This 4 part series covers a voyage by traditional Dahabiya boat starting at the Nile delta and traveling up river to the city of Aswan. From there the trip is extended by road to the final destination of Abu Simbel. Along the way, our host make stops at historical points of interest, including archeological sites where excavations are taking place, and at temples, tombs and museums. Taking all this in through the perspective of a boat journey up the river makes for an interesting presentation when you consider this was the way the ancient Egyptians would have seen and experienced their world. Bettany Hughes guides us on this journey, sharing her expertise and enthusiasm for the history and wonder of this fascinating civilization.
10 Reviews
Totally unacceptable outfit for this terrific show!
hopey2056 August 2019
Bettany tells her personal story of her fascination with the Nile and Egypt. Very entertaining and we get to go into tombs and have a first hand, albeit much cooler!, view of Egypt.
But her clothing is so distracting as she tries to ride a donkey and motorcycle in a tight skirt.
I had to laugh. Oh well...
Interesting Series, Distracting Presenter
callladd26 August 2019
I enjoyed seeing the interior of the tombs she explored, learning about the blue lotus and other aspects of this series. However, I found the presenter distracting. She was constantly pulling her hair back behind her ears (she didn't pack a hair tie?) and wore the most ridiculous outfit for exploring Egypt. I realize this sounds very nitpicky but for some reason I found it distracting.
Breathtaking!
katherinethewhovian27 September 2019
She's truly an incredible storyteller. I enjoyed every second of this series. Beautifully filmed with an interesting narrative, she took us throughout Egypt and its greatest monuments, treasures and tombs. As a person who is in love with Egyptian history, I marveled at the opportunities she had- like seeing new artifacts being dug up or visiting sights that are not open to the public. We also had the chance to see how commoners lived in Ancient Egypt, the beauties of everyday life as well as some ancient drama and quarrels. There are many more things to see and learn about in this documentary so if you love Ancient Egypt I absolutely recommend this!
Remarkable story
poljakdragana19 September 2019
I like very much the package of sights presented in this Tv show. It's interesting, verbally very well presented, with some new details, formerly unknown to me. And I like the passionate approach of the author, probably I would feel the same. She is charming, and as a women I really do not find how someone is disturbed because she's wearing a skirt. She is not a man. Oh, well.
i love this presenter and the subject so what happened??
michelering-0516118 January 2021
First question is who was the photographer/filmer and then who was in charge of wardrobe??? I mean the ill fitting clothes kept me wondering how in the world did she think wearing the same clothes would be useful?? Its no wonder she was so fidgety she was a hot mess.
ruined the whole series to me and i quit in the middle of the second episode
a real excavation
SnoopyStyle15 September 2020
Bettany Hughes is traveling 900 miles up the Nile river and examining the sites of ancient Egypt history. It's a four part mini-series. She gives off the airs of a history-loving British middle age mom on an exotic holiday. The first two episodes are a bit scattered filled with little peeks into tourism Egypt. It's hard to keep track of her journey. There are some unusual snippets like one trying to mummify a family cat. It's quirky and it's morbid but at least, it's memorable. I like it when she's talking to a random tourist family. It's a real moment and not trying to present one thing after another. The third episode is mostly about Luxor and that is more like a travelog. It's a better mix to have interactions with the people as much as touring ancient temples. The final episode has the most compelling section of the series where she happens upon an actual excavation. It has real tension and visceral energy. The rest of the mini-series is talking about the past but this little section is happening right then, in the present. The excitement of discovery is pulpable. I don't know if I knew that stelae were painted. I may have heard it in another program. I won't forget it now that I've seen the color being uncovered right in front of the camera. Every monument was probably painted in brilliant colors when they were first erected and now I see them differently. It also ends perfectly with a tourist mob trying to capture a fleeting moment on their cell phones. I love that parallel between today and history. In the end, it's fame and it's salesmanship.
