Feluccas And Pharaohs - Family Holiday

Our Clients’ Reviews

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  Adam Hughes

  LAND OF THE PHARAOHS - EGYPT FAMILY HOLIDAY

  

  Written April 2010

  Having only been outside Europe for a holiday once before - to Florida - I wasn't quite sure what to expect. However, this trip exceeded all of my expectations in every way. It was definitely the best holiday that I've been on! 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  So many to choose from! I have to say that the best Ancient site was the Pyramids at Giza - it's remarkable to think what those ancient builders achieved with only basic tools and without even knowledge of the wheel! However the best experience overall was the boat trip on the Nile at Aswan. The river was so clear and calm, it was incredible that this was the longest river in the world, and it had hardly a current at all! And the views of the sand dunes not stopping until almost at the rivers edge was amazing.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Fouad was brilliant! He was very knowledgable and presented this to us in such a way that we absorbed a lot of information but didn't get bored. He was very helpful and friendly, and with the exception of one night (which he apologised for many times afterward!) reccomended good places to eat that were also, on the whole, fairly cheap.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Take a hat and apply suncream LIBERALLY! Even when it doesn't feel hot, the sun is still burning down on you, and sunburn can spoil the enjoyment of your holiday. Also, avoid drinking directly from cans, use a glass or a straw instead. Steel yourself to being asked to buy something every ten feet as you walk, and avoid letting people at the Pyramids and other sites take your camera - they probably won't give it back without you paying them!! Also, quite inportant, many of the days, and especially if there is an optional excursion you are doing, have early starts (5/7 o'clock), so you might need to have a siesta if you have a free afternoon.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Just a fabulous trip, I definitely reccommend it. If you choose it, you will not be dissapointed!

   
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  Alison Martin

  LAND OF THE PHARAOHS FAMILY HOLIDAY

  

  Written May 2009

  An experience that exceeded expectations. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  So many magical moments! King Tut's tomb and climbing into one of the great pyramids. Later seeing the treasures in the Cairo museum. Funniest has to be the donkey ride - enjoyed by all ages. The WOW factor was snorkelling in the Red Sea. Lots of temples and culture- but not overwhelming for the children.

  April was HOT and I would not have liked to have gone later in the year. Luckily all the hotels had pools to cool off in and the hotel in Luxor even had a pool which floated on the Nile.

  Every day was wonderful and the rest of the group were a lovely mix. It was very sad returning home and saying goodbye.

   I have already recommended the trip to a number of friends and would definately travel with Exodus again.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Take lots of snacks to keep the children topped up.

   
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  Miles Munson

  LAND OF THE PHARAOHS FAMILY HOLIDAY

  

  Written January 2009

  World class antiquities. December is great weather for site seeing.The drivers are skilled and aggressive. Get reay for Mr. Toad’s wild ride every time you get in a vehicle.Not impressed with the food.The region is hard pressed to support its 80 million people. Poverty is the norm.Very hospital people.This country is a must before you die.Tour was extremely well organized. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  No one event totally stands out because each day was so great. We saw new things every day. We highly recommend going Abu Simbil which is an additional cost.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  If you go on this trip request our guide George Fahim. He made the trip. He took great pride in country and job. Very knowledgeable and always willing to go the extra mile.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Our flight travel time was 23 hours. To say we were beat would be an understatement. Organize to be picked up at the airport ahead of time. It will not be much more than a taxi. In your diminished capacity you will not be prepared for the pack of dogs that ascend on you to take their taxi.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Go to Egypt

   
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  Junko Munakata Marr

  LAND OF THE PHARAOHS FAMILY HOLIDAY

  

  Written July 2008

  Fantastic trip--I can't imagine trying to put together a trip like this myself, especially with all of the excellent descriptions provided by our Egyptologist George!  The logistics of transportation, hotels, food, everything were made so easy for us, and everything was very good quality.  The family holiday kept us busy enough but not overwhelmingly so, and the kids got along great! 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Wow...so many.  The sheer magnitude of the Great Pyramids is astounding.  Climbing into the Red Pyramid was quite the experience.  Abu Simbel was impressive.  Karnak and Luxor Temples are amazing in themselves, let alone as a complex linked by the avenue of sphinxes (in the process of being uncovered).  Valley of the Kings--incredible!  It was an interesting and constant contrast between the grand projects of the highest class of ancient Egyptians and the sometimes dismal-looking living conditions of lower classes of modern Egyptians.  Made me wish that we could do more to support modern Egypt than bring our tourism euros and hand out baksheesh (tips), but I suppose that's better than nothing.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  George was wonderful!!  It probably helped that our group was the minimum size (6 people--two couples, each with one child), so we felt like we got plenty of his attention.  His kids are similar in age to the kids on the trip, so he knew how to talk with them and keep them going.  He made us feel like his family away from home--he entertained the kids when we had some down time (waiting for the train or plane, e.g.), recommended and took us to places that he likes to eat/drink, pleasant with us all the time, even while he was negotiating with clerks (one hotel booked us into rooms for 2 people instead of 3--so George spent quite a bit of time until we got proper rooms).  George was also incredibly informative about the sites we visited as well as Egypt in general--he is clearly very proud of Egypt's history and is a great representative.  Just a great guy.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Be sure to bring or buy lots of snacks--we packed a lot into our schedule, so we ended up with a few late or missed lunches.  Before we clued into stocking up on snacks, we were pretty hungry at times!

