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Home » Gluten Free Travel » Travel Experiences » A Love of Egypt – Is it time to Start Planning Travel Again?

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A Love of Egypt – Is it time to Start Planning Travel Again?

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My love of Egypt and amazing experiences are here to inspire. It’s time to get the passport and visa sorted, pack your bags and head South.

(in collaboration with e-visa.co.uk) – Note all experiences and photographs are my own ©KateDowse

DON’T LOSE THIS Inspiration… PIN IT FOR LATER…

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My Love of Egypt and travel to different lands

I have a love of Egypt. It’s not something I’ve shared with you before. But these last few months have been tough and I am seriously beginning to miss travel to distant lands. I’ve travelled to dozens of countries. The more ‘closed’, remote or politically different they are (often places requiring a visa), the more I have loved them.

I’ve been privileged to visit places long before they became ‘open’… East Berlin and walking through Checkpoint Charlie when the wall was still up; Prague before it became a party town; Leningrad and Moscow before the collapse of the Soviet Union. I’ve travelled Cuba from end to end, visited villages in China to be greeted by children for whom Europeans were an unknown… I’ve got up at dawn to watch the sun rise on Kilimanjaro and I’ve island-hopped the Seychelles. But Egypt draws me back…

So, this post is a little different… In the hope of warding off the misery that is being ‘locked down’ week after week, I am revisiting my love of Egypt and (with a C Vaccine on the horizon) asking myself whether it is time to start planning travel again…

egypt-temples-hieroglyph
Temple Hieroglyphs

A traveller or a tourist?

Whether you see yourself as a traveller or a tourist is a subjective thing. I fall firmly into the ‘traveller’ camp. But it’s not about whether you travel independently, on a package or on an arranged group tour. And it’s not about whether you need a visa to get through the border or are simply catching a ferry across the Channel. It’s about what you do when you get there that (for me) creates the distinction… The photos you take… The food you seek out… Time spent or not spent being with and experiencing what it is to be a local.

When I travel, getting off the beaten track matters… I’m not interested in the familiarity of international coffee chains or selfies with landmarks… It is immersion with ‘the other’… ‘the different’… the alternative culture and local reality that I truly miss.

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Old, Wise and Egyptian

A Love of Egypt… SO much more than the pyramids…

As a child, Egypt held a fascination. But after visiting the British Museum to see the Tutankhamun exhibition back in 1972 (yes… I’m really that old) the need to go there really took hold. In my early 20’s I made my first trip… Landing in Cairo for a small group exploratory tour, the iconic Giza Pyramids were finally in sight. And yes… they were truly magnificent… A feat of engineering one can only begin to imagine. But Egypt offers so much more…. And with three trips, I have had the privilege of experiencing much beyond these triangular ancients.

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Giza pyramids and Sphinx

My Egypt highlights

The Egypt tourist spots we all love

Anyone with a love of Egypt will recommend the usual tourist highlights… The iconic places which give Egypt its ‘bucket-list’ status. We’re talking the Sphinx and Pyramids of Giza (just outside Cairo)… The Valley of the Kings on the West Bank near Luxor… And of course, the Red Sea resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada and Dahab (my favourite).

Many people opt to cruise the Nile too… giving them access to the beautiful city of Aswan and its High Dam, a trip down to Abu Simbel and the Philae Temple, and further down-stream, the Kom Ombo Temple and the Temple of Horus at Edfu.

Most cruises either start or end in Luxor, offering easy opportunity to take in the ancient temples of Luxor and Karnak, as well as Medinet Habu and the Deir el-Medina.

But getting off the beaten track or doing things a bit differently can offer a whole new perspective.

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Ballooning over Luxor

See Egypt differently – Sail low, fly high, take a walk or hitch a donkey ride

So, here’s my recommendations to see Egypt differently…

  • Sail the Nile by traditional Felucca. If you’re pushed for time, take a sunset sail from either Aswan or Luxor to stop off and explore a couple of villages.
  • Or… for the more adventurous… Book a full-on Felucca sail from Aswan to Luxor. It takes 4 to 5 days, often sleeping on deck under the stars, bathing and swimming in the cool waters of the Nile and eating with new found friends. It’s not 5* luxury. But it’s an experience you’ll remember forever…enjoying the peace and calm of the water and stopping off along the way to explore epic sites, souks and camel markets.
  • Fly high over Luxor in a sunrise hot air balloon. It gives a whole new understanding of the Nile Delta and the life it gives to this amazing country.
  • Get up early for a pre-dawn donkey trek to the Valley of the Kings. Not only will you miss the crowds, but as the sun rises, your 4-legged time machine will help you experience the stillness of times past.
  • And when you’ve done with the eerie coldness of the ancient tombs, take a guided walk over the barren mountains to approach the Temple of Hatshepsut from above.
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Temple of Hatshepsut

A Love of Egypt’s Souks and Backstreets

Whenever I travel, I make a point of taking time with the locals. And my love of Egypt has been cemented by the beautiful, friendly and hospitable people met along the way. From walking and taking tea with the villagers of the West Bank, to bartering for silver in the souks of Aswan… and enjoying the company of the Nubians in their villages…  It’s the people who make a place memorable.

