Feature Destination – Egypt and the Nile
Joanna Lumley embarks on a childhood dream to travel the length of the Nile river, from the Mediterranean to its source. In this first episode, she travels from (what is now a modern city) called Alexandria to Cairo. Whilst there, she visits Cairo's famous bazaar and takes a camel ride through the streets to visit the pyramids at Giza. From Cairo, she then takes the overnight train to Luxor in a first class coach with a very nice sleeper bed. Once there, she embarks on a Nile cruise ship to Aswan. The ship is also quite luxurious and gives her beautiful views of the river and life along its banks.
Reel Truth History Documentaries – Dec 30, 2018
Now two weeks into her journey down the Nile, Joanna Lumley leaves Egypt behind her, crossing Lake Nasser by ferry and entering Sudan. During the 18 hour journey she has to deal with crowding and less than sanitary conditions but agreeable travel companions. She gets to view the great statues at Abu Simbel as they pass by. They then travel by car to Wawa where they boat down a stretch of Nile in search of giant crocodiles that can grow up to 20 feet long. A further trip by car takes them to a holy mountain and then go deep underground to visit the tomb of a Queen who lived circa 650 B.C.
January 6, 2019
Joanna Lumley has now reached the half-way mark in her journey. At Khartoum, the White Nile is joined by the Blue Nile which flows from the southeast and Lake Tana in Ethiopia. Once a great trading center, Khartoum still has many remnants of the 19th century battles with the British. Lumley also undergoes a special skin treatment using scented acacia wood. On leaving Khartoum, she flies to Lake Tana where she eats some of the local delicacies and enjoys a local alcoholic beverage. A visit to St. George's monastery reveals extraordinary murals. From Lake Tana they drive to the Simien Mountains where young women train as long distance runners.
January 13, 2019
Joanna Lumley is now on the final part of her journey and regions the White Nile where she goes to Juba, Sudan. Whilst there, she meets the local beauty queens who are preparing for the upcoming pageant. Afterwards, she takes a ferry to Murchison Falls in Uganda where there is now a large game reserve and travel overland to visit a rhinoceros sanctuary. Plus, Joanna finally comes to the source of the River Nile.
January 18, 2019
With a fascinating history that reaches back to the dawn of civilization, Egypt is considered the oldest travel destination on earth. The African nation’s awe-inspiring temples and pyramids have captured the imagination of travelers for thousands of years. Although most people come to Egypt to view its ancient monuments, natural attractions beckon travelers too. The Red Sea coast is known for its coral reefs and beach resorts while a trek through the Sahara can lead visitors to a refreshing oasis. Here’s a look at the best places to visit in Egypt:
Touropia - May 19, 2019
Teeming Cairo, straddling the Nile, is the capital of Egypt and one of the leading cities of the Muslim world. With 20 million people, greater Cairo pulses with energy. We explore the back streets on a tuk-tuk, drop in on a mosque, haggle with a gauntlet of eager merchants, bake some pita bread, help chisel a tombstone, marvel at King Tut’s gold, greet the ancient Sphinx, and climb into the center of the greatest pyramid.
Rick Steves April 15, 2021
Exploring the Nile Valley from north to south, we see the highlights of Egypt. In the fabled city of Alexandria, we venture through a market wonderland, smoke a shisha, and stroll a Mediterranean promenade. In Luxor, we explore the pharaohs’ tombs and temples before sailing on a timeless felucca. Then we kick back on a riverboat cruise, enjoying iconic views of palm trees, minarets, and rustic villages. Our finale: Ramesses II's magnificent temple at Abu Simbel.
Taking a multi-day Nile cruise gives you a firsthand look at some of the famous river's most scenic stretches, with timeless slices of natural beauty and seemingly ancient scenes interrupted only by other boats. Travelers have few options other than to sit back, relax, and live at the pace of the Nile.
July 21, 2021
The Pyramids of Giza are one of the most recognizable scenes in all of tourism. The grandest is known as the Great Pyramid; one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it was designed to house the pharaoh Cheops' body — and help send his soul into the afterlife. Nearby, the Great Sphinx keeps watch over the rising sun.
March 31, 2021
Ade Adepitan tries some street food in Cairo with one of the first street food tours of the city.
June 2018
Author Nadia Wassef on Life as a Cairo Bookseller: Women Who Travel Podcast
Her memoir, ‘Shelf Life: Chronicles of a Cairo Bookseller,’ is out now.
