A Swan in Aswan

Advantages: Culture, history, beauty, weather
Disadvantages: Hassling

...Half an hour after disembarking from the MS Prince Abbas after our week long cruise on Lake Nasser we were waiting with our luggage on the East Bank of the River Nile in Aswan as we watched the Pharoanic Barge make its way across the river from Elephantine Island to transport us back to our home for a further week-The Hotel Oberoi situated on this palm covered island in the middle of the Nile. Nothing had prepared us for the beauty we were about to experience. This stretch of the Nile between the city of Aswan, the Old Dam and the High Dam and Lake Nasser is scattered with islands. Ancient Aswan was originally sited on Elephantine Island as it could be easily defended against invaders from any direction. That ancient city has long disappeared and Elephantine Island can only be reached by the boats and feluccas that freely taxi visitors...

mornev 05.03.2004 · Read review
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Review of Aswan (Egypt)

Aswan- Egypts best city

Advantages: history, friendly
Disadvantages: third world country so be prepared

...Aswan is the last stop down the nile before you get off the beaten track. Many people join the big cruisers here to head back up to Cairo. It is often overlooked but boy is that a mistake. This is a friendly city and the people are only too eager to chat and give you the customary cup of Tea (or a coke if you prefer). Yes they are trying to get you to part with your money but if you don't there is no anger just an invite to take tea again the next day. You can get to Abu Simbel from Aswan but be prepared to get up very early as the journet takes some time and the heat of the desert means that an early start is needed. This is a beautiful temple cut in the side of a mountain and next to a massive man made lake. indeed the mountain had to be moved when the Aswan dam was built so that the temple did not end up under the lake...

rowemg 25.08.2000 · Read review
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Review of Aswan (Egypt)

Aswan - part 2 of my Egypt travelogue

Advantages: A real taste of Egypt
Disadvantages: Usually only a stop off for the visit to Abu Simbel

...I travelled to Egypt with a company called Explore Worldwide who specialise in what they call "small group exploratory holidays". They are perfect for those travelling alone - as I was - as you get to join a group of other like minded travellers. There holidays are for those wishing to go "off the beaten track" and get a real taste of a country travelling by local means of transport and staying in local style accomodation. This does mean "roughing it" a little but suits anyone with a sense of adventure. When I travelled to Egypt the group ranged from two teenage Australian sisters to a retired couple from New Zealand! Their website is www.exploreworldwide.com and the tour I went on was The Nile Felucca Sailtrek. This is part 2 of my travelogue days 3 to 4 of a 10 day trip. Aswan was probably my favourite of the towns we stayed in...

indychick_uk 23.02.2001 · Read review
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Review of Aswan (Egypt)

Romantic Aswan

Advantages: It never rains
Disadvantages: Can be hot

...If you're going to Egypt, try and get to Aswan. Its the most southerly major town on the river Nile before the great Aswan dam. Many of the Nile cruise ships stop here for a night so that tourists can visit the nearby temples on the island of Philae and also take an excursion to Abu Simbel. Aswan is famous for the Old Cataract Hotel; probably the most romantic hotel in Egypt, made famous by the film 'Death on the Nile'. Built in the 1920s it retains the 'old word' colonial charm and fabulous service you expect of a 5 star hotel but at a fraction of the price. The rooms are HUGE and the best have views over the Nile. In the evening take a felucca ride into the sunset. Its just a fabulous place which I could return to many times (I've been back twice so far!). Avoid the summer months, its just too hot. December and january are...

RGG 28.07.2000 · Read review
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Review of Aswan (Egypt)

Aswan the most peaceful part of Egypt

Advantages: Beauty, peace, Nile at its best
Disadvantages: none

...Aswan is the place to ease into the sounds and sights of Egypt or the place to calm down in after the hustle and bustle of Cairo.From the plane you get a great view of the High Dam and Lake Naser - get a window seat!If you fly to Egypt on Egyptair then internal flights come at half price - worth considering if you want a good deal. Egyptair in Manchester or Birmingham are better offices to deal with than London although Soliman Travel has late discounts.(for the remaining few of us who smoke, it's allowed, or even encouraged, on International Egyptair flights!!) The best place to stay is the New Cataract Hotel - or the Old if you can afford a Nile View room. From floor 4 up you get one of the best balcony views in the world - or go up to the roof - I do this in every hotel and can recommend it!! Walk by the river and felucca "captains...

whetton 10.12.2000 · Read review
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Review of Aswan (Egypt)

Land of the Pharaohs

Advantages: Pyramids, temples, history, the Nile, interesting people.
Disadvantages: Extreme heat, culture shock, attitude to women.

