Egypt

Indulge in endless hours of master classes with Cairo instructors/choreographers...See the TOP shows in famous Cairo nightclubs...Order & purchase your new costumes with Cairo's best custom designers...Visit sensational antiquities including The Great Pyramids, The Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, the Citadel and Mohammed Ali Mosque plus options to visit Sakkara, Memphis, Alexandria...spa retreats and oasis!...Traditional Music Shows and Sufi dancing...Exceptional shopping including the world's largest outdoor bazaar, the Khan el Khalili...Experience Cairo's bustling nightlife, visit "local's" restaurants, clubs and bars...Options to extend your tour to visit the Red Sea/Sinai or Upper Egypt (Luxor/Aswan).

The tour is designed for you to experience a myriad of events in the Mother City that would otherwise be nearly impossible without the help/guidance of an expert who’s been living there -- as well as getting a feel for this rich and wonderful place on your own or with buddies from the tour. While I will be helping you/arranging for you/accompanying you on many of the events included in the tour, there will be time for you to explore on your own (and I will teach you how to get around the city ~ that's an adventure in itself!).

PERSONALIZED means that you have the opportunity to let me know exactly what you want to do, who you want to study with, how you want to spend your time, and what your goals of the trip are...my job and desire is to make it happen for you!

YALLA! come on over and have the experience of a lifetime!

Extensions to Southern Egypt and the Red Sea!

Extend your experience of Egypt with a sightseeing trip to Luxor, Aswan and points in between while you cruise the Nile River on a beautiful 5 star ship...or relax on the beaches of Sharm El Sheikh at the spectacular Red Sea, take a diving course or snorkle till your heart's content!

Astryd Farah deMichele ~ Cairo Expert and Resident Dancer

Astryd Farah deMichele is renown for her sunny personality and precision in life. From tour guide to bellydance performer, she knows how to do it and she does it right!

Astryd Farah splits her time between Egypt and the United States, performing and teaching Egyptian Oriental dance professionally. For over a decade she has spent time living, studying and traveling throughout the Middle East; touring not only Egypt, but also Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Morocco and Turkey. Performing in Cairo, Egypt, she has been showcased at the JW Marriott and Sheraton Royal Gardens Hotels, as well as in weddings and parties, and in past years she's worked at other locations in both Cairo and Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt.

After developing a strong network of instructors, friends, students and colleagues in Cairo, Astryd wanted to enable dancers to come to Egypt for a condensed version of her experiences in her "second home". Hence developed her Personalized Egypt Tours for Dancers. With attention to detail yet room for the spontaneous, she offers you a depth of knowledge about life in Egypt as well as easing your way through the chaos of getting around, finding your instructors, locating dancers, venues, etc. With her base in understanding the culture and "gait" of Cairo, plus her Arabic language skills, she helps provide you with a smooth lifetime experience!

When in the United States, Astryd Farah is adjunct faculty for The University of Oregon, instructing Middle Eastern dance with an emphasis on Egyptian styling, and travels nationally instructing workshops and giving performances. Astryd Farah's powerful technique and stunning interpretation of Arabic music delights audiences East to West -- her extended time the Middle East having integrated into her body a profound understanding of this beautiful art form. She is one of the featured dancers in top Egyptian choreographer Raqia Hassan's technique videos (volumes 7 & 9); Raqia is one of Astryd Farah's main instructors of the dance form. She has also had the pleasure of studying under Mahmoud Reda, Diana Tarkhan, Randa Kamel, Mona el Saied, Aida Nour and Shalaby, amongst many others -- developing her dance technique as well as her understanding of the music she loves. For her full biography, plus info on instruction, workshops, shows and more, visit her official website at www.DanceAstryd.com.

For the serious DANCER... with an ADVENTUROUS streak!

with Astryd Farah deMichele & Omaris Saneaux

Hip Expressions is putting together an exclusive tour for approximately EIGHT dancers for Fall of 2011. Exact dates will be announced this summer. Omaris will be joining you so you know it’ll be a GREAT time!

Now taking $500 deposits (fully refundable until the dates are set and final costs are given).

Spaces are limited... get your deposit in today!

Email us for more info.

From Astryd:

The itinerary is set up as an example of what I have planned for your 10-day visit to Cairo. It is subject to change based on who and what is available at the time, as well as any changes made as a group or that I make as your coordinator, for realistic purposes. (For instance, if the museum is closed during your stay for some unforeseen reason, or if a teacher that you really wanted to study with happens to be out of the country during your stay, it is beyond my control – however, there are many options in Cairo and I will do my best to find something equally satisfying for you to do).

Included:

STUDY EGYPTIAN DANCE 10 HOURS OF DANCE INSTRUCTION! Study with your choice of available instructors/top choreographers of Egypt. A myriad of workshop topics are available such as Raks Sharki, Raks Balady, Shaabi, Folkloric and more. You tell me who you'd like to study with, and, provided the instructor is in the country and available, lesson(s) with them will be arranged.

