Anyone looking for a holiday that gets much closer to the cultural core of a historic destination than the average tourist experience would do well to check out the Global Explorer Series a partnership between Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and the National Geographic Society. Theyre inviting intrepid travellers to do better than peer at their attractions of choice from behind a cordon while leafing though a guidebook, but better still engage with them in top destinations from Kenya to Cairo, Monaco and St Andrews up-close and in context together with a leading expert.
The latest package offered is the Wonder With One of the Seven Wonders tour, a three day exploration of Egypts historic capital Cairo in the company of renowned archaeologist and Secretary General of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities Zahi Hawass. Participants will be put up in Fairmont Towers, Heliopolis and the Fairmont Nile City, spend a whole day spent exploring the Great Pyramids of Giza and Saqqara, take a guided tour of the Egyptian Museum Cairo and a trip on the Nile Felucca ride, then finally sit down for a dinner lecture with Hawass, during which hell reveal some of the many secrets of ancient Egypt he has unlocked in his line work.
Egypt is a fascinating and mysterious part of the world, Frank Naboulsi, Vice President & General Manager of Fairmont Nile City, Cairo, told Heritage Key. We are excited to give our guests a rare chance to explore its wonders in the company of a world-renowned expert. Its his hope that Global Explorer Series holidays will represent luxurious, adventurous and educational experiences all rolled into one. Luxury today is about enriching experiences, Naboulsi adds. Travel that can broaden the mind and nourish the soul is what creates a truly memorable vacation.
Its a trip bespoke to a rapidly growing demand in the global tourist market. Worldwide tourism is expected to top 1 billion arrivals in 2010 and grow to 1.6 billion by 2020; estimates suggest that more than 40% of travellers put a cultural experience in their top three holiday objectives. Where would you like to see tours such as the Global Explorer Series visit next? Mark your destinations of choice on the Heritage Key Directory.
Of course, if you cant afford the cool $960 USD per head price tag for the Wonder With One of the Seven Wonders Tour, you can always check out our King Tut Virtual experience free of charge from the comfort of your own computer.
Zahi Hawass picture by Kenneth Garrett. All rights reserved.