Egypt is a favorite destination for many of our English friends.

It offers everything the inhabitants of a cool wet island want in a holiday - hot desert lands surrounded by warm blue waters, monuments so old they make an elderly Englishman feel young, and a shared language (vestige of a few centuries of British ascendancy) in most parts of the country.

Over the years their enthusiasm for Egypt has sparked my interest.

Then, this year on 25th of January Egyptians filled their streets, refusing to leave until President Mubarak, their last pharaohic leader, resigned.

And 18 days later on 11th of February when they returned home with their nation reborn, Egypt became a most compelling travel destination. -  I had to go!

On 4 May I arrived late in Cairo.  Travel weary I mistakenly rushed the immigration booth before my turn.  When at last motioned forward by the immigrations officer, I was in full apology mode, chattering about my excitement to be in Egypt.  Instead of scolding me, the officer smiled broadly and said, “And we are excited too that you are in Egypt!”  Above the door as I walked out of the airport was a large sign with a photo of protestors in Tahrir Square.  Written over the photo was a quote from Austrian President Heinz Fischer: “The people of Egypt are the greatest people on earth; and they deserve a Nobel Prize for Peace.

That was the beginning of a wonderful two week stay in Egypt with a group of fellow American travelers.

We toured the pyramids and tombs of Saqqara and Giza, the Temples of Hatshepsut & Philae, the Valley of the Kings and we never felt a crowd. The four night Nile cruise was more like a privately chartered yacht. There were so few tourists at Abu Simbel that except for a few stray dogs,  we were literally alone at the temple, gazing up at the four imposing colossi of Ramses II.

At the end of my stay I had the opportunity to meet with two professional women in their 30’s, both of whom had spent the entire 18 days in Tahrir Square. Both women were Muslim, and they described the days spent with their Christian allies, sharing bread, water and duties within the square.  They talked about their experience as if in a dream. And they wanted to talk about it to anyone who would listen to keep their dream real.

Everyone I spoke with in Egypt talked about the revolution as if it were a dream.  They find it hard to believe exactly what they accomplished at Tahrir (Liberation) Square. But they also know that they must continue to be vigilant to insure that the change that started there this January leads to working democracy.  But for now, it’s “Pinch me! I must be dreaming”

If you are interested in information on travel to Egypt please contact me at 800-366-2048 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Where else but Egypt can you go 5000 years into the past to an ancient history rich in art and architecture and engineering, and at the same time be part of country in the process of energetically changing its future?