We just got back from a trip to Egypt: 2 days in Cairo, then a week on the Nile with a cruise through a tour operator.
An incredible discovery of the Pyramids of Cairo—such an emotional moment! Then a wonderful stroll along the Nile, where we leisurely soaked in the "life" along this river.
An exceptional guide who transported us back less than 4,000–5,000 years BC...
But here’s the thing—because there’s often a "BUT"—the flip side is discovering a *very* polluted country! Even on the Nile, the number of boats is staggering (I went barefoot on the boat one day, and by the end of the day, my feet were black with soot?).
In Cairo, with nearly 20 million inhabitants, there’s trash everywhere (except around the airport and villa areas). We even saw a dead cow with stray dogs eating its "innards"—but no one seemed bothered! By the way, there are *tons* of wild dogs in Egypt and very few... cats!
One day after our arrival, we had to pay our entry visa to the guide on the bus—and *only* in cash? 95 EUROS???? A disgrace, since the visa price is $25 (as stated on the visa stamp)... Someone needs to explain where that money goes???
The excursions (optional ones) are *five times* more expensive than the posted rates for tourists. There are two prices: one for Egyptians (which makes sense, given an average salary of 360 euros/month). On top of that, the cruise manager asked us to pay half in cash and half by card (we refused and paid everything in cash). First time I’ve ever seen that payment method for excursions—where *does* the money go?...
During a stop in Aswan, we wanted to visit the Nubian Museum (amazing!). We took a carriage, and before leaving, we agreed on a round-trip price of 20 euros for 4 people to take us to the museum. It was all good with the driver—who called himself "Michel" and his poor horse, Rambo. On the way back, of course, he caused a scene, demanding *much* more... We refused and gave him the 20 euros we’d agreed on. But then, as if by chance, this same carriage driver stopped for a man who asked us to exchange two 20-euro bills and 10 one-euro coins for a 50-euro bill. I pulled out my 50-euro note while talking to Michel, and the other guy claimed I’d given him a 10-euro bill?? He handed me the bill—so you get the scam!
So, be *very* careful with carriage drivers and their "colleagues"!
Drinks on board are outrageously priced—a simple beer (Stella) costs 5 euros, and the wine is undrinkable...
Tips are expected in euros—they won’t accept Egyptian pounds... and of course, you’re constantly harassed to exchange 5-euro or 10-euro bills, or even more! They end up with tons of coins, so we did it at first, but after a while, it’s just not possible—they insist way too much!
I’ll stop here—it’s already quite long. So, a mixed-feelings trip overall...
Hello everyone,
Hope you had a great trip .
Now, regarding the number of boats (the big ones), more than half of them have disappeared since the revolution. Did you notice the wrecks of some along the Nile? As for the soot, diesel engines, so🙁, and the pool—never go in, it's a bacteria nest. Just look at the water's surface to understand, plus all the sunscreen oil from tourists.
In Cairo, the trash lying around everywhere—it's like back home: some people put their garbage in bins, others in illegal dumps. It's the same there. Though, if you noticed, there are huge containers in some places and much smaller ones in others, but everything ends up beside them. It's not just there—look at India, Southeast Asia, or South American countries! As for cats, you must not have looked closely—there are just as many as dogs.
Did you arrive in Cairo? Then take a flight transfer for your cruise, Luxor-Aswan-Luxor? Was it an organized trip: Cairo + cruise?
If the guide was waiting for you in Cairo (at the airport) and took you by bus to your hotel, the 95 € makes sense—yes, it's expensive, but they’ll tell you it’s for transfer fees.
For visits, it’s new that you have to pay by card. The price difference between locals and tourists has always existed. Paying everything in cash was the right move!
As for scams with tickets and coins, I’ve never experienced any. If I have to pay someone like a driver or carriage driver, I always show them the money (always in L.E or Pounds) before paying.
Oh, and don’t forget—Stella is a 500 ml bottle. For wine, when we’re there, we only drink Cleopatra—it’s a decent little wine and drinkable. As for tips, I always pay in L.E (pounds). If someone doesn’t like it, they get nothing.
