Exploring Egypt and Jordan like a local is one of the best ways you can explore everything these amazing destinations have to offer.
"I'm not on a group tour. I'm with Cath." is something that I often hear my guests say to people when we're on tour. You see, I specialise in small group tours that are designed to get my clients as close to a real life experience as possible. Egypt and Jordan are my number one specialities and I have a massive local network of both friends and professionals that make my tours stand out from the crowd. Having lived in Cairo for two years, I have the ability to flex your tour around your needs and be able to come up with innovative and unusual requests - sometimes at a moment's notice!
My first visit to Egypt was in 1989 and I've been going back ever since. I ran my first Egyptian tour in 1991 and added Jordan to the schedule in 2004. I've been a travel agent since 1989. Following the Pandemic, it's become abundantly clear why you should book with an agent. It not only gives you peace of mind, but guarantees the most amazing tours and unexpected delights.
Make time to do things properly by using an Egypt Expert
When you research and book everything yourself, you have more flexibility, but it also means it takes up to four times longer. PLUS, you lack a safety net. If something goes wrong, you're on your own. If you book through an experienced travel agent like me, I'll sort everything out for you. Your holiday is my job. It's up to me you get the best possible experience. In order to make good memories rather than cautionary tales, give someone else the hassle.
The Sphinx with the Great Pyramids
According to family folklore, my first word, even before Mummy, Daddy, and all the other obvious ones, was Sphinx. I've been obsessed ever since.
Egypt and Jordan should be on everyone's Bucket List
There's simply nothing else like it in the world for feeling immersed in Ancient History. The architecture itself makes you realise just how formidable these supposedly 'Ancient' civilisations were and how far ahead of their time. They encompass art, strength of belief and contain the only living proof of the people that once accupied these Middle Eastern Lands. The Pyramids and the Valley of the Kings await you, joined by the most spectacular (and much needed) new museum which was completed during the pandemic.
Egypt itself is the supreme 'Melting pot'. Sitting at the junction of Africa, the Middle East and Europe, it has a myriad of influences, both Ancient and Modern. The food is something that has to be tasted to be believed and the level of genuine hospitality often borders on embarrassing (but always entirely genuine).
My unique contacts lead to unique experiences. In the past, we've been lucky enough to gatecrash weddings (with the most gracious and welcoming hosts) and receive invites to visit local date farms. A drive through hectic traffic is far more relaxing and enjoyable than it sounds when you've got a friend at the wheel.
We've ridden camels through lesser known back streets on the way to the Pyramids of Giza, and been invited to family homes to sample home roasted pigeon and fish.
The Lamp Market in Cairo, Egypt
Indiana Jones and the Rise of Petra, Jordan
Anyone that has a travelling bone in their body (or a crush on Harrison Ford) will remember the scene. Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade. When the gorge goat trail they are following opens out into the spectacular clearing in front of The Treasury of Petra it is simply breathtaking. The Jordanian Tourist Board could hardly have asked for better publicity. Overnight, Petra became the hottest tourist spot for the trailblazers (normally backpackers). These days it's considerably better put together and has amzing photo opportunities. The Treasury is just one of a number of amazingly preserved buildings in the Petra gorge complex.
The Treasury in Petra, Jordan
If you have time, make room for a trip to Wadi Rum
Of course, it's not just the man-made wonders that draws people to the region. It's the landscapes. Everything is on a huge scale, with desert vistas stretching as far as the eye can see. Wadi Rum is the Middle Eastern equivalent of the Grand Canyon. It's a dried up river bed that sees extremely rare flash flooding when this arid region actually gets rain. The rest of the time, it's a fantastic place to wander through creek beds and take photos of fantastic rock formations. I love to try to work out how the water-carved steep-sided stones came to survive when so much was washed away.
Wild Landscapes in Wadi Rum, Jordan
