Meet Theresa, smarTours’ very own co-president! She recently took her family on our Splendors of Egypt tour. We sat down with her to get an inside look at her incredible journey, from visiting iconic sights like the Pyramids of Giza to enjoying a sunrise hot air balloon ride over historic temples. Check out some of her amazing photos and hear firsthand about her unforgettable experiences!
What drew you to Egypt?
Egypt is one of those truly iconic destinations that you learn about in your history classes from an early age. It was so cool to be there in person and see the pyramids, temples, and monuments built thousands of years ago.
How was your guide?
Our guide, Khaled, was phenomenal. He was a master historian and storyteller, really bringing the history of Egypt to life. And at the same time, he kept us all organized, on time, and moving along.
What was your favorite experience?
The hot air balloon ride over Luxor was truly unforgettable. We rose up at sunrise and had a view of Queen Hatshepsut’s temple and many other ruins, the Nile Valley and surrounding farmlands, as well as all of the other balloons across the sky. It was just gorgeous.
What was the best thing you ate?
Our best meal was at a small restaurant called Aisha in Luxor that was recommended by our guide. Delicious local food and a very affordable price.
What surprised you most about the country?
I had previously thought of Egyptian history and the pharaonic dynasties as fairly monolithic. This tour was really eye-opening as to how many cultures have passed through Egypt over the centuries and left their mark on the built environment. It was also a lesson in looking back at 5,000 years of history and realizing that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Humans have been repeating the same stories in different forms over and over throughout history.
Did you interact with any locals?
One of our favorite experiences was visiting an elder of the local Nubian community in Aswan who invited us into his home and shared with our group about his life and experiences as part of an ethnic minority within Egypt. It was an intimate setting and a chance to slow down and step away from the busy itinerary and more popular tourist sites.
What was your favorite part of traveling with a group?
We were lucky to travel in a group of 19 really fun and easy-going travelers. Everyone got along and looked out for each other, and it was so nice to share so many of our experiences with others along the way.
What would you say to anyone considering the Splendors of Egypt tour?
This is a truly phenomenal tour, and is a great trip for both those new to travel, and those who have a lot of experience. It’s an intense itinerary where you cover a lot of ground, but everything is so well orchestrated, that it just flows. And the depth and learning you get from traveling with a trained Egyptologist is unbeatable.
More from the tour
Features Cairo, Great Pyramids of Giza, Nile Cruise, Karnak and Luxor. View Tour ❯
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