Take time to stroll the back streets, chat and just ‘be’ with the local community… Buy fruit, nuts and spices in the local markets… Take in the sounds, smells, flavours and the rainbow of colours that await you.

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Egyptian spices

Museums and where my Love of Egypt began…

The exhibits I saw back in the 70’s returned to Egypt. But seeing King Tut again in his rightful place as an adult was an ambition achieved. With its rich history however, Egypt has museums to entice even the most reluctant of museum goers… My favourites?

  • Egyptian Museum – Cairo (an absolute must see)
  • Luxor Museum (smaller than Cairo, but full of precious antiquities)
  • Mummification Museum – Luxor (small but totally fascinating)
  • Coptic Museum – Cairo (exploring Egypt’s Coptic Christian history) – and also visit the beautiful Coptic Church.
  • The Nubian Museum – Aswan (exploring the history of the Nubian people)
  • Museum at Bahariya Oasis housing a small, but beautifully displayed collection of golden mummies and sarcophagi.
  • Kharga Museum of Antiquities – A fascinating collection of archaeological finds and artifacts from around the oases of the Western Desert
egypt-ancient-painting
Western Desert archaeology

My Love of Egypt – Beyond the beaten track

If like me, you crave greater adventures, your love of Egypt might take you beyond the beaten track. My recommendations?

The Western Desert

Home to barren, yet colourful deserts and unexpected oases, the Western Desert is the place to which my heart always returns. While visiting requires more planning as well as the need to hire a guide and use a registered travel agency, the extra effort will take you to lesser visited and incredible places. In addition to basic visa requirements, you are likely to need specific area travel permits. And some expeditions and trips demand tight governmental controls for safety, including being accompanied by an armed escort within certain areas. It’s all part of the experience. Actually, it doesn’t feel in the slightest bit scary or intrusive.

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White Desert – Egypt

What you might love in Egypt’s Western Desert…

  • Sleep under the stars in the White Desert – The lack of light pollution offers the most incredible view of the night sky. I literally lay awake most of the night watching satellites and shooting stars and marvelling at the depth of the universe.
  • Camp with the Bedouins chatting and making music late into the night.
  • Head by Bedouin camel to hot springs for a warming mineral soak.
  • Visit the incredible Inner Oases of Bahariya and Farafra, Dakhla and Kharga to mingle in the markets, see the Golden Mummies and visit Badr’s incredible art garden.
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Bedouin Camels – Western Desert Egypt

The Sinai Peninsula

Steeped in religious history and stories so miraculous they have a place in the bible, the Sinai Peninsula will leave you in awe…

  • Mount Sinai – Set off in the dead of night and climb Mount Sinai to see the sun rise over the mountains beyond. It’s unforgettable. (Requires a reasonable level of fitness, although when I did it, there were plenty of locals selling a taxi ride on their camels and donkeys if you can’t make it all the way).
  • Visit St Catherine’s Monastery on the way down and contemplate Moses and the Burning Bush.
  • Take a 4-wheel desert safari or walk the dry beds of the Wadis… Whether it’s high-octane adventure you crave or the feel of hot sand under your feet… The peace and isolation of these empty deserts and river beds is awesome.
  • Camp out with nature and total peace at Ras Mohammed National Park…This watery wilderness park is simply stunning… And if the weather’s warm enough, the dive sites and snorkelling are beyond imaginable.
  • Glimpse the ships sailing through the desert on the Suez Canal. It’s one of the strangest things I’ve ever seen.
desert-footprints
Footprints in the Wadi

Do I need a visa to travel to Egypt?

Currently, British passport holders require a visa for most travel within the country. It’s easiest to apply for your Egypt visa on-line, ahead of your trip. But there is also a new, super-easy Egypt e-visa, with a speedy and stream-lined application procedure.

As mentioned above, if you wish to travel in the Western Desert, you will likely need additional travel permits and to use local registered travel agents and guides to meet Egyptian government requirements.

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West Bank – Luxor

Egyptian Food and health – what you should know if you are gluten free

Regardless of my love of Egypt, it is not the easiest of places to travel as a Coeliac, although can be done with a little care and determination. Not only are there language barriers to encounter, but be aware that this is a country for which wheat bread is a significant staple.

