Academy
Egypt & Turkey Tour - October 31 - November 13, 2010
Contents:
- Egypt Tour Description
- Egypt Tour Feedback
- Egypt Tour FAQ's
- Egypt Tour Itinerary
Egypt Tour Description
Go First Class and have an experience that will last a lifetime!Join seasoned pros Yasmina Ramzy and Ali Hamidzadeh of [Turquoise International] as they lead you through the back alleys of Khan El Khalili Souk in search of costume deals, introduce you to Egypt's biggest dance stars in a small intimate class, let you experience spectacular dance performances with huge orchestras, and let you discover the ancient mysteries along the Nile.Witness some of Egypt's most spectacular and historic sites first hand.
Experience the essence that is Bellydance from the motherland herself.
Discover Modern and Ancient Egypt.
The next tour runs from Oct. 31- Nov.13, 2010.
The tour includes:
- Round trip airfare
- 3 days and three nights in Istanbul, Turkey
- 5-Star Deluxe Accommodations
- Visit the wonders of ancient Istanbul & enjoy the shopping of the one and only Grand Bazaar
- 9 Days & 9 Nights in Egypt
- 5-Star Deluxe Nile Cruise
- Domestic Air: Cairo/Luxor/Aswan/Cairo
- Extensive sightseeing with English-speaking Egyptologist
- The best in shopping resources with Personal Introductions at Egypt's Best Costume Salons and the Haberdashery
- Plenty of time to seek treasures in the Souks of Khan El Khalili and Luxor
- Three elegant dinner shows in Cairo featuring Egypt's top performers
- All Buffet Breakfasts and most dinners and lunches
- All entrance fees, taxes and transfers
$4895 Cdn (double)
$5695 Cdn (single)
* Dance classes with the famous teachers are arranged according to availability and can range from $10 -$100 depending on the instructor - each class is optional and can be decided at the time if you want to attend.
Deposit of $1500 due September 1, 2010 (non-refundable)
Balance due September 15, 2010
**For those whose departure city is not Toronto, special arrangements can be made.
Egypt Tour Feedback
"Better than I dreamed."
Janet Dunkley, Port Perry"It was exhilarating to see real Egyptian dancers and go to the markets and experience the real thing"
Nicola Yap, Toronto"One of my dreams was to visit Egypt and ride a camel in the Arabian Desert with the pyramids in the background. Well, not only did my dream come true but the tour with Yasmina Ramzy and Egypt exceeded my expectations. The hotel in Cairo was outstanding and made my stay in Cairo very comfortable. The tour was well organized and Yasmina made sure that each and every one of us felt safe. We were well taken care of. The food was delicious, the shopping therapeutic. We saw Bellydance shows and visited cultural sites. The communication was good and this is important in large travel tours - I never felt left out of anything. It was a wonderful trip."
Cynthia Truax, TorontoEgypt Tour Itinerary
Day 1:
Depart from your home city airport for overnight non-stop flight to Istanbul – rest on flight and dream of Turkey while enjoying complimentary food and drink.
Day 2:
Arrive in Istanbul before noon; our Turkish representative will meet and assist us at the airport. Take private bus to our hotel for check-in. Spend the rest of the day at the most magnificent shopping adventure in the world – The Grand Bazaar. We will have dinner in the area and then back to the hotel. (Trip to the bazaar is optional depending on how everyone feels after traveling.)
Day 3:
After breakfast we journey to the glorious Topkapi Palace, one of the world's largest and oldest palaces still in existence today. We will lunch in the area and then visit the beautiful Blue Mosque. Dinner and shopping in the local area before returning to the hotel. Prepare for our departure in the morning
Day 4:
After breakfast, back to the Grand Bazaar for some serious shopping. Dinner in the area then back to the hotel to prepare for our departure in the morning.
Day 5:
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and head to the airport. Short flight from Istanbul to Cairo, Egypt. Arrive Cairo Airport, our representative will meet and assist us for an expeditious transfer to our Hotel. After check-in we will visit Khan El Khalili bazaar to start your shopping.
Day 6:
BAfter breakfast, we meet our Tour Guide and start the day in a private air-conditioned coach by visiting one of the Seven Wonders of the World, The Three Pyramids, erected by Cheops, Chephren, and Mykerlonos. When you finish exploring the Great Pyramids our next stop is a visit the Sphinx Monument guarding the royal burial chambers and temple of Cheops. Our last stop will be visiting the ancient churches in Old Coptic Cairo. We start with the Hanging church (Al-Mullaka church) built on the wall of the Greek church of St. Sergio & St. Barbara church. Then we move on to the Jewish synagogue of Ben Ezra. Back to the Hotel.
