London or Paris

[Riesstiu IV]

It means he's giving Nugog the finger.

[MikeH]

Both London and Paris are great for the things you are after.

I would do London this time 'cause of the exchange rate and Paris for your 25th anniversary.

And congratulations on 20 years.

[rah]

Cairo. Go see the pyramids.

Went there for a business conference. Did all the sites, rode camels to the pyramids blah blah.
It was fun and while I enjoyed it, I was happy that I didn't pay to go. I did play golf there.
If I'm paying, I'm headed somewhere else.

[Dauphin]

I did play golf there.

That's one big sand trap.

[Dauphin]

I would say London is a better choice overall, but given the proximity, I don't see why you can't split it 3-4 days in each if you so chose. It's a short train journey between the two.

[BeBMan]

About Cairo, there's the Egyptian Museum with all teh mummies

As far as I remember, street traffic was hell there, nightlife was ok, though I'm not really the party/bar type anyway so can't really tell. Dunno how security is these days though. When I was in Egypt (several years ago, not long after there was a terror attack on tourists at the Abu Simbel temple complex) I felt safe but there was heavy security at the Egyptian Museum (metal detectors, armed guards everywhere), and travels over land were often made in convoy with sec.forces.

[rah]

About Cairo, there's the Egyptian Museum with all teh mummies

As far as I remember, street traffic was hell there, nightlife was ok, though I'm not really the party/bar type anyway so can't really tell. Dunno how security is these days though. When I was in Egypt (several years ago, not long after there was a terror attack on tourists at the Abu Simbel temple complex) I felt safe but there was heavy security at the Egyptian Museum (metal detectors, armed guards everywhere), and travels over land were often made in convoy with sec.forces.

YEs street traffic was hillarious. There's a point system for driver's licenses (similar to the 5th element) based on how many people you hit (killed or not doesn't matter) and every TAXI driver is one point away from losing their license. Traffic lights are not binding and merely suggestions.

Our company had dinner on small sail boats on the nile one evening and besides are own security force, the shore was lined with soldiers with automatic weapons, police patrol boats were cruising around us, and gunships were flying overhead. And all land trips as a group where made in convoy with security forces. When we went out shopping or golfing we were on our own. I think the security was probably a tad over done, but they couldn't afford any incidents so I understood.

And I was suprised on the golf course. I too was expecting an Arizona type course. (small green landing areas in a large wasteland, but was pleasantly suprised to see the golf course was a traditional LAKES style course popular in the midwest. But if you did land 20 yards from the fairway, you were lost in the dessert.

[MOBIUS]

London, for the reasons already given. Though I would beg to differ about the walking point; vast sections (probably most of the centre) of London are best experienced by walking.

Other than that, I can happily state from personal experience that Paris, Istanbul and Cairo are all great choices. If it were my own personal choice, I would have to say Istanbul would be where I'd go.

[MOBIUS]

Egyptian Taxi drivers!

Was half tempted to buy one of their super-huge convex rear-view mirrors...

[MOBIUS]

But if you did land 20 yards from the fairway, you were lost in the dessert.

Yeah, I found that Egyptians have a really sweet tooth too.

[duke o' york]

There are plenty of mummies in the British Museum and the Louvre, so the Cairo museum is not a good reason to visit the city.

[rah]

I hate spelling nazis.

[The Mad Monk]

I don't know why, you spelled nazis just fine.

[rah]

I double checked to be sure.

Last time I posted "I hate speeling nazis"

[Monk]

We have been to most major North American cities along with many in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Italy.

This note suggests Berlin wouldn't be new to you, but I'd certainly recommend that city to others in your position. Possibly the cheapest capital of Western Europe and something for everyone. And people who only speak English would be better understood by the locals than in Paris or Rome.