Cairo & Jerusalem excursions

[azkitty]

We are booked on the Nautica for Oct. 2010, Athens to Rome. One of the port stops says Cairo but it must be Port Said. I was wondering how long it takes to get to Cairo and do we need to book a tour out of the port to get there? Has anyone done this stop? Are there pyramids, temples, etc. to see along the way or near to Cairo? I have a similar question on Israel as one of the port stops says Jerusalem, but that is a ways inland. How much can you see from there and how far is Jerusalem? I am sure some of my questions may be answered when the ship's excursions are listed, but that may not be for some time. I wish they did list more info. on the port stops ahead of time. We like to book our own tours and I usually begin my search well in advance. I noticed that many people have recommended Ramses Tours but I have had trouble getting to their website.

[orchestrapal]

Jerusalem is 70 kilometers from the Port of Ashdod.

Depending on traffic Israeli drivers can make it in about 45 minutes.

Sorry but I have no clue about Egypt!

[pembrokegail]

De castro tours is a very reliable company-check them out----you are better off staying overnight in Cario-since it is about 3 hours each way. You will spend most of your time in travel. I have the name of a private guide for Israel if you like

email me

pembrokegail@msn.com and i will forward it to you

[Bruin Steve]

We are booked on the Nautica for Oct. 2010, Athens to Rome. One of the port stops says Cairo but it must be Port Said. I was wondering how long it takes to get to Cairo and do we need to book a tour out of the port to get there? Has anyone done this stop? Are there pyramids, temples, etc. to see along the way or near to Cairo? I have a similar question on Israel as one of the port stops says Jerusalem, but that is a ways inland. How much can you see from there and how far is Jerusalem? I am sure some of my questions may be answered when the ship's excursions are listed, but that may not be for some time. I wish they did list more info. on the port stops ahead of time. We like to book our own tours and I usually begin my search well in advance. I noticed that many people have recommended Ramses Tours but I have had trouble getting to their website.

 

Kitty,

Perhaps I can be of a lot of help here...We were just on the June 27 Nautica Sailing that visited Egypt and Israel, among other places.

 

I'm assuming this is that portion of the itinerary for you:

 

Oct 10 Haifa 8:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m.

Oct 11 Ashdod 8:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m.

Oct 12 Cairo (Port Said) 6:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m.

Oct 13 Alexandria 8:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m.

 

Okay, that first day, you dock in Haifa--which is the main port for Northern Israel. The ship offered a few excursions--A full day tour went to the Galilee and Nazareth, another the Galilee, a winery and Sefad, the third Galilee, a Kibbutz and Sefad...then some shorter ones--to Caesaria or to Acre...and some full day ones down to Jerusalem, though it's a long bus ride from Haifa--about 2 hours in each direction and better served from Ashdod. We did a private tour (I'll get to that later).

 

Ashdod is the port for Jerusalem, but it's about an hour away, on the coast south of Tel Aviv. Excursions included a full day tour that appeared to be more Christian-oriented, another that appeared to be more Jewish-oriented and a third that skipped Jerusalem altogether and went down to Masada and the Dead Sea...

 

We chose to avoid trying to see these important sites on a bus with 30-40 people and instead arranged a private tour for six for BOTH days with a local guide. The cost worked out to about $415 US for each couple for the two days total...Rather than the big bus, we had our own driver/guide and a small van with just six of us...and the ability to move quicker, get more sites in and to personalize our itinerary.

 

In Jerusalem, we visited Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum and Memorial--which is absolutely moving and phenomenal. We then did a walking tour of the Old City, visiting David's Tomb, the Western Wall, the Via Dolorosa and Church of the Holy Sepulchre and transversing all four "Quarters", then a visit up to the Mount of Olives and a driving tour of the New City and Mea Shearim...

 

In Northern Israel, we visited Megiddo (Armageddon and the backdrop for Michener's "The Source"), an incredible archaeological site, a historic Kibbutz--Ein Shemer, and the ancient Roman Port city built by Herod--Caesaria, then a driving tour through Haifa and a stop at the top of the mountain for the incredible view.

 

I would really recommend putting a group together on your Roll Call and doing this. The guide we used was Joel Berman (jtours dot com)...

