salaam aleikum egypt

There is really nothing that can bring Ancient Egypt to life like seeing Egypt for yourself. Tick off the quintessential bucket list items in Cairo before sailing south in between the contrasts of the Sahara against the lush greenery either side of the Nile to witness some of the most incredible ancient sites and hieroglyphs in Edfu and Luxor. If you can spare the time Abu Simbel is a must-see - the last remaining colossal carvings for Rameses II and his devotion to his Queen Nefertari will blow your mind.

The world’s longest river and its extraordinary monuments, the stunningly fertile valley and the barren beauty of the surrounding desert, the light and heat, and the joy of slow travel in a superfast world all add up to one of the highlights of a trip to Egypt. By night there is a variety of entertainment when you cruise - cocktails, dancing and fancy-dress parties where passengers are encouraged to ‘dress like an Egyptian’. So fun!

Cairo’s Egyptian Museum is a pretty pink building, home to an extensive collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities. If you want to immerse yourself even more in Egyptian culture, I always try to learn a few local words and phrases as it really makes travelling easier. Start with 'Salām alaykum' - that’s 'hello' in Egyptian Arabic!