January 28, 2008
A MILLION THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY OF HAVING A MAGIC TRIP TO EGYPT

Our trip to and through Egypt was more than we had expected.  Starting on day one, when several tour agents received us at the airport to facilitate our entrance into the country.   Later, during the trip, we were put in first class hotels where we were received with smiles and everyone was ready to satisfy whatever we asked for.  Security was extraordinary but it was kept in the background and each tourism police officer was cordial, friendly and helpful.   The food was abundant and the variety of dishes, vegetables, breads, cakes, and fruits was beyond what we could begin to try.  Our tour guide was a first class gentleman with a graduate degree in Egyptology.  He had a perfect command of English, lots of charisma and a natural gift of empathy that made us feel like he was one of us (not one of them).  He looked out for our interest beyond what one usually expect of a tour guide. With his many years of experience in the business, he adjusted the time of our visits to the most important sites when the masses of people were not there.  These adjustments confused some people in our group who neglected to recognize that our guide was looking out for our best interest and our comfort all the time.  Without letting us know, he would give tips of a few dollars to museum guards and tourism policemen to get their support in making our visit enjoyable and safe.  Several ladies in our group reported that frequently tourism policemen followed them through the street markets at a discreet distance after he had a word with them.  If he thought that we were hungry, he would stop the bus and buy fresh made bread from the street vendors (the sun baked bread proved to be delicious).  Another time he bought us pizzas and would not accept our payment.  Later, he bought us Egyptian candies (made of sesame seed flour).   We bombarded him with questions.  He always knew the answer and his answers were adapted to our Western culture in a form that we would easily understand.  Sometimes, some of us being distracted when he answered, asked the same question again and again and he always answered as if it was the most important question of the day (No matter that a few minutes earlier he had just explained the same thing. He made everyone to feel important.  Each one of us was the most important person in the group for him.)Our buses were new – they had been on the road only a few months.  Our cruise ship was about six months old and the furniture and décor better than all the other cruise ships that we saw during the trip. The ship’s personnel was extremely cordial and went out their way to meet all our requests. The cabin crew was friendly and played funny games with our towels to entertain us.  The local flights were well planned and always there were extra hands to move our luggage and facilitate our boarding without delays.

We are back in Houston, but our hearts are still somewhere between Cairo and Abu Simbel.  We love Egypt!

Larry Larrinaga and Bill Luft
 

January 21, 2008

Hi Tim,
 
I know I've thanked you already but I want to thank you again for putting together such a great tour.  The sights we went to were amazing.  The guides were just as amazing.  The care they showed for our safety and well-being was above and beyond.  You have some great connections!  Some of the days were long and tiring but for me that's all a part of being on vacation--if I'm going that far, I want to see as much as possible.  The Nile Cruise was one of the highlights of the trip.  The boat was lovely and the rooms were large and plush.  It was more than I ever expected.  I couldn't think of a nicer way to end the trip.  Prior to the trip I was so nervous about traveling alone that I had a hard time getting excited.  Once I met folks on the flight and on Bus Two, my nerves settled and I was able to really enjoy myself.  I am thoroughly impressed with the work of Pilgrim Tours.  If this trip is any indication of the type and quality of tours you put together, I would never hesitate to take another trip with Pilgrim and I would highly recommend your firm to other travelers/groups.
 
Tim, thanks again for everything.  It was a pleasure meeting you and it would be fun to travel in your group again.
 
Joanne Krantz