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- Climate - Clothing - International
Telephone/Fax Service - News - Passport - Money - Postage - Tipping
VISAS & IMMIGRATION: UP Visas are required by all nationals except
those of Malta and Arab countries. These can either be obtained from
your home country at the port and airport of arrival. If traveling
overland visas can be obtained from neighboring countries without
much of a problem. You can apply for either a single entry visa
which entitles the holder to a stay of up to one month and is valid
for presentation for up to three months, or you can apply for a
multiple entry visa which is limited for up to three visits. Most of Egypt is subtropical area, but the southern part of Upper Egypt is tropical. Northern winds temper the climate along the Mediterranean, but the interior areas are very hot. The temperature sinks quickly after sunset because of the high radiation rate under cloudless skies. Rainfall averages about 2 inches a year, but sudden storms sometimes cause devastating flash floods. Precipitation often approaches 8 inches annually on the Mediterranean coast. Hot dry sandstorms, known as Khamsin, come off the Western desert in spring. In Cairo, average temperatures range from 7 to 29°C (45 to 85°F) in January, while July averages range from 21.6 to 35.5° C (71 to 96° F). Relative humidity varies from 68% in February to over 70% in August to 77% in December. The winter months are considered to be December, January and February. TRANSPORT & GETTING AROUND: UP Egypt Air offers daily flights between Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Oasis. Rail: Taxis: 1st January New Years' Day 25th April Sinai Liberation Day 1st May Labour Day 18th June Liberation Day 23rd July Revolution Day 6th October Armed Forces Day December 25th Christmas Day Alcoholic Beverages: UP Alcoholic beverages are available in most hotels, cruises, and select restaurants. Both local and international wine and beer can be purchased. The international brands tend to be more expensive. Cameras & Video Cameras: UP Only video cameras must be registered at Cairo International Airport upon arrival. This process takes only a few minutes. There will be a small charge to use both still cameras and video cameras at most museums and sites, including the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. In addition, flashes are prohibited inside most museums and tombs. Clothing: UP Overall, Egypt is a very casual country! However, you may want to plan accordingly for the weather. Day dress should include cotton and breathable fabric clothing, comfortable shoes, hat, and sun block. Shorts are acceptable. Evening dress is smart-casual. A light jacket or sweater is advisable for the months of October - April. Electrical Current: UP 220 volts is the electrical current used within the country. The 220 volts is a two-pronged plug. Most 5 star hotels provide hair dryers and ironing service. However, if you need to bring an appliance, you may want to purchase an adapter before traveling. Food & Water: UP A change in drinking water and food can upset your stomach when traveling. We advise you to drink only bottled water, which can be purchased at most hotels and vendors. In the first few days, we recommend you eat lightly and avoid any raw vegetables or fruits, unless you can peel them. If you should come in counter with the "Pharaoh's Curse", no worries! Your tour guide or representative will be able to help you obtain certain medications specific for this problem. These medications can be purchased in most pharmacies throughout Egypt. International Telephone/Fax Service: UP Most hotels have business centers where you can place international calls or fax. You should be able to place international calls in the privacy of your room, however not in all hotels. A more in-expensive alternative is to purchase an international phone card, which are sold at most small shops and vendors. Medical Assistance: UP Medical assistance is available throughout Egypt. If you should require medical attention, please speak with your representative or tour guide for assistance. They will help you to locate a physician or medical center. News: UP The international news can be viewed on BBC and CNN in most 5 star hotels. The local news can be viewed on local channel #9 at 7:00pm (English Transmission). Newspapers and magazines can be purchased at most hotels, bookshops, or news stands. The Egyptian Gazette Newspaper is the local paper published in English. Passport: UP Your passport will be collected at your hotel upon arrival. The hotel staff will retain a copy of your passport as a standard procedure upon check-in and then return your pass-port to you once this copy has been made. It is advisable for you to make two photocopies of your passport before departure and store in separate locations while traveling. Money: UP The local currency used is the Egyptian Pound (LE). The Egyptian Pound is divided into 100 piaster. Prices can be shown in either pounds (LE 2.00) or piaster (200 PT). Most hotels have a bank on the premises for your convenience. The hotel banks offer a fixed rate of exchange. There are also banks located in most cities in Egypt. Make sure to take your passport with you when exchanging money. Most hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops do accept credit cards. Using your credit card within the local markets (among vendors) is not advisable. Postage: UP Postage stamps can be obtained from hotel and souvenir shops that sell postcards. Depending on the location you are sending mail to, out-bound mail takes approximately 10-14 days to arrive to its destination. Shopping/Handy Crafts: UP Egypt is known for its handy crafts and wonderful shopping opportunities. Gold & silver jewelry, brassware, copper work, alabaster, leather goods, papyrus, perfumes, and hand made woolen or silk rugs are among the long list of goods native to this country. Bartering is a way of life here. Feel free to barter away! Tipping: UP Tipping is a way of life in Egypt! It is advisable to carry small change with you. At restaurants, you can base your tip on 10% of the total bill. Porters, hotel/cruise staff, excursion guides, representatives, and drivers look forward to tips if they have given you a good service. Valuables: UP As always, unnecessary valuables should be left at home before traveling. We strongly recommend that you keep your passport, extra money, traveler's cheques, credit cards, and your return airline ticket, when not in use, in the hotel/cruise safety deposit boxes.
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