Originally Posted by
Groombridge
rather than the pre-fab itinerary to Giza, Memphis, and Sakkara, we wanted to see all the great pyramids in one circuit– going from Giza to Dahshur to Sakkara, substituting Dahshur for Memphis, which I’d consistently read was less impressive than other sites.) The guide, driver, and vehicle were just as you’d expect from the Four Seasons, providing us with very good excursions.
...
The guests are organized into small groups for the short excursions, with no group larger than 6 guests, and each group having its own guide and driver. The excursions were very effectively and efficiently planned, frequently timed so that large crowds and the heat of the day were avoided as much as possible. Especially magical were evening tours to the temples of Edfu and Dendarah (Oberoi has an arrangement for a private entrée to Dendarah at night, so it’s really possible to soak up the atmosphere without crowds.
...
the light on the Treasury in Petra is best in the early morning and the dusk, and it would be great to be able to come and go from Petra to the hotel, which is just 2 minutes from the entrance gate to Petra
absolutely fantastic report, especially re zahra and tours. ^
* the cairo tours were with FS staff? may i ask what pricing was like?
Originally Posted by
Groombridge
will never stay at a Six Senses property again.
FYI someone reported to me that the CEO of six senses responded very positively to a report of a fairly simple booking dispute with a GM.
Originally Posted by
Groombridge
I received an email acknowledging the need to refurbish them and the goal of doing so in 2010.
wonder if renovation or expansion or both. >
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/10057355-post32.html
http://www.talaatmoustafa.com/newtmg...ls.aspx?NID=62
owner news >
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...new-owner.html
kingdom hotels sold their 39.3% share to majority owner in april.
Originally Posted by
Groombridge
the lack of an adults-only pool is a fatal flaw, in my mind, and would prevent me from going back.
there are 4BR villas with pools and 2BR condos you can rent from owners at FS sharm. sounds like the 2BR condos have pools shared by multiple units as well, but not sure. >
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/12303274-post40.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/12908973-post44.html
FS nile plaza also has what seem to be 72 serviced apartments and 60 condos. the kingdom hotels site says they "may be entered into the hotel rental pool in the future." not sure how they rent now. >
http://web.archive.org/web/200803231...lazacairo.com/
Originally Posted by
Groombridge
insist that it was a bad idea to have a massage before dinner
its definitely NOT recommended to have spa treatments after major meals, especially if they include alcohol...
Originally Posted by
Groombridge
requested a bucket of ice
Despite staying at luxury hotels, and eating all meals of the trip (except one) therein, several of us had sustained bouts with gastro-intestinal infections, multiple times during the trip. So I’d strongly advise taking a prescription of antibiotic with you, just in case; the one I took worked wonders.
good info. so you didnt avoid ice.
* what about bottled water? and what antibiotic did you have success with? i presume there was no issue with customs.
Originally Posted by
Ericka
avoid food and beverage items that we know are iffy (lettuce, cut up fruit, etc)
always smart.
while zahra report makes me regret not going last year, sounds like rates are more than reasonable.
base rates >
2008 as of sep 18 07 - $350 / $600 (then equivalent to €252 / €432)
2008 as of oct 16 07 - €270 / €465 (USD rates dropped)
2009 - €750 / €1200
2010 - €870 / €1380
thinking about it, thats actually a deal compared to bora bora cruises (€1785, 20 cabins) which has been one of the 2 cruises on my "list."
http://www.architecturaldigest.com/r..._zahra_article
The restaurant, accented with orange draperies and lampshades, is the only one on a Nile cruiser that serves each meal à la carte (as opposed to buffet style). “The menu for every lunch and dinner is different; no dishes are repeated,” says Tapan Piplani, the ship’s manager. “The cuisine is international with a bit of Egyptian and Indian influence.” Here the window height was lowered to allow passengers to watch the scenery as they glide by at nine knots per hour.
