An Independent Trip to Cairo Is Both a Bargain and a Memorable Travel Opportunity

Fly between New York City and Cairo, Egypt, during the month of May and you'll pay as little as $966 for the round-trip flight, including all fees and taxes. Go in June, and you'll pay only slightly more ($1,171) for the trip, again including all those fees and taxes. Go to that feisty aggregator of airfares called Momondo ( www.momondo.com ), and you'll find confirmation of these excellent prices offered by airlines (like British Midland) hungry to fill up their flights on that route.

Once in Cairo, you'll be able to choose from any number of outstanding hotels in every price range, at a rate that will usually reflect at least a 60% discount off the normal prices of the hotel. Not only is it presently "off-season" in Cairo, but the city is almost empty of tourists. Journalists who have recently visited report that although the normal, non-touristic aspects of Cairo are as vital and dynamic as ever -- markets jammed with shoppers, traffic heavy, men crowding into coffee, tea and waterpipe cafes -- the city is almost devoid of tourists. A reporter (Kathy Lally) from the Washington Post recently wrote of appearing at renowned attractions and finding only an occasional tourist nearby. She confirms that all the businesses that cater to tourists -- hotels, shops, restaurants, tours -- are willing to give enormous discounts as a means of enjoying some income.

Even before the recent political upheaval, Cairo was one of the least expensive world capitals. It is also a riveting experience, constantly fascinating, a place that every person should at some point visit. You could never find a better time than now to do so.