...I visited Egypt on holiday nearly two years ago now, yet the excitement and awe that the ancient monuments inspired, and the wildly different culture are still fresh in my mind. I went with the holiday company Explore, whom I would highly recommend. Although the trip was expensive it covered Cairo, Thebes and Aswan, with time split between hotels and a Nile cruise. For this type of holiday you are probably looking at paying out a lot of money. The best thing about using a company like Explore is that they take you in small groups, they believe in ethical tourism and arrange a number of more adventurous trips which give you a chance to meet local people. The trip began in Cairo and after a night or two we boarded a bus which took us down to Thebes. In Thebes we boarded our boat and settled in for the most enjoyable...

setimerenptah 01.06.2001 · Read review
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Review of Aswan (Egypt)

Nile Cruise and Stay ( Luxor to Aswan and Back)

Advantages: Amazing Temples, Tombs, desert landscapes,sunsets,food, weather
Disadvantages: Hassle from hustlers, Extreme heat, apparent extreme poverty of some

...right employing this guy. He was also apparently very attractive to the females in our group. I wouldn't know, Included in the Nile Cruise was at least one excursion per day, including a visit to the Aswan dam, which is VERY big, the Temples of Kom Ombo, Temple of Hatchetsup, Karnak, Luxor, Phylae, Edfu Temple, Temples of Horus and and Collossi of Memnon, unfinished obelisk(which was crap, btw... avoid), a Felucca ride at sunset, accompanied by lil boys in home-made boats,and some others which I forget. Too many to mention,each of which was made even more magical by our resident Egyptologist, Rami. A few stops en-route to various perfume factories, alabaster factories, papyrus factories, etc, are also included. the majority of these trips are fairly standard, and i chose not to cover them in this review: details are available elsewhere...

billybunter85 21.10.2006 (28.10.2006) · Read review
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Review of General: Egypt

Get a Pharaoh's head!

Advantages: temple/tomb visits, Nile cruises
Disadvantages: Nile is too polluted

...Aswan is situated on the eastern bank of the Nile River at a point where the river narrows and the terrain becomes hilly and festooned with rocky outcrops. The possibility of Islamic Fundamentalist attacks on tourists in Egypt remains. Foreign Office advisory notices offer the latest official advice and should be consulted before booking. There is the usual array of scruffy souk and bazaar-type shopping streets in the centre. Intimidation and fierce bartering is the norm here. Souvenirs include papyrus, brass, jewellery and stone-cut pharaohs' heads. Some of the larger, better-equipped hotels have their own retailers providing everything from toiletries to postcards. Although Aswan has no beach it does have the Nile, which helps create a resort-type atmosphere. Unless you are an avid collector of virulent waterborne...

teen 12.10.2000 · Read review
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Review of Aswan (Egypt)

Scenic Island Hotel Near Famous Sites

Advantages: Peaceful, Fantastic Scenery, Unique
Disadvantages: 15 Minute ferry journey from the river bank, Cool winds from the river

...The first impressions of this five star hotel can be gained from the short ferry journey from a dedicated pier on the East bank of the River Nile. Arriving at night (As I first did) you round the dark shadows of Elephatine Isle to be presented with the magnificent sight that is the Isis Island Hotel. Ok, I might be exagerating slightly, but not much! After a long journey (4 hours from Luxor, or a short drive from Aswan Airport) you are greeted in the hotel foyer with a glass of cold karkadeh (a drink taken from the hibiscus flower) and comfortable seats while the tour rep introduces him/herself. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, all having a minibar/fridge, television, bath/shower and a balcony with a stunning view of the Nile and depending on which side of the hotel you stay on, a sunset view over the sand dunes...

savoycabbage 11.02.2007 · Read review
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Review of Isis Island Hotel, Aswan

Splendour of Egypt 7/5/05 - 21/5/05

Advantages: Beautiful location, excellent facilities and accommodation.
Disadvantages: Staff, although friendly, let the hotel down.

...Two nights were spent at this hotel during our Bales Worldwide 15 day tour, on the very beautiful Elephantine Island set the middle of the Nile. This was the largest and most luxurious room we had throughout our holiday. It had a large bathroom en suite, air conditioning, a fridge, TV, towels/toiletries and ample storage. The balcony over looked the beautiful gardens with it's red and pink flowering trees towards the eastern bank of the Nile where the large cruise ships moored before returning back to Luxor. The hotel was set in lovely grounds, with the easy access to water the flora was very lush and abundant. It had excellent swimming pools with a Gym and Spa. There is a free hotel ferry to transport you to the east bank of Aswan. The only downside to the hotel was the restaurants - the food was very good and the staff friendly...

winimae 28.05.2006 · Read review
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Review of Movenpick Elephantine Island Resort, Aswan