Egypt 2011 ***IMPORTANT UPDATE 2/4/11 Post # 190***

[TDC Nala]

Disappointed that there are no adults only tours, but I might book this anyway. 2011 or 2012 is the question. 7 night only I think - I don't need the 2 nights at the beach.

 

[WeLoveABD]

Well, we went ahead and reserved a spot--very exciting! We may yet switch to Peru, but we have to admit to being pretty bowled over by the itinerary for Egypt (well, not so much the snorkling, which is why we opted for the 7 day trip in late June). Other June-goers? (We checked the weather--hottest in June, but not much difference--maybe a degree--from July or August). Another interesting change: Disney is handling the Visa requirements (group visa), so we won't have to hassle with that (like we did with China)--although if you do pre or post days you may need your own Visa. We are doing a pre-day so we can get over the jet lag, but not a post day.

 

[Q's My Princess]

I am leaning toward the December 2011 trip. I would like to avoid the HOT, HOT days of summer.

 

[briano72]

i would love to go on this trip

 

[jjb52]

Hey jjb52! Thanks for your input.

I just have a question. The exchange rate for the Egyptian pound to a US dollar is 20 cents. I just wonder, how much will it cost for a decent meal there? I don't know if 1000 Egyptian pounds will get far. Any suggestions?

Sorry, Can't help you with money issues. I only spent US dollars. US dollars were accepted when haggeling at the pyramids- I think they were preferred-I remember when we got there a cat statue was $100 and only $10 when we went to get back on our coach) and our meal was included as we sailed on a boat down the Nile. It was OK-not the best meal in town and the Nile was real dirty and not very pretty in Cairo. I'm sure it is better on the river cruise ship like ABD is including-at least when you leave Cairo.

 

[TDC Nala]

Also leaning to December 2011 (only because it's not conflicting with the Alaska cruise...but how cool for New Years.)

 

[wdwsos]

TDC Nala, I booked a few folks on the Egypt trip yesterday and the two dates that were filling up quickly were December and April. Just a heads up to not wait too long!

We're not really sure what we're doing but I know I need to make up my mind soon, too. I have a few people who want to travel with us, but I've been so swamped with work that I haven't even had time to call about getting a group together. And then there's the problem of coordinating everyone's dates. I'd rather go in the off season but some of my friends/clients have school-age kids and can only go in the summer.

This would be wonderful if I can go with a bunch of friends! Hubby and I both speak Arabic (it's his native language and I can get by enough to direct you to the closest bathroom), we know the food well (his family owns three Lebanese restaurants in Boston) and I can give belly dancing lessons. Lord knows, I have the belly - LOL.

I'm thinking of the 9-night, so if I don't book my own group, maybe I'll meet some of you!

Dotti

 

[yensid9111]

I always thought that my first ABD tour would be to Peru, but now, I think I may have to book this one! I'm thinking of Oct. 2011. I've always wanted to see the pyramids--this tour looks like a very fun trip. I'm thinking the 9 day will be the way we go.

 

[lizavance]

Yesterday morning I booked the 7 night in April. The armed guard was a little surprising - but as my husband said - we could just as easily get killed in a drive by shooting in South LA or get hit by a bus! I have wanted to go there since I was a kid and saw the exhibit at the New York Metropolitan Museum. I am soooooooo excited!!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Hi Everyone: Your thread inspired an article on our blog. Feel free to add any comments.

DIS Unplugged: Adventures by Disney is Going to Egypt in 2011, Would You?

 

[SanFranciscan]

Tufbuf, which date did you book? The 7 or 9 night? I'm leaning towards the 9 right now. We've been trying to get back to Lebanon, so will just add it to the end.

Dotti

I just wanted to mention one little thing for anyone else planning to do an add-on in this part of the world. Since the Holy Land is such a popular choice with tourists to the region, I wanted to say that anyone going to both Israel and Egypt should go to Egypt first. Israel will let you in with a passport which has been stamped in Egypt, but the last that I knew Egypt would not admit those with Israeli stamps on their passports.

 

[sayhello]

I just wanted to mention one little thing for anyone else planning to do an add-on in this part of the world. Since the Holy Land is such a popular choice with tourists to the region, I wanted to say that anyone going to both Israel and Egypt should go to Egypt first. Israel will let you in with a passport which has been stamped in Egypt, but the last that I knew Egypt would not admit those with Israeli stamps on their passports.

Really? So that means I couldn't go on this trip if I wanted to, because I just got back from Israel less than 2 months ago! Any idea why that is?

