Sat right at the base of the Giza Pyramid Complex, Mena House (owned and managed by Marriot) is one of the oldest hotels still operating in Cairo. Originally built as a hunting lodge for the Egyptian Khedive Isma’il Pasha, it was sold to Frederick and Jessie Head in 1883 as a private residence. It ...
THE OLD CATARACT HOTEL, ASWAN
Egypt’s Old Cataract Hotel is without doubt one of our favourite places we have ever been lucky enough to stay in. We stayed at this grand old hotel before setting off on our Nile cruise on the glorious Steam Ship Sudan. It is undeniably charming, and its status as a piece of history is almost ...
CHECK IN: THE WINTER PALACE, LUXOR
Given the romance of early 20thC Egyptian travel, it is not surprising that there are a few establishments that have become a part of history themselves. If Cairo has Mena House and Aswan has The Old Cataract, Luxor has the Winter Palace. Thomas Cook & Son was responsible for turning this ...
A FIRST TIMER’S GUIDE TO CAIRO
I wasn’t sure what I would think of Cairo. The city is not usually my preferred habitat. I would much rather spend my time exploring the outdoors. And Cairo isn’t just any city, but a megacity, with population of over 22 million people. “Hustle and bustle” doesn’t even come close! So I ...
A REFERENCE GUIDE TO THE VALLEY OF THE KINGS AND QUEENS, LUXOR
The River Nile divides Luxor, with the West Bank and the East Bank holding different roles in ancient Egyptian beliefs and society. The West Bank was thought to symbolise Death, and the East Bank, Life. Therefore, all of the tombs and mortuary temples in Egypt are found on the western side of the ...