170 per cent increase in travellers to 'phenomenal' but lesser-known destination

- Brought to you by Scenic

They say Egypt is where history truly begins and after travelling there with Scenic, I can confirm it's 100 per cent true.

This wasn't just another holiday, it was a life experience being completely immersed in one of the world's most phenomenal destinations. 

When you travel to a destination that is so different to what you are used to, it's great to know you have the experts on your side.

From the moment we landed in Cairo, Scenic had everything taken care of. It was seamless. Travelling in a small group really made the difference.

It meant more time to soak it all in, the conversations felt more like a group of friends, and it was a more personal kind of experience. 

The headline act  

Of course, Egypt's headline act is the pyramids. It still amazes me to think how on earth they built them over 4,500 years ago.

When you first see the Great Pyramids of Giza they rise from the desert like a mirage, and hold such an awesome presence that it's hard to take it all in.

Staying at the Marriott Mena House, one of Scenic's Special Stays, was the icing on the cake. My balcony literally looked out over the pyramids, which has to be one of the best views in all of Egypt. 

Travelling with an Egyptologist  

A part of the journey I loved was that our Scenic Tour Director was a fully qualified Egyptologist. 

Imagine having Indiana Jones with a PhD guiding you through temples and tombs, except instead of dodging boulders and snakes he was delivering fascinating facts.

Every statue, carving, and crumbling stone seemed to come alive with his storytelling. 

Cruising the legendary Nile  

Then came the Nile. Cruising down this legendary river aboard the Sanctuary Sun Boat III was like checking into a boutique luxury hotel.

World-class dining, impeccable service, and views that  doubled as history lessons - it's one of those surreal experiences where you're not sure whether  to order another cocktail or just stand at the railing, spellbound, watching 5,000 years of civilisation drift quietly past.

My tip…why not do both? 

Fascinating Abu Simbel  

One of the the real "wow" moments though was flying to Abu Simbel. Seeing the four colossal statues of Ramses II carved straight into the mountainside is one of those experiences that stops  you in your tracks. Just phenomenal.

Walking through the labyrinth of chambers inside the temple  felt like stepping through a portal into another world. I'm fairly sure I left with goosebumps and  about 100 photos of the same statue… just from slightly different angles. 

Tailored moments  

What really made the journey so unique though were the Scenic Freechoice excursions and Enrich events.

These let you personalise your trip, so whether you're craving your fill of temples, a  foodie experience, or just want to wander through the colourful souks, every day feels like it's tailored just for you and what you want to see. 

The Egypt effect  

Egypt grabs hold of you - the colours, the energy, the sheer scale of history - and it never quite  lets go.

The incredible experiences you get to have keep replaying in your mind long after you've unpacked your bags and this is certainly one of those rare destinations that literally changes how you see the world. 

Egypt travel is on the rise

Australians are favouring lesser-known places like this over the usual hotspots and Egypt in particular has seen a surge in visitors.

From ancient history to balmy beaches, desert adventures and rich culture - there are many reasons to visit the country, so it is no surprise the destination is booming.

In fact, new booking data from multiple tour groups has shown an increase of over 170 per cent in 2025, compared to the same period last year, a trend seen right across continental Africa.

David Whitehill travelled as a guest of Scenic. Check out more of David Whitehill in the video below.

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