Since the government made it so tourists have to pay for visits in € by card, everyone’s jumped on the bandwagon—even hotels want to be paid in €. I always refuse, and all these little issues wear you down over time.
Have a great day!
Thoutmosis
Hello, thanks for your comments.
Yes, it was a truly beautiful cultural trip, with an honestly exceptional guide.
I’ve traveled a lot around the world, especially in Asia (Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia), and I’ve been to Africa, notably Senegal, etc. Sure, there’s pollution, but not to this extent! I’ve NEVER seen so much waste in the streets, in the fields, and let’s not even talk about the canals adjacent to the Nile (Cairo/Luxor). They’re hyper-polluted—just seeing a "rainbow" in the water, we all know it’s hydrocarbons! Not a single fish in sight!
As for the visa, I don’t understand such a huge difference between $25 and 95 € per person. I’d really like to know what these so-called taxes are for.... (When we left, the tour operator quoted 70 €, which was already high! We even asked the operator for concrete answers and transparency—if that’s possible, which I doubt.)
The boats are very, very numerous, and no, I didn’t see any wrecks along the Nile...
The Stella (50 cl) at 5 € is prohibitive (as expensive as in France, and I’m not even sure about that!). In Cairo, at a big hotel, it cost us 2.50 €, which was reasonable given the prestige of the place.
In short, we’re treated like "cash cows," and the prices are whatever they want... sad to say. We’ve never felt this kind of pressure before, especially not in Asia, where people are lovely and there’s no aggression. For example, I left my phone in a bar in Hanoi and found it an hour later—it hadn’t "moved."
We’re not fans of organized trips like this (it was the first and last), but for the Nile, there aren’t many other options unless you follow the banks...
Best regards to you all... and happy travels if you hit the "road" again.
Hello everyone,
It’s true that when you stay as long as we did, you almost stop noticing the pollution, and yes, I wouldn’t dip a toe in those canals 🙁.
About the visa price—I don’t know if they picked you up by bus, because ?? Anyway, they’ll tell you it’s for transfer fees. But if the agency quoted you one price and it went up on the spot, that’s not right. And everything you buy on the boat is always way more expensive. We used to bring our own bottles from ashore.
When you say the boats are very crowded, it’s just an impression. The first time we did a cruise in 2004, there were a lot of boats—around 350—all doing the same route. Back then, there was only one lock, so for at least three months every year, it was closed. Travelers had to transfer from Luxor to Esna past the lock to board their boat. We didn’t have that problem.
Now there are two locks, so each year one is closed for maintenance, then the other.
As for phones, in 2004 my wife got a scare with her handbag—wallet, ID, everything—gone. Then we heard someone shouting. We turned around, and it was the taxi driver running after us to return the bag.
Aside from the cruise, yes, traveling along the banks by train or car is great. Most of the time, we go by car with our driver friends because train prices have become ridiculous. The only thing that hasn’t changed much is bus fares.
Plus, now you have to pay by card for train tickets and visits, though we still manage to get around that for the train.
We haven’t decided when to go yet. We also need to renew our ID cards, and my wife can’t go now with the extreme temperatures starting. I don’t mind the heat—as long as I keep drinking.
Have a great day!
Thoutmosis
There’s still so much beauty left in this world, so we’d better hurry (66 years old and then there’s overtourism)... seeing other places is a privilege, and when we get back “home,” it helps keep us humble!
Wishing you all wonderful discoveries... best regards, Philippe.
Hello everyone,
66, still young 😉 — yes, there’s so much beauty and kindness everywhere.
Egypt, my heart’s country, I’d love to stay, but since I’m not alone ???
Even though she loves it, we have a lot of friends all over Egypt, from north to south, but the kids and grandkids — I get it, it’s not my case. I did my job with my wife to raise our two kids well, and since I don’t have that family fiber, I let it go and bite my tongue.
You went on a package tour, so you only scratched the surface. To really understand the country, you need to make connections — then it becomes much easier.
