planning a special trip to Cairo but where to go?

[Candi]

I've been to cairo lots of times and always done the things I love-shopping and seeing as many dancers as possible and usual Cairo sight seeing-Citadel, mosques,Pyramids,museum. I'm planning a really special trip in 2010 to celebrate a big birthday and my last trip before my dance retirement in 2011. I thought if my last trip was a year before I finish I can justify buying a couple more costumes!!
But what I would like is some suggestions of places to visit-sightseeing I haven't done or places to eat that are nice or clubs to visit, dancers that are worth seeing but not the famous few-that sort of thing.I'll then check some of these places out when I go next either November or February. if anyone has any suggestions as to costumiers that are different as well. (Been to Pharonics,Emans,Mme Hekmet,Hanan, Aida Nour and planning to go to Oriental Moon).
Also does anyone know of anywhere I should visit in the Khan el Khalili besides Mahmouds and Yassers and El Fishawy and oh forgotten the name of it now a restaurant called Ma or Na something named after a writer-sorry a bit vague that
Basically I just want to try something a bit different. So favourite places everyone??
Thanks a lot

[NajuaClaire]

So my favorite restaurant in Cairo by far is called Abu El Sid (pronounced seed) in Zamalek. There are no dancers there, but it's such amazing authentic Egyptian cuisine like you just can't get anywhere else. Even without the dance, I can't imagine a trip to Cairo without getting a meal there. Have fun on your trip!

[bintbeled]

Candi, I think you're thinking of the Naguib Mahfouz cafe?

I would recommend the Ding Dong Bazaar, near the museum, and Christo's Restauarnt near the Mena House. The rooftop is wonderful and has a view of the pyramids.

[Candi]

Candi, I think you're thinking of the Naguib Mahfouz cafe?

Yes I am,that the one thanks-thats been bugging me.
Thanks for your suggestions please keep them coming. Also has anyone ever visited the nightclub El Leil down Pyramid Road-they always have picture hoardings of Shaabi singers outside-I wondered what it was like. i would be going in a group if I went there.
Any sightseeing ideas?

[lizajuk]

Get in touch with Caroline Afifi.

[leylalanty]

Originally Posted by Candi

Yes I am,that the one thanks-thats been bugging me.
Thanks for your suggestions please keep them coming. Also has anyone ever visited the nightclub El Leil down Pyramid Road-they always have picture hoardings of Shaabi singers outside-I wondered what it was like. i would be going in a group if I went there.
Any sightseeing ideas?

I was at El Leil this summer with a small group, including my friend and helper Ahmed and his family and 5 American dancers. It was a looong show with popular singer after singer. There were 2 dancers. One worked for the night club and the other worked for one of the singers. I'm glad to hear you'll be going with a group of people. It would definitely NOT be a good idea to go to any Haram St. night club as an unaccompanied female.

Sightseeing: I went to Saqqara's step pyramid for the first time in quite a few years and found the new museum there to be a gem! One of the tomb KV-63 mummy cases (recently discovered) is displayed there along with Saqqara and other local finds. Not a large museum, but it's one of the best archeological museums I've ever seen - and i've seen a LOT of them!

[leylalanty]

Originally Posted by Candi

Yes I am,that the one thanks-thats been bugging me.
Thanks for your suggestions please keep them coming. Also has anyone ever visited the nightclub El Leil down Pyramid Road-they always have picture hoardings of Shaabi singers outside-I wondered what it was like. i would be going in a group if I went there.
Any sightseeing ideas?

I was at El Leil this summer with a small group, including my friend and helper Ahmed and his family and 5 American dancers. It was a looong show with popular singer after singer. There were 2 dancers. One worked for the night club and the other worked for one of the singers. I'm glad to hear you'll be going with a group of people. It would definitely NOT be a good idea to go to any Haram St. night club as an unaccompanied female.

Sightseeing: I went to Saqqara's step pyramid for the first time in quite a few years and found the new museum there to be a gem! One of the tomb KV-63 mummy cases (recently discovered) is displayed there along with Saqqara and other local finds. Not a large museum, but it's one of the best archeological museums I've ever seen - and I've seen a LOT of them!

