nternational hurghada fishing

Land of the pharaohs Egypt was one of the first centers of civilization in the world and its recorded history stretches back at least 6,000 years before the time of the pharaohs. Such a past has left the country with an unsurpassed collection of ancient monuments and relics of antiquity. Whilst the pyramids - amongst the world's largest constructions - are perhaps the most famous of Egypt's  sights, Roman ruins, Byzantine churches and exquisitely decorated mosques testify to the various cultures that have  influenced the country and its people over the millennia.
The main sites, clustered along the Nile valley, are easily accessible by road, air and best of all by cruise ship. A Nile cruise aboard a ship is undoubtedly one of the most relaxing and enjoyable ways to travel. There is no better way to discover the archeological heritage of Egypt like sailing smoothly along this historic waterway.
Tutankhamun The Citadel
But there is more to Egypt than mementoes of past civilizations. The 20th century is very much in evidence - in comfortable hotels, busy casinos, lively nightclubs and comprehensive programmes of entertainment. Cairo Skyline
Cairo Ramses Hilton Shopping, too, especially in the bustling souks, is a great experience and there are bargains to be found in jewellery, glass, leather, silver, brass and handicrafts. Shops are generally open well into the evening although, during Ramadan, times for shopping (and also businesses) can vary. All this, plus an active social culture makes Egypt one of the region's most intriguing holiday destinations.
Cairo is the foremost capital on the African continent and lies at the center of all routes leading to, and from the capitals of the three continents: Asia, Africa and Europe. In Cairo you will never, not even for a moment, feel a lonely traveler!
In fact, you will enjoy traveling through time, from one period to another, exhilarated by the history of those who remained immortal, through their bodies were laid to rest thousands of years ago. Cairo, the city where past and present meet, invites you to come and enjoy its beautiful all-year weather, and visit the immortal monuments and relics especially the ancient pyramids, in Giza. The Sphinx
P R A C T I C A L  I N F O
Business Hours: Most government offices work from 8.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. Bank open to the public from 8.30 a.m to 2.00 p.m. Closed on Fridays and Saturdays. Shops are usually open from 9.00 a.m to 8.30 p.m. (winter) and 9.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. (summer). Air mail postage: Foreign countries: P.T 75 - Arab countries: P.T 55.
A c C O M M O D A T I O N   International Festivals: 1 - International Book Fair - Cairo (January) 2 - Tennis tournament (March) 3 - international Fishing Festival, Hurghada (February) 4 - Abu Simbel Sun Festival, Abu Simbel (Feb./Oct.) 5 - Pharaohs's Vehicle Rally, The Pyramids (October) 6 - Yacht-Racing and Water Skying Festival - Alexandria,      Hurghada (October) 7 - Arab Horse Festival (November) 8 - National Fishing Festival, Sharm El Sheikh (November) 9 - International Rowing Festival, Cairo (December) 10- Cairo International Film Festival, Cairo (December) The God Horus   The weather Egypt's climate, as a hole, can be described as mild. While the midsummer months can get quite hot, the heat is less taxing than else-where because the humidity is low. And for the rest of the year the weather is ideal, the sky sparkling with sunshine, the rainy days few and far between in Cairo, nearly unknown in Upper Egypt, the crisp coolness of the air impregnated by the warmth of the winter. Wall inscriptions Egyptian Food The Egyptian kitchen is renowned for its tasty dishes which millions of visitors to Egypt have gained an appeal. Elegant restaurants in major hotels, and else-where, offer delicious oriental selections such as Kafta, Kebab, Mulukhia, Tahina Salad (grilled pigeon), Bba Ghanough, mixed green salad, Vine leaves, Foul and Ta'meya and Kusheri. Where to stay There are numerous hotels in Cairo and Giza, ranging from 5 stars to one star, including those belonging to international chains as well as public sector hotels. Domestic Travel Egyptair operates several internal flights to all parts of Egypt including Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel, El Wadi, El Gedid, Alexandria, Hurghada on the Red sea. By rail, the trip from cairo to Alexandria takes 2 hrs 40 mins., to Luxor 12 hrs and to Aswan 16 hrs (Nights trains are equipped with comfortable sleepers and restaurant cars.) Car Rental Service There are several private car rental companies in Cairo. Limousine  -  Avis  -  Hertz  -  Budget  -  Bita  -  Misr Travel. Ferry boat service - Al Qamar Al Saudi      - Al Areesh         - Al fahd - Al Gawaher                - AlSalam - 30 years ago Hurghada was a fishing village. 