Hello, hello, hello and welcome aboard travel with annita & friends.  Today, I’m taking you on a journey of Egypt ancient history – pharaohs queens and kings. We’re going along one of the most legendary rivers in the world—the Nile. I recently sailed with AmaWaterways from Cairo down to Luxor and Aswan, retracing routes that highlight Egypt’s ancient history of pharaohs, queens, and conquerors once traveled.

Along the way, I stood before the great pyramids of Giza, wandered through ancient temples etched with stories of gods and kings, and uncovered the fascinating lives of Egypt’s powerful queens—women like Hatshepsut and Nefertari, who shaped the destiny of empires.

This isn’t just a cruise—it’s time travel. Imagine gliding past palm-lined shores, watching the desert meet the river, while every stop reveals another layer of history thousands of years old.

So settle in—as I share my journey with AmaWaterways starting in Cairo and exploring Luxor and Aswan — pyramids, temples, and the powerful queens who ruled Egypt — and I’ll be joined by Randa Abdelwahav the Egyptologist on my Amawaterways cruise, she brings these stories into focus. Together, we’ll explore the mysteries, the monuments, and the magic of one of the world’s greatest civilizations.”

I’ve always wanted to visit Egypt and my first trip was back in 1980 when I backpacked around the country visiting temples, pyramids and staying with families as my travel buddies and I journeyed from small city to another small village.  Somehow people in the villages knew Americans are traveling through the area.  Children ran greeting us and inviting us to come and visit. It was very warm and engaging.  The people were fascinated with us as we were with them and they wanted us to enjoy tea with them. Women gave their babies for us to hold, considering it an honor for us to hold them.  

With visits to Luxor for valley of the kings, aswan for the great temples…. It was a very memorable trip and one that has remained with me for years endears. You can imagine my excitement when I was invited to sail along the nile with Amawaterways.  

Starting with two days in Cairo and a stay at the St. Regis.  While in Cairo I visited the Egyptian Museum and King Tut’s treasures.  We visited the Alabaster Mosque and Saladin’s citadel.  The Grand Egyptian Museum had a soft opening while there and it was amazing to have a chance to have a first view of the artifacts spectacularly exhibited and displayed.  This new museum is an exciting addition to your Egypt itinerary.  

Once onboard our ship, we started sailing the Nile. I couldn’t wait to get back to the Valley of the Kings where you can visit King Tuts tomb & Seti I Tomb, the temple of Hatshepsut while in Luxor.  Heading on to Edfu we visited the temple of Horus the Falcom headed god,and Karnak Temple. My favorite spot in Egypt is Aswan where you’ll find Abu Simbel World Heritage site… the temple and of Ramsey II and Nefertari.  

Such a surreal experience, walking the same paths of the pharos and sailing the same waters where Cleopatra sailed.  Amazing. While cruising, I sat down with Egyptologist Randa Abdelwahav for a long chat. We talked about Egyptian culture and history … her fascinating life and extraordinary knowledge made learning more about Egypt during the trip very easy.  I wanted to know more about her and how she chose to become an egyptologists.  

Take a listen to her story. And, make sure to listen on when the show ends. I share  a few more minutes of my conversation with Randa. She’s amazing.

Take a look at some photos.