 

For the two Egypt ports, you probably have some more options than we had. Because of our arrival time in the first port (Alexandria for us) at Noon, no tours were offered to Cairo or Giza, so our shorex offerings were limited to Alexandria tours or a visit to the WWII Battlefield and cemetaries at El Alamein. We did an "Roman Influence on Alexandria" tour--seemingly the best local option. But, with getting in at 8:00 am, my guess is they may offer excursions in to Cairo or Giza...or even overnight options...

 

On our cruise, some people did the overnight on their own through private providers. We, of course, opted to stay on the ship. It is around a 3 hour drive each way to Cairo/Giza from EITHER Alexandria or Port Said. Cairo and Giza, Giza being the Pyramid/Sphinx site, are really parts of the same big city--on different sides of the river...Viewing the Pyramids from one direction, it looks like they are way out in the desert somewhere...but they are really right on the edge of the big city.

 

For us, in Port Said, Oceania offered excursions to Cairo and the Museum or to Memphis, Sakara, Memphis and the Pyramids...Basically, both took you to the Pyramids, but one went to the Cairo Museum, the other to some other archaeological sites like the Step Pyramid at Sakkara...But a third choice made more sense to us--Oceania offered a private van for six at a cost of $689 for the entire van--with your own driver and guide for the day. The big bus shorexes were offered at $179 pp, the van option came out to $115 pp plus costs...But the cost of all the entrance fees and our wonderful lunch totaled LESS than $50pp...So, our tour was cheaper, more individual and we could direct the timing...Plus, being booked through Oceania, it had all the advantages of being a cruise line backed tour...

 

BTW, in Egypt, you get an armed escort on your tours. In Alexandria, they actually accompanied us all over the city. In Port Said, we had the escort riding alongside our van both to and from Cairo/Giza.

 

From Port Said, BTW, we had our van take us to Sakkara, Memphis and the Pyramids and Sphinx...I would definitely recommend those sites, though people doing the Museum option loved that as well. With two FULL days...and possibly the overnight...you have the opportunity to see both.

 

I definitely recommend booking a tour of some sort in each of these ports...So much to see in so little time...and much of it far from the ship...In Egypt, add in the safety factor.

 

Good luck.

[threeedogmedia]

Thanks for the information on tours we might be able to take in Israel.

 

On our Hong Kong to Athens tour a couple of years ago, we chose to do the van tour from the ship to Cairo. I don't know how you did it but the three hour drive without a bathroom just about did all of us in. We loved the freedom of doing our own tours and the cost was extremely fair but the bus has a bathroom and since we're all in the same caravan from the ship, they had a more comfortable experience than we did. We all came back in the same caravan so the experience on the return trip was the same. I would think twice about doing this particular port again via van. We booked DaNang, Petra and another port via the ship offered vans and had a terrific time. It was just the bathroom part of the long trip to Cairo that was difficult.

Karen

[Bruin Steve]

On our Hong Kong to Athens tour a couple of years ago, we chose to do the van tour from the ship to Cairo. I don't know how you did it but the three hour drive without a bathroom just about did all of us in. We loved the freedom of doing our own tours and the cost was extremely fair but the bus has a bathroom and since we're all in the same caravan from the ship, they had a more comfortable experience than we did. We all came back in the same caravan so the experience on the return trip was the same. I would think twice about doing this particular port again via van. We booked DaNang, Petra and another port via the ship offered vans and had a terrific time. It was just the bathroom part of the long trip to Cairo that was difficult.

Karen

 

On the way to Cairo from Port Said, our driver actually stopped at a gas station/convenience store for a bathroom/snacks...It was actually a nice, modern place with clean restrooms, like any similar stop you'd make in the US...

[Jancruz]

Stu and I when we were in Ashdod and Haifa..had a private guide for the two days and stayed overnight in Jerusalem and then went back to the ship the next day..didnt want to waste all of that time driving and it was a great decision..

Jancruz1

[azkitty]

Thanks so much for all the info. and suggestions, especially Bruin Steve. This gives me a good start and background. We still have lots of time for research, but this is a good starting point. The part about the mileage and rest room stops is something I will take into account. If anyone else and has anything further to add from past experience, I would appreciate it.

 

If we stay over night in Cairo, how long a drive is it to Alexandria to meet the ship the following day? It sounds like there isn't much to see near Alexandria, am I right?