In addition to general travel tips and advice, here’s a few Egypt-specific thoughts…

The Safer stuff…

  • Always carry and use an Arabic Coeliac/gluten free explanation card. Coeliac UK has a helpful Egyptian translated travel leaflet too.
  • Order simply cooked fish, seafood, meats, eggs, beans and vegetables. As anywhere in the world, the Egyptians are perfectly able to cook them safely providing they know what you need. As with anywhere however, cross-contamination is always a potential risk when eating out.
  • The markets and street vendors sell amazing fruit, vegetables and nuts… Make sure you stock up regularly to snack and fill a hole when required.
  • Local food in packets (including biscuits and crisps) are likely to be poorly labelled (laws are not as you would expect in the UK, Europe or US). Always check carefully and buy imported goods with detailed labelling.
  • Meze such as dips and starters are your friend. Always double check and be sure they are not served with bread, but wonderful North African dishes such as Baba Ghanoush, Houmous, straight tahini, pickled vegetables (Torshi), grilled cob corn or sweet potato are perfect for keeping you sated. Pack your own gluten free pita to grab when you need it.
  • Equally, eating omelettes (which seem to be easy to order in most cafes and restaurants) is a relatively safe bet… with or without fillings.

Not so safe…

  • Never drink the tap water (whether Coeliac or not) or take ice in your drinks. This may seem obvious, but it’s amazing how many people get sick due to oversight and not gluten. And just as important, don’t put your hands near your mouth… Handling money in particular will transfer bugs easily and quickly.  
  • Beware the outdoor bread bakers and cover your face as you pass. Atmospheric gluten in areas where bread is baked can be an unexpected hazard.
  • Avoid eating at shawarma shops… Cross-contamination risk is too high.
  • Be aware of rice dishes… It’s not unusual for these to be mixed with glutenous pasta and noodles.

As with ALL travel and restaurant eating, be sure to double check what you are eating before ordering and consumption. If in doubt… send it back.

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Trading Felucca

Independent travel, Package Deal or Organised Tour? For the Love of Egypt, the choice is yours…

The decision you take on whether to travel to Egypt completely independently, on an organised small group tour or as a complete package deal will be up to you. Your travel experience, sense of adventure and desire to go to lesser visited areas, as well as the need to feel greater security, food familiarity and zero planning requirements will all shape your decision.

But whatever route you take, Egypt beckons and will leave you with experiences that will be as memorable as they are vibrant. With a new post-Covid travel era on the horizon, it may just be time to get the passport and visa sorted, pack your bags and head South.

luxor-temple-at-night
Luxor Temple

A Love of Egypt shared with:

  • Sharon’s Souvenirs Travel Photo Blog Hop (Nov 2020) with Sharon R Wagner
  • Through My Lens #267 with Mersad Photography
  • Our World Tuesday with Our World Tuesday Meme
  • Fiesta Friday #356 with Angie
  • Blogger’s Pit Stop

(In collaboration with e visa.co.uk. All experiences and photographs of Egypt are my own.)

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This page may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and go on to buy the product recommended, I will get a very small commission. You will not however be charged any more than if you went direct to the site. 

I will only ever recommend products that I actually have in my kitchen or would buy myself. 

Please note that where a recipe contains alcohol, it is NOT suitable for children. Always drink and use alcohol responsibly. For more information, see the Drink Aware website.

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Comments

  1. Kathleen Aherne says

    08/12/2020 at 3:26 am

    What an amazing post. Makes me want to go, but my travel days are over:) Your photos are superb as well. Our JULIE wants your post to be featured in the next Blogger’s Pit Stop. Thanks for telling us about Egypt.
    Kathleen

    Reply
    • GlutenFreeAlchemist says

      08/12/2020 at 9:50 am

      Thank you SO much Kathleen. That has made my day.
      I truly loved the time I spent in Egypt. It is such an incredible country with so much more to offer than beaches and pyramids.
      xx

      Reply

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About Me

Welcome to Gluten Free Alchemist.
I’m Kate – gluten free recipe developer, traveller, photographer, blogger and mum to a Coeliac teenager… living Coeliac life without limits.
Join our family journey as I share recipe and travel adventures and as we support each other in overcoming life’s Coeliac hurdles. Read More…