  It was quite hot in July/August--we covered up with hats, long-sleeved shirts and long pants (very lightweight and light-colored), which helped.  We still wilted some mid-afternoons, but going in the off-season also meant that we were often alone in some typically crowded places. Bottled water is key, as mentioned by another reviewer--don't skimp on it!  (be sure to buy plenty at the small markets, as it's more expensive to buy from the hotels)

  We brought Imodium but didn't end up using it, though we did all suffer from mild upset bellies.  Nothing bad enough to disrupt our schedule.

  You have to get used to constantly politely refusing anything from anyone who approaches you (to sell something, take your picture, have your picture taken, etc.), but also don't let it discourage you from noticing the truly nice people who really do appreciate any gesture of appreciation. 

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  We loved the free internet at the Basma Hotel--the cost of internet at the Sheraton was ridiculous, not too bad at the Intercontinental Giza.  Our room at the Intercontinental (827) during the second stay was much nicer than our first stay (100 something)--it had newer electrical outlets and was cleaner.  Neither fridge worked very well though (they didn't shut properly).

   
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  Steve Adams

  LAND OF THE PHARAOHS FAMILY HOLIDAY

  

  Written July 2008

  A fantastic experience - we won't be going on boring beach holidays again. So many memories, a truly unforgettable holiday, (and we learned a lot too!) 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Entering a pyramid shaft (scary) ... riding a lovely camel called Moon..... standing in front of the amazing statues at Abu Simbel....the beautiful Nile......swimming with exotic fish in the clear waters of the Red Sea.....Tutenkamen's treasures at Cairo Museum then his actual mummy in his tomb at the Valley of Kings.....Luxor temples at night.....Shall I go on??

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Gearge really did make the holiday for us. His knowledge of 'all things Egypt' was amazing, and really brought the history to life. He was invaluable with his advice on dealing with the locals, (tipping and bartering) and was a true friend by the end of the trip.

  He surprised us in Luxor, presenting a specially made birthday cake for our son Jack (10), showing that nothing was too much trouble for him. What a great guide!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Read through the advice notes carefully, they are really helpful. Be aware of locals offering to help you ie take your photo with your camera (they expect payment). Keep tissues with you, (as the loos rarely have paper)

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  We were a family of three. We arrived at Pyramids Park Hotel, Cairo, at around 4.00am on the Saturday morning very tired, and were given a room with two beds. It took quite a few phone calls and nearly an hour for the staff to bring another bed.

  When we got to El Goona the same thing happened,  (and also to the other familly of three we were travelling with). It was only down to the quiet determination of George that the hotel eventually found us rooms that could squeeze in three beds.

  Once back in Cairo we said 'Goodbye' to George (who had checked with the desk at the Pyramids Park Hotel that we had three beds). Guess what? The staff went into the room ahead of us, took the third bed out and disappeared! We then wasted two hours trying to get a third bed again. Eventually we rang George (who was on his way home) and he managed to sort it out - what a hero!

   
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  David Dinsdale

  Fantastic Holiday

  

  Written September 2007

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  For me, it was the magnitude of the engineering achieved in those ancient times - exemplified by the pyramids and the tombs at the valley of the kings.

  On a wider level, the trip took us into the heart of Eygypt - not only through the 'acceptable' local village visted on the nile camel trip, but also  seeing the poverty in the villages we passed through (to get to the red pyramid) really made you stop, think, and evaluate.

   

     

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  What did you think of your group leader?

  The group leader was the best trip leader or guide I have come accross. Sami had a superb knowledge of Eygptology, but not once in the entire trip were we bored or lost interest in his briefings at the sites.  He tailored them perfectly to our group, in terms of length and content,  kept threads running accross the days (so it joined up), and picked out the really interesting stuff.  Finally, Sami was just great with the boys - Age 13 &15 - not over the top - just treated them as young adults -  they saw him as 'cool'.

  He also managed the days to suit our family 'rythmn' to great advantage.  We are good risers - so we did quite a few early starts - which is a great advantahge at the big sites - e.g. we pretty much had the Valley of the kings to ourselves at 7am in the morning !!!. Only three other mini buses when we arrived. As we left it was teaming with coaches.   We switched the museum trip to later in the day - and did the chruches/mosques first - and enjoyed the Tutenkhmoun exhibition almost empty.

  The other clever trick he managed was to stay 'in the background' - so it still felt like our holiday and he was assisiting rather than 'leader' or 'in charge'.

  I simply cannot spek too highly of Sami - he really made our holiday 

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  We went in April - the heat was fine - nice enough to get by the pool for a few hours in the afternoon - but not too hot on the trips.

   We got caught out by the need for cash to pay for the excursions on day 1. There was no cash point in the hotel that took our bank card - and although we were advised that Cirrus wasnt generally available (so we used Visa - and all the trouble that entails) - it turned out that cash points around Eygpt generally did accept Cirrus.

  Take hats - its hot in the desert  :-).  Drink loads of bottled water. Take plenty of  immodium - we had no one especially ill but we treated any upsets immediately, and lost no time at all.

   

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Just a great trip. The support from the wider Exodus team from being met at the airport to being put on the plane home was first class.  In between transfers and flights were all really well handled, and efficient. (e.g. they advised which side of the plane to be on for Abu Simnel so we could see the statues as we came in.