Thread: Ahlan Wa Sahlan 2010

Hello, is here anybody who´s already sure to go to Ahlan Wa Sahlan June 2010? I need to find a roommate...

Veronika

Hi! I don't even know who is teaching yet.....

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I can't open the link, can you send more info? I am interested but would like some more info. thanks

Send me email to veruh26@yahoo.com, I will reply you all those informations.

It's still pretty early. They have been known to find roommates for you too, just in case you can't find one. That's if you are going to stay at the their hotel, probably the Mena House again. Although many people stay at other nearby hotels because it is often cheaper.

Yes, it is early, I know...but they already sent me who will teach next year.
But what I didn´t know - I can live in another hotel? I thought I HAVE TO stay in Mena House if I want to visit Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival...Ok, still I will check it, nobody told me and I didn´t ask...Thank you!

Yeah check that out. I know a lot of people stay at other hotels and I usually do. This year I did stay at the Mena House and went through Paradise Travel. They do usually have package deals, like I think you had to sign up for a minimum of $250US worth of classes (not hard to do when they cost 40, 60 and 80 each) and stay at the Mena House and you get the Opening party for free (or part of your package). Otherwise I believe you had to pay for the opening party, about $60US I think. They of course rely on people booking through them at the Mena House, but to attend the festival you don't have to. There are a number of hotels just down the street that people stay at and just walk to the Mena House from there. I personally don't like the location of it because it is so far away from everything except the pyramids of course which are just across the street and many rooms have views of them. But to go to Khan el Khalili for shopping or certain places in the center of Cairo takes a good hour most of the time and $10US each way by taxi. But then again if you are going to the festival everyday it is nice to have your room close to the classes. I actually stayed at 3 different hotels this last time. One for the Nile group, then the Cairo Sheraton for 5 days, then the Mena house for Ahlan wa Sahlan. I personally prefer to stay in the center of Cairo, it is closer to lots of things, and walking distance to many places as well.
And also Verrunka, although I am a big believer in planning ahead, be careful of planning too far ahead, sometimes you make plans with someone and then a month or weeks or even days before the event they have to cancel and then you are left where you started, looking for a roommate.

Oh really thank you for all your informations, that´s so nice you have no problem to share it...I came here to ask, because here in Czech you mostly meet only vipers and everybody tells "you have to work hard to get yourself to Cairo festival...so don´t ask, you will see by yourself"...I don´t understand. I don´t want to waste anybody´s time, just need to save money for the room. Anyway, I know it´s good to be close to the classes, that´s why I would like to stay in Mena House (btw also Paradise Travel). I usually travel alone and really like it, so I´m planning ahead, but I will not take everybody only to save money. Of course not, I am not believer...I can see now, that I will live in single room, but why not to try ask...
Once again thank you!

I already have this on my calendar. very busy for a couple of weeks at the end of June, and through most of July!

{{{HUGS}}

I am planning to go for the first time in June 2010 and would love to arrange someone to stay with - whether at Mena House or another cheaper local hotel.
Can those who've been before offer any recommendations?

From the website HOME ~ the dates have changed. The festival now begins on June 24 and ends on July 1. The Mena House decided to start the palace renovations (where most of the festival occurs) earlier than was expected.

Apparently there's a $200 surcharge if you attend the festival without staying at the Mena House - can anyone confirm this?
Also seeking recommendations from those who've been before, as to nearby cheaper hotels to stay in.

not sure about the surcharge, but i do know that in the past, if you don't stay at mena house, you must sign up for a minimum amount of classes in order to participate..... perhaps this year they changed it to a surcharge and you don't have to take a minimum?

Originally Posted by sydneyrachel

Apparently there's a $200 surcharge if you attend the festival without staying at the Mena House - can anyone confirm this?
Also seeking recommendations from those who've been before, as to nearby cheaper hotels to stay in.

I don't know if it is cheaper, but the Meridien is within walking distance of Mena House and Felfela Restaurant is between them. There are quite a few hotels in that area and not all have lots of stars (looking from outside) . . . but nothing that I can recommend since Mena House is the only one where I've stayed in the Pyramids area.

There is no and has never been any surcharge to attend the festival if you are not staying at the Mena House!!!!! There IS a minimum spending requirement of $250, meaning that you must sign up for a minimum $250 worth of classes, opening or closing galas in order to register for the festival. To satisfy this requirement, you can buy tickets to the opening and closing galas plus about 3 to 4 classes. I don't know what the prices for classes will be this year but last year they were priced from $40 to $80, depending on class length and whether the teacher is a big star or not. For example, my 2-hour folklore class in cymbals was $40 while Dina's 3-hour star workshop was $80. There were also some 3-hour workshops for $60.

