Xiaoyun and her family met in Israel and traveled overland to Egypt where they took part in a stunning 11-day program with Backpacker Concierge. After exploring the main sites in Cairo and along the Nile, they took to the lesser-explored regions of the Western Desert for a 2-night safari.

A few words from the client:

“You provide the best concierge [service] that backpackers could ever ask in Egypt. Backpacker Concierge was excellent all the way from designing the program to delivering the tour. The [program] itself was smooth and timely in all connections, the guides were first class and there were absolutely no scams (like a visit to a “Papyrus museum”). Although our trip was during the tumultuous time of post-revolution Egypt, we felt very safe and comfortable, were well taken care of, and were given full freedom to explore interesting things at our own pace every step of the way.”

Christine and her husband traveled from Germany for a short jaunt in Cairo and a long, relaxing trip on their 8-cabin Dahabiya with Backpacker Concierge. They decided not to gulp in the Nile – rather, they sipped it and explored Upper Egypt at a refined pace!

A few words from the client:

“We had a wonderful time in Egypt and everything worked perfect. Our guides gave us a deep dive in the history of Egypt and showed us all the important sights. We enjoyed the trip!”

Exploring Islamic Cairo with Guide Mohamed

Cairo From Above

Aboard the Dahabiya

High Above Luxor

Philae From the Nile

As part of a one year around-the-world holiday, Liz and Reed contacted Backpacker Concierge to arrange an overnight White Desert excursion. This is by far one of our most popular offerings given the desert’s proximity to Cairo and it is a great add-on for clients already booked on a group tour with another company.

A few words from the client:

“We loved the scenery – reminded us of the desert in Nevada or Utah at times, really incredible to drive through and camp like we did. And to know Libya is one direction and Luxor the other was fascinating. The food was excellent! [Our driver] Waheed brought his pipe so we could try sheesha – something I wanted to do when we were in Cairo. Sounds like he has traveled a bit and loves his job, which was refreshing for us!

I loved the sandsurfing!”

Setting Up Camp

Sandboarding!

Sheesha Time!

The World Famous Mushroom and Chicken

Sophie and Jerome took a break from their time in Dubai and traveled to Egypt with Backpacker Concierge. We met up with them in the Sinai Peninsula and trekked the St. Katherine Protectorate together. From there, they continued down the Nile on a luxury cruise boat before finishing at the amazing Kempinski in downtown Cairo.

A few words from the client:

“We wanted to thank you [for making] our travel through Egypt so fantastic. Timing and level of services were very good. Stay in Dahab was great and the cruise on the Nile was excellent (we were the only one on the boat) and the guide was good. Overall the organization was excellent – you really made that trip very special – THANK YOU!”

Trekking in St. Katherine

Lunch Near the Summit of Mt. Sinai

Egypt’s first cooking school devoted to regional cuisine is officially open and ready for business!

But don’t just take our word for it. In addition to upcoming press in major American culinary and travel magazines, Qasr Twenty has received some amazing shout-outs.

Click ‘Read More’ for press clippings and information on how to book space in an upcoming cooking class.

Bookings can be made by emailing cooking@qasrtwenty.com or visiting Cook-o

Click on the images for Qasr Twenty’s awesome press!

Cooking Classes in Cairo

Catharina and Elisabeth took advantage of Egypt’s post-revolutionary rates and treated themselves to an ‘in style’ journey through the country. After taking two days to reach Egypt, they put their feet up at Cairo’s newly opened Kempinski Hotel, where their room overlooked the River Nile. In Luxor they had the privilege of cruising on an ultra-deluxe boat to Dendara Temple, one of the most stunning monuments in the region. Their adventure ended with an afternoon excursion to Abu Simbel where they were the only two people inside Nefertari’s Temple!

Backpacker Concierge met with Catharina in London just a few weeks later to catch up over a few drinks. It was confirmed, they had a great time!

Giza Plateau

The Fabulous Nile Kempinski

Lounging on board the cruise

Luxor Temple by night

Lunch on a private felucca

A Treat: Alone at Abu Simbel

David and Robyn brought their good vibes to Egypt, by way of the UK. Backpacker Concierge loved having this duo on board and we know they loved their time with us, too! The couple traversed the country, immersing themselves as much as possible, while still indulging in a few moments of luxury here and there.

A few words from the clients:

“We loved Egypt – the tour was great! Thanks to you for all the organising and for being patient while I changed my mind so many times while trying to sort out the itinerary. Highlights for us were the camel trek at sunset, the private overnight felucca, and the bike tour in Luxor.”