Have a great day,
Thoutmosis
Yes, you're right—a package tour is superficial, and contact with the locals is more than limited, as we say back home 😅. I remember the colectivos in Mexico—nothing but smiles and kindness... same in Laos, staying with locals—amazing!
We have 4 kids and 5 grandkids, and we’ve always traveled, especially in a camper van with the kids. Now, being parked side by side with no real connection holds no interest for us. We only ever did "wild" camping. We’re pretty busy, but as soon as we can, we escape—we take a flight (not eco-friendly, I know) and off we go! If you look hard enough, there are affordable trips... Being just the two of us means sharing emotions and discoveries—beyond a mountain path, there’s always something to see 😊. Have a great day!
Hello everyone,
Actually, it’s always better to go somewhere without a package tour.
Well, apart from France, Italy, and especially Egypt, we don’t go anywhere else—by choice.
And our friends in Burgundy have never left France, but it’s true there are wonderful landscapes there, and in the small villages, if you say hello, people respond, unlike in our big cities. Though in Belgium it’s the same, and I know way more about Egypt than my own country😉 . Where we often go in France is Menton—gorgeous—and despite being a city, the people are friendly. Plus, we explore the hinterland and visit the villages.
Have a great day,
Thoutmosis
We’re so lucky to have such a wonderful country with diverse landscapes—and don’t even get me started on the food, our wines, and our local specialties!
Burgundy is part of this heritage... absolutely stunning!
As for Belgium, we love it—the vibes in the bars (Belgian estaminets) and the city of Ghent are gorgeous... just like Bruges, Bouillon, Bastogne, and so many others. So, in the end, we make the most of what we’ve got and live life to the fullest!!!! goodbye and maybe see you another day!
"Ever since the government made it so tourists have to pay for visits in € by card, everyone’s jumped on the bandwagon—even hotels now want to be paid in €. I still refuse...
Why? What’s the issue? Is there a downside to paying by card?
Hi everyone,
Yes, like you said, everyone’s jumped on the bandwagon 🙁.
Since we’ve been going there since 2004, we’ve always paid in L.E. (Egyptian pounds).
And we still do now—when we walk into a place to drink or eat, we ask if we can pay in L.E. They can’t force you to pay in €. If I can’t, I just walk away; it doesn’t bother me.
Of course, for online sites, you’re forced to use foreign currency—no choice there. The reason? Foreign exchange, same for all other currencies, but especially € and $ (all kinds of $).
That’s why everyone’s doing it. You have to stay a while to see it: they stockpile foreign currency, and when the exchange rate is favorable, they exchange it all at once (a few thousand of each currency can bring in a lot when the rate works in their favor).
Another crazy thing in Egypt over the past few years: if you want to exchange money, with a passport, you can go to exchange agencies. With just an ID card (like us), you have to go to the bank—or I borrow an Egyptian friend’s ID and go to the exchange agency.
Why? Still a mystery. It’s something you only see in Egypt.
Thoutmosis
Hi there, Egypt has really changed… Our first trip was back in 2002—Sinai, Ras Mohamed, Dahab, St. Catherine’s Monastery, etc. We rented a car in Egyptian pounds with no issues, and everything was paid in pounds. Lots of checkpoints, but no real "security" problems, and the Egyptians were incredibly kind.
We went back in 2005, and there weren’t any major noticeable changes, except in Sharm, where a lot of signs and restaurants were in Russian (there was a big Russian clientele at the time).
We returned in April 2025, and honestly, we didn’t recognize this "side" of Egypt. Plus, we didn’t have a choice—we wanted to do the "Nile cruise," so we had to go with a "tour operator." It was the first and last time we’ll ever do a "package tour"—not our thing at all—but what can you do?
First off, how did you pay for your visa? And how much? Because the prices are never the same! The stamp itself says 25 dollars, but we paid 95 €??? That’s a huge markup!!! Who’s profiting from that?
On the boat, all the prices were in euros!! And it was *really* expensive, especially the "drinks"—a Stella (50 cl) cost 5 €, as much as in France! Meanwhile, in Cairo, we paid 2.50 € for one in a big hotel…
For the excursions, we were the only ones paying by card (the other guests, at the guides’ request, paid half in euros and half by card???). Do the math: 120 people on a single excursion, the cheapest one being 50 € per person.
