egypt General Information


Eating out, shopping and a wide range of nightlife options are all part of tbe holiday experience


experience visit the local souks, or markets, where getting lost in the labyrinth of alleys is part of the fun. Paintings on papyrus - the earliest form of paper - perfume, spices and alabaster carvings of the pyramids and Egyptian gods are fantastic souvenirs. You can even buy a personalised cartouche, the name tag used for pharaohs, with your name translated into hieroglyphics. Haggling is expected and good natured - offer a third of asking price and go from there. Khan el Khalili is Cairo’s most famous souk and visitors can watch local craftsmen in Hurghada’s El-Dahar district. In Luxor the Fair Trade Centre sells traditional products made by locals.


General Information


Climate: Egypt has a mild winter from November to April and a warm summer from May to October. In November, expect daytime temperatures of 20 degrees Celsius in Cairo, 30 degrees in Luxor and Aswan, and 25 in the Red Sea resorts, where it seldom rains.


Currency: One British pound equals 9.39 Egyptian pounds (December 2011). Credit cards are accepted in hotels and some shops.


Food And Drink: Foreigners are advised to use bottled water and to avoid salads (washed in water) and ice in drinks.


Time: +2 hours in Winter/+1 hour in Summer.


Language: Arabic, but many Egyptians speak good English.


Best Time To Visit: All year round, although it’s very hot in the south July/ August, and can be cool and wet in Cairo and Alexandria Dec/Feb.


Visa: For most of Egypt, British visitors buy a £15 visa on arrval at the airport.


More information: The Egyptian State Tourist Office www.egypt.travel


www.egypt.travel


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