‘pharoah’s revenge’ stomach complaint are common but the ship’s meticulous attention to cleanliness and even passenger hand sanitising put pay to those fears for all on board.
Unexpected bonus The current downturn has forced many cruise lines to moor
up and even at the Sanctuary level of style and quality passenger numbers are low – tough for the operators but a fabulous bonus for the clients. The prices are keener than ever and the client experience could not be better. For us every whim was catered for before it had fully formed in our minds! The excursion groups were small and ashore there was not a queue or a crowd to be seen. See past the news reports and the product itself has never looked so appealing. Where once there were many, now there are few and for those who go the welcome is warm. This is a rare chance to truly feel, as well as see, the grandeur and style of the historic sites, with time and space to contemplate their enormity and signifi cance. The hawkers hovering at the docks are a challenge. More desperate than ever for a souvenir sale or two they are touting for business among a tragically reduced market. But brace yourself for the hard-sell hassles and there are certainly bargains to be had. We took up the challenge safe in the knowledge that our sanctuary home-from-home was barely out of sight. A Sanctuary Retreat by name and by nature the M.S. Nile Adventurer made exploring this complex and fascinating land relaxed and rewarding.
We saw the demonstrators and followed the news reports on TV but in all honesty the only drama we really noticed was a momentary sadness in the air when Egypt’s team didn’t, in fact, win the football!
Sign of the times
The mighty pharoahs are immortalised
www.sellinglonghaul.com • January 2013 65
The Temple of Edfu on the Nile’s west bank
All aboard for comfort!
The banks of the Nile are so green!
The beautiful view from the deck
THE ITINERARY DAY One – Three
Cairo for the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, historic Memphis and Sakkara, plus the Egyptian Museum and the medieval Islamic Citadel. Suggest the Four Seasons First Residence for a central, safe and opulent start.
fourseasons.com DAY
Four – Seven
Fly from Cairo to Luxor and board the Sanctuary M.S. Nile Adenturer for four nights cruising to Aswan. This is by far the best way to see the key sights. Small group excursions are guided by a hugely informative Egyptologist.
Sights include Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings and Queens, Hatshepsut Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, Esna Temple, Edfu Temple and Philae Temple – each with its own incredible stories.
sanctuaryretreats.com The cruise ends in
DAY Eight – Ten
easy-going Aswan where historic sites include the Unfi nished Obelisk and Philae Temple and the long corniche provides a pretty lookout over the many felucas (sailboats). The Nubian culture of the area adds further interest. For a stay to remember recommend the Legends Old Cataract. sofi
tel-legend.com
WHERE TO BOOK IT SANCTUARY RETREATS
Book Egypt with a specialist to give clients added reassurance during uncertain times. I travelled with Akorn Destination Management, whose tour managers and guides were faultless. The Sanctuary Nile Cruise Fleet operates a range of itineraries, including mine (priced from around £2000pp all-inclusive). Current offers include a 10-nights-for-seven on the long Nile cruise (Cairo to Aswan). Book by February 15 for complimentary transfers and cabin upgrade.
sanctuaryretreats.com
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