So it’s *really* hard to pay for *everything* in pounds… but you shouldn’t give in. We told the guide we didn’t have enough cash, so we paid everything by card.
It’s obvious that the big cities that host tourist boats are just waiting to make easy money off visitors. They’re on the lookout, which is *so* unpleasant—sometimes you have to get angry and say NO, and even then, some keep pushing. I’ve never experienced such pressure (and we’ve dealt with similar situations in Morocco and Tunisia, but this was on another level!)
Anyway, those are our impressions. When was your last trip to Egypt? Because it’s clear the country has changed—massive pollution, and Egyptians pushing their luck way too far. What a shame!
Yeah, things have changed a lot over the past few years. Back in 2020, it was still like when we first started in 2004, but since COVID and the devaluation of the Egyptian currency, everything’s gone a bit haywire. They need foreign currency, so they’ve got to pay for that new museum that cost a fortune, as well as the new capital 60 km east of Cairo. Meanwhile, there are plenty of neighborhoods in Cairo with empty buildings because they’re too expensive. So, they’re relying on tourists—after all, it’s Egypt’s top industry.
For the visa, never use the e-visa as long as it’s still accepted. Since we always travel without a tour operator or agency, we pay the exact visa price, which is around 25 €. As I mentioned before, we pay in € by card (mandatory) for visits, but for everything else, we use L.E. (pounds).
Hi there, yeah, the world "changes"—we see it every day, and not always the way we’d like... that’s just how it is!!!!!!
Wishing you all happy Easter too! Thanks! !
I m stuck in the airport on a layover, so here s what I wish I d known before I left! :) When I arrived, I got scammed right away at the VODAFONE stand in the…
We’re planning a trip to Egypt from January 21 to 28, 2027.
J21 – Arrival in Cairo at 6 PM
V22 – Visit the Pyramids
S23 – Early flight to Aswan, visit Aswan
D24 – Visit Aswan, depart mid-afternoon for Abu Simbel
L25 – Morning visit to Abu Simbel, return to Aswan. Is it possible to go all the way to Luxor the same day? Private driver between Aswan and Luxor
M26 – Visit Luxor
M27 – Visit Luxor
J28 – Early flight to Cairo, arrive around 9–10 AM, head back into the city to see 1 or 2 museums (probably just 1 due to time), then flight to Lyon at 7 PM
Does this itinerary seem realistic to you? Does it cover the highlights?
During our trip to Egypt at the end of January, beginning of February, we plan to visit the White Desert and nearby oases for 3 to 4 days, starting from Cairo.
If my initial agency searches weren't conclusive, I now have a "too many options" situation.
Here’s an alphabetical list of my first findings.
If you’ve had any experience (good or bad) with any of these agencies in the White Desert:
Hello, my husband and I will be in Egypt this coming November. Cairo seems more challenging to explore without a guide, and we’ll be there for 3 full days. Would anyone have the name of a guide?
Thanks!
Hi
It's hard to tell from Maps or anything else whether the road along the Tessaout is fully paved from Amezri all the way to the junction with the road connecting Demnate to Ouarzazate (RN23).
Thanks for your replies!
Herviche
Here’s a first draft for a 14-night itinerary during the Christmas break with two teens. We’re especially fond of hiking (nothing too extreme, though), which is why we’re drawn to the south.
- Marrakech (2 nights)
- Aït Ben Haddou (1 night)
- Dadès (3 nights, though we’re thinking of doing a day trip to the Todra Gorge on one of those days)
- M'hamid (1 night)
- Erg Chigaga (1 night)
- 4 nights to slot in
- Marrakech (2 nights)
Okay, I realize this involves a lot of driving, and we’re still debating the return route since we’d like to avoid the Tichka Pass in January, but going through Taroudant seems like it would add *a lot* of time. 😕
If you’ve got other suggestions for an itinerary with great hikes, I’m all ears!
Also, the 4 nights total in MRK isn’t really our preference, but since we’re arriving/departing super early from overseas, we’d like to be a bit rested before the long flight.
