A country which needs no introduction. Pyramids, pharaohs, mummies...and as it turns out, quite a good place for a beach holiday! Over the last ten years Egypt has emerged as a leading destination in terms of popularity for British tourists looking for a holiday that can offer sun kissed beaches, great nights out and fabulous scuba diving. So keep in the know on your Egypt holiday with lowcostholidays.com’s insider tips.
What to do today?
Whichever resort you may be visiting in Egypt, there...
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A country which needs no introduction. Pyramids, pharaohs, mummies...and as it turns out, quite a good place for a beach holiday! Over the last ten years Egypt has emerged as a leading destination in terms of popularity for British tourists looking for a holiday that can offer sun kissed beaches, great nights out and fabulous scuba diving. So keep in the know on your Egypt holiday with lowcostholidays.com’s insider tips.
What to do today?
Whichever resort you may be visiting in Egypt, there will be something worth doing. If you like to spend your holiday relaxing at a beach resort, look no further than Sharm el Sheikh. Whether you are an experienced diver or someone who has never tried it, Sharm el Sheikh has some of the world’s best diving.
Egypt is renowned for its astonishing Pyramids and cultural history. The Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx are the last remaining of the Seven Wonders of the World, so if you’re near Cairo and you miss out on seeing them, you deserve to be mummified. If you want to go off the beaten track slightly and avoid the crowds, we recommend looking into the possibility of a personal tour guide.
Nights out
After your meal why not kick back and visit one of Egypt’s shisha bars? Shisha is the smoking of flavoured tobacco through water pipes and is a popular past time with the locals. Many hookah bars are located all over Egypt. Why not sample the different flavours? All kinds are available from apple and banana to mint and even bubblegum.
For something a bit different and exciting, try one of the ships along the boulevard of the Nile. Although they look like ships on the outside, inside they boast a wealth of discos and authentic Egyptian nights with traditions such as belly dancing!
How’s the shopping?
Egypt is a paradise for those who like to part money for authentic cultural goods. If you’re looking for spices, rugs or other such things visit an Egyptian market and prepare to haggle for your goods! The locals expect it; the first price they offer you is usually obscenely high.
If you’re looking for perfumes and jewellery, there are a wide range of shops in each resort selling these. With perfume, make sure it is the real thing – you don’t want to be conned into buying Chanel No 85.
Food and drink
It is extremely cheap to eat in Egypt and there is a massive diversity of cuisine. Word of warning though as not all places are promoting great hygiene standards, so make sure you eyeball the restaurant you are thinking of choosing for cleanliness before making an order.
As Egypt is a predominantly Muslim country, there are some restrictions on alcohol. Although they are quite relaxed to Western ways, be careful to not drink excessively. So if you do go out for a drink, make sure you keep it respectable.
When to go
If you can’t stand the heat don’t visit in the summer when the temperatures are scorching. The winter is high season, between October and May, and the warmest temperatures are in the south. Ramadan happens from September to October, where you might struggle to get alcohol during the day and many places may be closed.
The mandatory worries
Travelling to Egypt can be a daunting prospect, so here is some important information to remember when you’re on your holiday in Egypt:
Can I drink the water?
- No way, stick to bottled water. Try and avoid crunching ice and brushing your teeth with tap water too.
What’s the 999 number?
- Eygptian emergency services can be contacted on 122.
Shall I pack the sun cream?
- Egypt is incredibly hot, so cover up during midday and keep topping up your sun cream, all year round.
How do I get around?
- Taxis are the best way to get around inexpensively, but be aware, most drivers are erratic and you should also agree the fare before you get in.
Shall I learn the local lingo?
- You don’t have to as most of the big resorts will speak good English. However if you want to impress the locals, try out a few phrases before you go.
Do I need to tip?
- Yes. It is an integral part of Egyptian culture to tip. You’ll need to tip pretty much everyone who does a service for you, so keep some small bills handy.
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