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
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amongst the world's largest
constructions - are perhaps the most famous of Egypt's |
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Byzantine churches and exquisitely decorated mosques
testify to the various cultures that have influenced the country and its
people over the millennia. |
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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. |
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Tutankhamun |
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The Citadel |
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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. |
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Cairo Skyline |
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Cairo Ramses Hilton |
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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. |
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| 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! |
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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. |
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The Sphinx |
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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.
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A c C O M M O D A T I O N
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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
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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.
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Wall
inscriptions |
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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.
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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
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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.
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The New
Marina area is a modern addition to Hurghada.
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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...
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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:
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.
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Al Nasr
- Shahd fayez
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