Anyone going on the Egyptian Discoverer trip - departing 20th Dec?

Hi Janet

I am also on this trip and looking forward to it - the reviews on this website suggest that it will be very good. This will be the third Exodus trip I have taken over Christmas and New Year. If the other two are anything to go by there will be lots of other people travelling on their own, so you will not be alone in that respect. I must start thinking about what to take..

Kind regards

Phil (unfortunately I am stuck with the rather silly screen name, which arose out of a running joke during a previous trip; if I could change it, I would!)

  

Hi Phil, thanks for the reply! 

Yes, what to bring...I presume it's relatively warm in the day but cold in the night so that doesn't rule out much.  Seems quite a diverse trip in terms of travelling/walking/visits etc then on a cruise!  I should look at the reviews. 

The only odd thing about the trip that springs to mind is that we're returning on 1st Jan which is a Bank Holiday.  I think I'll have to leave my car at Heathrow.  Was hoping to just hop on a coach but don't think that's feasible?  Janet  

Thanks for your response Janet. I'm sitting at the computer working but just about to close down and get ready for a night out celebrating a friend's birthday..

Those who've been before over Winter tell me it can get very cold at night so I shall plan accordingly. And then, as you say, it could get quite warm during the day. So plenty of layers and fleecy stuff called for, I think.

I've booked into the nearest Travelodge for the night before the trip and on the day we return, because of similar travelling concerns. It's also a relatively early flight out and a relatively late flight back so I thought this would be more convenient. I won't therefore be travelling home on 1st Jan. I managed to get two nights at the Travelodge for a little over £50, I think, which was a good deal.

It obviously depends where you live but I know that there will be some coaches operating on New Year's Day. I haven't decided yet whether to leave my car at the airport or drive to my parents near Oxford and then go on the very good air coach/shuttle that runs to Heathrow (something I have done in previous years).  

You could have a look at the National Express website perhaps?

Best wishes

Phil

Hi Phil, it's a minefield isn't it?  I've just spent ages trying various combinations of travel etc!  I live in Cardiff so yes, could get the Express and then stay over on 1st Jan.  How far is the Travel Lodge?  Sorry, I'm asking you so many questions. You're not the tour operator!  Alternatively, my son lives in Guilford so I'm also exploring options with him now.... 

No problem, Janet. That's what these Forums are for. I'm booked into Heathrow Central, which is just 0.2 miles from the airport. It's on a bus route, with the shuttle to the central bus station costing around £4 each way. I've checked the website and there are still rooms available on 1st Jan at either £19 (saver/non-refundable) or £45 if you think you might want to cancel and get a refund. I've taken a chance and gone for the former. Have a look at the Travelodge website.

Cheers

Phil

PS I'm at the other end of Wales, so I didn't fancy the long trek home straight after we land...     

Hi Phil, I've booked the travelodge as well for when we arrive back.  Thanks for the tip, £19 is really good value.  I notice the website says Heathrow Central is more like 2.8 miles from the airport, with a Hoppa service for £4 so I presume it's the same one? 

Hi Janet, yes, my mistake. It is the same one but I quoted the wrong distance for some strange reason. The website says 2.8 miles from the airport on one page and 1.9 miles on another. I don't know where I got my figure of 0.2 miles from, but I should have realised that it was a bit further away!! Anyway, its good that you are now sorted. I look forward to meeting you on the trip or hearing further from you beforehand...

Regards

Phil 

 

Hi Janet and Phil, Thought I'd say hello as I have also booked for this trip, plus gone for the Travelodge before and after! I live in Liverpool so makes far more sense. Not been to Egypt so really looking forward to it, the holiday looks to have a bit of everything too. I understand we will be boarding the boat on Christmas Day so that will be a first!

Jane

Hi Jane – welcome aboard! That’s three of us at least. However, the website was showing just two places left the other day so I guess the trip is now up to around 18 or so. Nice to see someone else from roughly the same part of the country; I was at a fantastic concert by Andrea Bocelli at the Echo Arena in Liverpool last night. The Travelodge extension seemed to me to be the best way of getting round the UK travelling problem at a very reasonable price and I daresay many others will have the same idea. I’ve not been to Egypt before but everyone I know who has been had a great time. I’m also looking forward to the Nile cruise bit...

 

Regards

 

Phil  

Hi Jane, good to hear from you.  Everything's currently so hectic for me that I hadn't noticed that we'll be on board on xmas day, quite surreal :o)!  I'm not sure yet whether I'm staying at the Travelodge before we leave as I'm coming from Guilford but definitely when we arrive home.  I should make up my mind before they're fully booked.  Have you travelled with Exodus before?

Best wishes

Janet

Hi Janet, Phil and Jane

I'm on the trip to Egypt on 20 December too and very much looking forward to it. Friends of mine went on the same trip in 2001 and had a great time.

As I am a Londoner, I shall NOT be staying at the Travelodge but shall see you bright and early somewhere in the departure lounge or on the aircraft. Not having been with Exodus before, do they send 'Exodus' luggage labels to put on our hand luggage?

Regards

Andrew

Hello Andrew! It's nice to know there's another guy going. Last year in Morocco I was completely outnumbered by the ladies, which wasn't quite as much fun as you might think...