[Candi]

Thanks for that Leylalanty. I've gone past El Leil so many times and wondered what it was like.
Saqqara would be a good visit too, I've not been there much and the museum sounds good.
Thanks everyone for suggestions.

[kamilia]

I heart El Leil, too!

[leylalanty]

Originally Posted by Candi

Thanks for that Leylalanty. I've gone past El Leil so many times and wondered what it was like.
Saqqara would be a good visit too, I've not been there much and the museum sounds good.
Thanks everyone for suggestions.

You're welcome! Correction on Saqqara museum mummy case - it's one of the "golden mummies" from Bahariyya, not the mummy from KV63. Gorgeous!

[cbarros]

Yep, I have been wanting to go to the new museum at Sakkara since I heard that it had opened. And now the big new Egyptian Museum will be opening sometime in the future . . . and I believe this is close to the Pyramids instead of downtown, which would be nice.

[cbarros]

Originally Posted by bintbeled

Candi, I think you're thinking of the Naguib Mahfouz cafe?

I would recommend the Ding Dong Bazaar, near the museum, and Christo's Restauarnt near the Mena House. The rooftop is wonderful and has a view of the pyramids.

Ding Dong Bazaar??? I haven't heard about this one, do tell!!!

[bellydancewear]

The Naguib Mahfouz cafe is my favorite! But there are so many good restaurants there in Cairo. I like to hang out at the Jazz club with friends, it is in Zamalek I believe. Ask Egyptians and go with them to the good clubs, they know where to go. I just close my eyes and let them take me wherever, and I am never dissapointed. A good friend of mine takes me up to this area near the citadel at night to smoke shisha and look at the view of Cairo, sorry I don't know the name of it, but again the Egyptians will know what I am talking about. It is so relaxing up there, and one of my most favorite places in all of Cairo. I also like to just walk down Corniche el Nil, along the Nile is so cool and so much activity there with all the locals. But try to get out of Cairo and take a nice relaxing break at the Red Sea, such as Sharm el Shiek or Hurgada, or any of those resort areas. Alexandria is also nice. But I do recommend to everyone to do a Nile cruise to Luxor and Aswan to see all the monuments of ancient Egypt. Ahhh so much to do there! Have fun and get most of your suggestions from the Egyptians that live there, I swear by that method!! I ALWYAS have fun there thanks to them!

[cbarros]

El Azhar Park is a great place to go to look at Cairo at night and you can see the Citadel from there too . . . is that what you are talking about??

It is also a nice place for some daytime relaxing, walking around the gardens, having a meal in the restaurant at the top or a coffee at the outdoor cafe further down . . . good people watching too at a more relaxed pace.

[Candi]

Yes I love El Azhar. I've only ever been at night-never thought of going up there in the daytime. Thats definately on my list.

[MorganaBellydance]

OMG!! I love all this info! I am going to Cairo for my very first time in January. I am lucky to have a male friend to go with me, too. I am grateful for all the info that everyone has shared!

I also have a contact with an American living in Cairo who does small tours and she has given us hotel recommendations, yay!

[beafarhana]

Al Azhar by day

It was beautiful and serene.

[cbarros]

I didn't think about posting a photo from my daytime walk around at Al Azhar . . . but you can see some of them in my picasa web gallery . . Picasa Web Albums - C - Cairo 2008 . . . ignore the last 4 photos, they are from the window of a flat that I stayed in.

[LeylaAmir]

If you have the time...one of our most popular adventure excursions is to the White and Black Deserts in the Oasis. You camp out under the stars, which you can reach up and touch.

How about a cruise above the High Dam ...that is awsome. You feel like you are on the moon! You almost reach the equator on this one.

We've got some goodies in Alexandria also, or for that matter... anywhere in Egypt.

Another popular out of country excursion is to Petra (Indiana Jones) in Jordon. It only takes a couple of days.

Check out our web for some of the popular itineraries or design your own!
Egypt is our main business for the past 30 years!

Egypt National Tours

[Llatricia]

Hi Morgana can you tell me the person that organizate tours there. I m going next december or january. Somebody knows which month is the best for go?? began december or january?? thanks. I am going alone, is best go with male friend???