Escape to the Sun
North Africa Gems : Egypt and Morocco
A 17 Day tour of North Africa with a stop in Madrid Spain
Start weekly in Cairo year round

Explore the two gems of North Africa--Morocco and Egypt & Stop in Madrid , on this 14-day tour to Madrid , Casablanca, Marrakech, Cairo and Luxor. In Egypt you will have a one week tour locally escorted that shows you the top sights in Cairo, with four days (three nights) cruising on the Nile, including domestic air fare in Egypt.

DAY 1 - Cairo - Wednesday
Weekly in Cairo year round
Arrival at Cairo Airport, Visa fee is included & issued upon arrival for citizens of : EU , US, Australia, NZ, Canada, & Japan, you're responsible for your passport being in order and valid .
Transfer is included to your hotel.

Visa will be issued upon arrival.
As you exit the gate, you will pass through a door or two , down some stairs , then walk for 2-5 minutes , until you pass the duty free shops, at the end of a wide corridor , you will see the security officers. There you will be met by a local representative, who will be holding a sign with the name you prefer to use for the sign .

Our local representative will then take your passport to obtain a stamp from the cashier / bank window and escort you to speak with the passport officer. He will escort you through another last check on your passport as you exit the passport control, into customs area, he will assist you in collecting your luggage and clearing customs . After exiting the terminal, our local representative will escort you (private vehicle) to the hotel

DAY 2 - CAIRO - Thursday (BL. Home Hosted Dinner )
Today we get to know the great Egyptian capital on a full-day tour. We start at the Egyptian Museum, including the Mummy room & Tutankhamoun Treasures, then go on to visit the majestic pyramids of Giza and the timeless Sphinx, and conclude with the 12th century district of Khan El Khalili.

In the evening we'll treat you to a home hosted dinner with an authentic Egyptian family.

Dinner is included at a local home , few visitors do enjoy such opportunity & experience, come and meet the locals, you may wish to bring token gifts to exchange with the host family ( T shirt , small souvenirs of your home town):
This evening we'll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread . . . right into the homes of some of the people of Cairo l! You'll be invited to a family dinner, and while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties, you'll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way of life of your hosts. Be assured, as curious as you may be about your new friends, they're sure to have questions about your own background. Once the ice is broken, you'll enjoy a lively evening, and find that you have more in common than you ever suspected. Of course, you may enjoy a quiet evening t with your travel companions, by letting us know your preferences. 

DAY 3 - Aswan (or LUXOR) / Edfu - Friday (BLD)
An early flight takes us to Aswan , ( Cruise embarkation may also be from Luxor). A brief stop at the cruise to freshen up, then it is on to a complimentary short camel ride to a nearby Nubian Village for tea with the locals.

Back to the cruise , settle on board your Nile cruises, then visit the Aswan High Dam, the red granite quarries of the ancient pharaohs , and the temples of Philae, reconstructed on an island in the middle of the Nile , , rescued from rising waters , dedicated to the Ancient Goddess ISIS :

The Mystery of Isis

Two millennia ago the Mediterranean world was enthralled by the mystery of Isis:

"I, Isis, am all that has been, that is or shall be; no mortal man hath ever seen me unveiled."

Called Aset by the ancient Egyptians, the goddess was a Madonna in the Mediterranean tradition that stretches far, far back to the primitive Mother Goddess from Anatolia, home to some of the oldest human communities on earth.

Isis was the powerful and quick-witted protector of her son Horus, the Sun God. Ancient peoples throughout the Mediterranean regarded Isis and Horus as the perfect Madonna and Child. Another legend says she was
also the mother of the fertility god Min who, judging from the depiction of him on temple walls, needed no help from Viagra!

Because of her wisdom and skill at protection, she was admired as a good magician capable of healing the sick and protecting the dead in their journey to the Underworld.

Isis is portrayed regally, as a queen seated on a throne (which may be the meaning of her name), often holding her son Horus as a baby. Other images show her with broad, magnificent gilded wings able to protect
the world.

Isis, the great Mother Goddess. Come explore her mystery in timeless Egypt when you Travel in Style!

After a shipboard lunch, we set sail for Kom Ombo, where we explore the twin Temples of Haroeris and Sobek. We continue our cruise to Edfu, where we dock for the night.
Welcome complimentary fruit basket.

DAY 4 - EDFU & Luxor - Saturday (BLD)
We board horse-drawn carriages (or motor vans) for the ride to Edfu's Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved Ancient Egyptian temples on the Nile. After lunch , we continue our cruise down the Nile to Luxor. Afternoon tea is served on the sun -deck. Dinner & entertainment on board. Complimentary Galabya, maybe to wear it for tonight's costume party .

Galabya Costume Party on board the Cruise

DAY 5 - Luxor - Sunday (BLD)
Today we tour the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut's Temple of El Deir El Bahari , and the Colossi of Memnon. After lunch,we tour the Great Temple of Amon at Karnak , the "mother" of all temples, and the smaller yet charming Temple of Luxor, Afternoon tea is served on deck. Dinner & folk dance show on board. Complimentary Egyptian sweets/pastry tonight.

DAY 6 -Disembarkation / CAIRO - Monday (B)
Check-out after breakfast. We return by plane to Cairo and our hotel. Experience Cairo as you like. Now's a good time to do your souvenir and gift shopping in the city's fabled bazaars.

DAY 7- DEPARTURE Cairo / Madrid - Tuesday (B )
After breakfast, our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight to Madrid, air fare is included in our rate , in economy class , tax included . Arrival at Madrid Barajas Airport. Our local rep will escort you to your hotel.