Another question:
For hikes (aside from the desert one), is it better to have a guide with us, or are the trails well-marked?
Hi there!
I’m heading to Dakhla at the end of October for about two weeks as a backpacker.
Without renting a car or booking pricey excursions, what are the best ways to get around and explore?
I’ve heard that the small taxis only cover limited routes outside the city center, and the local buses might be tricky...
Thanks to anyone who knows the area and can share their tips for nature and culture in this up-and-coming destination!
Laurence
Hi, I’m planning a 10-day trip to Morocco starting on 12/30 with my parents, and I’d love your thoughts on the itinerary. Since I’m traveling with my parents, who are 78, I’m trying to keep train rides between cities short. I’d like to start with 4 days in FES (with Meknès nearby), then head to Casablanca for 2 days, and finish with 4 days in Marrakech, including a day trip or overnight stay in Essaouira. Thanks for your input!
During our road trip in Morocco in November/December, we’re planning to spend a night at the Hassilabied dunes around November 10th.
We don’t want to sleep in a camp, go on a camel trek, or do a 4x4 tour—we just want to stay right at the foot of the dunes so we can walk around on our own, on foot, at sunrise and sunset. It seems like Hassilabied is better located for this (closer to the dunes) than Merzouga.
Do you know of any clean accommodation with hot water, not too rustic but not too "bling-bling" either, and—most importantly—ideally located right in front of the dunes?
Thanks so much for your tips!
Fran
Hi, we're looking for a guide to show us around Essaouira.
We're 11 adults and don't want to go through an agency. If you have a contact to help us discover this city, that would be great!
Thanks
We're heading to Egypt in a few days, inspired by many of your travel journals (thanks especially to Franck!).
We’ll spend a short day exploring Cairo before an evening departure, with our luggage in tow. We’re traveling light, but it’s still not very practical...
Does anyone know if baggage storage/lockers are easy to find, and if so, do you have any recommendations?
Thanks!
I’m currently planning several trips to Morocco (Marrakech, Draa Valley, Merzouga) and I’m wondering about the reliability of data connections outside major urban centers.
Here’s what I’ve observed on the ground so far:
- In cities (Marrakech, Agadir, Fez), 4G is excellent, including in the medina riads.
- On the Tizi n'Tichka road and toward Ouarzazate, coverage remains decent, with a few dead spots here and there.
- In Saharan areas (Merzouga, Chegaga), the connection becomes patchy: some camps get great reception, others none at all.
My specific questions:
1) On your recent trips, which operator (Maroc Telecom, inwi, Orange) gave you the best coverage in the Atlas and Sahara?
2) Have international eSIMs seemed as reliable as a local Moroccan SIM, or have you noticed a difference in speed in rural areas?
3) While trekking or driving a 4x4 in the desert, have you come across completely dead zones despite theoretical coverage?
I’m happy to share my own coverage notes if it helps, and I’ll gladly answer any questions about Morocco—I know it well.
I'm looking for a travel companion for a road trip in southern Morocco at the end of March 2027.
Duration: 15 days.
Departure from Marrakech.
Car rental and Airbnb accommodation.
Budget: 1200 €.
Itinerary to plan together
I’m heading back to Egypt for the first time in 30 years this July. Last time, I was 20, and we spent two weeks traveling on a shoestring as backpackers.
I’m wondering about a "cruise" on a felucca from Aswan—mainly to avoid being stuck in an air-conditioned tourist bubble (we’re already spending our first week in that setting with our diving club). We’d like to explore the most interesting stretch of the Nile between Aswan and Luxor. Do you have any thoughts on this option, tips, or maybe some contacts?
I was wondering if it’s possible to join a group as a solo traveler with local agencies in Djanet for circuits like Tadrart, Essendilene, Sefar, or Tassili?
If you have any agencies to recommend, I’d love to hear about them.
I didn’t find any info on the forum.
Best,
Hi everyone,
Our trip to Morocco will be from November 3 to 17, in the High Atlas.
