07 Apr 2019
I realized long after booking that the Egyptian Museum and Khan El Khalily were on the day trip that I also booked with Viator - unfortunately, Viator was not able to make any changes. Fortunately, when I contacted the Tour Agents, they were extremely kind enough to agree to making changes to the tour. Our Guide, Mahdy, arranged a visit to Coptic Cairo and the Pharoanic Village to replace the sites that we had done the previous day.
Mahdy is extremely knowledgeable and explained the history to us, taking us to St George's Church, The "Hanging" Church as well as the Synagogue of Ben Ezzra.
We then proceeded to the Citadel of Salahaldeen and the Mosque of Mohamed Ali (not the boxer!). From the citafel, you could virtually see the whole of Cairo, which is no doubt the reason that the Citadel was built here!
A visit to the Pharoanic village followed - this is not to be missed - thanks to the Ragab family, one is now able to visit a mockup village that explains the life and traditions of the ancient Egyptians - after taking a boat ride around the island with a guided tour explaining the ancient royalty as well as the ancient gods.
On the island, one is again taken on a guided tour and then have free time to browse or shop.
Our tour ended with a fabulous lunch of battered fish and calamari, with a variety of salads and rice.