Living the Ultimate Pharaoh Lifestyle!

In sharing once in a lifetime adventures, it’s hard to ignore the allure of Africa and the Middle East, and in particular, Egypt – the pyramids are still magnificently standing, having withstood every imaginable world crisis. The history, the pyramids, the sphinx, and the ancient burial tombs all standing amid a hectic twenty first century life. Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.

Wadi Rum

Merely weeks before lockdown I enjoyed a glorious visit to Jordan and Egypt, who could ask for a more perfect ending to travel. I began in Jordan exploring Amman and made my way to the Rose City of Petra. We will help you arrive for a night walk under moonlight. I trekked through the narrow dirt Siq passage of Petra by candlelight, to reach the spectacle of The Treasury illuminated by thousands of candles. It was perfectly quiet except for a haunting flute melody played by a local Bedouin. Explore Petra for at least two days, there is much to discover besides the famed Treasury, stroll the colonnades of the Great Temple complex, climb up more than 800 steps to the top of the impressive Monastery. Add on a day or two for glamping in Wadi Rum.

The Treasury, Petra

We always send a box of books and reading list pre-departure and Agatha Christie is at the top of the list for Egypt. It’s a personal choice whether you gather your finest floppy sun hat and white linen, don’t forget evening clothes.  Plan to begin in Cairo, the boisterous capital of Egypt. Known alternately as “The Mother of the World” or “The City of a Thousand Minarets”— visit the tangled narrow alleys and bustling marketplaces and the larger-than-life Pyramids of Giza. If you dropped the pyramid in New York City, it would take up a whole city block.

The soon to be opened vast Grand Egyptian Museum, is a treasure trove of antiquities, including royal mummies and gilded King Tutankhamun artifacts, is not far from the Giza pyramids. In the shadow of the pyramids, the grand Mena House hotel provides easy access to Giza and the new museum. Arrive early to explore – there’s no better place to initiate your visit, laying out a cultural map of your upcoming days of exploration. Marvel at the majestic Sphinx, buried for most of its life in the sand, an air of mystery has always surrounded the great Sphinx. Then head to the Nile and board a private Felucca or one of our favorites, the intimate 22-cabin Oberoi Philae, we enjoyed an onboard tour. For the ultimate in indulgence and comfort consider a Dahabiya Nile cruise. A Nile cruise has long been one of the classic experiences of travel. Long stretches of river have changed little over the centuries, it’s truly Biblical in nature. Lounging on the sundeck, watching the ancient scenes glide past is a contemplative experience, I moseyed to the upper deck at dawn and couldn’t tear myself away. Absorb archaeological wonders, explore vibrant bazaars, and ponder pharaonic temples as you cruise the Nile. Float past lush sugarcane fields, sleepy rural villages, and oases of date palms as your boat glides up the Nile. The Dahabiya is an ancient iconic boat style, a reminder of the romance of the past with modern comfort and convenience. It’s a leisurely way to get between Luxor and Aswan. Sailing the Nile in a private Dahabiya is what inspired the Victorian allure of boat travel. The most serene of river boats, it offers the ultimate in privacy and convenience for stopping at any riverbank. Fancy a shore break to bicycle around an oasis of date palms or an impromptu farmers market, this is the only river boat allowing such intimate shore access. Elegant in design, designed for modern comfort with light filled comfy cabins and acres of outdoor lounging space.

The Old Cataract Hotel

The Old Cataract Hotel is the historic site where King Fouad once entertained, and Agatha Christie sipped cocktails in the colonial era five-star hotel on the banks of the Nile. The hotel faces out over the Nile to Elephantine Island and the sands of the Sahara beyond.

The Treasury, Petra

“(Egypt) is a great place for contrasts: splendid things gleam in the dust.”
― Gustave Flaubert, Flaubert in Egypt: A Sensibility on Tour

Four Seasons Egypt Life After the Pyramids and Tombs. Living the Ultimate Pharaoh Lifestyle!

Egypt is a dream destination, my last pre-Covid Journey was to Egypt and Jordan, and I would return a heartbeat for another visit. Once is not enough! The country is safe, open to travelers and is amid a hotel renaissance, and the new Egyptian Museum is scheduled for a fall opening.  

Giza, Egypt

While Egypt has a lot to offer in terms of tourism, enjoying a classic felucca boat down the Nile, marveling at the Pyramids, exploring the spectacles of Luxor, one can now add on a dazzling visit to the renovated Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh.

Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence

There are two stylish Four Seasons in Cairo and I would suggest you stay at both – you will arrive and most likely depart from Cairo with a Nile River tour decadently sandwiched between your Nile sojourn.  Four Seasons at The First Residence is located in Giza, between the Nile River and the Giza Zoo and enjoys impressive views of Cairo’s skyline and the Pyramids. Giza is a great location in terms of being near the Pyramids and zoo, but the remainder of the tourist sites (Tahrir Square, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, Khan al-Khalili market, Zamalek) are closer to the Four Seasons Cairo at Nile Plaza and are on the far side of the Nile. That said, the location of the Four Seasons at The First Residence has a local authenticity in the surroundings which you don’t experience in the surrounds of the Nile Plaza. Choices, as individual as our fingerprint, there is the perfect hotel for every Journey!

Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence

Cairo is the capital of Egypt. The city’s metropolitan area is one of the largest in Africa, the largest in the Middle East and the Arab world, and the 15th-largest in the world, and is associated with ancient Egypt, as the famous Giza pyramid complex and the ancient city of Memphis are located in its geographical area. Located near the Nile Delta, modern Cairo was founded in 969 CE by the Fatimid dynasty, but the land composing the present-day city was the site of ancient national capitals whose remnants remain visible in parts of Old Cairo. Cairo has long been a center of the region’s political and cultural life, and is titled “the city of a thousand minarets” for its preponderance of Islamic architecture. Cairo is considered a World City with a “Beta +” classification according to GaWC. Cairo has the oldest and largest film and music industries in the Arab world, as well as the world’s second-oldest institution of higher learning, Al-Azhar University

On the Pyramids!

The Four Seasons First Residence is located on the western bank of the Nile in the historic suburb of Giza, the hotel is the perfect jumping-off point for exploring Cairo. From the zoological gardens that lie just outside our doors to the shopping and entertainment within our very own First Place complex, you won’t have to go far to find plenty to see and do. Observe unique works of art at the nearby Mohamed Mahmoud Khalil Museum, or we can arrange an unforgettable horseback-riding adventure by the pyramids, multiple exclusive options can be arranged. A palatial sanctuary that boasts stunning views, flanked by zoological gardens and the western bank of the Nile, the address in Giza’s prestigious First Place complex puts you in the center of it all. Catch a glimpse of the river or the Great Pyramids from your suite as you head out to explore the ancient wonders, or spend the day by the surprisingly quiet pool, indulging in an aromatic massage once reserved for Egyptian royalty. Or opt for shopping in the high-end boutiques at the First Mall or experience the best of gastronomy aboard the First Nile Boat, offering panoramic Nile views and brilliant international cuisine. Busy mornings exploring buzzy Cairo are best rewarded by a late afternoon poolside and with a visit to the decadent spa.

Exclusive Experiences: Behold the illuminated Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza under a starry sky. Then relax in your private tent, where the view of the enigmatic pyramids and live music flavor the dinner of your choice.

The First Residence offers 262 luxury rooms and 50 suites, the décor is a soothing palate of light hues and pay homage to the French Empire in their elegant décor. Exquisite views of the Nile and pyramids are the hotel’s blockbuster element. I spent my last 10 hours in Cairo here, the hotel deserves a few days- but I ran out of time! Enjoy a suite which guarantees stunning panoramic views of the ancient city, my Ambassador suite included a wraparound corner terrace. It can extend to three bedrooms, with eye-catching views of the Nile, pyramids and Botanical Gardens, these three-bedroom suites easily adapt to your travel style, with plenty of room for the kiddos and family members.

Four Seasons at Nile Plaza

Located on the highest floor, the Royal Suite is a state-of-the-art living area that redefines luxury. The penthouse suite boasts a private dining area that can host up to 10 guests, as well a master bedroom that showcases a bespoke walk-in closet. It also comes with a 52-inch LCD satellite television, iMac computer, DVD player, and Bose music system, ensuring you can leave all your tech equipment at home.

Exclusive Options: Royal Feast. The glistening gilded walls and lavish décor of Manial Palace create a one-of-a-kind setting for a private, Four Seasons-catered dinner you won’t soon forget. This palace complex, built by the uncle of King Farouk, Prince Mohammed Ali, in the early 20th century. Its interiors and architecture are a fascinating merging of Ottoman, Moorish, Persian and European rococo styles, while the gardens planted with rare tropical plants collected by the prince.

Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh

An intimate oasis at the pool in an elevated setting, the chaos of Cairo is left behind on the wide sunny terraces surrounding the pool. Snack on charcoal grilled specialties and Middle Eastern mezze at the Aura poolside restaurant or plop in the afternoon sun or under a dappled umbrella, the mezze is scrumptious!

Discover the First Nile Boat, a Four Seasons culinary destination with a Brazilian grill, a pan-Asian restaurant and a Greek taverna, all with panoramic Nile views. Welcome to a world of taste, comfort and luxury on First Nile Boat, a trendy lifestyle spot in the Egyptian capital. Docked opposite Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First Residence, the boat combines energetic restaurants, a lounge and event spaces perfect for your next gathering.

Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh. Cascading down the hillside from the desert to the Red Sea, Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh welcomes you to an Arabian fairytale with year-round sun; sleek, modern accommodations; over 3,000 palm trees and panoramic sea views. Limestone cliffs embrace an almost a mile long private beachfront with crystal-clear waters and access to a protected marine reserve. Now transformed after a major expansion, the Resort rises to new levels of world-class luxury. Spacious new guest rooms and oversized suites – with a choice of modern design or traditional Arabian décor. Delight in a multitude of al fresco dining options, new playgrounds for leisure or business, and authentic desert and sea adventures where every detail is elevated with thoughtful Four Seasons care.

Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh

Forget the mirage of a dusty desert location, this property is an oasis facing the Red Sea. Considered Egypt’s diving capital, the Red Sea is home to 76 recognized dive sites – many only a few minutes from the Resort. The pinnacle of Arabian sophistication, the amazing signature suites host leading politicians, royalty, and our VIP Clients! Each suite is a stand-alone residence, steps from the beach, lavished with luxurious furnishings and the latest technology. Remarkable features include 24-hour butler service, expansive gardens, private pools and even a private beach.Fantasy interiors matched with modern interpretation of Arabian designs and Arabesque details, views from arched windows.

Travel outside the Four Seasons oasis and head into the wilderness of the desert. Feel the wind in your hair during a quad biking adventure, exploring the spectacular hills and mountains of Sharm El Sheikh. Or journey across the desert on a camel tour, catching the sun as it sets below the horizon.

A look at Cairo