If the Authentic Escapes experience you've selected is a cruise, the cruise line will offer you insurance to cover your cruise fare. Should you prefer a comprehensive travel insurance policy that covers more than the cruise fare, we encourage you to explore our partners who work with the biggest insurance companies in the US.

The trips are run by Authentic Escapes, a private luxury travel club for curious travelers owned and operated by Anthony and Sandra McLemore. Authentic Escapes welcomes solo travelers, couples, and groups of friends on the trips. Select trips are open to children under 18. The couple owns Cottam McLemore Inc., a production company, and Travel Marketing & Media, a marketing and media agency in the travel industry. Anthony is an Emmy award-winning television producer and Sandra is a well-known travel TV host and news contributor with over 25 years in the travel industry. Sandra has the CEOs of the biggest and best luxury travel brands on speed dial and they are always quick to partner and support her trips and projects. The couple lives in Los Angeles with their 4-year-old son, Houston.

Our experiences cater to luxury travelers with a deep curiosity about different cultures. Luxury can mean different things to different people, and for us, it includes exceptional food, stunning accommodations, and one-of-a-kind, authentic experiences. We do offer opportunities to upgrade to a high-end luxury experience, such as suites and business or first-class flights. Our trips feature 4 or 5-star accommodations. However, the choice to upgrade is up to you. If you're someone who loves to learn about new cultures, histories, and ways of life, and you're eager to broaden your understanding of the world, our experiences are perfect for you. You'll have the chance to meet new people and sample new cuisines, making every moment an adventure. Traveling as part of our group experiences doesn’t mean you always have to be surrounded by others. You might prefer spending time alone, with family, or in a small group of friends. Our hosts, Sandra and Anthony understand this balance. While Anthony loves being social and engaging with many people, Sandra enjoys quieter moments and a bit more solitude. Sometimes they dine with others, and other times they prefer a private meal. The choice is entirely yours. This is your journey, and you can customize your social interactions to fit what makes you most comfortable. Special Note for Travel Advisors: Our experiences are not available to travel advisors. We are not able to offer industry rates or benefits. Please contact travel suppliers directly for your travel needs.

Our experiences are hosted and must be booked directly through our travel partner. This ensures you receive all the amenities and experiences curated specifically for our trip. You'll also receive all the communication about the experience. You will still earn any loyalty points through our travel partner programs if you are a member.

Absolutely. Keep in mind some of our experiences are not designed for young children. Be sure to check the minimum ages before booking your trip. Each guest can pay individually if you prefer.

You can expect an incredible authentic experiences with your host. Beautiful accommodations, incredible cuisine and outstanding attentive details. Our hosts typically add one surprise element on each experience. Prior to departure, you'll participate in a call with Anthony and Sandra to answer any questions you may have.

The best way to stay informed is by signing up for our Travel Club. As a member of the travel club, you'll be able to give your ideas for upcoming trips and you'll have access to a special VIP booking window that opens 48 hours to a week before everyone else. Lastly, you'll have first opportunity to travel on smaller group experiences where availability is very limited.

No. However, they often will be because it's an easy and luxurious way to travel. We will have land based experiences beginning in 2025.

Yes. We'll go over those items during our welcome call in the month leading up to the trip.

While assessing risk is a personal choice, having accurate and up-to-date information can help put your mind at ease. Egypt is committed to ensuring the safety and security of its visitors, and the government has put extensive measures in place to create a safe and welcoming environment for tourists. Learn more

Bookings Open July 8, 2024 - Request a call back here Final Payment Due March 8, 2025 Trip Begins in Cairo June 9, 2025 Trip Ends in Cairo June 20, 2025

The phone number is 1-855-296-0109 and let them know you're part of the Authentic Escapes Group with Anthony and Sandra McLemore. The sailing is on the AmaLilia (that's the ship name by cruise line partner AmaWaterways) departing June 09, 2025. Alternatively you can request a callback at a time that's convenient for you, from our main trip page.

