Destination Report: Egypt

This autumn, my childhood dream of visiting Egypt finally came true: I spent a week in this "cradle of civilisation" over the All Saint’s break, combining the coastal charm of the Red Sea with the almost indescribable awe of witnessing ancient wonders with my own eyes.

It was my first time booking an all-inclusive holiday, flying directly with Luxair (Tours) from Luxembourg to Hurghada (about a five-hour flight). While the food and facilities at the “four-star” hotel left room for improvement, the on-site aqua park kept my travelling companions entertained. For me, however, the real excitement lay beyond the hotel grounds: two excursions we had planned with a private transfer company to Cairo / Giza and Luxor.

Our first adventure began at 01:00 on Saturday 1 November 2025, when our driver picked us up from our hotel in Abu Soma, south of Hurghada. We had a six-hour drive to Cairo / Giza ahead of us. While some slept, I stayed up to watch the sunrise over the sandy landscape outside my window. It was all very exciting - even if the waiting times at police controls were occasionally long and frustrating. Our driver informed us that such delays were common and generally attributed to “safety” reasons.

The long overnight car journey was absolutely worth it. Standing before the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, I truly felt the weight of history. It is quite a surreal, dream-like feeling, witnessing these ancient wonders firsthand, after seeing them so often in books and on television. Some friends who had previously visited the pyramids told me the reality had not lived up to their expectations, but this was not the case for me. While I might not be brave enough to go back inside the rather claustrophobic and unbearably warm Great Pyramid any time soon, it is an experience I can proudly check off my bucket list.

We could see the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in the distance from the pyramid complex but were unable to visit on 1 November, as it was closed to the public for its official opening - reserved for VIPs such as Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden and Grand Duke Henri. Instead, we visited the Saqqara Necropolis, about 40 km southwest of Cairo. Due to road closures for the GEM opening, our guide hurried us slightly through Giza, although the upside was that there were fewer tourists than usual. In contrast, the Saqqara visit felt more relaxed and authentic; the Step Pyramid of Djoser actually predates the more touristic Pyramids of Giza by several centuries. It was an impressive site (and sight), and we had the opportunity to go inside one of the tombs, where the temperature was far more pleasant than in the Great Pyramid.

Two days later, we set off for Luxor - “only” a three-hour drive from our hotel, so we had a slightly later start at 04:45. After a quick stop for an authentic Egyptian falafel breakfast, our passionate guide accompanied us to the Valley of the Kings, where we visited three tombs - including that of Tutankhamun, whose mummy remains on display. We may not have seen his mask at the GEM, but at least we saw him - another surreal and unforgettable experience.

This was followed by a brief but memorable visit to the Temple of Hatshepsut (the female “king” / pharaoh of Egypt) and a photo opportunity in front of the colossal Colossi of Memnon at the edge of Luxor. We then enjoyed lunch on a boat on the River Nile, where we welcomed the shade and gentle breeze after a morning in the unrelenting sun.

The highlight of the day was an awe-inspiring afternoon at the Karnak Temple Complex, where we learned about ambitious efforts to restore the impressive sandstone columns. I could have spent far longer wandering around this ancient wonder - had it not been quite so hot and had we not been on a schedule. Indeed, had we had more time, we could have even embarked on one of the popular Nile cruises from Luxor to Aswan or travelled further south to Abu Simbel, but those treasures will have to wait for another trip.

Between excursions, there were relaxing days spent by the pool or swimming in the pleasantly warm, clear waters of the Red Sea - ideal for snorkelling and diving. We also enjoyed the hotel spa and a short but adventurous quad tour.

The weather consistently exceeded 30 °C every day - a stark contrast to the rain and snow awaiting us back in Luxembourg. Fortunately, we came prepared with hats, sunglasses and factor 50+ suncream, and I found the conditions pleasant for the most part; our trip was during peak tourist season, when temperatures are generally milder.

Regarding food, our hotel offered mainly “international” buffet options, though without much variation from one day to another. Still, we enjoyed sampling Egyptian falafel on the way to Luxor and other traditional dishes in Cairo and on the Nile boat.

Since tipping is customary in Egypt, it is a good idea to bring some local currency (Egyptian pound), although euros, dollars and credit cards are generally accepted as well. I also highly recommend hiring a guide for a more insightful and comfortable experience at tourist sites. And, of course, dressing appropriately for the weather, respecting local customs and keeping an open mind will make your trip to Egypt (or pretty much anywhere) all the more rewarding.

All in all, I had a fantastic and memorable trip to Egypt, a place that exceeded my expectations and still has so much more to discover. My childhood obsession with Ancient Egypt and lifelong dream of witnessing these wonders firsthand became a week of unforgettable memories. I hope to return one day - perhaps to explore Alexandria in the north or Aswan and Abu Simbel in the south, or to finally visit the GEM in Cairo. Until then, I can relive this Egyptian experience through numerous photographs and memories.