Travel Counsellors - Our Travel Diaries

My Cairo experience started on arrival at the airport. We were met by a friend of mine and fellow tour operator Mohammed. Not being able to buy liquor in Cairo as an Egyptian, Mohammed made his purchase of two bottles of Johnny Black whiskey via me at the duty free shop. After a heated Arabic argument at the pay point, we left, Mohammed happy with his purchase and me happy not to be in an Egyptian jail.

There is a prominent security presence in Cairo, with the white clad Egyptian police everywhere. We sometimes forget that Cairo is in the Middle East and is not excluded from events in the region.

Driving through the very crowded streets of Cairo, you cannot help but feel the pulse of this active multi faceted city. Once at the hotel, the stifling heat and pollution of Cairo was temporarily washed off in the cool waters of the Sonesta Hotel's swimming pool.

We were lucky enough to have a driver and guide for our 1 week stay in Cairo, as well as our own mini bus. Egypt is another country where it is highly recommended to be part of a tour group for your visit.

Egyptians are expressive people who are full of life. We were continuously being accosted by street vendors wishing to sell us statues of the Pyramids, Sphinx and other famous ancient Egyptian icons. Our guide made short work of their attempts and took us to the market where these and other items are available. Remember that Egyptians are traders. Whatever the marked price is, divide it in half and start haggling from there. Walking away from a vendor usually clinches the deal in your favour.

The Cairo Museum is a must for every visitor to Cairo. The museum is filled with great archaeological discoveries of ancient Egypt and it is easy to be transported back to a time when the Pharaoh’s ruled this magnificent region.

When we visited the Pyramids and Sphinx, we were able to enter the Great Pyramid and descend into the bowels of this great monument through claustrophobic narrow tunnels. One can only marvel at the engineering prowess of this ancient nation as they sculpted massive stone blocks into towering structures that have stood for over 5000 years.

Having purchased a Keffiyah (the distinct Arab headdress) from a street vendor, a camel ride into the dessert completed our Lawrence of Arabia feel day trip.

Another day trip took us to carpet and perfume making factories on the outskirts of Cairo. They say they use children to make the carpets as their fingers are much smaller than adults and finer woven carpets are the result. The perfume essence sold at the perfume factories are reputed to last several times longer than ordinary perfume as the essence does not contain alcohol which evaporates...makes sense.

No trip to Cairo is complete without a Nile dinner cruise. The variety of dancing and colourful costumes keep you enthralled throughout your dinner of couscous, baba ganoush and lamb. Don't sit too close to the stage or you will be pulled up to take part in a belly dance with a local harem girl.

All in all, Cairo whilst being polluted, overcrowded and loud, it makes for a thrilling experience to add to your travel resume. Just avoid the water - drink only bottled water or beverages from a sealed bottle and travel in a crowd to avoid any unpleasantness and you will have created an unforgettable memory.