Only $1,200 per person If you are sharing a room, only one of you needs to call unless you want to pay your deposit separately. If so, have one person call first, and then give the roommate the confirmation number to call in their deposit on the same day. Final payment is not due until March of 2025! You can either call in and make payments at any time, pay in full when booking, or pay by the final deadline.

Flights can be booked 330 days before departure - that's July 14, 2024. You can book your flights through your preferred travel advisor, an airline directly, or you can have AmaWaterways book your flights. The advantage of having someone else handle your flight arrangements is that if something should change they will work directly with the airline on your behalf so you don't spend your day trying to resolve it.

Yes. Booking early allows you to have the best selection of rooms available. It also gives you the ability to book your flights early and have the widest choice of availability. There are also two optional activities during the cruise that are only available on a first-come, first-served basis. Booking early ensures you'll be able to include them as part of your cruise. The AmaWaterways High Tea The Abu Simbel Excursion

Your luxury river cruise on the Nile River with the award-winning AmaWaterways. Your ship is the AmaLilia. Your trip will be hosted by Sandra & Anthony McLemore. Sandra is a travel contributor on network news and morning shows and Anthony is an Emmy award-winning producer. We will be staying at the Ritz Carlton on the Nile!

AmaWaterways is an award-winning river cruise line with a well-deserved reputation for excellence. We particularly loved their ship, the AmaLilia, which we believe is one of the most luxurious vessels on the Nile. Every detail on the AmaLilia, from the stunning artwork to the fine fabrics, is inspired by Egyptian culture, creating an immersive and elegant atmosphere. The entire crew is Egyptian, which adds a genuine and welcoming touch to the journey. The culinary experience onboard is exceptional, featuring dishes that celebrate local flavors and ingredients, all freshly sourced. What makes the cruise even more special is the presence of an Egyptologist who sails with you, sharing fascinating insights and stories about Egypt’s rich history. This is in addition to the attentive cruise manager who ensures your journey is smooth and enjoyable. AmaWaterways goes above and beyond to provide unique and authentic experiences, making every moment of your Nile adventure truly unforgettable.

While it's certainly one of the hottest seasons to visit, if you're comfortable with a warm summer, you'll find it quite manageable here. The heat is dry, so you won't have to deal with the sticky humidity that can make high temperatures feel unbearable. We specifically chose this season for our journey because it means fewer tourists. This makes for a much more enjoyable and intimate experience. Fewer people mean you can explore at your own pace without feeling rushed or crowded. It's the number of visitors, not the temperature, that affects your ability to walk around and fully take in the sights. Plus, you won't have to wait in long lines or struggle through big crowds. This makes your experience of Egypt's wonders much more personal and enjoyable. As we get closer to departure we'll walk you through a packing list - having had first hand experience at this time of year in Egypt we know exactly what to pack, and what NOT to pack. Low Season Busy/High Season

The stunning AmaLilia. She's a brand new ship that launched in 2024.

That's up to you. You can book your flights through your preferred travel advisor, the airline directly, or you can have AmaWaterways book your flights. The advantage of having someone else handle your flight arrangements is that if something should change they will work directly with the airline on your behalf so you don't spend your day trying to resolve it.

Fly in and out of Cairo. There is a domestic flight in Egypt that AmaWaterways will book for you as everyone travels for this part of the trip. It will likely be an Egypt Air flight which is very comfortable. The flight is approximately an hour. If you decide to do the Abu Simbel tour, you'll fly to Aswan during the trip. Again, it will likely be Egypt Air. The flight is around 40 minutes.