[Bruin Steve]

Stu and I when we were in Ashdod and Haifa..had a private guide for the two days and stayed overnight in Jerusalem and then went back to the ship the next day..didnt want to waste all of that time driving and it was a great decision..

Jancruz1

 

Jan,

I would disagree as to the value or reasons for staying off the ship overnight in Jerusalem.

You are NOT saving driving time UNLESS you were spending both days in Jerusalem or in the South...even then, it is questionable.

 

Jerusalem is only less than an hour from Ashdod. The sites we visited in the North are all fairly close to Haifa. Even if one wanted to spend the day in Tiberias, Sefad, Beit She'an or

the Golan, those sites are a pretty distant drive from Jerusalem (two plus hours). You are much better off returning to the ship in Ashdod and letting the ship take you North to Haifa and skipping that 2+ hour drive north.

 

The only reasons one should want to spend the night off the ship in Jerusalem would be 1) to spend two days there (either two days in Jerusalem or, perhaps, a day in Jerusalem and a day at Masada and the Dead Sea), but then you have that long drive north to catch up with the ship in Haifa (or, if the reverse direction, you start with the long drive) or 2) if you wanted to experience "nightlife", as it were, in Jerusalem (probably better in Tel Aviv)...

 

IMHO, the sites in the north are well worth visiting...and you SAVE time driving by letting the ship carry you...Plus you save the expense of a hotel in Jerusalem.

[Bruin Steve]

If we stay over night in Cairo, how long a drive is it to Alexandria to meet the ship the following day? It sounds like there isn't much to see near Alexandria, am I right?

 

The drive from Alexandria is also about 3 hours to Cairo (picture an inverted triangle with Alexandria on the upper left, Port Said on the upper right and Cairo at the bottom).

 

There are some sites to visit in Alexandria, but it was clearly not our favorite port on the cruise...Worthy sites there were Pompei's Pillar, a Roman column with several sphinxes, sarcophagi and other ruins in a large site, the Catacombs and the Roman Theater, another large site with a number of ruins and relics...

 

They also do tours to the Library--but this is NOT the ancient library of 2,000 years ago...that one burned down a while ago and the current incarnationis actually a modern facility.

 

The reasons to do an overnight in Cairo is that there is much more to see there...and, there is a "light show" at the pyramids at night which is quite popular. There are a couple of recommended hotels right near the pyramids...and, for this one, you ARE saving six hours in a van or bus if you do the overnight (assuming you would have driven to Cairo twice). We stayed in Alexandria the first day mostly because our ship only first got in there at Noon, so by the time we would have arrived in Cairo, it would have been late in the day and, after checking in to a hotel, the museum would have been closed. The overnight set-up works much better getting in to either port at 8:00 am--you can be touring the museum by early afternoon and do the archaeological sites the next day...

[Jancruz]

Jan,

I would disagree as to the value or reasons for staying off the ship overnight in Jerusalem.

You are NOT saving driving time UNLESS you were spending both days in Jerusalem or in the South...even then, it is questionable.

 

Jerusalem is only less than an hour from Ashdod. The sites we visited in the North are all fairly close to Haifa. Even if one wanted to spend the day in Tiberias, Sefad, Beit She'an or

the Golan, those sites are a pretty distant drive from Jerusalem (two plus hours). You are much better off returning to the ship in Ashdod and letting the ship take you North to Haifa and skipping that 2+ hour drive north.

 

The only reasons one should want to spend the night off the ship in Jerusalem would be 1) to spend two days there (either two days in Jerusalem or, perhaps, a day in Jerusalem and a day at Masada and the Dead Sea), but then you have that long drive north to catch up with the ship in Haifa (or, if the reverse direction, you start with the long drive) or 2) if you wanted to experience "nightlife", as it were, in Jerusalem (probably better in Tel Aviv)...

 

IMHO, the sites in the north are well worth visiting...and you SAVE time driving by letting the ship carry you...Plus you save the expense of a hotel in Jerusalem.

 

Hi Steve,

We spent 2 full days in Jerusalem and had dinner at a lovely restaurant..It was a very wonderful experience more like being on a land trip..we stayed in a wonderful B and B and had a typical Isreali breakfast (an unreal buffet) True we had a long drive back to the ship BUT we stopped and saw a kibbutz and had a lovely lunch..it wasnt a waste to us..BTW we live very close to each other..do you ever come out to Oxnard??

