Scandinavian Literary Tours to Egypt
Following Scandinavian Footsteps Along the Nile
The Sinuhe Experience: Exploring Ancient Egypt Through Waltari’s Eyes
Duration: 10 days
Based on: “The Egyptian” by Mika Waltari (Finnish, 1945)
Finland’s Mika Waltari created one of the most beloved historical novels about ancient Egypt with “Sinuhe egyptiläinen” (The Egyptian), which gained international fame and remains the only Finnish novel adapted into a Hollywood film.
This comprehensive tour takes travelers through the world of Sinuhe, the royal physician, during the time of Pharaoh Akhenaten,
Itinerary Highlights:
•Days 1-3: Cairo - Begin at the Egyptian Museum to view artefacts from the 18th Dynasty, when Akhenaten ruled. Visit the pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx to understand the ancient Egyptian context of Sinuhe’s world.
•Days 4-5: Amarna - Explore the ruins of Akhenaten’s capital city, central to the novel’s setting.
•Days 6-8: Luxor - Discover ancient Thebes through visits to Karnak and Luxor temples, crucial settings in the novel. Explore the Valley of the Kings, where many pharaohs from Sinuhe’s era were buried.
•Days 9-10: Aswan - Experience the southern frontier of ancient Egypt and enjoy a felucca ride on the Nile while discussing the novel’s historical accuracy with an Egyptologist.
Strindberg’s Egypt
Duration: 7 days
Based on: “Egyptiska träldomen” by August Strindberg (Swedish)
August Strindberg, one of Sweden’s most acclaimed authors, wrote about Egypt in works such as “Egyptiska träldomen” (The Egyptian Bondage). This literary journey explores the Egypt that captivated Strindberg’s imagination.
Itinerary Highlights:
•Days 1-2: Cairo - Visit the Coptic Museum and Old Cairo to understand the religious context of Strindberg’s work.
•Days 3-4: Nile Delta - Explore the region where the Israelites supposedly lived during their time in Egypt, a central theme in Strindberg’s text.
•Days 5-6: Sinai Peninsula - Follow the alleged Exodus route that inspired parts of Strindberg’s writing.
•Day 7: Alexandria - Visit the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and discover how ancient knowledge influenced Strindberg’s thinking.
Alexandria Memories: In the Footsteps of Niels Fredrik Dahl
Duration: 6 days
Based on: “Fars rygg” by Niels Fredrik Dahl (Norwegian)
This poignant tour is based on Norwegian author Niels Fredrik Dahl’s novel “Fars rygg,” which is partly set in Alexandria. The novel explores a father-son relationship across three generations, with the father having grown up in Alexandria in the 1920s where his own father served as a judge in the mixed courts.
Itinerary Highlights:
•Days 1-3: Alexandria - Explore the colonial architecture and Mediterranean coastline. Visit the mixed courts where international judges once worked alongside Egyptians.
•Day 4: Montaza Palace - Discover the royal residence and surrounding gardens that represent Alexandria’s cosmopolitan past.
•Day 5: Bibliotheca Alexandrina - Explore this modern tribute to the ancient library, with special attention to Norwegian-Egyptian cultural connections.
•Day 6: Corniche and Cecil Hotel - Walk along the famous seafront and visit historic hotels where European expatriates gathered.
Contemporary Cairo: Kajsa Sundin’s Egypt
Duration: 7 days
Based on: “För att de ville det” by Kajsa Sundin (Swedish)
Swedish author Kajsa Sundin’s novel “För att de ville det” offers a modern perspective on Egypt through the eyes of Swedish characters in Cairo. This 7-day tour explores contemporary Cairo through a Scandinavian lens.
Itinerary Highlights:
•Days 1-2: Downtown Cairo - Explore the urban landscape where the novel’s characters navigate their relationships.
•Days 3-4: Zamalek - Visit this upscale island neighborhood in the Nile, home to many expatriates and cultural venues.
•Day 5: Nile Cruise - Experience the river that serves as a backdrop to many scenes in the novel.•Days 6-7: Café Culture - Visit the cafés and social venues that feature in the novel’s contemporary setting.