DANCE & LIVE MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT BELLYDANCE DINNER SHOWS + TRADITIONAL MUSIC & DANCE SHOWS See 4 of the top bellydance shows in Cairo currently ~ one of them while cruising on the Nile in a dinner boat! 5 course dinners included, these are late night outings visiting Cairo's hotspots of the dance scene to oogle over the top performers on stage now! See also the TANOURA (Whirling Dervishes) replete with live traditional music and fabulous costuming. See a traditional ZAR show with entrancing musicians and singers keeping this ancient tradition alive.

SHOPPING Custom-Made COSTUMES Visit Egypt's top costume designers and have your costumes made-to-fit! Choose from each designers' latest line of costumes, or bring your own design to have meticulously hand-made by them. We'll also visit the Khan el Khalili, the world's LARGEST outdoor bazaar, for all your additional bellydance and souvenir shopping! More shopping in and around Cairo, including musical instruments!

ACCOMMODATION ON THE NILE 10 NIGHTS NEXT TO THE NILE RIVER Enjoy sleeping next to the lifeblood of Africa! Stay in the center of Cairo in a quiet neighborhood just down the street from Astryd's home. Charming four star hotel with Nile view and all the amenities including restaurant and bar...plus supermarket, money change, ATM and cyber-cafe across the street! Breakfast included in your stay.

ANTIQUITIES THE GREAT PYRAMIDS, THE SPHINX, SAKKARA & MEMPHIS, EGYPTIAN MUSEUM, CITADEL, MOHAMMED ALI MOSQUE and MORE! Visit Egypt's most sensational antiquities, including the Great Pyramids at Giza, The Great Sphinx and The world renown Egyptain Antiquities Museum. Walk throughout the Salah el Din Citadel and visit the Mohammed Ali Mosque. Visit the Sakkara pyramids - older than those at Giza!...and visit the ancient metropolis of Memphis. Options abound to visit more antiquities and hotspots around Egypt - info on the Extensions ~ Excursions page.

MINGLE WITH THE LOCALS BOOGIE ON THE NILE Enjoy Cairo's bustling nightlife, party with the locals and experience the city's multitude of nighttime activities!

THE NECESSARY TRANSPORT & FOOD All airport transfers and transport in and around Cairo for tour itinerary is provided. From air-conditioned mini-vans to taxis and private cars, experience the multitude of ways to get around Cairo like a local. FOOD: Welcome dinner plus all Bellydance Show dinners are included (5 course meals). Daily breakfast at your hotel is included. (Lunches and additional beverages not included).

THE EXTRAS SURPRISES & SPONTENAIETY Sometimes we will do unplanned things...and sometimes I plan surprises! There's always options, possibilities, opportunities and spontaneous events we can enjoy!

Not Included:

FLIGHT TO CAIRO, EGYPT AIRFARE No matter where you are traveling from, flying into Cairo is relatively easy.

SOME MEALS & ALL BEVERAGES LUNCHES, ALL BEVERAGES AND SOME DINNERS ARE EXCLUDED FROM TOUR FEES Though much of your daily food will be included with your tour package, no lunches are included. About half of the dinners during the 10 days are included (5). Beverages are never included as individual desires differ drastically. See the Egypt Travel Basics page for info on approximate costs for your budgeting.

VISAS, INSURANCE OF ANY KIND, CUSTOMS DUTIES, EXTRA LUGGAGE FEES TOURIST VISA STAMP FEES, ANY CUSTOMS DUTIES AND ANY EXTRA LUGGAGE FEES ARE EXCLUDED FROM TOUR PACKAGE Visa is easliy obtained in the airport upon arrival (check to verify your country's specific requirements prior to traveling); for US citizens a $15 stamp is purchased on demand. Upon return home you may need to pay customs fees, check with your country's requirements prior to traveling. Extra/overweight luggage fees can be costly...check with your airline particulars prior to traveling.

SOUVENIRS, COSTUMES, ETC WITH BEAUCOUP THINGS TO PURCHASE IN EGYPT, BUDGET SO YOU CAN ENJOY! Costumes, souvenirs and the like are things you will want to purchase when you are here. There is a pleothra of handicrafts in additional to your custom orders for costumes. Pack accordingly...!

TIPS, PHONE CALLS, LAUNDRY, ROOM SERVICE, EXTRAS, ETC EXTRA SERVICES PROVIDED At the end of your stay it is typical to give baksheesh to all our helpers. Also, on a daily basis those who provide small services should be tipped (i.e. the woman in the ladies room providing tissue). Any extras in the hotel are your responsibility including room service, phone calls, etc.

OPTIONAL TRIPS, EXTENSIONS & EXCURSIONS ADDITIONAL TRIPS, PACKAGES AND ITINERARIES NOT AFOREMENTIONED AS INCLUDED IN THE MAIN TOUR Ask me about something you want to do! Most prices are quite reasonable.

What’s more fun than hanging out with Astryd & Omaris in Egypt?