Posts

Egypt Must See Sites

The Pyramids of Giza represent one of the greatest architectural feats by man. The last surviving member of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the world's oldest tourist attractions and the reason most people visit Egypt today. There are in fact three main pyramids in Giza; the Great Pyramid of Khufu (or Cheops), The Pyramid of Kafhre and the smaller Pyramid of Menkaura. Each Pyramid is a tomb to a different King of Egypt. In front of the pyramids lies the Sphinx, or Abu al-Hol in Arabic, "Father of Terror". Carved out of a single block of stone, this enormous cat-like sculpture has mesmerized millions of visitors .   The Egyptian Museum in Cairo is one of the first stops on most people's itineraries when traveling to Egypt. With over 120,000 artifacts, the museum houses an incredible display depicting ancient Egypt's glorious reign. You can enjoy mummies, sarcophagi, pottery, jewelry and of course King Tutankhamen's treasu...

Grand Opening for the Avenue of Sphinxes in Luxor

Image
A grand opening is due to take place in October 2011 to celebrate the newly restored Avenue of Sphinxes. The important event will be opened by the Prime Minister of Egypt, Essam Sharaf, and is to bring together various government ministries such as the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Culture.   Lined with sphinxes, the 2.7km route that connects the grand temples of Luxor and Karnak will be lit by the Sound and Light Company of Egypt. Company president, Essam Abd El Hady, made it clear that the sophisticated lighting design would be appropriate to the archaeological importance and beauty of the site. The company will use a new, advanced type of lighting to focus on the avenue and additional archaeological discoveries, such as workshops and wine factories dating to the Greco-Roman period. For the last 5 years, the restoration project has focused on excavation, conservation, treatment of the water table, and the establishment of protective walls and entrances for tourist. Th...

Cruising the Nile

Image
A cruise down the Nile River is extremely a great way to discover the jewels of Egypt. Once the playground of the ancient pharaohs, the River Nile flows north from Aswan, past Luxor's many temples and through the capital Cairo until it finally reaches the Mediterranean Sea near Alexandria. As you float along the river you can laze on the deck and take in views of the small villages and ancient monuments that are dotted along the riverbank in front of a dramatic desert backdrop. A Nile Cruise  is  really an experience of a lifetime. Egypt has often been described as the gift of the Nile and a cruise along this magical waterway is for many, the experience of a lifetime. There can be no better way to discover the riches of Egypt than to take a Nile Cruise. Monuments and temples bearing witness to the glories of an ancient civilisation pass you by – the temples of Luxor and Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, the romantic temple of Isis at Philae and further south the majestic Abu...

Dahabiyas Tours

Image
Dahabiyas are beautifully crafted sailboats that have been used on the Nile since ancient times, and became very popular again during the British Colonisation of Egypt, which lasted from 1882 until 1952. During this period many British aristocrats, celebrities and royals travelled to Egypt and cruising the Nile by Dahabiya was the ultimate in luxury. Dahabiyas have recently seen a revival for those wishing to travel on the Nile but looking for an alternative to the larger cruise ships. The Dahabiyas of today are still extremely well crafted ships but now come with all the luxuries that modern day tourists have come to expect including air-conditioned en-suite cabins and beautifully cooked meals. Travelling on the Nile under sail conjures up images of a bygone era and is an extremely romantic and relaxing experience. The smaller size of the boats also means you have a much more personal experience on the river with your fellow passengers, crew and Egyptologist guide. Th...

Health tips

There are no compulsory vaccantions when entering Cairo,   but there are reccomendations. Some people will already have some of these. They are Hep A and B, Tetanus, Typhoid Fever and some people even suggest Yellow Fever. If you will be in the El Fayoum area, Malaria is also suggested. However there is only limited risk in this area. When consuming Egyptian food, please be aware that there are many spices and ingredients which may not agree with a "foreign" stomach. Be especially careful of salads from places that are not trusted or advised. The methods of cleaning and/or cutting vegetables and produce may be questionable. Try to drink bottled water. Any type, or kind, will do. Just be sure to read the label on the bottle to see how much TDS (Total Dissolved Salt) is contained. If the level is more than 200, do not buy it. That level is too high. In Egypt there are so many types of mineral water. Some are good, but a few types may cause stomach problems, diarrhea, and...