Basically, our route would be:
Marrakech - Aït Benhaddou
Skoura - Tinghir - Merzouga
Merzouga via the N12 to Zagora
Zagora - Draa Valley - Marrakech
It seems to be the low season, so I’d love to travel without having to book accommodations in advance. In other countries, pre-booking has restricted us and kept us from visiting unplanned sites. Freedom is important to us, but I’d also like to avoid arriving somewhere and finding nothing available.
What do you recommend? Book ahead or not?
Your advice is always helpful, and thanks to anyone who can shed some light on this for me.
Roberto
First of all: a big thank you to everyone whose insightful, funny, lively, and exotic posts we’ve enjoyed. It’s a joy to find such lovely writers on this forum, who’ve given me tons of ideas and addresses to prepare our trip.
Our plan: to explore Morocco from November 2nd to December 4th. We’ll have our own vehicle (a 2011 Renault Grand Scenic, in great condition), shipped with us from Sète to Tanger Med. Returning from Nador.
Our profile: 75 and 62 years young, so old but happy to be, in very good health. Seasoned travelers—it’s practically our whole life. Lovers of beautiful landscapes, historic sites, fine craftsmanship, and road trips. This will be my 3rd trip to Morocco, but the first two were 20 and 17 years ago. I’ve never been north of the Essaouira-Marrakech line (though I’ve gone further south). As for my husband, a lifelong expat including in Muslim countries, it’s his first time in Morocco.
He’s the one driving. He’s very experienced, cautious, not necessarily fast, but used to driving in all conditions (and countries, including the most creative on the road). But I don’t want to tire him out, and he no longer drives at night (and we’ll be there in November).
I’ve decided to show him a bit of everything by taking a road trip along beautiful backroads, with daily distances averaging 180-200 km (except on highways, which will be rare), regularly broken up by rest days. I’m counting on a speed of 40-50 km/h, plus stops/visits along the way.
Since I’ve read so many posts, I’ve narrowed it down to some very specific questions.
1) Coming directly from Rabat via the highway, we’d prefer to skip Marrakech*. Still, we’ll need to sleep somewhere nearby. We’ll head toward Skoura the next day. Does anyone have a well-located address for this route, possibly east of Marrakech? Ideally, we’re looking for a small town, easy parking, clean accommodation (minimum) with average comfort (or better if available), a bit heated, and if possible, pretty and/or nice—but above all, a place to sleep well, wash with lukewarm (ideally hot) water, and have a decent dinner.
(*Explanation for the "no-go" in Marrakech: it’s a shame, because there are truly beautiful things in this city, but I think the vibe won’t suit us—it’s an understatement for "it’ll put us off" / "make us flee" / "traumatize us." Not because it’s too crowded and we want to stand out from tourists (we’re part of them), but because of forced henna on your hand, or spending 10 minutes every quarter-hour saying "no thank you" to a "guide" who’s as much a guide as I am a trapeze artist. Knowing us, it’ll wear us down. The country is vast and beautiful, and our time too short to waste our memories just days after arriving. And I don’t want to ruin things for my peaceful husband, or he’ll demand we turn back—and Sète in November isn’t exactly thrilling either.)
2) Which route to Skoura (in 2 days)? I see two options: either via the Tichka Pass, with a night in Telouet before reaching Skoura, or via the R307/N23 from Demnate, with a night near Megdaz before descending to Skoura. So: Tichka Pass or R307/N23? I have a slight (big) preference for the second option, even though I know the other route is very beautiful too. Of course, before deciding, we’ll check the weather and the current state of the R307/N23—does anyone know where to get info on the road conditions? But even assuming the road is "passable," is it a bit too tough in itself? In short, is it reasonable? If a kind soul could share their experience, a thousand thanks in advance.
That’s all I’ve written for now. I’ll save the other questions for later posts. Thanks again to those who had the patience to read this and to those who can respond. Happy Sunday to all!
I’m just a few days away from my trip to Marrakech—I’m leaving from November 13th to 20th and bringing my parents along! I’d love to plan my stay as best as I can, and I’m sure the forum crew can help. So, here are my questions:
- Where’s the best place to exchange money without getting ripped off? The owner of the riad where we’re staying told us to avoid doing it at the airport because it’s really expensive and to do it in the medina instead, near Jemaa el-Fna square.
