Shopping

Designer Cynthia Rowley On Finally Taking that Dream Trip to Egypt

Here's how the fashion designer spent her spontaneous vacation in Egypt.
This image may contain Human Person Nature Outdoors Architecture Building Animal Mammal Horse Soil and Sand
Courtesy Cynthia Rowley

While standing at the foot of Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza last year, Cynthia Rowley couldn't help but say "pinch me." The New York-based designer, known for her breezy vacation-wear, bold prints, and flirty dresses, had long dreamed of witnessing the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World up close; and last year, she and her family finally made it a reality. "The cool thing about 'modern' Egypt is that most of it was built around the turn of the 20th century and basically hasn’t been touched," says Rowley. "So staying in the Winter Palace hotel [in Luxor] is like being in an Agatha Christie novel."

Over the course of their travels, Rowley's family watched the sunrise over the Nile; spent time at Cairo's luxurious—and legendary—Mena House Hotel; took in the sights and smells of the country through its storied perfume shops and jam-packed bazaars; and channeled serious Indiana Jones vibes at the Egyptian Museum, home to the contents of King Tut’s tomb. One major highlight? "The half-man, half-lion mystical Sphinx [that] guards the Giza plateau," she says. "I’ve literally spent my entire life wanting to see this."

Here, Rowley shares a few snapshots from the trip.

"Spontaneity is an important part of adventure. So, when my hubby, Bill, called to say, 'Scrap our other travel plans, I just met an Egyptian cabdriver who says it’s totally safe to go to Cairo,' my immediate response was… Let’s go! Egypt has been my dream destination since I was a kid staring into my View-Master's Seven Wonders of the World slide. Standing in front of the pyramids knowing this is the only surviving ancient wonder was sort of a spiritual experience."

"Walk like an Egyptian. We couldn’t stop singing this song."

Courtesy Cynthia Rowley

"The scale of Karnak (pictured above) is overwhelming [and] seeing the Sphinx, Valley of the Kings in Luxor, and taking in the beauty of the Nile River is something that no one would ever forget. The Valley of the Kings is the burial ground and site of lavishly adorned tombs for most of the pharaohs, including King Tut. It’s impossible to see everything at this immense spot—two new tombs were discovered just last week."

"Treasure hunting at the Souq before dinner."

Courtesy Cynthia Rowley

"The people of Egypt are extremely welcoming and it’s fairly easy to navigate the major sites, but all the usual New York City street smarts apply here. Tourism in Egypt is down 70 percent since the Arab Spring, and sadly the worst terror attack in Egyptian history happened in the Sinai Peninsula the day after we arrived. There is no doubt the world has become a dangerous place but, to me, travel is the key to a full life. A big adventure abroad inspires adventure in everyday life at home."