Visiting Cairo/Egypt from the south

scotsguy


Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 249

Message Posted:
14/02/2009 15:37

can anyone help, with recommendations on traveling there, or recommend travel agent, I beleive there's ferries from the south to Egypt, or perhaps better to fly. I have family over from the USA shortly and want to take them there, does anyone know if Americans need travel visa for there. Advice will be greatly appreciated.

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
14/02/2009 15:51

Dear Scotsguy



There were cruises from Lima(s)sol to Egypt AND flights ex Larnaca



Try Zeus Travel in Limassol - the web site has all contact info - they are 200 m from the Holiday Inn - on a Street heading north away from the sea - at the lights between the Holiday Inn and the sea front Debenhams





http://www.zeustravel.com/infoinquindex.htm





We used them for most of our flights.. and often to obscure places..





They even handled Visas - to the best of my knowledge UK / US citizens don't need to pre arrange Visas - but a good travel agent would know.

scotsguy


Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 249

Message Posted:
14/02/2009 16:32

mmmmmm



Thanks, have been onto their website and sent an enquiry.

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
14/02/2009 16:37

Hi, I know they will not reply over a weekend, but if they don't respond Monday, post it here and I'' speak to someone I know there..

spider


Joined: 03/01/2009
Posts: 5527

Message Posted:
14/02/2009 16:47

had a fantastic 3 day mini cruise on ship called Salamas Glory..very high standard..great food well worth treating yourselves.as you may never go again.what a great time we had.all the people we met on trip,and staff.were fantastic.sorry cant help with info,as it was back 1999,but sure you can look it up,,go on TREAT yourselves,wish i could do it all over again..

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
14/02/2009 17:18

Hi Spider

re msg 5



As a result of your post, I was able to track down another cruise related site, that includes Salamis.

WOODY


Joined: 24/02/2008
Posts: 171

Message Posted:
14/02/2009 17:24

You can book all your flights direct with http://www.egyptair.com we have just returned most internal flights are around £50 p.p. easy website to use, as for Cairo just spent 3 nights there and would,nt recomend it to my worst enemy.

scotslassie


Joined: 23/01/2008
Posts: 26

Message Posted:
14/02/2009 21:18

Hi. Just to add to the discussion that I have just returned from a 15 day escorted bus tour of Egypt (thanks to Flight Holiday and On The Go) and thoroughly enjoyed it. I got flights with Cyprus Airways from Larnaca to Cairo and return for about £140.00 I think. Great flight both ways. You will need a visa stamp, which you can buy at Cairo Airport for the equivalent of £15.00. The Cairo Museum is a must especially for its Tutankhamen treasures. The souk/market in Cairo is supposed to be one of the best (Khalid something) but to be honest I was disappointed with it, preferring the one in Istanbul which has more atmosphere. The pyramids at Giza and the Sphinx are very close to Cairo city. Egypt is certainly worth more time if you can spare it, Valley of the Kings and Ramses II tombs are amazing. If you need any more info, contact me.

scotsguy


Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 249

Message Posted:
15/02/2009 07:51

Spider & Scotslassie,



do you have the website or travel agent details for the cruise/bus tour you booked.



To be honest looking for short visit, its a birthday treat for my Aunt, was in Cairo myself a few years ago, always wanted to go back. But the company had arranged that trip.



MMMMMM, will get back to you next week, if the travel agent does not reply.



Woody, I understand where your coming from, it is hectic over there.



Once again many thanks for the info and help

deecyprus4


Joined: 27/07/2008
Posts: 3452

Message Posted:
15/02/2009 08:25

I went on a short cruise years ago from limmasol, overnight sailing..then very long coach trip to cairo...awful..a couple of hours being ushered around the museum..horrible ...went off on my own ignoring guide which upset her lol..could have spent days in there..then on to giza and the pyramids, was surprised how close they are to the city which spoolt the whole thing for me...then back onto coach for very long trip back to ship..ghastly ..overnight sailing back to limmasol..very disappointed...

scotsguy


Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 249

Message Posted:
15/02/2009 08:41

dee, was that trip on the Salamis Cruise ???, I just found their website

deecyprus4


Joined: 27/07/2008
Posts: 3452

Message Posted:
15/02/2009 08:49

Yes Scotsguy it was and I wouldnt recommend it at all..the ship was fine and the food was average, it was the coach trip, packed, hot and uncomfortable..and the visit to the museum was just not long enough..flying would be better and do your own thing.

scotsguy


Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 249

Message Posted:
15/02/2009 08:51

Dee, thanks have found some web sites, that arrange tours when in cairo, just sent u a reply on your Volunteers request, where in scotland you from??

deecyprus4


Joined: 27/07/2008
Posts: 3452

Message Posted:
15/02/2009 08:57

Scots I am not from Scotland, I hail from Bristol. Be prepared for the children at the Pyramids, they appear from no where and it isn't easy to say no to them, they cost me a fortune lol, altho I didnt really mind.

scotsguy


Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 249

Message Posted:
15/02/2009 09:03

I know, I have been there before same with the camel or horse rides, they are free, until you want off, oh and sorry got you confused with some else asking about scotland.

Menace


Joined: 22/11/2008
Posts: 93

Message Posted:
15/02/2009 09:58

Scotsguy,been looking for sites that you could arrange trips through but haven't found any yet.