Cairo Pre-Cruise Arrival airport transfer Personal escort through immigration Egypt visa (handed to you on arrival saving you time) 3 nights at your luxury hotel* in a partial Nile view room, including daily breakfast and complimentary Wi-Fi Welcome Reception with tapas and drinks Full-day Cairo tour with visits to the Egyptian Museum, home to King Tut’s treasures, and visits to Citadel of Salah Ed-Din and Alabaster Mosque Visit the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx and Saqqara Museum and lunch at the historic Mena House Hotel Nile River Cruise Cairo - Luxor round trip flight to meet the ship 7-night river cruise in elegantly appointed accommodations Fine dining with a variety of choices, including The Al Fresco Restaurant Wine, beer and soft drinks included during lunch and dinner Sip & Sail cocktail hour Welcome Cocktail, Welcome Dinner and Gala Dinner A dedicated English-speaking Egyptologist accompanying you on your river cruise journey Nightly entertainment including a belly dance show, Galabeya Party and Movie night A variety of small group guided shore excursions Visit to the outdoor Luxor Market as well as a papyrus shop and learn the history of this art form Exclusive visits to the Tomb of Queen Nefertari and a Nubian village Fitness room, sun-deck pool, hair and nail salon and a massage room Complimentary Wi-Fi Cairo Post Cruise One night at your luxury hotel* in a partial Nile view room Superior Room with breakfast and complimentary Wi-Fi Departure airport transfer

The million dollar question for the million dollar experience... and thankfully nowhere near that price. Your 11-night cruise and land tour in Egypt starts at $5499 per person depending on the cabin or suite you book. We recommend booking right away to have more chance of securing your preference. If you were to divide this by the 11 nights/12 days it would be $458/day. Remembering that this includes on every day the following: 1. Your breakfast, lunch and dinner (plus beer, wine and soda in the evening) - only nights in Cairo you get your own dinner. 2. ALL of your tours in the program except for the two optional add-ons. 3. Your Egyptologist who is with you for the entire trip. 4. ALL of your hotel and ship accommodation at 4.5 and 5 stars only. 5. Your round trip flight from Cairo to Luxor and back. 6. Your round trip airport transfers in Cairo and Luxor. 7. Your visa for Egypt - someone will be standing in the airport when you get off your flight and to hand to you and guide you through immigration and baggage pick up / drop off. 8. Security on eac bus for your peace of mind. 9. The five star cruise on the Nile. 10. Chef's table fine dining experience.

Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship Informative, interactive, simple-to-use onboard kiosks with daily cruise details, information, and easy check-in/checkout features at each port. Digital signage keeps you up-to-date throughout the day Expansive Sun Deck. Relax on a shaded lounger while sipping a cold drink or allow the ever-changing scenery to capture your daydreams. Main Lounge Bar Massage Room Hair and Nail Salon Fitness Room Gift Shop Main Restaurant Chef's Table Restaurant Elevator Non-smoking interior English-speaking TV channels with 50+ free movie options Unlimited complimentary local beer, wine, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner on board. Your Cruise Manager will be with you every step of your journey, as well as expertly trained Egyptologists

International Airfare Travel insurance (ask us for recommendations) Abu Simbel Shore Excursion High Tea on the Nile Shore Excursion Spending money

Welcome cocktails Daily choices of regional specialties and Western favorites with fresh locally sourced ingredients. Daily buffet breakfast with classic hot and cold breakfast items and à la carte daily specials Daily lunch buffet and multi-course fine dining experience with a wide choice of items including complimentary beer, wine, and soft drinks Dine in the Main Restaurant or The Chef's Table specialty restaurant.

All shore excursions are included except Abu Simbel and High Tea on the Nile.

The shore excursion days are long. There will be two air-conditioned buses. You'll stay with the same bus and guides for the entire week. You'll generally leave in the morning and come back in the afternoon. You'll either have lunch while you're out or you'll come back to the ship for lunch.

No. Egypt is best experienced with a guide, specifically an Egyptologist. It's not advisable to wander alone. It's not efficient or effective when it comes to managing your time and seeing all the sights. However, at each site, there is time built in for rest and shopping. At Luxor you'll have time to shop. At Abu Simbel you can explore together but you can also dine at the restaurant or shop if you prefer while there. At the Pyramids you wouldn't be able to wander off because it's very structured. The buses new and state-of-the-art and include Wi-Fi and bathrooms. If you want to skip a tour or are feeling tired, you can certainly return to the bus and relax there until we head back to the ship.

We will have a photographer with us at key sites who will take photos for our group. This is a complimentary service courtesy of Sandra & Anthony McLemore, your hosts, and the team at Authentic Escapes.