Recommend October 2011 - (Page 89)

perb and its city-center location, with many of its rooms overlooking a tributary of the Nile, a great place for consideration of future bookings. During our time in Cairo, we headed out to the Pyramids of Giza, where the Great Sphinx has guarded the tombs of the ancient pharaohs for over three thousand years. It was our first taste of how appealing a post-revolution visit to Egypt can be. The simple fact is, now—and who knows how long this will last, certainly not long—all of the country’s major attractions are made all the more attractive with fewer crowds. Where just two years ago dozens and dozens of tour buses disgorged thousands of visitors every day, today it’s a trickle, leaving visitors a wonderful respite to take in the majesty of these three incredible monuments to Egypt’s ancient history. Yes, the hawkers are still their with a litany of entertaining sales pitches—”Where you from? Just take a look, they’re almost free.” The camel jockeys, too, are still offering you a “free” opportunity— that will eventually cost you dear—to get your picture taken on their camels. Tourists, too, are still bounding about on camel and horseback playing Lawrence of Arabia on the desert sands amidst the backdrop of these dramatic and never-to-be forgotten icons of Egypt’s magnificent ancient past, there’s just a lot less of them. And here, too, we visited still another of Egypt’s icons—the famous Mena House Oberoi— where, like the great pyramids themselves, under whose shadow it lays, is a classic, timeless five-star property whose traditional elegance and style is a byword for luxury. It’s as much a museum as it is a hotel with priceless antiques spread throughout its grounds, rooms and suites rich with brocade and lush furnishings, and a service that’s world famous. A walk through its modern and elegant spa facilities is evidence and proof positive that the past can coexist with the present, offering every kind of spa service imaginable with all the latest treatments. But for the ultimate experience, book one of the pyramid rooms or suites overlooking these magnificent tombs, where a nighttime view from the patio is magical with the Great Pyramid of Giza, a centerpiece of antiquity that seems to appear even larger, all aglow in its massive magnificence. This experience is nothing less than breathtaking and surely one of the world’s seven wonders of vacation experiences. The Egyptian Museum, of course, situated next to “Freedom Square,” is still a must-see for every visitor to Cairo, with its extensive collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities. Freedom Square, by the way, is actually a multi-block area where as many as one million demonstrators this year defied the regime and eventually brought it to its knees. It has now become a popular Friday night gathering spot for families more intent on socializing than politicking. Rami Girgis, product manager, Middle East, Abercrombie & Kent, says he recently visited Freedom Square with his family and had a wonderful time late into the evening, free of security fears. ro chure r 2 011 -1 2 B R equ est ou G S . It is not only our name...it defines what we do...personalized vacations, introducing travelers to the best of Africa. Dave Herbert CTC hurghada This once sleepy little fishing village has developed into one of the largest resort regions on the Red Sea with literally mile after mile of charming and elegant beach resorts ranging from one- to five-star properties. What sets this apart from nearby Sharm el Sheikh—its nearby and admittedly more well-known neighbor—is a much larger old town, alive with traditional shops and markets. While it’s popular with European vacationers, it’s definitely a place North Americans should keep their eye on as a pre- or post-stay on their Egyptian vacation. Day trips to Luxor are popular and frequent and short flights to or from Abu Simbel or Aswan are also easy to arrange. During our stay, we spent two nights at the Hurghada Marriott Beach Resort, a sprawling 283-room—including 14 suites—resort with breathtaking views of the Red Sea from spacious patios. This is the kind of resort where you can do nothing at all or all sorts of activities, ranging from watersports, desert safaris, fishing and diving, to laid-back spa offerings and sightseeing tours including a Red Sea submarine excursion for those who don’t want to get their feet wet. Six onsite restaurants and bars offer everything from Italian Tuscan dining, to seafood and casual fare by the pool. The main restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet-style with an intriguing and delicious assortment of food that includes Egyptian selections, all of which are absolutely delicious. The rooms themselves all guarantee sea views with quality bath amenities and Marriott beds, guaranteed to give your clients a great night’s sleep. Nearby attractions include the National Park of Giftun Island, an eco-tourism haven bordered by beautiful blue water and lush, sandy beaches. Guests will also love that there are dozens of nearby clubs and restaurants. It’s a good value choice and the overall venue is definitely on the deluxe level. Chief Experiential Oﬃcer Southern & Eastern Africa, Egyp t W W W . G R E AT S A FA R I S . C O M 800 409 7755 info@greatsafaris.com ÍÍ CST 2070685-10 http://WWW.GREATSAFARIS.COM http://WWW.GREATSAFARIS.COM

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend October 2011

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: Coworth Park, London
Tour Talk: Cox & Kings
Paws Up Ups "Glamping" to New Heights
"Alpine" Adventure at Four Seasons Resort Vail
Hotel Beaux Arts Miami
Out & About in New York City
Adventures on Hayman Island
It's the Good Life at The Leela Kovalam Beach
Peninsula Shanghai & Hong Kong
Silversea's Silver Spirit
Thailand Travel Planner
Luxury in the Wilderness, by Best of Patagonia
Savoring St. Vincent & the Grenadines
CuisinArt Resort & Spa, Anguilla
Luxurious Egypt
A Good Turn for Bern, Switzerland
Mexico's Luxury Trail

Recommend October 2011