Egyptian Cuisine & Culture Tour

My latest culinary tour.......................













Day Two: Cairo Ancient & Modern Egypt



Experience where it all started- witness Ancient Egyptian innovations and taste foods that date back to the Pharaohs. Spend the evening dining in Egypt?s modern hot spots. We?ll begin our day at the pyramids, then we?ll transfer to a modern suburb for a traditional Egyptian lunch including mezze, soup, vegetable and meat casseroles, Egyptian rice and salads. We?ll then enjoy a guided tour of the agricultural museum. In the evening, we?ll transfer to Heliopolis, the ancient ?City of Sun? to sample European, Armenian, and Turkish delights including Mastic Ice Cream, Turkish Delight, Baklavas, and coffee. Dinner will be at the legendary Abu Sid in Zamalek where the grand Egyptian setting matches the quality of the food. Overnight at the Meridien.











Day Three: Old Cairo



Learn about the people and places which contributed to making Egyptian cuisine a truly unique fusion. We?ll begin our day in Old Cairo where we?ll enjoy guided tours of Ben Ezra Synagogue, the Coptic Museum, The Hanging Church and the Amr ibn Al As Mosque ? Cairo?s first. For lunch, we?ll transfer to Talaat Harb near the famous Tahrir Square to sample a Christian ?vegan inspired meal of homemade puff pastry stuffed with vegetables and salads. Then it?s off for a guided tour of the Egyptian Museum, Egyptian Falafal dinner and drinks on the Nile. Overnight at the Meridien.







Day Four: Alexandria



Greek, French and Italian Influences and Local Seafood?on the Mediterranean.



The Greek assimilation into ancient Egyptian culture as well as their presence in modernity contributed to the fresh, bold flavors of Alexandria. Witness Greek ruins, ancient Greek texts, and delicious Greco-Egyptian cuisine on the Mediterranean. You?ll sample a wide variety of Greek inspired appetizers, moussaka, tarama, fresh Mediterranean seafood, baklava and more. Today we?ll visit the famous Bibliotecha Alexandrina ( on the site of the ancient library of Alexandria), and tour its museums and meet with the Egyptian Friends of the Biblotecha Alexandrina. Then we?ll be off to Citadel, and Cleopatra?s Beach. Overnight at the Sheraton Montaza Palace.









Day Five: Colonialism & Modern Alexandria



European presence in 19th and 20th century Alexandria is evident in its coffee and pastry shops as well as its seafood recipes and restaurant styles. Today you will taste Europe in North Africa. We?ll start our day with breakfast over looking the Mediterranean, then visit the Mursi al Abbas mosque, Nabi Daniel Synagogue and famous pastry shops. In the afternoon we?ll transfer to the airport to travel to Luxor.





Day Six: Luxor



Home to Old Kingdom Tomb Scenes and Ancient Nile Festivals, Luxor boasts ancient culinary roots and rich agricultural traditions. Visit historic restaurants, plantations, and enjoy a felucca ride to Banana Island. You?ll also enjoy a complete Egyptian meal demo and a hands-on baklava making class. In the evening, we?ll attend the Sound and Light Show at Karnak and meet with local community members at an open air café on the Nile. Overnight at the Sheraton Luxor where you?ll enjoy unparalleled views of the Nile.









Day Seven: Luxor?s West Bank



Today we?ll tour The Temple of Hatshepsut, Valley of Kings, Valley of Queens, then transfer to a Nile-Side restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon we?ll visit Luxor temple and the Souk for Spice shopping. We?ll enjoy a traditional open ?air Nubian dinner consisting of and a performance at the Nubian Village. Overnight at the Sheraton Luxor.



Day Eight: Sharm el Sheikh

 



Today we?ll transfer to Sharm el Sheikh in Sinai. Nestled in between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba, Sinai is one of the world?s most breathtaking locations. Sinai stretches across both the African and Asian continents and is home to Bedouins

known for their hospitality, as well as local recipes which have remained unaltered for centuries. We?ll enjoy a traditional North African dinner in a Moroccan riad inspired restaurant and experience folkloric performances at Alf Layl wa Layla. Overnight at the Sheraton Sharm el Sheikh.





Day Nine: St. Catherines & Nuweiba



We?ll take a 2 ½ hour day trip from Sharm to visit the Monastery of St. Catherine?s in Sinai and then travel further north to Nuweiba. Learn how the Bedouin?s laid a culinary foundation that spans the entire Arab world, and eat fresh local seafood and Bedouin bread in Nuweiba. Then, we?ll take a break on the Gulf of Aqaba in Dahab where we can stock up on Bedouin Tea and spices, and return back to Sharm el Sheikh. We?ll transfer to the airport and Cairo and spend the night at the Meridien.



Day Ten: Islamic Influences in Cairo



Today we?ll visit the monuments and culinary legacies of centuries of Caliphs and Sultans. Experience the richness that the Muslim dynasties contributed to Egyptian cuisine. We?ll tour Al Azhar Mosque and the Khan el Khalili Bazaar. We?ll have lunch at the Naguib Mahfouz café named after the Nobel ? prize winning author. Then we?ll head to Fishawy Café for coffee and tea (one of Mr. Mahfouz? old haunts). Afterwards, we?ll visit the Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque while learning how each place influenced the Egyptian table. We?ll enjoy dinner and stunning views of Cairo at the new Azhar Park complex. Then we?ll transfer to the airport and head back to the U.S.







Package Includes:







? International airfare from New York to Cairo



? Domestic airfare Cairo- Luxor ? Sharm el Sheikh ? Cairo



? Air conditioned coach service to Alexandria



? Four nights Cairo at 5 stars Hotel on bed & breakfast basis.



? Two nights Luxor at 5 stars Hotel on bed & breakfast basis.



? Two nights SharmTwo nights Sharm El Sheikh at 5 stars Hotel on bed & breakfast basis.



? One night Alexandria at 5 stars Hotel on bed & breakfast basis.



? All transfers, sightseeing, entrance fees & tour guiding as per program.



? Escorted by culinary expert Amy Riolo, author of Nile Style: Egyptian Cuisine & Culture



? Specially selected gourmet and historically significant meals



? A personally autographed copy of Nile Style: Egyptian Cuisine and Culture



? English speaking Egyptologist guide.



? All taxes.







Package Excludes:



? Visa



? Tips



? Extras ? incidentals (laundry, phone calls, drinks)



? Meals which are not mentioned in itinerary







Information:



For more information and to inquire about dates and schedules,



contact farandbeyondtours@gmail.com or email me.





Price



$5,995 based on double occupancy & $ 995 single supplement