quote:

Originally posted by Chris Marriott:
The oldest. It was Mr Cook who invented the whole idea of the "package holiday" in 1841!

A great history I must do a search on TC I know I will find it interesting, some family of mine travelled to India on a P & O liner in 1948 through TC.

We did the wonders of ancient Egypt last April. It was wonderful. The only negative was that it was sugar harvest time and therefore smokey in upper Egypt when we did the hot air balloon ride. I thought this was a great length trip, with a couple of days in Cairo at the start and end with a 7 day cruise in the middle. We shared the ship with an Insight tour. The biggest difference: we payed a bit less and there were 11 of us, there were 34 of them. We got to know each other and our guide so much better than they did. In fact, I think we got to know their guide better too since we hung out with our guide on the boat and their guide hung out with us. We got to know the two of them more personally that way, found out about where they lived, their families etc. I would recommend this 13 day Trafalgar tour to anyone who asked!

Thanks, debinnh. My sister and I were comparing Best of Egypt and Wonders of Ancient Egypt just lasy night. Actually, I put her in charge of that task. We need to compare those two, then compare Insight's version. I asked her which looked best for us (We want something right after Xmas 2007). She said Wonders of...but when I asked why, her only response was, "It's longer." She doesn't like the 11-day tours. I was hoping for a more content-oriented comparison!

Newsgirl...

Both tours are great! We have been on Trafalgar's "Best of Egypt" tour two times. This is one great tour. "Wonders of Ancient Egypt" is also a great tour.
The question to consider is as follows: Do you want MORE time on the Nile? Both tours visit most of the same places and are done by Spring Tours.

Dendera on the Nile is visited on the longer tour. Suggestion: Go for that one, if you have the time.

quote:

Originally posted by Newsgirl:
So, some family members and I, though still a bit winded and with smaller bank accounts after doing Greece and China in 2006, are thinking this might be the year for Egypt

What are the odds......We also did Greece and China in 2006 and are thinking about doing Egypt in Nov.

Thanks, Cat's. We like the itinerary for Wonders and are pretty near to making the commitment.

Fleet Floot: That's pretty neat. What are the odds, indeed?

By the way, Fleet Foot: Were you by any chance in Norway last year? I was there for a week in late September as an"opponent" for a dissertation defense. If you were in Greece, China, AND Norway in 2006, that would be downright spooky.

quote:

Originally posted by Newsgirl:
Thanks, debinnh. My sister and I were comparing Best of Egypt and Wonders of Ancient Egypt just lasy night. Actually, I put her in charge of that task. We need to compare those two, then compare Insight's version. I asked her which looked best for us (We want something right after Xmas 2007). She said Wonders of...but when I asked why, her only response was, "It's longer." She doesn't like the 11-day tours. I was hoping for a more content-oriented comparison!

Hi Newsgirl, I just returned from the TT "Best of Egypt" tour on March 30th. The weather was perfect, our tour guide was amazing and the Nile cruise was great. Our group consisted of only 24 people and on the first day and half of the cruise we had the entire boat to ourselves until a larger group from Insight joined us, I believe there were about 50 of them and their tour director was rude beyond belief!

Regardless of which tour you decide on, definitly do the optional tour of Abu Simbel, which is kind of pricey, but worth every penny, and the day trip to Alexandria, which was offered for the last day of the tour. The trip to Alexandria was a long ride, but also worth it. I wish we could have spent more time in that city.

quote:

Originally posted by Newsgirl:
By the way, Fleet Foot: Were you by any chance in Norway last year? I was there for a week in late September as an"opponent" for a dissertation defense. If you were in Greece, China, AND Norway in 2006, that would be downright spooky.

I've never been to Norway. You've got me on that one.

Anyone been to Egypt on month of November, hows the weather day/night? How far the airport to reach Abu Simbel, need to walk on sand, any board walk?? Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by blackkakatoo:
Anyone been to Egypt on month of November, hows the weather day/night? How far the airport to reach Abu Simbel, need to walk on sand, any board walk?? Thanks

Q: Are you going on a tour to Egypt?

Yes, we will on Nov. I live in tropical state. Its winter here at the moment but the temperature is just fine. I'm wondering how's the weather in Egypt on Nov (as I heard its winter). If we need to bring hips of jumper/sweatshirt. It's a bit hard for me to walk on sand, Is there a walking track or hard surfaces for me to walk on. Thanks for advice/reply

Not sure where you are coming from B but to be honest, winter in the Middle East is mild when compared to winters Down Under or in Europe. I would bring along a jacket and maybe wear jeans/long trousers when on tour.

Forgot to add - we are looking at doing an Egypt tour next year - Jan/Feb but not with TT.

quote:

Originally posted by blackkakatoo:
Yes, we will on Nov. I live in tropical state. Its winter here at the moment but the temperature is just fine. I'm wondering how's the weather in Egypt on Nov (as I heard its winter). If we need to bring hips of jumper/sweatshirt. It's a bit hard for me to walk on sand, Is there a walking track or hard surfaces for me to walk on. Thanks for advice/reply

No need to worry about the weather in Egypt in November as it will be great.