Day 7:
Breakfast at the Hotel. More sightseeing, we meet our Tour Guide, and start your day in private A/C coach by visiting The Egyptian Museum, housing the largest collection of ancient monuments in the world, including the golden treasures of King Tutankhamen. Then, you will drive to The Citadel of Salah El Din, which is one of the world's greatest monuments to medieval warfare, as well as a highly visible landmark on Cairo's eastern skyline. At the end of your day tour, will go to Khan El Khalili Bazaar. Back to the Hotel and prepare for short flight to Luxor in the morning.
Day 8:
Breakfast at the Hotel then check out from the Hotel. Our Representative will meet you at the Hotel & transfer you in Private A/C Coach to Cairo Airport to fly to Aswan. Upon Arrival to Aswan our Representative will meet you at the arrival Hall & transfer you in Private A/C Coach to your Nile Cruise. Embark on the Cruise; meet for an Orientation and Lunch. Start your tour with the Granite Quarries, The Temple of Philae, which is dedicated to the goddess Isis, & The High Dam. Sail to Komombo. Overnight on board. Enjoy dinner and a possible show.
Day 9:
After Breakfast, you will visit the Temple of Komombo, shared by the Two Gods Sobek & Haroeris. Then we set sail to Edfu, (don’t miss the boat!). Lunch on Board. Enjoy dinner and a possible show. Overnight on board.
Day 10:
After Breakfast, you will visit the Temple of Horus. Sail to Luxor and enjoy viewing life along the Nile with lunch on Board. In the afternoon, visit the East Bank: The Temple of Karnak, the largest religious complex in the world, and the Temple of Luxor with its elegant colonnaded hall. Dinner & overnight on board (Optional Sound & Light show).
Day 11:
After Breakfast we disembark from the Cruise. Start your tour of the West Bank to the Valley of Kings and Queens: Necropolis of Thebes, Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepust, and The Colossi of Memnon. Many tombs and temples and lots of walking exercise. Our Representative will meet you & transfer you in Private A/C Coach to Luxor Airport to fly back to Cairo. On arrival at Cairo, our Representative will meet you & transfer you in Private A/C Coach to your Hotel. Check in at our luxurious Hotel and rest. Enjoy dinner and a show.
Day 12:
Breakfast at the Hotel. The day and evening is free for your own scheduled activities. This is the day to visit the costume designers to shop or order a custom costume. Or, perhaps a return visit to the Khan El Khalili bazaar, we are sure you will want to shop to collect more treasures! Or, schedule to take an optional dance class. Or, visit Mohammad Ali Street to purchase instruments. Enjoy dinner and a show.
Day 13:
After breakfast at the Hotel the day is free for your own scheduled activities, shopping, & dance classes. You may wish to revisit the sights of Cairo within walking distance of our hotel. Back to the Hotel relax and get ready for dinner and show.
Day 14:
Early departure breakfast. Be sure you have purchased more postcards – last chance to write and mail last minute postcards home from Cairo as you await your flight home at the airport. Check out from the Hotel. You will be transferred via private air-conditioned motor coach to Cairo International Airport for your Final Departure from Egypt. After our magical journey together we continue our journey via air from Egypt to Europe then home as you catch up on much needed rest and dream of magical moments in Turkey & Egypt.
Egypt Tour FAQs
Q: Can both men and women participate in the tour?
A: Yes
Q: Can I bring my partner or a friend who isn't a bellydancer?
A: Spouses and friends who are not bellydancers are welcome. Dance class costs are not included in the tour price, since that is the one item they might not be interested in.
Q: Which meals are included?
A: All large buffet breakfasts and most lunches and dinners in Cairo are included. All meals on the the 4-day Nile Cruise are included and 3 Cairo dinner/shows are included. That leaves just a few meals which can be purchased inexpensively.
Q: How much do costumes cost?
A: Costume price range is about $200-$600. Many of the top designers do not take credit cards. You will need cash or travellers cheques in some cases. Hip scarves range from $8-16.
Q: What dance level do I need to be at?
A: It does not matter what level of dance student you are. The workshops will depend upon availability, etc. You only take the ones you are interested in. You will always learn something just being in the room with an Egyptian dancer. Workshops can cost anywhere from $10-$100.
Q: What should I pack?
A: Pack comfortable day wear for hot weather that is not too revealing for an Islamic society. Pack some nice evening wear for the dinner/shows. May need a sweater for evening. Good walking shoes for lots of walking. Accommodation is all 5-star, so it is not necessary to pack a blow dryer, etc.
Bring your vitamins, you will never want to sleep. There is too much to see and do.
Q: What travel documents do I need?
A: Passport must be valid for another 6 months after the travel dates. With a Canadian passport, you can purchase an entry visa upon arrival at the airport with $20 USD cash.
Q: Is there a limit to the number of people on the tour?
A: There is no limit on the numbers going on the trip but for every 15 people, we will bring an extra host.
Q: Do I need vaccination?
A: Check with your doctor long before the trip about what vaccinations to take. Note that the tour goes as far south at Aswan.