Anyone reading this thread must think we are obsessed with Travelodge, so it would be good to widen out the discussion, especially as its now only about a month to go. I've travelled with Exodus several times before, but never been to Egypt. You will get two Exodus luggage labels with your final joining instructions. So if you stick one on your hand luggage I'll look out for you at Heathrow (although there's usually quite a few groups going out at around the same time). Have you travelled with a similar company before?

Cheers

Phil 

 

 

Hi Phil

I've been with Explore Worldwide before, who are very good, but their dates to Egypt didn't match mine, hence me trying Exodus this time. I know a few who have been with Exodus and rate them highly - I am eager to try them out for myself!

Andrew

Thanks Andrew

I travelled with Explore for the first time in September on a tour around the Baltic States, having previously always stuck with Exodus (it doesn't do an equivalent trip). It was excellent. To be quite honest, I really couldn't tell the difference. I've always been happy travelling with Exodus although some trips have been better than others (although to be fair that was probably more to do with the destination).

Rgds

Phil   

 

Hello!  Good to hear Andrew knows friends who've enjoyed this trip before. 

I was just thinking if there's anything I've missed, like vaccinations?  Is anyone getting these done?

Hi Janet

I saw my local practice nurse earlier in the year and she was very helpful. She spent some time on the computer checking the Nathnac website and making sure I had everything up to date. In the end, I didn't need anything because I was already covered from previous trips. Might be an idea to do likewise?

Phil

   

 

Thanks for the advice again Phil...

Hi Everyone

A alternative, possibly a bit more user-friendly website than the one Phil suggests is www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk .

All the best

Andrew

Good tip Andrew - thanks. Those who've been to Egypt before have advised me to take double the amount of imodium tabs and hand gel, and expect to be unwell for part of the trip. Let's just hope they're wrong!! 

Just received the final joining instructions today by email so I guess Exodus won't be sending out luggage labels after all. Ah well, I suppose its cheaper and more sustainable to do these things electronically now.

Cheers

Phil

I've just emailed Exodus to see whether they'll send me luggage labels - will let you know if I get a response.

Andrew

Here is reply from Exodus re luggage labels:

normal { FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial } "I'm sorry but at the moment we no longer are doing luggage labels.  However from next year we are introducing a "luggage label for life" that will be more eco friendly rather than the paper versions we used to give out, that used to end up scattered around as litter in pristine countries.  I'm sorry they aren't available yet."  

Thanks for this Andrew. I sort of understand Exodus's position on this, although I suspect that the cost and administrative inconvenience of supplying labels are the main reasons for their discontinuance! However, I could try to recycle an old one I still have, or even use my Explore labels (but that would probably only confuse). I've got an Exodus kitbag, so you will probably see me checking in at Heathrow. And I am sure we will soon get a sense of our fellow travellers once we board the aircraft...

 Regards

Phil

     

Hi all, well less than a week to go! Strange to be doing Christmas shopping at the same time as having vaccinations done for Egypt! I've been on Exodus trips before but they have always been walking ones, nothing like this.

If anyone else out there is stopping at the Travelodge Heathrow Central next Saturday and fancies meeting up, I will be in the reception around 9.00pm, reading my Egypt guide book!

See you all soon! Jane

Yes - this time next week we'll be in Cairo! Can't wait!

Hope the snow forcast for Wednesday/Thursday doesn't linger!

See you somewhere at check-in or departure lounge.

Regards

Andrew

Great idea Jane. If you could make it slightly later, around 9.30pm, then I would love to meet up for a quick chat. I am travelling to my elderly parents near Oxford first on Saturday prior to coming up to Heathrow in the evening. But if that's too late, not to worry. I haven't stayed at the Heathrow Central Travelodge before. However, from my experience of Travelodges elsewhere you may be lucky to find anywhere to sit down in the reception area, so you might need to just loiter with intent! Hopefully I will see you then, and Janet and Andrew (and the others) in the departure lounge...

Kind regards

Phil 

 

  

 

In case anyone's interested but hasn't checked, the 5-day weather forecast for Cairo at the moment is generally sunny (20 - 26C - that's nearly 80 degrees F to oldies like me), with night-time temperatures falling to 10 - 14 degrees centigrade (or 50 degrees F, as the minimum). The forecast for Monday is light showers.

Good luck with the packing and I look forward to meeting you all soon!

Kind regards

Phil 

 

 

Well it is good to see such a lot of nice folk coming on this trip.  We've been on lots of Exodus trips now and haven't yet had a poor or dissatisfying holiday.  So we're looking forward to this one too and to meeting you all either at Heathrow or in Cairo.

 Best wishes

 Ian and Helen

Hi Ian and Helen. It's reassuring to know that your experience of travelling with Exodus echoes my own! I've got the washing machine and tumble dryer doing overtime at the moment as I sort out my stuff to be packed tomorrow. Just hope the snow that is forecast doesn't hamper my plans. Look forward to meeting you soon.

Regards

Phil 

 

Yes, see you all soon!!

Best wishes

Janet

Hi Phil and Jane, I've just booked the Travelodge for Saturday so I'll look out for you

Janet

Looking forward to meeting you all bright and early on Sunday morning!

Regards

Andrew