Jancruz1

[Bruin Steve]

Hi Steve,

We spent 2 full days in Jerusalem and had dinner at a lovely restaurant..It was a very wonderful experience more like being on a land trip..we stayed in a wonderful B and B and had a typical Isreali breakfast (an unreal buffet) True we had a long drive back to the ship BUT we stopped and saw a kibbutz and had a lovely lunch..it wasnt a waste to us..BTW we live very close to each other..do you ever come out to Oxnard??

Jancruz1

 

Yeah, Jan, as I noted, the advantage to you would have been the two-day Jerusalem visit...For us, we'd been to Israel before...and though there is a lot to see and experience in Jerusalem, I just feel that there is so much worth visiting in the north, I didn't want to spend both full days in Jerusalem, expecially the weather being hot as it was during our visit.

I love archaeology and ancient history, so Megiddo and Caesaria really were "must sees". I really wish we had more time to fit in Beit She'an as well--I understand it is an absolutely incredible archaeological site. One of the highlights of the trip for me was walking down into the hill the 183 steps to the tunnel to the water source in Megiddo, especially having read Michener's "The Source" when I was younger.

 

We find ourselves over in Oxnard from time to time...but we used to visit a lot more often when my in-laws were still around...They lived in Camarillo and loved the brunch over at the Lobster Trap--so we were there for most family occasions.

[Jancruz]

Yeah, Jan, as I noted, the advantage to you would have been the two-day Jerusalem visit...For us, we'd been to Israel before...and though there is a lot to see and experience in Jerusalem, I just feel that there is so much worth visiting in the north, I didn't want to spend both full days in Jerusalem, expecially the weather being hot as it was during our visit.

I love archaeology and ancient history, so Megiddo and Caesaria really were "must sees". I really wish we had more time to fit in Beit She'an as well--I understand it is an absolutely incredible archaeological site. One of the highlights of the trip for me was walking down into the hill the 183 steps to the tunnel to the water source in Megiddo, especially having read Michener's "The Source" when I was younger.

 

We find ourselves over in Oxnard from time to time...but we used to visit a lot more often when my in-laws were still around...They lived in Camarillo and loved the brunch over at the Lobster Trap--so we were there for most family occasions.

 

We had never been in Israel before so for us it was the perfect visit..next time you find yourself out here in Oxnard, give me a buzz and we can go to the Lobster Trap!!

Jancruz1

[Jancruz]

Yeah, Jan, as I noted, the advantage to you would have been the two-day Jerusalem visit...For us, we'd been to Israel before...and though there is a lot to see and experience in Jerusalem, I just feel that there is so much worth visiting in the north, I didn't want to spend both full days in Jerusalem, expecially the weather being hot as it was during our visit.

I love archaeology and ancient history, so Megiddo and Caesaria really were "must sees". I really wish we had more time to fit in Beit She'an as well--I understand it is an absolutely incredible archaeological site. One of the highlights of the trip for me was walking down into the hill the 183 steps to the tunnel to the water source in Megiddo, especially having read Michener's "The Source" when I was younger.

 

We find ourselves over in Oxnard from time to time...but we used to visit a lot more often when my in-laws were still around...They lived in Camarillo and loved the brunch over at the Lobster Trap--so we were there for most family occasions.

 

We had never been in Israel before so for us it was the perfect visit..next time you find yourself out here in Oxnard give me a buzz and we can go to the Lobster Trap!!

Jancruz1

[CintiPam]

I love archaeology and ancient history, so Megiddo and Caesaria really were "must sees". I really wish we had more time to fit in Beit She'an as well--I understand it is an absolutely incredible archaeological site. One of the highlights of the trip for me was walking down into the hill the 183 steps to the tunnel to the water source in Megiddo, especially having read Michener's "The Source" when I was younger.

 

Beit Shean indeed is incredible, and definitely worth a visit on your next trip to Israel. I still remember our guide trying to explain the meaning of a "tel" to one of our travel companions on our visit there. Our friend had trouble with the concept and for about a year after our visit, everytime fellow travelers ran into him, they would ask him to talk about the "tel". :)

[Orange County Murphy]

CintiPam, do tell what a "tel" is! I don't want to be ignorant when I'm in Israel in November (Silversea this time, not Oceania).