20 years ago  sport fishers took to the beaches and were amazed by the amount of fish biting on their hooks. Then came the divers and now the streets of Hurghada are filled with shopping holiday-makers and sun seekers. Some say it has turned into Sharm El Sheikh with Burger King, Costa Coffee and other signs of "civilisation" and for sure it's lost some of its original genuine charm since I came here in 1999 but you can still find the real Egypt if you stay off the main strip. The New Marina area is a modern addition to Hurghada. LEFT: You can still find the Genuine Egypt just a stone-throe away. It's never far from the new to the traditional.           RIGHT: Yeah I know it said Zebra Crossing on the sign... But can you see any police? No! Come on then... Diving around Hurghada The Red Sea around Hurghada is rich in coral reefs and marine life and there are plenty of dive sites to chose from. From the hors shoe shaped reef system Shaab El Erg with the famous "Dolphin Hose" via sheer walls of Um Gammar and Shaab Ruhr, the semi tame moray eels on Carless, the spectacular coral gardens around Abu Nugar and Abu Galawa, the frogfishes on El Fanadeer, the walls and pinnacles of marine park Giftun Islands and Abu Ramada, the nice and shallow reefs around Magawish Islands all the way down to El Desha and Abu Hashish. The variation is unbeatable and suitable to any level of experience.   Click here to see: Hurghada Dive Site Maps   And for non divers? But what to do if you don't dive? Have no fear; bring the non-diving spouse, sibling or granny. There is plenty to do on land as well. Getting around in Hurghada Hurghada is almost 45km long but only a fraction of that wide so to move around can be time consuming. As long as you chose one part per day, like El Dahar, Segalla or the new touristy area in the south around Esplanada Mall you can pretty much walk around but to get from one part to another you need to use some sort of transportation. Basically there are three ways to do this. Bus, taxi or limo. Your hotel will have its own limo-service which is easy to use but way more expensive than anything else (unless you get a Harrier Jump Jet) Taxi Cheaper then to walk outside the hotel area (taxis from outside are normally not allowed in) and get one of the plentiful taxis. These are orange and dark blue and a fairly new addition (2006) to the public transportation system in Hurghada. They are supposed to drive on taximeter but it's worth to remember that the government decided the fair one day and the next raised the price on fuel with 140%... It's a good thing to ad some on what the metre says to be fair to the driver. Normally you'd pay LE5 within a zoon and LE10 from one to another. This is per car... Not per person!     Yalla busses If you want to get around even cheaper you can get into a "Yalla-bus" and travel around the Good old Egyptian way. Here you pay 25 piaster/head for short distances, like a few blocks, 50 piaster/head within a zoon and LE1 to LE1:50 from one zoon to another. These travel a preset rout but you can hire the whole vehicle for about the same price as a taxi and then of course you decide how you'll go. This is called mahsous (special). Note: These busses are not allowed into the new area from Old Vic to Princes Palace hotel so if you want to go to the duty free shop, Esplanada Mall, Dutch Bar or Hard Rock Cafe you'll have to walk the last bit. For bus prices look here. Public transportation There are also two official bus lines. The El Gouna transport and The City Bus Hotel Shuttle. If you get on to one of those they have a "ticket man" that will tell you how much you should pay. All three photos above was taken within 2 minutes and that's about the same time you would have to wait for transportation in Hurghada... Maximum... There is no shortage...       Dress properly! I see some people walking around in the streets in less they wear when they go to bed! You are a guest in a Muslim country. Respect that! As a rule women should cover either shoulders or knees. Preferably both but you get away with one out of the two.   There is no exact rule for men but follow common sense. At least put a shirt on. Al Nasr                      - Shahd fayez