Our Last Day in Cairo

Firstly let me apologise for the break in my blogging.

Over Christmas Barbara and I took the family to…(where else?)…Egypt to ensure that we enjoyed some guaranteed warm sun shine without having to travel all the way to the Caribbean. We were not disappointed and enjoyed a fabulous week at the excellent Makadi Princess in Makadi Bay. But I’ll tell you more about our trip and the hotel over the coming week.

Today I’d like to describe our last day in Cairo following on to my previous posts.

As you will have read we visited the Conrad Hotel for lunch and to have a look around after which we returned to our base hotel, the Movenpick Pyramids. Continue reading “Our Last Day in Cairo”

December 15, 2012

Visiting Cairo – Day 2 – continued even more!!

Visiting Cairo

As we reached Tahir Square it felt strange to actually be driving around a location that had witnessed really world-changing events. Certainly for the Egyptian people but also it was a catalyst for change in other countries.

Of course we had watched the events unfold on TV but now we were here it was different. Probably because you realised that the square is normally just a very busy, central hub of Cairo city centre and of course it looks totally different. There were cars everywhere and people going around their daily business. You also saw that there were nearby businesses, shops, hotels and apartments that must all have been very heavily affected during the months of the Revolution.

We drove to the other side of the square and our driver pulled over to allow us to jump out near to the entrance to the Egyptian Museum. Continue reading “Visiting Cairo – Day 2 – continued even more!!”

December 11, 2012March 15, 2013

Visiting Cairo

Visiting Cairo Day 1

After landing at Cairo Airport and dropping our bags off at the Movenpick Pyramids Hotel in Giza it was time to drive the short distance over to the world-famous Oberoi Mena House, which is the nearest hotel to the Pyramids complex. In fact it’s entrance faces the entrance to the Pyramids complex so it could not be nearer.

The Oberoi Mena House is one of the hotels that we recommend for clients taking a Nile Cruise and Stay holiday combining a cruise and a stay in Cairo.

Barbara and I have stayed in and also visited some of the most beautiful hotels in the world and I would say that the Oberoi Mena House must rate very highly amongst them.

As you pass through the entrance gates you drive though beautifully manicured gardens. Then you reach the main reception building which is elegant and imposing. You are welcomed by liveried doormen and then you enter into the what I can only callÂ the “golden reception area“. This picture above will show you why I call it by that name. It’s really a wonderful sight.

The hotel has two sections. The Palace Wing and the Garden Wing.

The Palace bedrooms are located in the main building and include some of the most lavishly appointed suites that I have ever seen. Usually occupied by politicians, royalty and celebrities these suites are particularly expensive. Often used to host meetings of politicians from around the world these suites boast unparalleled views of the Pyramids and you can imagine world-famous politicians relaxing on the extensive balconies viewing one of the remaining Wonders of the World. I wonder if it helps them put things into perspective?

Here’s a photo of Barbara enjoying the view from the Presidential Suite. The most expensive the hotel possesses….

The Garden Wing is located a short walk from the reception and features deluxe garden views and Premier rooms and suites. Again the decor and furnishings are excellent and compliment the beautiful surroundings. There is a lovely swimming pool area that serves both wings as well as a extensive lawn area that families with children can enjoy.

The choice of dining options is extensive. From the excellent restaurant besides the swimming pool area that offers Italian, Egyptian and international dishes to the main restaurant in the main building the food is beautifully prepared and delicious.

We were invited to take lunch with the hotel’s sales manager and what a fabulous lunch it was. Here’s a few photographs of the restaurant and our fellow diners to give you an indication of what we enjoyed… Continue reading “Visiting Cairo”

December 8, 2012

Visiting Aswan – Continued

After our wonderful lunch and cruise on board the superb MS Misr Nile cruise ship we took the water-taxi back to our hotel, the Movenpick Aswan as we had been invited to watch the sun go down over the Nile from the Panorama Bar which is located at the top of the tower at the Movenpick.

We took the opportunity to take a stroll around the grounds of the Movenpick and walked over to the other side of the island and the hotel which overlooks Kitchener’s Island. Continue reading “Visiting Aswan – Continued”

December 6, 2012March 8, 2013

Visiting Aswan – Day 2

After our evening stroll and “people-watching” at the pavement cafe and a really good night’s sleep our second day in Aswan began with an excellent breakfast at the Movenpick Aswan Hotel. Once I’ve a had a good cup of real coffee I’m setup for the day. Which is just as well as we had a busy day planned.

Firstly we were lucky enough to be invited to visit the recently re-opened and world-famous “Old Cataract Hotel“. We had visited the hotel prior to its’ complete refurbishment that took over two years to complete and we were looking forward to seeing what had been done to improve this marvelous hotel that blends old-world Victorian grandeur with Egyptian charm. Continue reading “Visiting Aswan – Day 2”