- Which traditional hammams do you recommend that are reasonably priced? How much should we budget for one? That’ll help me plan my expenses.
- What are some nice restaurants in the medina?
- I’d also like to know roughly how much to expect for a tea, a meal, a taxi, a djellaba, and babouches. I don’t want to get overcharged and would like to know what to expect.
- What are the must-do activities and places to visit?
Hi, I’d like to head to Morocco next week with my car. I’ve looked online at all the different info about the ferry crossing to Tangier, but I’m finding it really expensive. Is there a way to buy tickets in Spain? Or another way to get the Algeciras–Tangier crossing cheaper? Thanks for any tips or info!
We found a guide who offers the trip from M'hamid to a camp (departure at 3 PM, tea, meal, camel ride, overnight stay, breakfast, and return to M'Hamid by 11 AM the next day via the sacred oasis). He quoted us a price of 380 € for April.
What do you think of this rate?
This might sound like a silly question, but is it common to negotiate the price for this kind of thing (we're booking from France)? It’s still a big part of our travel budget.
Hi there,
We're planning to visit Egypt between January 25 and February 15, 2027. I looked up the Ramadan dates and found some sites saying it starts on February 8, while others say February 18... Where's the mistake?
Thanks,
Christian
Hi there,
We’re a family of 4 with two boys aged 12 and 10 traveling to Egypt in February.
We’re spending 3 days in Cairo to take our time exploring the city and the sites before heading south.
-Is it necessary to have a guide to visit the GEM? Are audio guides available?
-Do you have any contacts for drivers to organize a few transfers (Giza, Saqqara, Airport)?
-Do you know a French-speaking guide who’s friendly, family-friendly, and good at making things exciting, with reasonable prices?
With our two teens, we’re heading to Morocco for two weeks at the end of December and beginning of January. It’ll be our first trip that’s more "off the beaten path," even though we’ve visited several countries before. Given the overwhelming amount of info, I’m feeling a bit swamped with the prep this trip requires, and I’ll admit I’m a little lost when it comes to figuring out what’s realistic to visit in two weeks 😕 So, all your tips, personal experiences, and suggestions are more than welcome!
- Which places should we prioritize during this time of year? (I’ve read that some spots are less accessible in winter?)
- What’s the best way to get around? (rental car, train, private transport, buses, etc.? — just a heads-up, we’ll have a few suitcases!)
- In terms of "safety," are there any areas to avoid?
- Any recommendations for reliable local tour companies (beyond the big names like "Get Your Guide") that offer excursions or private transport to help us explore the country?
- A doable 2-week itinerary that lets us enjoy the country’s diversity without having to change accommodations every two days?
I’m planning a trip to the High Atlas in Morocco and have a few questions for you:
- Why do so many people recommend avoiding international agencies for car rentals? Can anyone explain why?
- Is Booking.com reliable, and has anyone rented a vehicle through their service? There’s a pretty big price difference compared to local Moroccan agencies.
- Is there a detailed road map included in the rental car?
- Is Google Maps enough to get around the High Atlas? This will be my first trip there.
Thanks so much to anyone who can help with this destination I’ve been dreaming about for years.
Have a great evening,
Roberto
hi there, I’m heading to Tunisia 🙂 from April 27 to May 8 with my family. I’ve read through the various discussions about the country, but I’m still a bit unsure🤪: for currency exchange, I saw on the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website that withdrawing currency with a bank card from ATMs is limited to 200 TND per week. There are four of us traveling by car, so that might be a bit tight! And it’s a hassle to carry a lot of cash, even if I’m not being paranoid! What do you all recommend?
Cheers,
Laurent.
We're planning a 2-week trip in late February/early March for a road trip in the High Atlas with a rental car, and we'd love to avoid booking our accommodations in advance. Is that doable, easily manageable, or risky (are accommodations available, expensive, or not great)? Thanks for your tips!
Annie
