Get creative
Did you know ancient hieroglyphics had over 2,000 characters? Hieroglyphics remained a mystery until the Rosetta Stone was uncovered. Three different types of script are written on the stone: hieroglyphics, Egyptian Demotic, and Greek. It took many years for the stone to be properly deciphered and today you can see it for yourself at the British Museum.
Hieroglyphics were written by special royal servants called scribes and they can be seen on ancient tombs, pyramid walls, pottery, ceramics, and papyrus scrolls. Try writing your name using hieroglyphics or translate a short phrase into pictures. You may even want to frame your artwork in a cartouche, which is a special container for hieroglyphs symbolizing a specific person’s name.
Pick a film
Watch a film that relates to your destination. Some ideas for Egypt include:
- Cleopatra (1963)
- Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Arc (1981)
- Prince of Egypt (1998)
Study some history
Deep dive into the ancient sites you will visit on tour. Study the Giza Necropolis, which includes the Great Pyramids and the Great Sphinx. Next, check out the beautiful city of Luxor, considered to be the world’s largest outdoor museum. Built on the ancient capital of Thebes, Luxor is home to the largest temple complex ever constructed. Developed over a 1,500 year span, it is a collection of temples, pylons, and relief carvings. While in Luxor, a visit to the Temples of Karnak is a must. Don’t forget the Valley of the Kings, discovered by Howard Carter in 1922—the famous tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun and all his treasures were discovered here.
Then, discover what it’s like inside a tomb by visiting this 3D tomb!
Choose a book
Read and discuss a book that takes place in Egypt or has interesting historical information. Pick from titles like:
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
- Egypt: Egyptian Mythology and The Secrets of The Gods by Roy Jackson
- Antony and Cleopatra by Colleen McCullough
Fill up your plate
Arrange a potluck and encourage your friends to bring a traditional Egyptian dish. Hold a cooking class with your travel group or consider a group outing to a restaurant that offers Egyptian cuisine. Try falafel (tamiya), shawarma, kebab and kofta, baba ganoush, and baklava. Don’t forget a cup of refreshing mint tea!
Learn the language
Salaam ‘aleikum! Call up a friend or set up a group video chat and practice your language skills. Learn some important words and expressions as you adventure your way through the ancient land of the pharaohs.
Did you know?
The Great Pyramid of Giza contains an estimated 2,300,000 separate stone blocks!