Testimonials
Brenda from Kansas
My trip to Egypt had been on my bucket list for several years, but the cost was always so expensive. I chose this trip because Francine made it very affordable, although some in the group initially thought it was a scam. I assure you it was not; Francine simply chose not to overcharge for this trip. Coming from the travel industry, she was very knowledgeable and informative.
For all that this trip included from the pyramids, temples, the hot air balloon (add-on), trip on the Nile, I doubt you will find a more affordable trip. With a small group, it was personalized and flexible. We stayed in nice hotels and had our own personal shuttle for the entire trip. Our local guide Khaled was very friendly, helpful, and accommodating, and his local team was always assuring our safety. He chose local shops to visit where we could choose truly authentic products instead of the cheap tourist trap products. The trip down the Nile was one of my favorite parts of the trip. Floating down the Nile was an opportunity to relax and take in the scenery and watch the locals along the river. We were even able to stop at a local farm along the river where we were graciously received, given a tour of the small farm life and offered the most delicious fresh juice.
If you are wondering about taking this trip, do not hesitate as you will not regret it. I will definitely be taking this trip again with Francine.
Carla from Texas
Our tour of Egypt was incredible from beginning to end. Francine made the planning and logistics of the trip easy - we were met in Cairo and knew what to expect from Day 1 until the end of the tour. Khaled, our local Egyptian guide, made the entire experience special with his historical knowledge and caring for each participant. Sailing down the Nile on the Dahabiya boat with just a few other people gave time to reflect on the history and wonderful sights. It was one of the tour’s highlights. From beginning until the end, this trip is packed with well planned days and nights. Our local guide, Khaled was kind and knowledgeable and will focus on what your interests are. It’s a small group tour that I highly recommend for history and relaxation in Egypt!
Marie from Texas
I did this “extended” Egypt tour in 2024.
We toured so many beautiful places. The Pyramids, Villages, private homes, Shops, The Red Sea, Sunrise hot air balloon ride over Luxor, and much more. The Guide/Guides were very knowledgeable and LOVED telling and sharing their known history, at every location.
We were well taken care of, and our safety was a VERY high priority. I never felt unsafe, at all!
The highlight of the tour for me were the 4 days on the beautiful Dahabiya Sailing Ship on the Nile River! I would HIGHLY recommend that if you’re in Egypt, take the time to lose yourself in the early morning hours, sitting on the beautiful “dressed out” open air deck of the Dahabiya ship, as the sun rises. Seeing the Nile “waking up” from its nightly slumber, hearing the river sounds - seeing in the distance a fisherman getting in his small boat - a farmer coming out from his tent to start his day - the birds dropping down to grab a fish. 😃 Later after a chef’s breakfast bar with the flair of the Nile and a grill for my breakfast eggs (being American), I’m sitting in a comfy chair waving at the children on shore as we pass, seeing a cow on the edge of the Nile eating the water grasses, while the light breeze from the movement of the ship creates a relaxing peace, as its traveling down the Nile. This experience is for the traveler who is looking for the slower pace, someone who likes to take time to smell the roses.
Kendra from Hawaii
Late 2024 my husband and I joined Francine’s Egypt Tour for the highlights of Egypt! It was a small group with our guide, Khaled, traveling with us.
We all met up in Cairo, being picked at the airport and staying at the really nice Royal Great Pyramid Inn overlooking the Pyramid Complex and the new Egyptian Museum.
Our 1st day was The Pyramid complex, which includes access to the inside and outside of the pyramids, the Sphinx and the surrounding structures of the Valley Temple.
My husband did the entry inside the Great Pyramid and inside the 2nd & 3rd Pyramids. It was a hot, crowded walk up through the Grand Gallery, tourists everywhere, but well worth it as the pyramids are still in such good shape and very impressive! We were then ridden around the complex in horse drawn carriages. After lunch, we had a guided tour of the museum and its incredible antiquities.
We proceeded on the next day to visit the Saqqara Necropolis, the Citadel, the Hanging Church and the enormous Khan al Khalili Market….these are some of the oldest standing stone buildings and fortifications known. The Bazaar has thousands of shops selling just about everything imaginable!
Then we were off to Luxor and a wonderful few days on a sailing vessel down the Nile with the Karnak Temple, Queen Hatshepsut’s enormous Temple and the Valley of the Kings (where Tut’s Tomb is).
Next day, we were again off ship to see The Temple of Horus, considered to be one of the most well-preserved temples in Egypt and an exploration of Kim Ombo with an overnight cruise to Aswan and the incredible rock cut Temple of Abu Simbel of King Ramesses II and his beloved Queen Nefatari. This is the Temple that seems to be used most in the movies of any story set in Egypt. It is temple building, huge carved columns and incredible vistas.
The last day we took a short tour of a traditional Nubian village - a true delight of colorfully painted homes and shops.
This was the end of our tour….but a group of us added on the seaside resort town of Hurghada on the Red Sea coast. We stayed in a lovely hotel with all the amenities and events an all-inclusive resort offers! Th town is laid back and enjoyable and easy to transverse….lots of shopping to be done!
The entire trip Francine and Khaled put together was pretty encompassing - informative, fun, educational and inclusive. A good choice for anyone interested in Egypt and the history it has to offer!