“Bookstores typically have been a place where I escape myself—and [a place where] I find a new self,” says this week's podcast guest, Nadia Wassef. “I feel like I walk in there and the world is open to me.” The author of the newly released Shelf Life: Chronicles of a Cairo Bookseller knows a thing or two about bookstores: she co-founded Diwan—the Egyptian capital's leading bookstore—with her sister and friend back in 2002. We caught up with Nadia, who now lives in London, to talk about the power of the bookstore and the books within them, how she stays connected with Cairo, and what books she hopes travelers read before visiting her home country.
BY LALE ARIKOGLU AND MEREDITH CAREY
October 15, 2021
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Discover the treasures of Egypt’s Nile River on board our stunning new AmaDahlia. Be among the first to experience the luxuries and magnificent regionally-inspired décor of this exceptional ship, accommodating just 72 guests, as you travel back in time to the land of pharaohs and pyramids. Enjoy our virtual AmaDahlia tour and contact your preferred travel advisor to reserve your stateroom on our 11-night Secrets of Egypt & the Nile itinerary today.
September 9, 2021 – AmaWaterways River Cruises
Catch a glimpse of Cairo from a local perspective as expert Viking guides Rasha Madi and Ahmed Bekheet take us on a tour of this vibrant Egyptian capital. Learn about the time-honored customs reflected in Cairo’s daily life, explore some of the city’s iconic landmarks—including the Great Pyramids of Giza—and discover how you can explore the lands of the Pharaohs & Pyramids with us. Viking Ocean Cruises
From Tutankhamen’s Tomb to Highclere Castle
Hosted by Karine Hagen and Lord Carnarvon
Uncover the fascinating history behind the discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb by archaeologist Howard Carter and George Herbert, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, and get an exclusive look at Highclere Castle’s collection of Egyptian relics.
Nubian houses, Ancient Egyptian architecture is a folk artistic heritage that made by golden Nubian hands and immortality of generations.
Heritage Khana – June 17, 2019
Deep south of Egypt near Aswan city, you'll find that Aswan is surrounded by many Small islands and Nubian villages on the west bank. The Nubian villages is such a cheerful sight for being painted with bright colors, and inhabited by Nubians whom population doesn't exceed of 100,000. They speak their own Nubian Languages and have specific traditions that are different from rest of Egypt. Their origin goes back to Africa and Sudan when they traveled in antiquity to south Egypt for farming around the Nile. The Nubian Villages are considered to be Aswan city attraction and perfect for half Aswan day tours if you are passing by the city.
Michael Jiroch August 2021
Top 10 Best 5 Star Luxury Hotels & Beach Resorts in Egypt. Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Red Sea Riviera
The Luxe Voyager's exclusive curated listing of the Top 10 Best 5 Star luxury hotels & resorts (golf, riverside, beach) in Egypt. Egypt, a fascinating country linking northeast Africa with the Middle East, dates to the time of the pharaohs - 3100 BC. Magnificent, millennia-old monuments sit along the fertile Nile River Valley, including Giza's colossal Pyramids and Great Sphinx as well as Luxor's hieroglyph-lined Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings tombs. The capital, Cairo, is a mega historical & cultural city and home to Ottoman landmarks like Muhammad Ali Mosque and the Egyptian Museum, a trove of antiquities. Egypt's eastern coastline along the Red Sea consists of popular seaside resort towns such as Sharm-El-Sheikh & Hurghada; and features some of the world's best scuba diving sites restaurants, bars and nightclubs, while the old town, El Dahar, is home to traditional Egyptian coffee shops and souks. Hurghada’s long stretch of sandy beach is lined with resort hotels.
The Luxe Voyager – May 3, 2021
Egypt’s Red Sea Riviera is immensely popular with both tourists and locals alike for several reasons: a) its year-round warm weather, b) its white sand beaches, c) its awesome diving and d) the fact that it’s away from all the hustle and bustle of city life (especially if you live in Cairo, the difference is night and day).
Most tourists usually book an all-inclusive trip to Hurghada or Sharm el Sheikh through a tour agency, and while that obviously is a guaranteed great time, it’d be a shame to think that’s the extent of what the Red Sea Riviera has to offer.
Local's Guide To Egypt – Sep 10, 2020
Lead Photo credit: hbieser - Pixabay
Any destination and other content featured which is not specific to JWH tours provided in this newsletter is for general information and knowledge purposes only and not an endorsement. The information is gathered through various sources and is subject to change at any time without notice. It is the sole responsibility of the traveller to check with the proper authorities regarding travel to all past, current and future JWH newsletter featured destination
