good way to visit pyramids
our cruise ship will dock in Alexandria for 2 days (Sunday through Monday). Can someone recommend a good tour to see the Pyramids and other sites?
Anna
Cincinnati, OH US 10/6/09
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Wow, so many cruisers here, and looking for Near East info on a European board.
I can send you to Arthur Frommers picks for third party land tour operators, much better than buying a tour from the cruise line.
As Arthur himself says, "having come off a cruiseship with 2,000 or more passengers, why in the world would you want to stuff yourself into a motorcoach with some 40 other passengers to go touring a port city? Who wouldn't value the opportunity to go wandering on his or her own, independently, free-spirited, using public transportation — or his or her own two feet?"
That's the back door philosophy taught by the master!
I believe Alexandria is in Egypt, northern Africa. Anna, you may need to ask this question on some other Helpline since this website is dedicated to European travel.
Rick has produced TV shows about travel to Egypt, so the question is valid:
True, Rick did a show about Egypt. And you can find an article he wrote about Luxor on his web site. Hopefully someone who travels to Egypt can answer the question. But most of us are European travelers, and not those who frequent cruise ships. That's why I suggested Arthur Frommer's site, he loves to cruise.
Anna, try this: go to www.boards.cruisecritic.com. Scroll down, way down to Ports of Call, and click onto Middle East & Africa. You will find a message board for that part of the world and you may get the info you need there. If not, join as a member and post your own question.
Seeing the pyramids at Giza was the thrill of my life. Michael Schneider who often contributes here has said the ones in Mexico are just as wonderful and cheaper to get to. I have seen some of them and they are thrilling too, but not a patch on Giza. Not a patch.
You might also try TripAdvisor. They cover the world. ; ) Pam
Thanks Pamela, Norma, and Steve. The sites suggested are very helpful especially www.boardcruisecritic.com. We have decided to use Ramses Tour to visit the pyramids and Memphis.
If you get the chance the new library in Alexandria is worth a visit. It is a beauty. (It is the only place in the world I have ever been where there is a sign warning of a fine for the use of a cell phone on the premises. A small fine, to be sure, because it is mostly students who use the library. What a concept.)