Egyptian museum, Citadel & Mohamed Ali mosque.

(included in Medeana option)

Starting with the Egyptian museum which is walking distance from the hotel.  Nibal will show you where the main exhibits are and answer any questions you may have.  You will then have time to explore yourselves.  Nibal will be available throughout.

Lunch - onto a restaurant where you can buy what you want for lunch.

Next stop, The Citadel, a fabulous piece of architecture which is often used as the setting for cultural events.  The Mohamed Ali Mosque is beautiful with a serenity designed to calm.

From here you will go to the Khan el Khalili and Nibal will help you get your bearings.  Anyone not doing the sightseeing tour can meet up with the group in the Khan el Khalili to walk round, visit El Fishawy café and then Mahmouds.

Full day excursion.

Pyramids

(Not included)

There are 3 main sets of pyramids, each built in a different way.  Starting by travelling out to Memphis, then Sakkara and lastly, Giza.  You will travel in a minibus round the sites and there will be time to walk round as well.  Nibal will be with you to help and answer any questions.

If you want to see any carpet weaving, there are various schools on the way which you can also include on the trip.  This is only if anyone is interested.

You will stop somewhere to buy lunch.

Full day excursion.

Islamic Cairo

(Not included)

Walking round old Cairo, seeing the amazing architecture, ancient mosques and other sights.  Visit the Islamic museum.  If you have an interest in things Islamic, this is a must!

1/2 day excursion

Kardassa

(Not included)

A village outside of Cairo.  Our minibus will take us there.  The village specialises in galabayas and handicrafts.  The scenery on the drive to Kardassa is beautiful as we pass through farmland and rural scenes.  There is so much choice and so many shops.  Nibal will help anyone bartering  - you just have to ask her.  Sometimes we combine this with the pyramids trip.

1/2 day excursion.

Felucca

(included in Discovering Cairo, Felaheen & Medeana options & Rakassa Cairo)

Sail down the Nile.  Chill out for an hour as you watch the banks of the Nile slip by.  We try and time it for sunset but any time of day or night is good!

Cairo tower & tent makers bazaar

(Not included)

The Cairo tower is a landmark on Zamalek.  The views from the top are fabulous.  You also get to have a piece of cake in the revolving restaurant ….. it is just a little bit jerky and in need of some WD40!

The tent makers bazaar is near Mohamed Ali street.  It is full of fabulous printed material and also the hand stitched fabrics that look so wonderful.  Intricate Islamic designs and rich colours.

Horse Riding & camel riding

(Not included)

Yasmina has her own horse and is quite happy to take people to where her horse is stabled that would like a ride out into the desert.  Some fabulous reports of camel riding out there .... quite an experience.  As one girl said,  'I can't go to Egypt and not go on a camel!'

Dance Options:

Lila on the Nile Pharon.

(included in Medeana option)

Dinner & show with cruise down the Nile.  This boat is splendid in it's tackiness.  The waiters are dressed up in Pharonic gear.  The boat is luscious in gold gilt with hieroglyphics everywhere.  It is such fun.  Less formal than it's 5 star counterparts.

Currently they have various dancers.  I try and see Leila, an American who has recently arrived on the scene.  She has a fabulous fluid and graceful style - well worth seeing.  Lila has become very popular at weddings and parties.  Something of a novelty, being the only American around at the moment.

Camelia - Grand Hyatt

(included in Medeana option)

This is a 5 star cruise boat.  I have been on others but this is the best one.  It has taken over from the Nile Maxim as the place to go.  Camelia is their regular dancer and she is fabulous.  She has her own slightly wild style.

Sometimes there are weddings on board - which means the dancers has to spend time with the wedding party.  You get to see a wedding but less of the dancer!  Fascinating to watch though.

You cruise down the Nile and can take a walk outside for a breath of fresh air.  The views are good whilst you have dinner, watching Cairo on the banks of the Nile.

Casablanca with Soraya

(included in Medeana option)

The Casablanca is a 5 star Moroccan restaurant with fabulous rich décor and impressive views of the Nile.  The food is fabulous as is the entertainment.  The evening includes a 3 course meal with a great show.

Soraya is the resident dancer.  She is Brazilian with a great feel for the music.  Soraya is a small package of dynamite, her show is fun and entertaining.  She really connects with the audience, making everyone feel welcome and involved.  She does 3, sometimes 4 costume changes and dances with her own band.

Dina

(included in Medeana option)

Cairo's top dancer.  You love her or hate her.  She has her own tight and concise style with dramatic punctuation.  She claims the stage immediately and interacts with the audience.  When possible, I get us a front stage table for the full impact.  If you are in Cairo, you have to see Dina.  I do not like videos I have seen but live, she is a force to be reckoned with!  She has a full orchestra of at least 20 musicians.

The evening includes a 4 course meal.  There is a band on before Dina.  This October (2002) it was Tamr & Shareen who currently have a top selling CD!

Seedy Nightclub, Downtown

(included in Rakassa & Medeana options)

This is Cabaret City, there are clubs galore here.  It just depends who you want to see.  There are lots of dancers out here of varying levels of skill.  It is a different setting and has a different feel to the other venues we go to.  Just to experience the full range of settings, you should go here.  I would not recommend a visit by yourself but it is quite safe in a group.  There are less seedy, slightly more upmarket versions of cabaret clubs on Pyramid road where the quality of dancer tends to be better.  These are also worth a visit, time permitting.

Party Night

(included in Medeana option & Rakassa Cairo)

Yasmina has a beautiful apartment.  Her husband, Safaa is a band leader and singer.  We get the band to the apartment and have our own party.  Yasmina puts on delicious food.  This is often the last night and it is a really good way to end the week!  Safaas youngest daughter, Hebba, is a budding dancer and often puts on an informal performance much to everyone's delight.  Sagat player, Sayed, is great fun and soon gets a party off the ground.  Check out the photos.

Dance class

(included in Medeana option. See Rakassa Cairo Adventure if want more classes)

with professional Egyptian dancer / teacher.  My first choice is Raqia Hassan if she is in town.  Aida Noor is also an accomplished dancer and experienced teacher.  I arrange one dance class for the group.  We go with whoever the majority want, providing the teacher is available.

If you want additional private classes, these can be arranged.  If you want to do a lot of dance classes, you might be best considering the Rakassa adventure.