Egypt

The Arab Spring in 2010 with its string of protest in the middle east and Egypt has contributed to the western world, labelling Egypt as an unstable country which is unsafe for tourist to travel to. But my experience of Egypt was quiet the opposite, When I travelled to Cairo in 2017 alone; I felt very safe and found the people to be very kind and welcoming. Egypt is a remarkable country not just for its pyramids and ancient sites, but its amazing beaches, night life and food.

Best Time to Visit

Between October and April, the temperatures in Egypt are cool and pleasant not too hot. This makes the crowded streets of Cairo and the Pyramids in the desert easier to explore. The summer season from May to September is very hot, temperatures can be as high as 45 degrees Celsius, meaning fewer visitors and lower prices; making summer a cheaper time to travel. If you can cope with the heat travel at a cheaper time, if not go between October and April.

Things to do and see

1. Valley of the Kings: Located in the Theban Hills, Valley of the kings is where the remains of many Egyptian pharaohs were buried. The now empty tombs still have wall paintings portraying the lives of the pharaohs.
2. Red Sea: The red sea is inhabited by amazing marine life and beautiful reefs, making it an ideal place to scuba dive. As well as exploring wrecks in the Abu Nuhas reef.
3. Temples of Luxor: Is an Ancient Egyptian temple complex in the west bank of the Nile river in Luxor.
4. Pyramids of Giza: Is considered one of the most magnificent structures in history. The Pyramids of Giza gives a glimpse into Egypt’s great past. And are the most celebrated Pyramids in the world. I had an amazing time exploring the pyramids inside and out. However, the inside can be claustrophobic, they have oxygen tanks the further down you go, to help you breathe.

Food and drink

Egyptian cuisine is a combination of African, middle eastern and Mediterranean cooking.  Most of the food you eat will be a combination of hummus, mince patties, kebab, and plenty of traditional flat bread. Nubian food in the south is spicy and cooked Moroccan style. If you take excursions into the desert in the Sinai, you may encounter traditional Bedouin cooking: flat bread and mutton-based stew. There also many international dishes served in restaurants in the bigger cities.

Transportation

Air: Egypt has many airlines that fly directly to Egypt from London and all over the world. The main international airports are in Cairo, Alexandria, Sharm el Sheikh, Luxor and Aswan. The cheapest time to fly is in July and August.

Road: There is a good motorway in and around Cairo, the roads in Egypt are paved and well maintained. In high winds, desert roads are covered with sand, which can be dangerous.

Buses: There are government buses that run buses and tram services in Cairo and along Nile ferries. There are also private operators who run buses and minibus services in Alexandria and luxor. Long distance coaches connect all the major towns.

Rail: There is a comprehensive rail network service that runs through Egypt, from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan. And frequent trains between the Libyan border in Sallum with Alexandria and Cairo.

Ferry: There are fast and slow ferry services between Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh. Regular Nile cruises operate between Luxor and Aswan.

Taxis: Uber is working in Cairo and is extremely cheap.

Visa

Visas are required by all EU, US, Canadian and Australian nationals; Visas are available on arrival for 30days. For a fee of 25$

Language

Arabic is the official language in Egypt, however most people in the tourist industry speak good English. In less tourist areas the locals may not speak any English. French is also widely spoken.

Money

Egypt’s currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP). Credit cards can be used in hotels, major restaurants and shops, but not in many other places. There are ATMs in most major towns.

Tipping

Baksheesh is known as tipping in Egypt, and is requested for any task, no matter how small. Tipping is an accepted part of the culture, 10-12% will automatically be added to your bill in most restaurants and hotels. People are always looking for ways to get a tip from you by offering services you haven’t asked for.

Racism/Sexism/Discrimination

Social etiquette

Although Egypt has a secular government it is predominantly a Muslim country. It is very important to respect Muslim customs, by dressing conservatively and removing your shoes before entering a mosque or religious site women must also cover their hair when visiting religious sites. You cannot photograph military or government buildings. Ask permission before photographing anyone. During Ramadan you cannot eat, drink or smoke in public.

Adaptor

The electricity supply in Egypt is 220v, plugs are 2 circular pins.

WIFI

There are no government restrictions on internet access. Most restaurants and big hotels will have free wifi.