Wonderful Series ❤ Clothing Atire 🤣🤣
sallyann-hall6 January 2022
I lived in Cairo during the late 1980's - so was very happy to see this wonderful series and revisit many of the places I'd visited
Bettany Hughes is a wonderful story teller & it was facinating to see some of the areas she was able to access.
I travelled the Nile by small felucca 5 times (once from Cairo to Luxor (not the best direction as you're travelling against the river flow. Therefore if no wind you need to hitch tows with boats that have an engine.
The other 4 times we hired a felucca in Awan & drifted with the river flow to Esna (where the lock is) just before Luxor. Much better option.
In 1989 I travelled to Siwa Oasis - a challenge back then getring all the permissions & we travelled via bus with yourng army conscripts from Marsa Matruh.
The reason I spoke about my travels is I know what is functional & 'respectful attire' for hot dusty places, climing into tombs & riding on donkeys!
What spoilt it for me was the ridiculous attire Bettany wore through this journey & the same every day!! Except for once when there was a very close up shot of her in a short sleeved cotton top on the boat.
It couldn't have been a continuity issue as Bettany could've changed into a different outfit each filming day.
Bettany's 'Pieces to Camera' on the boat could've been one outfit & exploring the sites in something more functional & culturally respectful. Her hair was all over the place and wonder why she didn't tie it back.
A low cut top showing off wonderfully edowed breasts was not culturally appropriate (she did wear the scarf at some stages); but a tights skirt riding up whilst on a donkey, motor bike & climbing up & down steep shafts. Who on earth decided on this outfit??
When Bettany waved goodbye to the crew - how lovely if she had Shukran (just one word which even most tourists say)
Bettany Hughes is a wonderful story teller & it was facinating to see some of the areas she was able to access.
I travelled the Nile by small felucca 5 times (once from Cairo to Luxor (not the best direction as you're travelling against the river flow. Therefore if no wind you need to hitch tows with boats that have an engine.
The other 4 times we hired a felucca in Awan & drifted with the river flow to Esna (where the lock is) just before Luxor. Much better option.
In 1989 I travelled to Siwa Oasis - a challenge back then getring all the permissions & we travelled via bus with yourng army conscripts from Marsa Matruh.
The reason I spoke about my travels is I know what is functional & 'respectful attire' for hot dusty places, climing into tombs & riding on donkeys!
What spoilt it for me was the ridiculous attire Bettany wore through this journey & the same every day!! Except for once when there was a very close up shot of her in a short sleeved cotton top on the boat.
It couldn't have been a continuity issue as Bettany could've changed into a different outfit each filming day.
Bettany's 'Pieces to Camera' on the boat could've been one outfit & exploring the sites in something more functional & culturally respectful. Her hair was all over the place and wonder why she didn't tie it back.
A low cut top showing off wonderfully edowed breasts was not culturally appropriate (she did wear the scarf at some stages); but a tights skirt riding up whilst on a donkey, motor bike & climbing up & down steep shafts. Who on earth decided on this outfit??
When Bettany waved goodbye to the crew - how lovely if she had Shukran (just one word which even most tourists say)
Very Entertaining
roswellgirl-8731620 March 2024
The series was very informative and was enhanced by the presenter. I found her to be very knowledgeable and pleasant. She was charming to everyone she encountered -- boat staff, guides on land, etc. Others mentioned her attire, how petty of them, and completely overlooked her engaging personality.
There were many elements of Egyptian history that were new to me, so it was very educational as well. The viewer was fortunate to be inside many of these areas that were previously closed to the public. I found the blue lotus story intriguing, as well as new stories about Cleopatra and her perfumes, etc.
There were many elements of Egyptian history that were new to me, so it was very educational as well. The viewer was fortunate to be inside many of these areas that were previously closed to the public. I found the blue lotus story intriguing, as well as new stories about Cleopatra and her perfumes, etc.
Bettany: PLEASE find a new occupation asap k thx
GoodErsatz27 November 2020
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