13 June

Egypt like we’ve never seen it before!

Over these few days, it was as if we had lived a small life, traveling deep into time and impressions! The trip was a true immersion in a side of Egypt that we had never known. Cairo and Luxor, the pyramids and a sailing cruise. Everyone noted that the program offered by Melc Travel Group provided an opportunity to take a completely new look at the country and really feel it. We got to know Egypt through the prism of MICE industry professionals: from the capital's state-of-the-art venues with unique conference facilities to ancient temples where you can arrange fantastic gala dinners under the stars. We’ve since returned, but our memories of the gently rolling Nile still linger.

Before turning to a description of our trip, we’d like to say a few words about the host country. It’s very important to have a reliable partner in DMC when planning an event. We were hosted by the travel division of the well-known investment company Middle East Logistics and Consultant Group (MELC GROUP). It brings together a number of different areas: MICE and event, exhibitions and launches, logistics and transfers, flights and visas, branding and design. Melc Travel Group has had a presence on the Egyptian tourism market since 1987 (under its current name since 2017). Its CEO is Azza Zaghoul. Her passion for challenges is an inspiration to the whole team. It’s worth noting that the company was the first to establish a MICE department to serve the country’s northern regions, became an official partner of the International Book Fair, and has organized numerous successful events for medical associations. The company’s position in the premium segment is particularly strong. In 2025, Melc TG launched its own luxury cruise yacht on the waters of the Nile. 

Cairo is a city worth seeing at least once in your life

Marina Karaseva, Media Director of MICE&more

– Even our colleagues who had been here before were surprised in Cairo. The thing is that since April, the whole site on which the famous pyramids stand has opened, or more precisely – reopened, having passed into new management by a private company and, as a project, been transformed into a modern world-class museum. Tourists are greeted by a spacious and cool information center with ticket offices and are then invited to board comfortable shuttle buses with air conditioning and Wi-Fi that run one after the other along a route from six locations – to the Sphinx and back. There are souvenir shops, restrooms and food outlets at each location. All of the buildings have been designed in a unified architectural style that harmoniously blends into the desert around the pyramids.

For groups of 25 people or more you can book a separate bus, and small groups and VIP guests can be transported by buggy. For greeting such groups, there’s a separate reception space with cozy relaxation areas, drinks and screens.

There are two spacious restaurants with outdoor terraces on site. One is very close to the pyramids, where you can have breakfast or lunch, while the other is on a hill with a stunning view and a large event area. 

Perhaps even more vivid impressions were given to us by GEM, the new Grand Egyptian Museum, which will now serve as Egypt’s archaeological home base. The building is ultra-modern. Upon entering, its sheer scale takes your breath away. GEM will house permanent exhibitions, rotating shows and a separate museum for children, as well as virtual and large-format screens spanning a total area of 32,000 m2.

Inside, the building boasts a whole complex of halls for organizing events of various formats and a variety of open spaces with views of the pyramids. Impressive small dinners and spectacular shows can be organized here. 

The span between GEM and the pyramids will soon be serviced by shuttle trains that you can also use to get to the new international airport in 15 minutes. For example, travelling back and forth from a Red Sea resort will become an easy, breezy daytrip.

And more about VIP groups! For them, you can book a truly unique experience – witnessing sunrise or sunset on the pyramids. You can even project your company’s logo onto the pyramids during the event! Our host company, MELC Travel Group, makes it all possible. 

CAIRO HOTELS

Intercontinental Cairo City Stars 5*: a great option for large groups

To accommodate events, it offers 21 halls and meeting rooms (from 2 to 2,200 people) on three floors with spacious foyers on each level. The hotel boasts one of the largest banquet halls in Cairo – Al Saraya. It’s also possible to hold gala dinners and lavish parties in the outdoor pool area in the courtyard. Intercontinental City Stars houses four restaurants: delicious Egyptian cuisine is presented in a variety of ways at Al Khal, authentic Lebanese cuisine at Fayruz (combined with incendiary concert programs) and atmospheric Japanese cuisine at Shogun, while the main Esplanade Cafe restaurant operates in a buffet format complete with culinary stations. The SPA center, featuring an indoor pool, is located in a separate building. 

Kempinski Royal Maxim 5*: azure Egyptian palace

Standing majestically in the heart of New Cairo (near the new EIEC Convention Center), this luxurious five-star hotel offers 245 rooms and suites, magnificent views of the gardens and pool, delicious culinary treats, a luxurious spa and wonderful venues for events of any scale: a separate banquet floor, 11 conference rooms and the largest banquet hall in Cairo. Restaurants: Romanov Steakhouse, a must-visit in Cairo (with a portrait of Nicholas II at the entrance), Yana Asian restaurant with golden Buddhas and the exceptional Italian restaurant Lucca (whose cuisine we tasted). The 1897 bar and cigar lounge impresses with its atmosphere.

Marriott Mena House 5*: historic hotel overlooking the pyramids

The historical part of the hotel dates back to 1886. It is named after the founding father of the first Egyptian dynasty, Mena (King Menes). In 1890, the first swimming pool in Egypt was opened here. Illustrious figures of the 20th and 21st centuries have stayed at the hotel and the most important high-level meetings have been held within its walls. The hotel has been operated by Marriott since 2015. We got acquainted with the hotel’s luxurious conference facilities: almost 6,000 m2 of event space and seven conference rooms with a total capacity of up to 3,000 participants. The outdoor location, Pavilion 139, a 24-hour restaurant in the gardens with a picture-perfect view of the pyramids, is particularly exciting: truly a dreamy playground.

