Egypt is a majestic, beautiful country with a long, rich history. A place of mystery, intrigue and diversity, it is a fantastic holiday destination. When on a Nile river cruise, you will see the very best locations that Egypt has to offer. But deciding what to buy on your holiday could be daunting, with so many specialist local items to choose from.
Here are our recommendations for the special purchases you should make while on your river Nile cruise.
Egyptian alabaster is of fantastic quality and has a long history. You’ll find many alabaster ornaments and decorations in the small local stores and market places. Look out for fine alabaster vases to take home as a beautiful souvenir of your trip.
These jars hark back to the ancient Egyptians and the mummification of pharaohs and the uber-wealthy. New canopic jars are a great way to remember your trip and are beautifully decorative and unique. You won’t find these anywhere other than Egypt.
Egyptian cotton makes fantastic clothing and bed linen. Buying while in Egypt will make the pieces far more affordable and environmentally friendly than buying them once you are home again. Egyptian cotton is known to be the best in the world, offering a soft, breathable fabric that is perfect for warm weather.
For a truly unique perfume, head to the small perfumeries in Egypt. Offering individually mixed fragrances in beautiful bottles, these perfumes are far from the mass-produced perfumes of the west. These perfumes make fantastic gifts for friends or for yourself to remember your time in this beautiful country.
The traditional dresses of the region are beautifully handmade, and they are available in a variety of colours with different details including embroidery and beading. For men, the jalabiya are usually made in dark colours while women will find an array of bright and pastel colours to choose from. Find these beautiful garments in one of the many bazaars and take home a piece of Egypt.