The minimum $250 spending requirement for festival classes/events applies to ALL, including those who stay at the Mena House.

Is it me or is there no pricing information on the website?

B

They've completely redone the website since the last time I checked a week or so ago. Somewhere I saw a list of prices published by someone on the staff and this is what I remember. There is a minimum registration of $200 (I think?) for classes, opening & closing galas. That is, you have to register and pay for a minimum of $200 worth of classes and events. Class fees are $40, $60, and $80, depending on length of class and how big a star the teacher is. If you sign up for Azza Sherif, Dina, Dandash, or Randa Kamel, it will cost $80. In the past, there was also a small registration/administration fee - about $25.

I want to stay at the Meridien. Anyone want to share a room with me?

From the Ahlan Wa Sahlan Facebook page - just posted today:

Teachers list:
RAQIA HASSAN - DINA - RANDA KAMEL - SORRAYA - MO GEDDAWY- AMIR TALEB -MOMO KADOUS - ZAZA HASSAN - MOHAMED SHAHIN -ALLAA ABOU LEILA - MAGDA & ATTEF - DIANA - JILLINA - MUNIQUE NEITH- CLARIBEL - SUJEE CHOI - NANCY TAIWAN - COCO WENKEXIN - ANTONINA CANAL -FARIDA SEIDI - RAKSANNA - ROSADELA - SIMONA MINISSINI - PRINCESS FARHANA- MEERA - SURESH & SUNNY SINGH - NADJA SWEDEN-AMARA BRAZIL- AZIZA ITALY - FATEN SALAMA - KATIA - SAMARA SALAH - SAMARA HAYAT -ZAHRA SUHAIR - FAHTIEM - ANGELIKA NEMEITH - AIDA RUSSIA - ASTRYD FARAH...................to see all the teatchers please check the web site Home

AHLAN WA SAHLAN festival summer 2010 will be from 24/06/2010 till 01/07/2010
(07 nights) & in the same hotel Mena house hotel
As usual the festival will start by the opening gala dinner on 24/06 at 09 .00 PM
Ending by the closing gala dinner on 30/06 at 09.00 PM so don’t miss to attend both of them as it will includes many super stars of singers & dancers

Concerning the festival this year we have different kind of classes starting from 9.30 in the morning till 7.30 as follows:
1) From 9.30 till 10:00 am refreshment belly class (free of charge)
2) Super Master class for 3 hours & it will cost 80USD per class
3) Master class for 3 hours & it will cost 60 USD per class
4) Folklore class for 2 hours & it will cost 40 USD per class
5) Beginner class for 3 hours & it will cost 40 USD per class

Don’t forget that we have a minimum charge for classes 200USD

We have every night starting from 9.00PM summer show ,performance (20$)& competition(40$for individual and 70$ for group )
At the end of our festival there are 4 winners one of them will win our biggest award which will be a golden crown & 3 others golden awards in addition to belly dance costumes, accessories etc…..

Dont miss the closing gala dinner show (60$) with the amazing shows (jillina ,randa ,katia......) and stars singers.

*Package rate for the festival per person in DBL room using garden view 580$/75$ the extra night
*Package rate for the festival per person in SGL room using garden view 800$/107$the extra night
*Package rate for the festival per person in DBL room using pyramids view 650$/85$ the extra night
*Package rate for the festival per person in SGL room using pyramids view 900$/123$ the extra night


The packages includes:
-7 nights accomondation based on bed & breakfast
-The transportation from and to the airport
-Meet and assist in the airport
-Registration fees to the festival
-The opening gala dinner with show

*The touristic programs are according to your choices and budget

For Any Informations or bookings please contact :-
AHLAN WA SAHLAN Travel
operator@aws-travel.com
yasserkhairy@aws-travel.com

Seriously thinking of going but would like to stay at the Mena House. I will know more at the end of the week. Did you find a roommate? Mena is $580 for the week of the festival

Originally Posted by sydneyrachel

I want to stay at the Meridien. Anyone want to share a room with me?

I'm gonna be there on Princess Farhana's tour!!! I can't wait! I'm counting down the days. I'm leaving on the 17th for some play time before festival.

Aida Hassan on "Ahlan wa sahlan 2010" - http://vkontakte.ru/video1786680_147655090