Death of the Nile? I hope not!

YES, Egypt is still open to tourism and YES, they are still taking tourists on River Cruises and quite honestly there is no better time to go than now during our winter months when they can bask in very healthy 25 to 30 degrees Celsius!

Hitting the recent headlines was the discovery of a new tomb in the ‘Valley of the Kings’ for all of you with even the remotest interest in history like myself would love to go and take a look.  This tomb dates from as far back as the 13^th Century BC apparently contains the mummified remains of a priest and his wife and contains over a thousand artefacts. As ever it is beautifully decorated with the paint looking like it’s still wet and just been finished!

Egypt has struggled to attract tourists for the past few years and so the Egyptian Government are keen to promote their heritage whenever they can. Tourism was one of Egypt’s biggest moneymakers and they are keen to make it so again.

Most boats follow the same itinerary from Luxor to Aswan and back taking in many temples on the side of the mighty Nile and local children run alongside cheering and waving as they see you.  For some excursions buses are needed to transport, but all done in a very efficient manner – even the optional extra trip to Abu Simbel which departs at an un-earthly 3.30am but is so worth it to see the sun rising over the Egyptian dessert.  This mammoth complex of temples was moved in the 1960’s due to the building of the Aswan High Dam at a cost of 40 million dollars.  Along with sites at Karnak, Edfu, Kom Ombo as well as the fantastic Valley of the Kings and others it makes the most fascinating week long holiday you are likely to take.  There are virtually no queues into the temples so you have the guides to yourselves and you can explore to your heart’s desire. Due to lots of early starts – why not add a relaxing extra seven nights at one of the fabulous beach resorts?

Picture yourself sat with Hercule Poroit by the side of the Nile at the Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan with a gin & tonic in hand gazing across the Nubian dessert in the beautiful sunshine – what could be better than that?

With the majority of Nile River Cruises on an ‘all-inclusive’ basis there is little need to put your hand in your pocket with even the entrance tickets for almost all the temples visited being included as well.  Although when you get off the vessel, the locals are falling over themselves to sell you stuffed toy camels, beautifully coloured pashminas and statues of the pyramids and sphinx.  Some enterprising salesman even travel alongside in a motorboat and  try throwing their wares to the tourist passengers (usually embroidered tablecloths wrapped carefully in plastic!)

The food is normally served buffet-style so something for everyone. Evening entertainment onboard is fairly low key due to the early starts but they usually have local dancers and musicians on for a show or two and of course an ‘Egyptian Evening’ when you are encouraged to dress in the long robes – or gallebayas as they are known with gents wearing a fez as well.  All purchases are encouraged through the local shop on board ship – of course!

Why not give it a whirl?  You won’t be disappointed!