Traffic jam and cabs in Egypt

Traffic Be aware of your surroundings if you have to cross the streets in Cairo. Traffic is not as it is in Europe or North America, as cars never stop for pedestrians. Try to be patient and wait until there are no cars before crossing. If this does not happen, do not run in front of the cars. But if you do decide to cross, try to walk at a faster pace than normal, and cars will do their best to avoid you. Don't be scared, or else try to cross where there is a traffic light. If worse comes to worse, try to stick by the locals, and cross the street alongside them. Crossing with locals can be scary, but they manage and have experience. If you go to the Pyramids and wish to ride a camel, have a guide (or a local) negotiate for you. If you run into any problems at any archaeological sites, there are tourist police, personnel or even an office where you can file complaints. They should be able to refund your money in a matter of minutes. There's Two kinds of cabs in Cairo: Th...

Egypt .. What to Wear ?

Egypt .. being a predominantly Muslim country, is naturally conservative (not like the Gulf States or Saudi Arabia) but the average people are careful in what they wear, especially ladies -- the more conservative the clothing you wear, the better it is for you. For men it is not really an issue -- normal trousers and shirt or T-shirt are fine -- but in Cairo it would not be acceptable to wear short shorts or a tank tops/sleeveless tops. In the resorts like Sharm El Sheik, Hurghada, Sinai, etc. -- shorts are fine and it is very open and flexible. This also applies to ladies for the beach areas, but going into the market area in Hurghada, for example you may be more comfortable in trousers. Generally for men in Cairo or any city that is not on the sea side, remain with trousers (at tourist sites long loose shorts) or jeans and T-shirt , as even in Cairo, local people do not feel comfortable seeing a man in shorts. In Sea Side areas it's ok to walk in shorts, but once you enter a lo...

Egypt Weather And When To Go ?

Egypt has only two seasons: a mild winter from November to April and a hot summer from May to October. The only differences between the seasons are variations in daytime temperatures and changes in prevailing winds. In the coastal regions, temperatures range between an average minimum of 14° C in winter and an average maximum of 30° C in summer. Temperatures vary widely in the inland desert areas, especially in summer, when they may range from 7° C at night to 43° C during the day. During winter, temperatures in the desert fluctuate less dramatically, but they can be as low as 0° C at night and as high as 18° C during the day. The average annual temperature increases moving southward from the Delta to the Sudanese border, where temperatures are similar to those of the open deserts to the east and west. In the north, the cooler temperatures of Alexandria during the summer have made the city a popular resort. Throughout the Delta and the northern Nile Valley, there are occasional winte...

Is Egypt Safe Now ?

In general, Egypt is a safe country to travel. Egyptians are very friendly - if you are in need of assistance they will generally try to help you as much as they are able, more than any one imagine. For example, if you take a taxi from Cairo to Alexandria, you will be stopped at a checkpoint before leaving Cairo. They will ask where you are going, and communicate with the checkpoint at Alexandria to make sure you reach your destination within a certain time period. The same goes for most trips into the desert. During different branches of your drive, you may be escorted by local police. They will travel to your destination with you, wait around until you are finished, and usually stay behind at one of the next checkpoints.There are also several checkpoints from Cairo to Sharm el Shiekh when traveling by coach. Military officials get on the coach and check passports. The usual warnings for prudent behaviour apply, but are not the same as in New York or London. In the latter, the anxiety...

Travel Tips & Tipping Guidelines

1. In general, pack lightly. Weather is hot from May till September. So, choose clothes that could be suitable for summer. Jeans, Lightweight pants, Cotton made shirts are great for the Egyptian heat. sneakers or trainer type style shoes are highly recommended for most tours in Giza and Upper Egypt. It's also advisable to bring a white large hat, sunblock as well as your sunglasses which work as a sort of protection against dust while visiting the pyramids, Sakkara and Valley of the kings.Women can wear slacks, jeans, short sleeved blouses, knee skirts .. etc. In general, women can wear whatever they like just avoid the mini skirts, hot pants, tank tops, transparents', deep v necks and tight figure hugging outfits or anything show that much skin in Cairo and Upper Egypt. Laundry service at hotels is very quick and inexpensive, your clothing will be picked up and returned by the following day. 2. Clothes and belief: Women are expected to wear some sort of head covering. So, ...