Something about Egypt for everyone

Many tourists visiting Egypt narrow their excursions to the Pharaonic sites of the Nile Valley and Cairo, but the "Land of the Pharaohs" caters to all types of visitors with all types of expectations.

Egypt displays an amazing contrast, from bustling cities like Cairo, largest city in Africa to the austere, peaceful country regions, still set in their ancient ways.

The Red Sea coast in Egypt is a great all-year-round destination for family holidays and sports enthusiasts. Sinai and the desert to the west of the Nile are perfect for trekking, 4x4 adventures, hiking and desert safaris.

As for leisure, Egypt offers many theme vacations, golf, diving, baths and hot springs as well as multi-activity holidays, combinations of culture, water and sports attractions.

Egypt has 21 national parks where wildlife and plant life are protected.

And don't forget the romantic cruises on the Nile.

Cairo and other major cities often play host to numerous conventions, seminars and conferences, meetings, trade fairs and incentive trips, with well-adapted facilities for convention visitors, participants in professional shows and their entourages.

Language: The official language is Arabic. Coptic is also spoken. English and French are fairly widespread, particularly in tourist towns. German and Italian are spoken in many hotels on the Red Sea. The Arabic Language Institute, a branch of The American University of Cairo, offers intensive courses at a variety of levels.

Shopping: Egypt is a shopper's paradise. The range of Egyptian craftwork is vast, from jewelry made of gold, silver and semiprecious stones to blown glass or Sinai Bedouin embroidery, cotton household linen, papyrus, carpets, backgammon and chess boards incrusted with mother-of-pearl, sheeshas (water pipes), copper items and basketwork, oriental spices and perfumes sold in little glass tubes. 

Food: Egyptian cuisine is a rich blend of Mediterranean and Middle East flavors. The menu in the major hotels is often "international". To eat Egyptian style, choose the local restaurants and typical staple foods based on meat and vegetables. On the seafront, there are excellent fish restaurants.

Egyptian food and recipes - visit this page to see what new tasty dishes are featured.

Drink: Bottled water is available everywhere, the most common brands being Baraka and Siwa. Tea, turkish coffee and a wide variety of fruit juices are are also readily available. Alcohol and wine is mainly served in the hotel bars and restaurants. The locally brewed beer, Stella, is worth a taste.

Safety: Travel to Egypt is generally safe. Egyptians on the whole are very friendly. If you are in need of assistance they will generally try to help you as much as they are able.

The security situation in Egypt (as in many Middle Eastern countries) is frequently exaggerated by Western media outlets, creating a negative impression that is somewhat amplified by the heavy-handed policies of Egyptian authorities in keeping Egypt travel safe. The reality is that an Egypt travel is probably no more hazardous, with regard to terrorism, than visiting most Western capitals (and probably a lot safer!) Egypt relies heavily on foreign tourism for its national income and both Egyptians and their government are extremely keen to prevent any occurrence that might create a bad impression and keep tourists away.

Health: Drink plenty of bottled water throughout your Egypt travel. Egypt has an extremely dry climate and countless travelers each year experience the discomforts and dangers of dehydration. Local brands of mineral water are just as good as expensive imported options. Always check if the seal is unbroken before buying.

Be a little wary with fruit juice, as some sellers may mix it with water. Milk should also be treated carefully as it may not be pasteurized. Try only to buy milk from reputable shops. Hot beverages like tea and coffee should generally be OK, the water having been boiled in preparation.

Wear sunscreen, hat and bring good sunglasses - it's bright out there!

In order to avoid contracting the rightly dreaded schistosomiasis parasite (also known as bilharzia), DO NOT swim in the Nile or venture into any other Egyptian waterways (even if the locals are doing so). It is also a good idea not to walk in bare feet on freshly-watered lawns for the same reason. Seek medical attention immediately if you think you may have been exposed to the parasite - DO IT while on your Egypt travel, DO NOT wait until returning to your own country!

Behavior: Keep in mind that most Egyptians workers expect tips after performing a service (baksheesh in Arabic).

If you're male, don't be surprised if another male holds your hand or forearm. In general, Egyptians are a lot more comfortable with less personal space than are most Westerners.

Overall, Egyptians are a conservative people. Take care to dress appropriately, especially when visiting mosques and churches.

Communications: Egypt has a reasonably modern telephone service. Roaming services are provided, although you should check with your service provider. Also, it is possible to purchase tourist mobile phone lines for the duration of your stay. The two mobile phone providers are Mobinil and Vodafone.

There are a number of internet providers. Most tourist towns, such as Cairo and Luxor, boast a plethora of small internet cafes - you won't need to look far!

In addition, an increasing number of coffee shops, restaurants, hotel lobbies and other locations now provide wireless internet access. To date, this is free so you can just walk into them with your laptop and internet away. Any of the numerous restaurant or location guides will list venues with such services.