Hotels in Cairo

Ancient places were a must to visit . However , not well maintained and need to accept credit cards as a tourist destination Ate at falafel, azhar park . Again , needs to accept credit cards and not to insist on TIPS. The waiter at falafel restaurant came running out to me telling me the tip was not enough ! Nonsence attitude . We had A private car but CAiro is chaotic and bad traffic. We were only saved by a lovely tour guide and driver . Airport and its services was the greatest setback . The bus transfer inter terminal made two stops to change bus and eventually dropped us at the carpark wherever had to lug luggage across to the airport for a good 100 meters. Then there was only One access to the departure as the other access was closed. Again juggling with the crowd . While we were waiting to check in ( we were on business class ) the security guard rudely chased us away from sitting as he wanted to relocate the seats ! Egypt should improve on its services if they want to regain its tourist industry !

The Pyramids and Sphinx are truly mind boggling and magnificent. I feel very honoured to of had the opportunity to see them. It was fascinating to see all the wonderful treasures in the Egyptian Museum,and at the time I was in Cairo,which was 22nd-24th December,visitors were allowed to take pictures inside the museum,which is not usually permitted.But I believe that privilege ended on the 7th January,according to my excellent guide Ahmed. Unfortunately I don't know his surname,but I had a enlightening and enjoyable private tour around lots of places in Cairo with him,and would recommend it to anyone. The driving in Cairo is bonkers,a real eye opener,but you might be safer closing your eyes,when crossing the roads,as people and vehicles just seem to come from every direction and angle!

Hard to say, if you really need a tour, well you will need a guide and a driver...in my opinion you don't need a guide if you know your history -I did more than some guides. My advice is to hire a driver that speaks some level of English, a driver and a car will be something you will appreciate in this crowded, very pollluted, and constant flow of people requesting something from you. Mind you the state of the economy and the effect of the terrorist attacks. Understand that some people ONLY income is the tipping from tourists and for some it complements their meager salaries. However, it get annoying at a certain point. I gave a lot of money away in tips because I felt embarrased -of what?! My japanese companions never gave tips and they were surprised of how money I was "wasting" but again they lack empathy... I found the Islamic Cairo overated, dirty and dilapidated. I went to the synagogue in the old town and didn't dare to wear my kippah. Stagnant water and garbage sitting in a pile on a wall of the temple. The felluca boat was really bad, at least the one I took...everybody wants a tip and everybody has 3 or 4 children so please help me! The Cairo museum, please read other reviews about it, very old and lack many labels. I was lucky that some exhibitions had labels written in French or German but for those who speak only English...they were allowing people to use their cameras without flash, yet there were the usual ignorant flashing light everywhere with their cheap cameras or phones. This is new and for a short time. check with other people, oh my guide didn't know about it, how come? I read first in Tripadvisor.

The visits to historical sites were quite a revelation. The experience of a tour to the pyramids of Giza on a horse cart, a visit to the first pyramids built in Egypt as well as the pyramids in Sakkara were an eye opener. We experience how one of the dancers on the Nile boat could count in more than 20 different languages The Egyptian museum displays antique products, mummies and coffins of thousands of years old. The marketplace (Khan Al Khalili) needs all your time to choose amongst the different novelties. Old Cairo is a place where we could reflect on our spirituality and find some perspective. Something we couldn't get used to was the hectic traffic in Cairo. Don't think about hiring a car. Rather make use of an experience driver who knows the roads of Cairo.

Under the edifying and friendly Sameh, our driver from the Mena House, our trip to Egypt was extraordinary under trying times for Americans to travel there. He kept us safe while he took us to Giza and the Pyramids and the Sphinx and then to Memphis and Saqqara. The tours he took us on were just exquisite and beyond words.. to be inside an ancient pyramid in Saqqara and able to (gently) touch the ancient hieroglyphs intact with animal dye on its walls, to ride a healthy and well cared for Camel along the Sahara, to see Ramses at Memphis after hours, to see how papyrus and oils are made, Sameh arranged it all for us, even as Mr. Trump disparages Muslims everywhere, he kept us safe and thrilled.

The positives far outweigh the negatives. Positives being the pyramids and Sphinx and obviously the amazing Egyptian history; Cairo Museum (this museum a bit "tired" now but a new one being built at present); The Citadel and Mosque; Old Cairo. Be prepared for a city of approx 20 million people. Unfortunately Cairo has a huge garbage issue so also be prepared to see mounds of rubbish in certain areas. Brush up on tipping skills as tips are expected and it's handy to have amounts in mind for various services. Concentrate on the positives and you will not be disappointed.