Hello All

For my Dad's 90th birthday I want to take him to Egypt to visit the El Alamein memorial where my uncle is remembered in the memorial.
I never met my uncle Fred - he was a corporal in the RAF who worked on Hurricanes and Spitfires ( mechanics must be in the genes !) he was torpedoed by an Italian sub enroute to England from Afganistan in 1943 - ironically the ship was also carrying loads of Italian POW's.
Revenge was had on the Italian sub and it was sank some time after.
My dad was also a corporal in the RAF Regiment as a gunner and 'had a share in a couple of Heinkels' - as he puts it.

Now the bit I need a hand with as I've never been to Egypt.

When is it not too hot in Egypt ? I don't want him to roast whilst we're there.
Can anyone recommend a hotel or area to choose so we can visit the memorial - I would like to show him the pyramids as well - got to really haven't you.
What's internal travel like? Hire a car or public transport?
Best place to fly into and where from ?
We only want to go for 4 nights - are there any short break specialists that anyone can recommend ?

I have searched the t'internet - but sometimes it can give you TOO much information - and I like to work on recommendation.

Thanks in anticipation

Rob

P.s. loving the story of the Spitfires in Burma

[Edited on 14/4/12 by Wheels244]

Sorry i've never been to Egypt so i can't help

But i just wanted to say that's a really nice thing your planning on doing
and i hope i goes really well for you

All the WW2 chaps are Hero's in my eyes because without them most of us
wouldn't be here now

As already said, I think that is a wonderful gestrure

Been to Cairo a ferw times, but always with work so can't help on the accomodation front as we always stayed at the Conrad or the Marriot (not exactly cheap!). But as far as transport goes, it's a bit manic to say the least! Taxis can be an 'experience' but most are at least friendly. The Pyramids are definitely worth a visit, but don't be too dissapointed when you realise they are just on the outskirts of Cairo and not in the middle of the desert as seems on TV

You will get bugged by local 'guides' but the best thing to do is try and stick with the organised ones as the locals will pester you for ever and you will get many offers of 'genuine' Papiras!

Also worth a visit if you have time is the Cairo Museum, pretty amazing place (especially the mummies!). But if you want to take pictures inside it's extra, and No Flash! But they didn't tell me that until I'd paid the 8 Egyptian pounds extra and went in

Hope you find something and most of all, enjoy it

BTW, it's gonna be pretty warm most of the year round.

JB

It's worth a visit and will certainly make you appreciate the driving over here more when you return

ISTR some of the battlefield tour operators "do" El Alamein so I did a Googling ignoring the German run tours this might suit http://www.battlefieldtours.co.uk/next.html

Thanks chaps he's a great bloke and has never had chance to visit the memorial for his brother.
Although he's obviously getting on a bit, you wouldn't have thought so, he's still as sharp as a knife.
He can roll my Uncle Fred's service number off as well as he can his own - not bad from about 70 years ago.
I'm going to approach the war grave commission and try to get my uncles unclaimed campaign medals to present to him as a surprise at the memorial.

Thanks for the info JB - sounds like hiring a car might be off the list !

Thanks for the link to the battlefield tours £3400 + spends makes it too expensive unfortunately - although I'm sure it would be very good. Looking at the list there are loads I'd like to do on there.

I couldn't agree more Perksy about our WW2 heroes - I bumped into a great old bloke a few years ago who was a tail gunner in Lancasters - a small physical chap who walked very tall if you know what I mean - I could have listened to his stories and experiences for hours.