Guest speaker Hesham Soliman spoke about the wonders of Egypt, for the Washburn Alumni Association.

The Washburn Alumni Association is sponsoring a trip to Egypt from May 21 to 31, 2011, which includes a four-day cruise down the Nile River. This is the Association’s first trip to Egypt.

This fall, the Washburn Alumni Association returned from a trip to Spain, Italy, Portugal and Gibraltar on an Iberian Peninsula cruise. The Association sponsors two trips a year, one in the fall, and one in the spring.

“We have travelled all over the world,” said Susie Hoffmann, director of the Washburn Alumni Association.

Soliman has been an Egyptologist for the past 20 years, and centered his presentation on ancient Egyptian art, history and religion. Soliman showed a 12-minute film on Egypt’s highlights, as well as various historical sites.

“Every inch of Egypt has something to see and do,” said Soliman. “It will be as if you’re on a time machine, villages are the same as they were 5,000 years ago.”

Egypt has a dry climate, and is more arid in the south.

“You would not need a jacket in May,” said Soliman.

Arabic is the primary language spoken in Egypt, but people also speak English and French. One-third of the “Seven Wonders of the World,” are in Luxor.

“The best feature about Egypt is the people. They’re very friendly and it is very safe, both day and night,” said Soliman.

“They’re very helpful if you get lost, and help find you find your way. They provide the best Egyptologists and tour guides.

They show everything both modern and ancient, and it all comes together beautifully.”

The Association will leave from Kansas City International Airport to John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, then non-stop to Cairo. Guests will stay at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Cairo, and then will go to Abu Simbel and Aswan, where they will go on a four-day cruise down the Nile.

“Those who haven’t visited Egypt by cruise haven’t seen all of Egypt,” said Soliman.

Once arriving in Luxor, they will fly back to Cairo for the remainder of the trip before returning home May 31.

The cost per person is $3,995. The tour includes transportation, hotel accommodations, 18 meals, and tour highlights. The deposit for the trip is $350 per person, and is due by March 18, 2011. They will have a maximum of 40 people on the trip, so it will be on a first come, first serve basis.

“We’ve sold out every trip we have taken,” said Hoffman. “The benefit of travelling as a group is safety in numbers.”

To make reservations, or for more information about the trip, contact Hoffmann at [email protected], or visit the Washburn Alumni Association office, located inside of the Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center.