Silver Haired Gappies
Middle East
Cairo & Assam Egypt
Day 3 - 6 Aswan
Stay Oberoi Zahra
Stay on the Zahra boat on the Nile. Based in Aswan for 3 days.
Visit
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Felucca ride around Kitchener & Elephantine islands
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Aswan High Dam
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Aswan Botanical Gardens
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Philae Temple
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Cateracts Hotel
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Abu Simbel
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Twin Temple of Komombo
Day 7-9 Edfu & Luxor
Stay Oberoi Zahra
Sail on to Luxor, stopping at Edfu. Disembark Luxor to stay one night at Sonesta St George, Luxor.
Visit
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Edfu Temple
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Temples of Karnak
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Hypostyle Hall
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Valley of the Kings
Day 9 Evening flight to Cairo
Stay Marriott Hotel
Fascinating country, wish we could have seen more. Visited during major security concerns so the Nile resembled a boat yard, Zahra was one of a few operating. Army were permanently positioned outside Catholic Church.
Every aspect of this trip was sensational and fascinating. Ahmed Kamouna was our exceptional guide in Giza and Cairo.
SHG Critique: Would have preferred to have stayed at the Cateracts Hotel for the 3 nights in Aswan and joined the Zhara just for the journey down to Luxor.
St Joseph's Catholic Church, Cairo
Part of a trip: Egypt and Jordan
Organised with:
Uncover The World Travel
7 day driving tour. Jordan
Day 1 & 2 Amman
Stay Le Meridien
Situated in this city's diplomatic and business centre, this typical conference hotel provides all modern amenities. (Hotel changed ownership)
Visit
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Amman Citadel: Temple of Hercules, Ummayyad Palace, Byzantine Basilica
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Roman Theatre
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Jerash
Further afield:
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Desert Castles including Azraq
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Hunting Lodge of Quesir Amra
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Azraq refugee camp
Day 4 Wadi Rum
Stay
Originally dropped at Rahayeb Desert Camp, only to discover it was a building site. Thankfully, following our objections, we were moved on to Beyond Wadi Rum, which is situated in the heart of the desert with excellent facilites and fantastic sun sets.
Visit
Departed for Wadi Rum midday
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Jeep Safari
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Camel Rides
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Sunset and Sunrise
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Lawrence of Arabia cave
Day 7 Dead Sea
Stay
Modern hotel built in picturesque village style right by the Dead Sea.
Visit
En route to the Dead Sea:
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Crusader Castle of Kerak - high security as tourists were shot there the week before
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Valley of Wadi Mujib
At the Dead Sea
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Swim and mud bath
Day 8
Transfer to Amman for flight home
Beautiful country with so much to see. Very friendly people who are all so loyal and supportive to all the refugees of the Levant.
From Mount Nebro to Petra taking in the desert castles on the way, every visit was fascinating.
Was unable to attend Mass at Mount Nebro - be sure to arrange visit around Mass times.
Part of a trip:
Egypt and Jordan
Organised with:
Uncover The World Travel
4 nights, 3 days Oman
Day 1 Muscat
Stay: Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa
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Good hotel with excellent facilities.
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Fabulous position and sun sets
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SHG mistakenly overlooked the word Al Waha mentioned in Room Booking, found ourselves in hotel overrun with children serving food on plastic plates!
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Perfect place to take grandchildren!
Stay: Centara Muscat Hotel
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Stayed first and last night here
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Well run hotel near airport
Day 2 Nizwa & Jebel Shams Day Trip
Organised with: Viator
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Bawsher Farmers' Market
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Hajar Mountains
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Nizwa Fort
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Jabel Shams
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Wadi Ghul (Oman's Grand Canyon)
Excellent guide with perfect English. Shared historical knowledge and more. Was extremely courteous and entertaining
Day 3 Wahiba Sands & Wadi Banki Khalid
Organised with: Viator
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Wahiba Sands with visit to Bedouin Family
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Wadi Banki Khalid with opportunity to swim in the natural limestone baths.
Guide arrived 3 hours late, proceeded to drive off texting on his phone at 140+ km/hour. Spoke no English, 3 hrs later arrived in the middle of desert to watch driver hand cheque to someone. Thereafter proceeded to Wahiba Sands
Interesting, extensive country, and certainly seemed to see all of it! Pleased to do the two day tours, although the second was unacceptably dangerous. Would not stay longer than 4 nights at the hotel.
Part of a Trip: Singapore, Borneo, Bali, Sri Lanka, Oman
Organised: Self
Stay
Unique, characterful hotel in quiet street behind the Blue Mosque, walking distance from all the main attractions. Main building was sandwiched between a burnt out building and a renovation project! Now neighbours' repairs are completed! We were presented with glorious apartment further down the street. Ate breakfast at the hotel, staff very helpful and courteous.
Visit
To name a few in this fabulous historic city:
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Hagia Sophia
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The Blue Mosque
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Topkapi Palace Museum
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Basilica Cistern
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Dolmabahce Palace
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Sultanahmet Square
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Taksim Square
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Grand Bazaar
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Suleymaniye Mosque
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Church of St Saviour of Chora
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St Anthony of Padua
Eat
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Balikci Sabahattin - period wooden building frequented by locals
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Krependeki Imroz - characterful popular local restaurant
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Mikla - outstanding rooftop restaurant
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Evening cigar in one of the numerous shisha bars
Fascinating city of contrasts rich in history, where East meets West. So much to explore. Need to return.
The whole City.
Church of SS Peter & Paul
Church of St Anthony of Padua
How to get there: Easyjet with taxi to hotel. Used the tram within the city, fastest method of travel.
Organised: Self