THE WONDERS OF EGYPT

At press time we were up to 14 people and our 90-day deadline is approaching, so if you're coming, let's sign you up. We start off in Cairo where we will have 3 days to take in the wonders of Giza and the pyramids, Sphinx and Sakkara. The pyramids were reckoned by the Greeks to be one of the 7 wonders of the world. In the face of such immensity, one cannot help but feel the wonder and awe that so many writers & artists have sought to convey over the centuries. The Cheops Pyramid is especially interesting since its interior burial chambers are open for visitors. Not far from the Pyramids is the Great Sphinx of Giza, which dates from 2620 BC. Hewn from natural yellowish limestone & standing 65 feet high & 187 feet long, this unforgettable statue combines the head of a Pharaoh with a lion's body. Sakkara is one of the most exciting historical & archaeological area in all of Egypt with its famous step pyramid of King Zoser.We'll visit Khan el-Khalili bazaar, once known as the Turkish bazaar during the Ottoman period, is now referred to as the Khan. Our stay in Cairo will be at the 4-star Ramese Hilton located on the banks of the River Nile with views of the Nile and the Pyramids. From there will fly to Aswan, 550 miles south of Cairo and our starting point for our 3-night Nile cruise aboard the Sonesta Nile Goddess a 5* cruise liner. Being one of the oldest inhabited places in Egypt, Aswan hosts some of the most spectacular monuments, including Philae Temple, an unfinished obelisk and the Mausoleum of the a Agha Khan. We'll visit Philae Temple, which was once underwater but has now been re-erected on land. We?ll cruise to Kom Ombo and visit the temple shared by two gods Sobek & Haeroris in Kom-Ombo. We'll continue on to Edfu and visit the Temple of Edfu the best-preserved major temple in Egypt. Then we cruise to Luxor with its breathtaking and impressive monuments of ancient Egyptian civilization it has become one of Egypt's most enticing tourist destinations, home to some 80 percent of Egyptian artifacts. Its magnificent temples, tombs and palaces border the banks of the Nile River. On the east bank stand the Luxor and Karnak temples, while Queen Hatshepsut's temple lines the west bank of the great river. The great city's necropolis contains the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens and tombs of the nobles - a testament to Luxor's ancient name al-Uqsur, or city of the palaces. Here we will have the option of visiting the tomb of Tutankhamen at an additional cost. We'll visit the Temples of Karnak and Luxor Temple before flying back to Cairo. Back at our Hilton Hotel for 2 more nights we'll spend the next day visiting the fabulous Egyptian Museum, the most important depository of Egyptian antiquities anywhere in the world. It features artifacts from the Pharaonic and Graeco-Roman periods, including the celebrated mummies of ancient Egypt's king and Tutankhamun treasures. Cost of land-only package is $2,289 and includes 4 nights at Ramses Hilton with daily breakfast; all tours mentioned above, lunch at Naguib Mahfouz restaurant; air ticket from Cairo / Aswan - Luxor / Cairo; 3 nights on board the MS Tiyi Nile Cruise inclusive of meals and sightseeing tours as indicated in the itinerary; farewell dinner and oriental show including a belly dancer on the Nile Maxime cruise restaurant and entrance fees for sightseeing tours. Our air, on Delta Airlines, has come in at $930 plus taxes ($305 but subject to change). To sign up go to www.singlesinparadise.com where you will find this trip listed and be able to fill out a trip sign-up form. Balance is due on 7/20. NOTE: Members of the Athletic Singles Association receive a $100 discount on this trip.