DAY 8 - Madrid - Wednesday (B )
After breakfast, the city is yours, explore on your own, or just take a break and enjoy your hotel and relax.

Day 9 - Tour Madrid - Thursday (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Then morning half day tour of Madrid:
Get set for views of Madrid from a variety of perspectives. Our itinerary will take you from the Bourbon to the Austrian, Isabeline and modern quarters of the capital, reflecting the history and influences that have shaped the nation.

Our neighborhood meanderings conclude in the Moorish Quarter (Barrio de la Morería), replete with fine town houses (Mesones) and tradition. But that's just the start.

We'll view the signature squares of Madrid, Oriente, España, Puerta del Sol, Cibeles, Neptuno, Puerta de Alcalá, and Atocha, each with its own character, ranging from elegant to workaday to frenzied. We'll travel along the famed thoroughfares, including the Gran Vía. And of course, we'll see Retiro Park, and the classic Bullring of the glory days of bullfighting, and a soccer stadium and modern quarters that rival any in Europe.

The tour will conclude at the terminal, at Oriente Square. You may wish to continue exploring on your own or return with us to your hotel

The tour uses deluxe motor coaches and certified tour guides, who provide full interpretation of our city, its history, monuments, characteristics, and of our own peculiarities and customs. It's a discovery! The afternoon is at leisure

Day 10 . MADRID - TANGIER- Friday (B)
Breakfast is always included at your hotel. Transfer is included from your hotel to the airport. Departure by regular flight to Tangier. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Day 11 . TANGIER - RABAT - Saturday
Breakfast. Panoramic sightseeing. Departure to Rabat. Visit. Dinner and overnight.

Day 12 . RABAT - CASABLANCA - MARRAKECH - Sunday
Breakfast. Departure to Casablanca. Panoramic sightseeing.(Lunch not included.) Continue to Marrakech. Dinner and overnight.

The Kingdom of Morocco has a tradition of sumptuous royal hospitality spanning the centuries. Is golf your passion? Test your skill on the green links of Africa on our special tour to the courses of Rabat, El Jadida and fabled Marrakech.

Day 13 . MARRAKECH - Monday
Breakfast, lunch and overnight. Morning, city sightseeing. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 14 . MARRAKECH - MEKNES - FEZ - Tuesday
Breakfast and departure to Meknes. (Lunch not included.) Visit. Departure to Fez. Dinner and overnight.

Day 15 . FEZ - Wednesday
Breakfast, lunch and overnight. Morning, city sightseeing. Afternoon free.

Day 16 . FEZ - TANGIER- Thursday
Breakfast. Departure to Tangier. Dinner and overnight. Afternoon free.

Day 17 . TANGIER - MADRID - Friday
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. Departure by regular flight to Madrid. End of our services, or ask us for help with a hotel in Madrid ?

Inclusions :

• Domestic airfare within Egypt, tickets issued & delivered in Cairo. ( Economy class )
  
  
• All transfers within Egypt. (Private basis)
  
• Bottled water ( one large bottled per person) delivered to your cabin daily while you are on board.
  
• Tea or coffee and small bottled water with each & every meal while you are on board the Nile Cruise.
  
• Complimentary welcome drink upon arrival on board the Nile Cruise.
  
• Complimentary welcome fruit basket in your cabin upon arrival on board the Nile Cruise.
  
• Pre set menu meals including B = Breakfast, (or cB, Continental Breakfast) L = Lunch, D = Dinner.
  
  
• Complimentarily visa, included & issued upon arrival for American,Australian, NZ, EU , Canadian, Korean , Singaporean & Japanese citizens, passport must be valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of arrival.
  
• Hotel accommodation ,including tax & service charges.
  
  

• Nile cruise including all meals & shore excursions.

• Air ticket Madrid-Tangier-Madrid in economy class .
  
• Air ticket : Cairo Madrid, one way in economy class, tax included.
  
• Guided sightseeing as per itinerary including all entrance fees
  
• English speaking Escort during the land portion of the trip.
  
• Air conditioned deluxe motor coach.
  
• Daily breakfast, and other pre-set menu as listed : L / D = Pre set-menu Lunch / Dinner
  
  
• Porters.
  
  
• Madrid Airport Tax.( Already included in our rate ) .... 21 Euros

Not included:

• International air transport from / to your home country (please consult us about    our special   fares).

• Expenses of a personal nature, such as tips.

• Beverages.

• Meals other than those specifically mentioned.

• Travel Insurance ( we'll be glad to mail you the flyer)

The kingdom of Morocco has a tradition of sumptuous royal hospitality spanning the centuries.

We take you to the kingdom's most famous cities, and provide a full array of activities and excursions.

Renew your vows in Morocco.
WE can arrange for your Wedding ceremony in Morocco.

Join us for a week in the Sahara, or just one night Luxury camping as part of your one week stay in Morocco.

It's a getaway to someplace that's different, with lots to see and do, good beaches and shopping, and excellent cuisine.

Someplace exotic and adventurous perhaps, with a bit of romance, but not too far away. Someplace you'll be pampered.

European travelers have already discovered Morocco, and favor it for these very reasons. And though it is exotic, flying time from New York to Casablanca is shorter than to London, or Paris, or even to many Caribbean islands.
If you enjoy exotic surroundings, familiar luxury, sumptuous dining, seaside excursions, swimming, golf, relaxing in a Jacuzzi, sauna or Turkish bath, then come with us, and experience the Royal Pleasures of Morocco