 

Thanks.

[CintiPam]

CintiPam, do tell what a "tel" is! I don't want to be ignorant when I'm in Israel in November (Silversea this time, not Oceania).

 

Thanks.

 

Layers of cities on top of each other making hills or mounds over time great for excavations of the myriad civilizations inhabiting the same areas. Hopefully StanandJim will post some photos! :)

 

"The Source" by James Michener is the fictionalized story of Tel Megiddo, and would make for some excellent (although lengthy) background reading.

[Orange County Murphy]

Thank you, CintiPam. I have reserved The Source at my library.

[Bruin Steve]

Murphy,

A little more on Megiddo for you:

 

Megiddo was, quite literally, the crossroads of the ancient world...The valley below Megiddo is where the main road heading from Phoenicia in the North down to Egypt to the South intersected with the road from Mesopotamia to the East heading West to the Mediterranean...

 

For millennia, the armies of warring empires passed through, each, in turn, conquering the town and destroying the city...then, in time of peace, moving in and rebuilding atop the ruin of the prior civilization...always valuable for the strategic location...

 

Archaeologists found 26 distinct civilizations built one on top of another...

 

Now, aside from being referred to as "Tel Megiddo", "Tel" meaning an archaeological hill, it is also referred to as "Har Megiddo"..."Har" being the Hebrew word for "mountain"...

 

Becaus it has been the site of so many major battles through history, the authors of the New Testament chose it as their supposed site of the "Final Battle"...corrupting the name "Har Megiddo" to "Armageddon"...

[Orange County Murphy]

BruinSteve,

 

Thank you for the history lesson. I majored in European history and taught social studies. I'm really looking forward to seeing Israel and Egypt for the first time.

[Captain Canuck]

we did the holy land in May...search nileblue which is the tour company we used in egypt and you will find our board plus others with reviews..can recommend overnight in Cairo...we did 2 day trips in Israel...worked really well...our guide was great..knew lots and got us around traffic...we got to split our group up as one couple wanted to see Yad Vashem and the rest of us went to Bethleham...no problems in doing this...have a great time

[Colorado Kids]

We lived in Egypt for three years (one in Alex, 2 in Cairo.) Alexandria is no longer the "Pearl of the Mediterranean." I would opt for an overnight in Cairo, possibly at Mena House, in the shadow of the the Giza pyramids. Take in Giza and Sakara. The Museum is basically a warehouse of Egyptian artifacts. When you arrive at the museum, race up the stairs to the right, then head to the back for the King Tut exhibit. You need to beat the crowds to get close. After taking in Tut, you can visit the rest of the museum at leisure.

 

The road from Giza to downtown has very heavy traffic, so giving a driving time is impossible. From Giza to Alex is about 2 1/2 hours. You can also take the train from Cairo to Alex, it is fast, clean, and air conditioned. Most businessmen go that way, and it gives a different perspective. Taxis are plentiful in Alex to take you back to the ship. Try not to drive at night, headlights are not obligatory and traffic laws are only a suggestion.

 

In our three years there, we never got sick, just take the usual precautions about purified water, fresh vegetables, and cooked meat. The Egyptian wine is not recommended, except as a gift to an enemy.

[Mimi21]

From someone who has seen Israel more than once..I could go every year, and there is always something new to discover! Definitely see as much as you can..but doing some reading before you go is an excellent idea. the Source for history is great.Masada is an incredible site, but the story of the battle is amazing..and do the climb at Sunrise if you are able ..it's an experiance you will remember forever. Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial, is an emotional yet necessary reality check for every human being, the wall in Jerusalem, the shuk(marketplace, )..and the North, mystical Safat, Ein Gedi, the nitelife of Tel Aviv..there's so much, so plan everyminute of two days.

Egypt, we had a bad tour company for our first day(I think it was Blue Nile)..but basically, I was saddened by the state of the country, the poverty, the condition of the cities..it was depressing to me. We were stuck in a tremendous traffic jam at one point, it was just a difficult day for me. Alexandria was a bit better. Our guide was excellent, and I felt much more informed at the end of the day.