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General Information for Egypt |
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| Book Hostels in Egypt Online You can also find a hostel almost anywhere in the world through Experience Paradise, a partner of Getting Away. |
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Here is a quick overview on Egypt
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Egypt is bounded by the Mediterranean, the Sudan, Libya, the Red
Sea, and Israel. One of the main features of Egypt
is the River Nile which divides the country in two sections. Another main
feature of Egypt, Suez Canal, provides a third division with the Sinai
Peninsula. Beyond the highly cultivated Nile Valley and Delta, the
landscape is mainly flat desert that is largely devoid of vegetation. The coast
south of Suez has some excellent beaches and the coral reefs offshore attract
many divers. The capital Cairo, sprawling around the Nile and up towards the
Delta, is a popular tourist destination and a city of astonishing diversity and
vitality where you can find the history of this uniting elements of Egypt, the
Orient and Western Europe. Not to be missed is the Egyptian Museum which
contains the celebrated treasures of Tutankhamun. Egypt has long been the most popular visitor destination in Egypt. From the crowded and narrow streets of Cairo to the expanses of the desert, this is truly one of the major destinations for anyone who loves to travel. Of course the principal tourist attractions are the pyramids and the Great Sphinx at Ginza. However, one of the most popular tourist activities is to take a lazy cruise along the Nile with visits to the Abu Simbel temples south of Aswan and the Valley of the Kings at Luxor. These pages should be your beginning for planning the perfect trip to Egypt. You may also want to check with the Egyptian Tourist Authority, or call 1-877-773-4978 as you are planning your trip. |
You will need a passport, and probably a visa,
for your visit to Egypt.
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Passport Visa Express specializes in obtaining Passports for United States Citizens who wish to travel internationally within the next 30 days. We work directly with the U.S. Passport Agency assisting you in expediting your passport application in as fast as the same day! Our passport consultants have many years of direct experience working with the Passport Agency. |
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Check Fodor's Egypt for excellent travel and tourism information about Egypt.
I have found that it helps to know at least a little bit of the language as I travel in other countries. You do not have to be able to be a fluent speaker, but knowing a few key words and phrases will really help. I have found that, although almost everywhere I go I can find someone who speaks English, knowing just a few words of the local language can really be a help. And, it lets others know I am at least interested in their language. Visit the Getting Away Language Learning Center where you can find out how to learn another language, or where to purchase books, dictionaries, electronic translators, software and more
Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim
Travel
Etiquette
Behavior and customs vary greatly from country to country. We
discuss the correct travel etiquette so that you won't be caught out.
TravelEtiquette was formed to offer a unique reference
point on essential etiquette advice and information for worldwide
travel. Our features and articles are written by professional
journalists and experts - who have a particular interest, or a
background in this area. So – know before you go. Visit
TravelEtiquette so you will know how to, as the old adage states, “When in Rome,
do as the Romans do.”
Weather Information
Egypt’s popularity as a holiday destination may be in part to its climate.
With vast areas of the country lying inside the Sahara, it is one of the
world’s sunniest vacation spots throughout the year. A combination of light
cottons and warm clothing is most appropriate for Egypt where very hot daytime
temperatures often plunge dramatically after dark. Plan to bring clothing
you can layer and take off, or put on, as the climate dictates.
Cairo averages 11 hours of sunshine a day in the peak summer and 8 hours in the
winter. An exception to the sunny norm is Egypt’s Mediterranean coast
where the winters (November to March), although warm, can bring cloudy days with
short periods of rain. Perhaps some of the worst weather can
sometimes be found along the coast and in the Nile Delta where in the spring
months (March to May), the Khamsin desert winds can be quite strong and send
temperatures soaring making life somewhat unpleasant.
Currency
Currency
Exchange - Get your currency needs managed in advance! Many airports,
railroad stations, bus depots, and other points of entry have no currency
exchange. When currency exchange is available in airports, lines can be long and
rates can be "sky high". These long waits and usurious fees can be a
nightmare. Order in advance from
All
Foreign Currency right online. It's fast, easy, and you save time and
money! The can also provide you with Travelers' checks, bank drafts, and
transfers. U.S. dollars are not accepted everywhere and rates can be atrocious! Current Exchange Rate:
Check Today's Exchange Rate
Electricity
Find the converter you will need in the
Getting Away
Travel Store. Additionally, you will find just about anything and
everything you will need when you travel. Across the state, country, or
to a destination on the other side of the world, you'll find what you
need in the Getting
Away Travel Store!
Books, Maps and Other Resources
My favorite guidebooks when I am traveling is
Fodor's. I find them to be quite complete, easy to use, and almost always on the
money with helps and tips for traveling in the country I am visiting. Click on
Fodor's Travel Guides
to find the perfect guidebook for your travels.
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I always research the destinations to which I intend to travel with books and maps. I normally use Fodor's as I find their guidebooks very informative and easy to read and understand. Click on the Amazon logo to search for travel books and maps. If you don't find what you are looking for, click on the Getting Away Travel Bookshelf to find some of my favorites! Still can't find what you need? Contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com |
Travel
Insurance
If you need medical
care while you are away, it is best to be aware that medical providers may not
accept payment through your insurance company and that you will therefore to pay
in full for your treatment and file a claim with your insurance company for
reimbursement. Therefore you should have access to cash, either from a credit
card or by wire transfer. If you need assistance contact the country's local
embassy or representative. For compensation, you must be treated by licensed
medical personnel and provide your insurance company with proper documentation
and receipts. It is advisable to always ensure you have a comprehensive travel
insurance policy which covers you for repatriation to your home country. Visit
the Getting Away
Health
and Safety Tips for Travelers
page for additional information about insurance.
Travel Warnings
Travel
Warnings are issued to describe long-term, protracted conditions that make a
country dangerous or unstable. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S.
Government's ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the
closure of an embassy or consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff. The
countries listed below meet those criteria. Additionally, the State Department
issues
Country Specific Information for every
country of the world with information on such matters as the health conditions,
crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, any areas of instability, and the
location of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in the subject country. Check with the U.S. State Department for
Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets & Public
Announcements.
If you have anything you believe I should add to this page of Getting Away, please send me the information and I will check it out. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