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White Chocolate Creme Brûlée with hidden Berries White Chocolate Creme Brûlée with hidden Berries 🍓 
It looks like it should be complicated. But it’s actually a really easy dessert. It’s super-delicious and is naturally flourless and gluten free... which makes it one of the best desserts if you are Coeliac. Ideal for any occasion too...
I’ve just updated my blog post with a new recipe card and lots of tips for getting it right.
I reckon it may also be the perfect treat for a cosy lockdown Valentines dinner too ♥️🍓♥️🍓♥️ 
Grab the recipe on the blog... as always, clink lnk.bio for a fast track to making heaven xx 😘 
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Pancakes? Oh yes! Piled high and topped with juicy Pancakes? Oh yes! Piled high and topped with juicy fruit and drizzled in chocolate sauce.... Super-simple. Utterly delicious. 
Who wants the recipe? 
I’ve been having a total pancake fest recently... I am OBSESSED 
😍 😬😑🤭🤗
These yummy cakes are packed full of protein and are super healthy ♥️ 
(Well... maybe not the chocolate sauce, but needs must 😂)  #pancakes #pancakeday #pancakesforbreakfast #proteinpancakes #pancakestack #pancakesofinstagram #foodie #foodstagram #glutenfree #glutenfreealchemist #singluten #senzagluten #glutenfrei #coeliacsafe #britainsbesthomecooks_ #foodblogger #foodblogfeed #glutenfreeuk #huffposttaste #feedfeed #droolclub #buzzfeedfood #damnthatsdelish #foodporn #glutenfreedairyfree #buzzfeedfood #foodphotography #deliciousandnutritious 
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What’s your favourite drizzle cake? Mine’s a t What’s your favourite drizzle cake? Mine’s a tangy Raspberry Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cake. It’s a yummy twist on the usual lemon drizzle loaf... Super-pretty... Super-moist... Gluten Free deliciousness ♥️
Grab the recipe from the blog... I’ve popped a link in my bio... Just tap lnk.bio for a quick link 
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Perfect Panna Cotta. Sweet with Vanilla. With the Perfect Panna Cotta. Sweet with Vanilla. With the desired ‘wobble’ and drizzled with beautiful, tangy Berry Coulis. 🍓
Being a Coeliac household, it’s a favourite dessert. It’s also one of the rare desserts that isn’t a gluten free brownie when you eat out... I miss eating out!
How’s everyone else doing? What are you most missing with lockdown?
It’s so long since restaurants were allowed to open here. We didn’t really come out of lockdown after the summer... I really feel for the local businesses ☹️
But in the absence of dinner out... We just have to make our own Panna Cotta. 
Creamy, meaty, super smooth... 
Who’s with me?
The recipe is on the blog... follow the link from my profile (lnk.bio).
#pannacotta #vanillapannacotta #berrycoulis #dessert #milkjelly #dessertporn #dessertshots #glutenfreedessert #glutenfree #glutenfreeuk #coeliacsafe #britainsbesthomecooks_ #tastemademedoit #glutenfreealchemist #cookblogshare #singluten #senzaglutine #glutenfritt #glutenfrei #feedfeedglutenfree #thefeedfeed #foodblogger #foodblogfeed #foodstagram #ukfoodies #beautifulfood #droolclub #huffposttaste 
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A brief lesson in Courtesy and Integrity... These A brief lesson in Courtesy and Integrity... These are my gluten free Bourbon Biscuits. Optional Dairy Free and Vegan.
I worked hard to get the recipe right. It took many goes and many tweaks to achieve the texture and flavour that is so Bourbon-iconic.
That’s a lot of ingredients. A lot of ‘getting it wrong’… until I was ‘getting it right’. 
It takes a lot of effort and determination to create recipes that work and work well… And that are at least as good as their glutenous counterparts.
Imagine my utter FRUSTRATION when I found that someone had taken my recipe and (having changed one simple ingredient… removing the ‘pinch of salt’ from the biscuit dough), claimed it as their own… The only credit given to me was that they had been ‘inspired’ by my recipe. 
Even worse… they posted the FULL RECIPE on Instagram, Facebook and heaven only knows where else. 
They made a video for Instagram which has had over 7,000 views. They posted it on Facebook (without any mention of Gluten Free Alchemist initially)…That was another reach of thousands. 
I have received NOTHING from their extreme ‘generosity’ in sharing my recipe. Not even a direct link to my website, from which I am trying to make a living following redundancy.
I’m not going to name and shame (although frankly as a commercial organisation they should have known better)… But INTEGRITY is important.
If you take a recipe from someone else… Give them FULL CREDIT. If you tweak a recipe with small alterations… Still give them FULL CREDIT. Be sure to direct people to the original website post where the recipe can be found in full. 
As a recipe developer, you are at the whim of the integrity and honesty of others not to steal your work. People who take without asking and without any gratitude destroy trust and faith.
Thank you for reading xx
For those of you who wanted the recipe… You’ll find a printable recipe card at Gluten Free Alchemist xx
PINCH OF SALT IS OPTIONAL
We’ve had bunnies... we’ve had Santa’s and C We’ve had bunnies... we’ve had Santa’s and Christmas characters..... now we have (drum roll.....) KIT KAT Mini Eggs. And guess what? They are GLUTEN FREE 😁😁😁😁
How exciting is that?????
I know it’s a bit early for Easter, but let’s face it... nothing is normal this year!!
Who’s rushing out to find some? 
Swipe for pack and ingredients ➡️➡️➡️➡️
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