Can you put details on here or email me on dennis@agn.forthnet.gr

Thanks

John

scotsguy


Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 249

Message Posted:
15/02/2009 10:25

John



try out these sites as well as the ones mentioned above



http://www.varianostravel.com click on any of there links for flights/cruises, greek islands, syria, lebanon, iran even??, skiing holidays, great choice.



http://www.cometoegypt.com - this site you can arrange your own travel etc and they can offer different tours



I'm now thinking of just booking the flights with http://www.eygptair.com and arranging hotel through another site that I have used worldwide for hotels which is http://www.booking.com (example 4 nights - 2 rooms - 5 star hotel - 1000 euros all in) but they have hotels from 1> 5 star



I'm still awaiting a reply from Zeustravel web site back on mess 02, as its sunday hope to hear from them Mon/Tues



Will keep you posted on reply from Zuestravel



Trust and hope you find a good holiday from these sites, but from them all, you will have many different options



Cheers

throstle


Joined: 26/05/2008
Posts: 84

Message Posted:
15/02/2009 10:33

Hi

We travelled South side to Cairo for 1 week 2006

Travel agent could not book flights from TRNC so did it on line including car parking at Larnaca

Had 5 days on Pyramid Rd, including visits Gaza, bazaar, museum, Nile boat lunch

Did 1 day being shown round as group, 1 day with private guide, 3 days looked after ourself

I dare anyone to walk from hotel onto Giza plain see pyramids, go inside Great pyramid and not be bowled over

Throstle4eva

Menace


Joined: 22/11/2008
Posts: 93

Message Posted:
15/02/2009 12:25

Hi Scotsguy

Thanks for that,have just looked at cometoegypt site and looks like just the thing,will check out other sites later.

John

bazilbrush


Joined: 29/03/2008
Posts: 404

Message Posted:
15/02/2009 14:20

If you stay in Cairo go to the Hilton as the managing director has land and property here in the north. His name is John Pierre and he will look after you well and advise you where to go and what to see. Also you will get lots of free wine at your table and the best service from the waiters. If you enjoy golf he will take you to lots of courses.

scotsguy


Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 249

Message Posted:
15/02/2009 14:46

That sounds awesome just checked the Hilton Web Site is it the Hilton Cairo WTC or the Hilton Ramses where you stayed in Cairo?

bazilbrush


Joined: 29/03/2008
Posts: 404

Message Posted:
16/02/2009 15:37

It was called the Nile Hilton on 1113 Corniche El Nil, Cairo, unless the name has changed. Tel No +202 5780 444 or 666. Email nile@hilton.com

scotsguy


Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 249

Message Posted:
16/02/2009 15:42

Many thanks,



Thats called the Ramses Hilton now.

phylray



Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
16/02/2009 19:32

Stayed a night in the Nile Hilton as it was then called few years ago

Not impressed. Had to call the staff 3 times to clean the toilet seat

properly. Couldn't sleep all night for the next room playing some kind

of game which involved rolling hard balls against my wall, and lotta noise!

Watch out for the donkey/camel men at Giza, they really rip you off.

Saqqara is more interesting, and older, though I did enjoy the Tut. museum

Along the Nile banks carpet shops where little girls work all day on the looms

and ask you for 'bakshish'. Memphis is also worth a visit.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
17/02/2009 00:35

no 9



http://www.flightholiday.co.uk



http://www.flightholiday.co.uk/fh/Egypt_Tours.php

Macha


Joined: 18/01/2009
Posts: 650

Message Posted:
17/02/2009 00:43

Hang arounf downtown Lefkosa or Kyrenıa and you'll soon get the Caıro experıence.

scotsguy


Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 249

Message Posted:
17/02/2009 13:53

Unfortunately there's always one smart a__hole, that has some stupid comment to make which is not applicable to the thread, please get a life or play with the children on this site that behave like you.

negativenick


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 6023

Message Posted:
17/02/2009 20:00

Mess 1 - cheapest Larnaca to Cairo is:



Egypt air - try:



http://www.biletmarket.com





Nick

scotsguy


Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 249

Message Posted:
19/02/2009 10:53

Thanks Nick, its nice to get a positive from a negative, you changing your ways or is the sun out now?

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
19/02/2009 11:06

Dear Scotsguy, did Zeus get back to you, yet.. ?



Nothing worse than giving someone a recommendation and they don't come up with the goods.. If they didn't pls let me know and I'll speak to a Manager..



Macha re 26 - whoops.. whatever happened to the "winning hearts and minds" approach.... ?!

scotsguy


Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 249

Message Posted:
19/02/2009 11:12

6m's, well reminded they have not, I could not submit the request through the website, but I did send an email, to date no reply. If you don't mind chasing them, that would be appreciated and a few beers for you both when I return.

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
19/02/2009 11:17

Hi Scots guy, remsg 31, pls tell me WHEN and who you emailed - you can see my email in my profile and I'll call them and revert.. VERY annoying...

scotsguy


Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 249

Message Posted:
19/02/2009 11:42

Mark



have done, cheers

Cyprusquest


Joined: 09/12/2008
Posts: 428

Message Posted:
19/02/2009 12:56

For flights from the south and any where else I've used a link from the flightholiday web site including Manchester, Cairo and Athens.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
24/02/2009 15:07

Scotsguy: If you have not booked and want to do Egypt be very quick.



Sample quotes from a Travel Weekly article today:



"Tour operators claim tourism to Egypt is more likely to be affected by cost rises t..



Egypt specialist tour operators are warning the cost of a holiday could rise by 10% as they are running out of dollars hedged at last year's rates of up to $2 a pound. They must now do their pricing with a pound worth just $1.45.



product manager Costas Stylianides said: "Most of the Egyptians have realised this is a huge potential problem and therefore have reduced or frozen rates for 2009 and 2010.""

And there was more the same applies to many other parts of the world and the Eastern Med.

Macha


Joined: 18/01/2009
Posts: 650

Message Posted:
24/02/2009 20:05

mmmmm



"Macha re 26 - whoops.. whatever happened to the "winning hearts and minds" approach.... ?!"



Doesn't work with everyone, my friend. A lack of humour can be linked with a lack of morals in some cases - often the shouty ones.