Gastronomic experience: ESCA CUEVA insta-restaurant 

CUEVA means “cave.” This new Cairo restaurant is situated on a high hill in Giza, making it an incredibly romantic viewing platform for the entire Egyptian capital. This trendy restaurant looks like a sandy modernist grotto in the spirit of Gaudi. The restaurant's concept, led by culinary chef Suzanne Sabah, is designed in a modern style: “Esca Cueva embodies originality.” But the main thing is that it’s very, very tasty. 

LUXOR: the legendary city where Tutankhamun left a timeless mystery

Marina Karaseva, Media Director of MICE&more

– Luxor is located on the site of the ancient city of Thebes, the capital of Ancient Egypt. It consists of two parts: The “city of the living” is a residential area on the right bank of the Nile, while the “city of the dead” on the other side of the river is the site of necropolises, including the most famous – the Valley of the Kings. It’s here that you can experience the world of Ancient Egypt and witness the country’s modern national flair. The flight from Cairo to Luxor by Egypt Air is very comfortable and takes about an hour. 

On different banks, we visited the temples of Hatshepsut and Ramses III, Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. We were accompanied everywhere by the head of the catering service of the Sonesta St. George Hotel, who told us where and how they stage events in real historical settings. Later on, we saw these impressive setups and fragments of the show at the presentation. It’s important to note that the organizers can transfer the program elements to the hotel’s own venues.

LUXOR HOTELS

Jolie Ville Hotel & SPA Kings Island Luxor 5*: island resort hotel

It’s located on a private island surrounded by landscaped gardens spanning a total area of 66.7 hectares. The property offers views of the Nile. While you can't swim in the river, there are three outdoor pools available. The complex boasts more than 10 different restaurants, bars and lounges. The resort can accommodate over 1,000 guests. The conference center with three halls occupies a separate building and can accommodate up to 900 participants. The hotel may not be young, but it has its own charm. It is especially appreciated by those who like nature walks. 

Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa 5*: a spa holiday on the banks of the Nile

It’s located in a city on the banks of the Nile. It offers 235 stylish rooms of various categories with panoramic river views, luxurious spa services and stunning infinity pools where you can partake in activities without even staying at the hotel. The resort has seven elegant bars and restaurants serving a variety of international cuisine. The hotel has its own felucca on which you can take river trips. Hilton Luxor has one standard transformer room with an area of 314 m2, which can be divided into three parts, and one meeting room. 

Steigenberger Nile Palace Hotel 5* and Convention Center: near Luxor Temple

It offers 304 modern rooms with impressive views of the Nile. The Nile Palace Luxor’s nine restaurants, cafes and bars serve Lebanese, Thai, Italian and international cuisine. For business travelers, there’s the large Ramses conference hall spanning an area of 419 m2 (which can be divided into six small halls), the Nile Palace transformer ballroom with an area of 903 m2, the Nile Prince, Nile Princess and Nabu halls, three meeting rooms and spacious foyers. The hotel is located next to the Sonesta St. George Hotel.

Sonesta St. George Hotel Luxor 5*: luxurious style, exacting standards

Within the walls of this hotel, you immediately recall the famous grand hotels of European capitals. We stayed here for the last night, which was preceded by a royal (there’s no other way to say it!) dinner in the ballroom with panoramic views and an outdoor area over the Nile. A blackout and wow effect greeted us at the entrance in the form of a short program featuring a pharaoh and dancers. Then the curtains floated up and the glorious sunset unfolded in front of us, taking our breath away. 

The hotel offers rooms appointed with respectable luxury. Every detail is branded. Service is rendered at the highest-possible level. The majestic entrance to the hotel is made of polished marble and the elegant lobby is beautifully furnished with exquisite details. There’s a luxurious wellness and spa center.

The Sonesta St. George Hotel specializes in organizing vibrant business events in the historic city and ancient Egyptian temples. In the hotel itself, you can treat yourself to a stylish dinner at the exclusive Asian restaurant Miyako Japanese Restaurant or the signature Italian Beban. 

We’re grateful to the general manager of the hotel, Mr. Hesham Radwan, who not only spent the evening with us, but also personally presented the hotel’s capabilities at the presentation.

NILE CRUISE: Poirot never vacationed like this!

Marina Karaseva, Media Director of MICE&more

– We spent a day on dahabeah. According to Wikipedia, a dahabeah: “is a type of flat-bottomed, one-and-a-half-masted sailing and rowing vessel used for voyages along the Nile River in 1820–1920 by wealthy Europeans.” In other words, there’s no motor on these yachts so we were towed by a tugboat, unfurling the sails at points along the way. There are 10 twin cabins and two suites with a balcony on board. Peace and quiet. During the cruise, we admired the natural landscape, lazed in the Jacuzzi, swung in hammocks, sunbathed and ate delicious food, and in the evening – were entertained by an interactive folklore show. Once again, we should note that at the time of our trip, Melc Travel Group was finishing its own luxury dahabeah for 20 passengers. It will be christened “Cleo” in honor of Queen Cleopatra, who hails from Alexandria just like Azza Zaghoul.

The yacht will offer authentic boutique cruises on the Nile. All services on board will be personalized using guest profiles. The bed linen on board is made from the finest 400 thread-count cotton. The towels, also made of 100% cotton, are specially made for Cleo. Solar panels will power the ship from midnight to morning to avoid the noise of the generators. The engine will be towed to avoid noise during sailing and at night. Highly-qualified chefs will cook specially for the guests. 

P.S. Egypt is a MICE laboratory where ancient temples become a playground, the Nile a transport artery, and the pyramids – the oldest (but working and even ultra-modern) event space in the world. 

Svetlana Kemp Sloan, Business Development – CIS

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