Hear about journey to Cairo, Egypt, because the Newbie Traveler talks to Neil Laird, TV producer and the writer of the Prime Time Vacationers Sequence, about his favourite metropolis.
Why must you go to Cairo?
Neil says, “I’ve traveled to some 70 nations and I’ve been a world documentary TV producer for 30 years. However anytime folks ask me what’s my blissful place, what’s the place that set me all off on this journey, it’s Egypt. I’ve been enamored and fascinated by the traditional Egyptians and by the tradition there for 30, 35 years, and Cairo is the gateway to that. I spent numerous time on Luxor taking pictures movies for Nationwide Geographic, Discovery Channel, and the BBC. However Cairo is commonly ignored as a result of it’s the noisy, chaotic metropolis that you simply fly into and see the pyramids earlier than you go see Luxor and the good ruins. And that’s a disgrace as a result of Cairo is a universe in itself.”
Right here’s the 7-day Cairo itinerary beneficial by Neil:
Day 1 – Zamalek (Gezira Island)
Keep in Zamalek, the leafy island within the Nile – quieter, simpler to acclimate.
Choices:
Airbnb or boutique stays like Houseboat 65 or Villa Bella.
Massive motels (Marriott, St. Regis) for luxurious.
Discover:
Espresso retailers, artwork galleries, crafts (Honest Commerce for Handicrafts, Nomad Gallery).
Dinner & present at 5 Bells – good Center Jap meals and revered stomach dancing.
The perfect bars and cocktail lounges are right here, as a substitute of extra conservative areas
Day 2 – Giza Pyramids & Sphinx
Spend a full day:
Go to the Nice Pyramid of Khufu and at the least one different (every distinctive, generally claustrophobic).
Discover the Sphinx and the valley temples.
See the 4,500-year-old photo voltaic boat in its enclosure.
Sensible ideas:
Go early within the morning to beat crowds.
Keep away from the tacky “Sound & Mild Present.”
Guides accessible by way of motels (keep away from touts).
Haggle laborious for any souvenirs you may purchase
Day 3 – Downtown Cairo
Go to Tahrir Sq. (epicenter of contemporary politics, Arab Spring).
Espresso at historic Café Riche (Twentieth-century hang-out of author Naguib Mahfouz).
Browse the American College in Cairo bookstore for Egyptology books.
Discover trendy Egyptian artwork at Mashrabia Gallery or Entry Artwork Area.
Night: stroll throughout the Nile bridges, go the Cairo Opera Home, and benefit from the metropolis view.
Day 4 – Islamic Cairo (and Coptic Cairo close by)
Go to medieval mosques:
Muhammad Ali Mosque (Citadel).
Al-Azhar, Al-Hakim, and others on Al-Muizz Road.
Ibn Tulin, one of many oldest mosques ever constructed
Gown conservatively, convey a shawl (ladies), and take off your sneakers when coming into.
Wander by way of Khan el-Khalili market – haggle laborious, have tea with shopkeepers.
Non-obligatory: close by Hanging Church (Coptic) and synagogue.
Day 5 – Alexandria (Day Journey)
2 hours every means by automobile/Uber.
See:
Fort Qaitbay (website of the Lighthouse of Alexandria).
Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa (Greco-Roman tombs).
Mediterranean seaside promenades and fish eating places (like Zephyreon).
Non-obligatory upscale cease: Ain Sokhna resort seashores.
Day 6 – Saqqara & Dahshur
Discover the pyramid fields south of Cairo:
Step Pyramid of Djoser (first pyramid ever constructed).
Bent Pyramid and Pink Pyramid (architectural experiments).
Highlights:
Tomb of the Two Brothers (same-sex couple buried collectively, 4,000+ years in the past).
The surreal Serapeum – underground labyrinth of large sarcophagi for sacred bulls.
Much less crowded, extremely atmospheric.
Day 7 – Grand Egyptian Museum or Fayoum Oasis
Possibility A: Spend the day on the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) (when open).
Dwelling to the complete Tutankhamun assortment and treasures by no means earlier than displayed.
Enormous, trendy, climate-controlled, with pyramid views.
Possibility B: Day journey to Fayoum Oasis:
Go to Tunis village for pottery workshops.
Facet journey to Wadi al-Hitan (Valley of the Whales) – UNESCO website with fossilized whale skeletons within the desert.
Different Add-Ons / Notes
New Cairo & Mokattam Hills: nightlife, golf equipment, cliffside views, trendy scene.
Greatest seasons: Oct–Nov or Feb–Mar (keep away from July–Aug warmth).
Try the model new Nationwide Museum of Egyptian Civilization, housing 22 mummies in Outdated Cairo
Logistics: use Uber, by no means lease a automobile; carry small payments for baksheesh (tipping); get your e-visa on-line upfront.
This offers vacationers every week in Cairo that mixes historical historical past, trendy tradition, artwork, meals, and even day journeys for selection.
Sponsors
Go to Quince.com/traveler for 365-day returns, plus free transport in your order!
This week’s present is supported by the brand new Sensible Journey Podcast. Journey smarter — and spend much less — with assist from NerdWallet. Try Sensible Journey right here.
subscribe: rss feed | Apple podcasts
proper click on right here to obtain (mp3)
Present Notes
Neil Laird
Prime Time Vacationers (Jared Plummer vs. the Historical World): A Whimsical Romantic MM Portal Fantasy
Cairo
Zamalek
Honest Commerce Egypt
Nomad Gallery
Houseboat65
Villa Belle Époque
5 Bells Restaurant
Giza
Giza Photo voltaic boat museum
Grand Egyptian Museum
Café Riche
Naguib Mahfouz
Cairo Trilogy by Naguib Mahfouz
AUC Bookstores
Mashrabia Gallery
Entry Artwork Area
Muhammad Ali Mosque
Khan el-Khalili
Al-Azhar Mosque
Al-Mu’izz Road
Al-Hakim Mosque
Alexandria
Citadel of Qaitbay
Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa
Ain Sokhna
Zephyrion Fish Restaurant
Saqqara
Tomb of Two Brothers
Serapeum of Saqqara
Faiyum Oasis
Wadi al Hitan (Wadi of the Whales)
Hanging Church
Dahshur
Neighborhood
Hadrian’s Wall Strolling in Northern England – Episode 742
Hello Chris,
Simply needed to let you understand that, impressed by Episode 742, I walked throughout England alongside Hadrian’s Wall in late July. Extremely beneficial for those who get the prospect.
I simply re-listened to the episode, and I agree with most every little thing your visitor stated. My one nitpick can be that she undersold Carlisle. It might be my lack of expertise with European journey, however each the fortress and cathedral have been nicely price visiting, and town itself gave the impression to be on the rise.
I didn’t take your recommendation and walked from east to west. I did take pleasure in that, because the least attention-grabbing half was in the beginning, strolling by way of New Fortress.
Regardless of principally good climate, my determination did result in coping with some horizontal rain and attempting to stroll into 60 MPH headwinds.
All in all, an incredible journey, and I hope you get to strive it. I used Mac’s Adventures to deal with bookings and portage of my baggage.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Todd
Newbie Traveler Journeys
