it in an envelope deposited at front deck . Abul Simbel - not to be missed . You can get there by road or air . Road is a long , uncomfortable , boring trip across the desert . You have to go in a convoy of vehicles for safety . You have to leave in the middle of the night and travel over rough "roads" . We flew on the advice of our daughter who had made the road trip . Fellow travellers who drove wished they had flown . It is another extra expense but worth it . The site is incredible not because of the history but also because of the engineering feat - Tip - read all about it before you go . Be prepared for crowds . To get away from them , as all buses arrive at same time , go to temple on the right first and then see main part . Only drawback of this visit is that there was not enough time at the site regardless of how you got there . This was the main reason I went to Egypt and would like to have more time to explore . Back at he Cruise - Nubian Village is interesting but is mainly a nmber of shops all selling the same thing and you will be pestered . However, we were invited, by our guide to tea in Nubian house and that was interesting . We came back to cruise ship at night and sailing the Nile under a clear , star filled night in the warm breeze was magical. Highlights on cruise were The Valley of the Kings , Karnak , Edfu and Temple of Philae and the sitting on upper deck watching the " Bibical like " scenery float by . All was like a hollywood movie set . Red Sea - we decided to spent a few days relaxing at the Red Sea . Stayed at the Steigenberger Al Dau resort . Spectacular ! Largest pools we have ever seen . The resort is pure luxtury in every regard . Would rate it as 5 star . 90 percent of cliental were German. Food was amazing . We opted for breakfast only in our package and bought our lunch and dinner at the cafe on the beautiful Red Sea beach on the resort grounds . Tip - try the tube ride river course that gently flows around the pool or play a round of golf on the resorts Par 3 course . Also , if you have children , there is a waterpark for them on the grounds . We flew back to Cairo to continue on our journey . We stayed at the Fairmont Heliopolis at the airport. Another nice hotel and convenient for the airport . Summary - all in all we were very satisfied with the both Memphis Tours and the itinerary they arranged for us . Our Memphis Tours representative in Cairo slept in and we had to take a later flight to Aswan but despite the inconvenience it was not a problem and was actually funny when we look back . Tip - always get the cell phone number of your guide . We would recommend Memphis Tours . Only rated them as a 4 star only because I beleive all companies should try harder to be perfect .