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16 August, 2024

‘My trip to Egypt’ – Uniworld’s Alice Ager reflection after cruising the Nile

Edited by Travel Weekly

When the fabulous Alice Ager, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises managing director in Australia and New Zealand sent us some words of reflection after an incredible cruise down the Nile River, we thought it would be rude not to share them with our audience!

Everyone told me that when you travel to Egypt, you just have to include a cruise on the Nile and I had the greatest of luck to cruise with Uniworld in May as part of a fashion photo-shoot for the Camilla ‘House of the Sun’ collection launch.

It started when Camilla Franks, the founder and creative director of the fashion house, CAMILLA, travelled to Egypt on Uniworld’s River Tosca as part of her inspiration trip in 2022. She is renowned for using travel as her inspiration for her fashion and this year launched an entire collection that is inspired by the stops she made along the Nile.

She was a very special guest at our Uniworld Premiere event in Sydney last month and shared her travel memories and personal stories with our Top Achieving Travel Agents and has created beautiful online Travel Guides for her fashion followers about her experience. Her passion and enthusiasm for Egypt has certainly given life and a renewed profile for this ancient nation.

I didn’t hesitate to head to Egypt in May 2024. I had close contact with our team in Cairo who gave me reassurance of safety. I did keep an eye on the Australian Government Smart Traveller advice and noted that the advice to ‘reconsider the need to travel’ had been in effect since 2018 and had not been amended for over 5 years despite the nearby troubles. I checked with my travel insurer and found that I was definitely covered for travel in Egypt, so without a second thought I booked my flights and off I went.

If you are going to do Egypt, I would say to do it well and do it with expert Egyptologists. Having someone waiting for you at the airport to help navigate immigration and customs was priceless. Our group never had to queue for anything, and our guides had local-only intel, which made the excursions even more interesting. Did I feel safe in Egypt? YES. Tourism is of massive importance, and the Egyptians take tourist safety very seriously and I felt it. The people are so welcoming, and you can feel their kindness. But most of all, they are funny! Expect to laugh, a lot!

Travel to Egypt with an Egyptologist.

Our itinerary spends two nights in Cairo, then 7 nights on the cruise, then a final 2 nights back in Cairo. It is an action-packed itinerary that covers all highlights and must-see spots with exclusive access to many of the temples and tombs. The cruise package includes everything you need and offers great value. The only additional thing to pay for is the short up and down flight to Abu Simbel, which was well worth the early wake up call.

The Camilla team, model and photographer stayed with us on board the S.S. Sphinx and we shot images on the ship and also in Dendera Temple and around the Temples of Luxor, with the support of our local Egyptologists. It was a thrill to be part of the action bringing my love of fashion and passion for travel together in one glamourous bundle and so, so much fun!

Camilla fashion photoshoot.

After the shoot was complete, I was able to relax into the Uniworld itinerary. Every day I thought I’d had the best travel day of my life! My photos just couldn’t possibly do justice to the overwhelm of wonder and intensive memories that I knew would stay with me forever. Each day my brain was exploding with new ideas and information – it was the most stimulating trip I have ever experienced.

How was Egypt not on the top of my travel list? Why didn’t I know that Aswan was going to become my favourite city? Why are the Egyptian people so friendly and actually so funny? I had the time of my life and now I am definitely going back to create more memories, with my family next time.

Camilla fashion photoshoot.

Please put Egypt on YOUR travel list! And add it to your clients’ travel lists! Cruising on the Nile takes you to the most incredible places that only a cruise can offer. The history, culture, food and even fabulous wine, Uniworld’s Splendours of Egypt and the Nile has it all.

My biggest overall Egypt tip:
Say YES to everything! Should you add the optional excursion to Abu Simbel? Say yes! Should I get up early for birdwatching in Aswan? Say yes! Should I dress in a Galabeya for the Egyptian party on board? Say yes! Should I try the okra in a tajine? Say yes! Do everything and try everything. You won’t regret it.

Alice Ager in Egypt.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Alice Ager Uniworld Cruise