A stunning view of Saqqara in the morning light

Robyn + David on the Giza Plateau

The couple’s accommodation in Cairo

Now Robyn understands why the train to Aswan is special

The view of Aswan from their hotel

Overnight felucca sailtrek

Local color in Edfu

A ride through Luxor’s West Bank

After months of planning, the family decided on the perfect 10 day trip of Egypt. They experienced Cairo, cruised the Nile in utmost style, and then headed over to the Sinai Peninsula for some of the most amazing trekking (and food!) in the country.

A few words from the client:

“My wife Nikki and I wish to thank you for our extraordinary trip in Egypt. I have lived all over the world (moved 19 times in 25 years) and travelled all over the world and can knowingly say that our Egypt trip, as organised by Backpacker Concierge, was just exceptional and very good value for money.”

A snapshot with their Bedouin guide, Suleyman

The family makes it to Mt. Sinai’s peak

The stunning Monastery at St. Katherine

“St Catherine Monastery and especially the climb up Mt Sinai was probably THE highlight of our Egypt trip. First, even though the monastery may seem a lesser calibre historical monument compared to some of the mega-sites in the region, and regardless of its religious denomination, it is just exceptional to visit a site which has been a continuously operating centre of knowledge and human values since the 4th century.

Second, the climb up Mt Sinai with Bedouin guide Suleyman, including our mid-day side-excursion to various old hermit and monastic sides on the flank of the mountain, our Bedouin lunch, and the entire Mt Sinai natural setting are just unequalled.”

No doubt, Amman has the best of what’s around in terms of food! If eating is your thing you won’t be disappointed! This week we focus on Amman’s most AUTHENTIC restaurants.

Beit al-Shocair
Rainbow St
This is a fairly new restaurant in the Rainbow St area. The Beit (or house) is an old Amman family estate that has been turned into a beautiful traditional restaurant. In addition to the impressive interior, the restaurant boasts an amazing view of the city. You may order ala carte or set menu family style. There are also several shops in the complex that belong to local artists of all media.

Tawaheen Al Hawa
Tlaa’ Al-Ali, Jubilee Circle, Garden City – 6 534 9986
This is the type of place where you will experience “real Jordanian” cuisine and spectacular service. The meals are served with several mezze (Arabic hot and cold appetizers), giving you an opportunity to sample a variety of local specialties. The fresh juices are a fine accompaniment to the food, but no alcohol is served. It’s local after all!

Al-kods (Jerusalem)
King Hussein St, Downtown – 6 463 0168
This is a staple restaurant in Amman. Here you’ll find several basic Jordanian dishes, the most interesting being lamb neck, amongst a very local crowd. The prices are local as well and no meal here is complete without a Turkish coffee.

Hashem Restaurant
Al Amir Street, Downtown, ANY local can show you the way
This restaurant is known by anyone who has ever set foot in Amman! It is deemed famous by locals and one visit will tell you why. It has plastic chairs and tables and the waiters will bring you food without an actual order. It is what it is! It’s best to simply shrug your shoulders when asked what you’d like. What the restaurant lacks in charm it makes up for in flavor.

Fakhr al Deen
40 Taha Hussein Street, 1st Circle – 6 465 2399
The first step to eating at Fakhr al Deen is finding the place! Ignore anyone who tells you the restaurant is near the 2nd Circle, because it is indeed closer to the 1st Circle. The menu is very extensive and while you may be tempted to order the set menu, ordering a la carte can often be more economical. The mezze are delicious, of course, and be sure to try the kofta with yogurt as your main dish. Be sure to look at the wine list before ordering – it’s clear that alcohol sales is how the restaurant stays in business.

Habibah, King Hussein, several locations in the city
One of the top places in Jordan for oriental sweets! They also operate a small alley way location near the ‘Gold Souk’. Here you can try kanafa with cheese. It’s especially nice in the winter as it’s a combination of sweet sticky semolina cake and gooey warm cheese.

Zlatimo Brothers, several locations in the city
This is another great stop for oriental sweets. The best thing is that you can bring the taste home with you. The Z bros offer packaging of their fresh sweets for traveling. We don’t know how or why, but they can last up to 60 days after you purchase them and still retain their flavor. They make for great gifts and also help you to recall your time in Jordan after you’ve gone. Conveniently, they also have shops inside the airport for last minute shopping.

The Insider profiles emerging tastemakers in the fields of fashion, design, food, travel and the arts.

Though he started out in advertising in Manhattan, Eric Monkaba has always had a bit of wanderlust. While vacationing in Morocco a few years back, Monkaba shared a taxi in the High Atlas Mountains with a few British tour managers who opened his eyes to a different career path. Soon enough he was leading tours through the deserts of Egypt, Jordan and Morocco. After studying Arabic at the University of Damascus and a stint working with street children in Yemen, he started Backpacker Concierge, a personalized travel consultancy specializing in responsible tourism in the Middle East, mainly in Egypt and Jordan.

http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/06/the-insider-eric-monkaba/