Cairo...the beginning of a great adventure

Guy Johnson on 05 October 2009
Cairo is a most extraordinary destination!

If you have ever thought about travelling to this part of the world, think no more...just go!! From the moment you leave the plane, you realise you are in somewhere unique in the world.

The journey from the airport to our hotel was certainly an education. Driving in Cairo has been turned into an artform, and it is definitely not for the faint hearted!

Once you recover from the journey, and the constant noise of beeping horns, you will discover what Cairo has to offer you. The city is spread out, so it is worth planning to stay in the right part of town. For example, it is roughly a 30 minute drive from the Pyramids to the centre of Cairo!

Knowing where to stay can be tricky. I would highly recommend the Mena House Oberoi Hotel (located very near the Pyramids) or one of the Four Seasons hotels (located in the city centre, close to the Egyptian Museum) as a great base from which to explore the city. If your budget does not stretch to this, then the Le Meridien Pyramids is a great choice.

If you prefer a bit more peace and quiet (not to be found in the centre of town), there is an up and coming area called October 6th, which is roughly 45 minutes away from the Pyramids. There is an excellent Swissotel in the area, and it has a wonderful feeling of space and relaxation, which is a welcome tonic after a day in the city. As it is outside the city, it is not affected by the pollution you will find in the city centre.

I spent a fascinating day visiting both the Egyptian Museum (Central Cairo) and the Pyramids. I wasn’t really prepared for the awesome majesty of the Pyramids, and the subtle beauty of the Sphinx. When you read the books or watch the films, you don’t really get a sense of scale, and standing next to them, you cannot help but marvel at the determination of those who designed and built these magnificent structures....the only remaining Ancient Wonder of the World.

The Egyptian Museum is also an amazing place to visit. I expected to spend an hour or so wandering around the exhibits, but with a knowledgeable guide (highly recommended if you want to get the most out of your visit), she brought the whole place to life, and it was fascinating to hear about the daily lives of the Egyptians, and how they were inspired to create such wonderful tombs for the afterlife.

As the title of this piece suggests, Cairo is a great place in which to start an adventure. Whether it is exploring the Pyramids and Sphinx, travelling to the Red Sea resorts of Sharm el Sheikh or Hurghada, or travelling south to enjoy a Nile cruise from Luxor or Aswan, Cairo is the perfect start or end to your stay in Egypt. The people are friendly and welcoming, and you will certainly enjoy the food

Why not give me a call today? I have been to all the hotels mentioned in my report, and I can happily help you plan the holiday of a lifetime to this fascinating country.