Just returned from Jewels of the Nile. It's a fabulous trip! Some comments for those who are considering or who are going.
Most importantly, arrange a private guided tour of the new Grand Egyptian Museum with viator, etc. It was my favorite part of the trip. I spent three hours with a private guide and couldn't wait to go back again with Tauck. We had the Tauck guide for about 45 minutes to an hour, then 45 minutes free time.
If it is cold when you are going, heads up that Mena House doesn't seem to have heat in the public areas, including restaurants.
If you've been reading about the very early bags out and departure to Cairo airport for the flight down to Luxor, we had a charter flight out of the brand new Sphinx airport at a normal time.
The majority of people on the trip had dinner in the clothes worn for the excursion.
The service on the river boat was the best I have ever experienced.
There is a lot of walking on very uneven surfaces. This is not a trip for those with mobility issues.
Vendors happily take dollars. I had no need for any Egyptian pounds.
If you are prone to food poisoning (as I am), here is what worked for me - after extensive research. Buy a little thing of hand sanitizer and use it before every meal. Start taking Culturelle two weeks before the trip and continue during. Take one Travalan (available on Amazon) with every meal.