Sayhello

 

[wdwsos]

From WikiTravel:

Many countries in the region do not recognize the state of Israel for many reasons. These nations may refuse you entry if you have an Israeli visa or an Israeli stamp in your passport, or even a visa for another country that was issued in Israel. The Israeli authorities will generally help you avoid these problems by providing a visa as a separate document so it is not in your passport, however now this has been discontinued; see the Israel article for details. Only Turkey, Egypt and Jordan have official relations with Israel.

Me again:

I don't understand the "however now this has been discontinued" comment because I thought Israel still did this. Anyone know from recent experience?

Dotti

 

[abbyjt]

We just booked the 9 night for Aug 2. We were in Israel a month ago. My kids will need new passports by then, but ours are new this year. I think it is no longer true about Egypt not letting you in, although I had heard that.
We are very excited. This will be our 5th ABD

 

[wdwsos]

We just booked the 9 night for Aug 2. We were in Israel a month ago. My kids will need new passports by then, but ours are new this year. I think it is no longer true about Egypt not letting you in, although I had heard that.
We are very excited. This will be our 5th ABD

You should be fine visiting Egypt. It's most of the other Middle Eastern countries where you would have an issue. My son was planning to visit Lebanon and Israel (Lebanon with us, Israel with his girlfriend's family -- nice life ), and knew he had to visit Lebanon before Israel.

abbyjt, this will be my 6th AbD. Why haven't our paths crossed?

Dotti

 

[abbyjt]

abbyjt, this will be my 6th AbD. Why haven't our paths crossed?

Dotti

I am sure our paths will cross eventually. We did Knights and Lights in 2006 (it was longer and had a lot more packed into it). Then Southern Spain (since discontinued) in 2007. Germany in 2008 and South Africa in 2009 (I put a trip report up, it's on the first thread). Usually we prefer late June or early July. We were a little bummed that the 9 night Egypt wasn't offered in June or July. (I'm figuring it all has to do with the cruise ship, so they can't add more departures).
This summer we went to Israel with a local group. Really nice trip, but not Disney. I couldn't even get my husband to consider another tour company with better dates. (Thompson Family and Abercrombie and Kent had similar tours and pricing, with tours in June and July). He knows Disney will do it right.
Oh and our kids will be 13(g),14(b) and 17(g) next summer. I think someone with a 13 year old girl already posted that they were going.

 

[wdwsos]

I am sure our paths will cross eventually. We did Knights and Lights in 2006 (it was longer and had a lot more packed into it). Then Southern Spain (since discontinued) in 2007. Germany in 2008 and South Africa in 2009 (I put a trip report up, it's on the first thread). Usually we prefer late June or early July. We were a little bummed that the 9 night Egypt wasn't offered in June or July. (I'm figuring it all has to do with the cruise ship, so they can't add more departures).
This summer we went to Israel with a local group. Really nice trip, but not Disney. I couldn't even get my husband to consider another tour company with better dates. (Thompson Family and Abercrombie and Kent had similar tours and pricing, with tours in June and July). He knows Disney will do it right.
Oh and our kids will be 13(g),14(b) and 17(g) next summer. I think someone with a 13 year old girl already posted that they were going.

Our first was Viva Italia in 2006 (trip report is on Passporter and Laughing Place, and a few other places on the web). We then did Imperial Cities (Austria and Prague), which changed to Storybook Kingdoms before it was discontinued. In 2008, we went on Flavors of France, also discontinued. 2009 was Bella Italia, which I'm happy to see survived my family and is still offered. Last month, my sister-in-law and I did Knights and Lights.

Was the June 7 trip too early for you? That's the one I'm leaning towards, but it'll depend on a couple of families who are thinking of joining us. My boys are really good with the kids on the trip -- they're like three extra tour guides -- so it would have been fun to be on the same date!

I totally agree on Disney doing it right. I'm a Disney travel specialist and folks tend to think I've been on so many AbD trips because I get discounted rates. I don't -- I plan way too far in advance to take advantage of any travel agent discounts, so I'm paying what everyone else pays. It's my one big family vacation and two of my boys work in Hollywood (which is more glamorous than it sounds - lol) so we only see each other a few times a year. It's worth the price, even if it takes every bit of commission I make all year.

Dotti

 

[abbyjt]

Those are some fine looking young men. Looks like fun too. Last summer you told me to say hello to Tina when we got to South Africa, and I did. She was amused and touched that you'd sent your regards. Tina and Craig (our other amazing guide), did not know about disboards, but we clued them in.

Our kids will still be in school on June 7 (the oldest might be done by then). They get out on the 15th if they don't end up adding days because of snow.

 

[pjacobi]

You can read about my experience in Egypt in 2001 at:

http://home.comcast.net/~p.jacobi/

If your are considering a tour of Egypt, I would strongly suggest looking at tours provided by:

http://www.archaeologicaltrs.com/

and

http://www.museum-tours.com/


-Paul

 

[BigHugsForEeyore]

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