April 7

I’m back in Egypt this week and ready for some fun with my favorite co-conspirator , @adventures_with_hoda

We kicked off over the weekend with a special request: a pre-tour extension to visit Alexandria. I hadn’t been before, and I was delighted to visit and learn about this famous Greco-Roman city. We visited catacombs, then a fortress that is made of the recycled remains of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the ancient wonders of the world. Aside from the historical interest, Alexandria is a pretty beach town that has a totally different culture than Cairo.

April 8

Our Egypt tour with @adventures_with_hoda has kicked off in Cairo!

We visited the pyramids complex at Giza, but not by bus—Hoda arranged special transportation, a herd of camels!

After visiting the pyramids, a sand storm kicked up so we did a quick visit to the Sphinx, then on to the Grand Egyptian Museum. I’ll post a video about the museum later today, it was my first time and I was very impressed.

April 10

Out and about in Cairo. We spent our day exploring the three religions that have made a mark here, visiting a Coptic Christian church, a synagogue, and a mosque. We had a nice break at Fishawy cafe, and a market wander. @adventures_with_hoda then hosted us for dinner in her home with a stellar view of the pyramids.

My friend Hoda is not just one of the best guides I know, she’s also one of the most gracious hostesses. She invited our group to come to her house to have dinner, a fabulous Egyptian feast cooked by one of her dear friends. We were welcomed liked family onto her balcony overlooking the pyramids, and enjoyed so many different dishes. A lovely complement to our Egypt experience.

April 16

We’ve been rolling down the river in Egypt, enjoying a lovely cruise on the @movenpicknilecruisers Royal Lotus. Picking a Nile cruise can be hard, it can really make or break a trip. Believe me, I’ve been on ones that were not optimal. After lots of research, Hoda found us the best of the bunch, with great food and clean, modern rooms. This is my favorite part of visiting Egypt, and our cruise was perfect.