| Traveling Through Time With The Pharaoh's |
| Location: |
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| Egypt is bounded by the Mediterranean Sea on the north; on the east by the Gaza Strip, Israel, and the Red Sea; on the south by Sudan; and on the west by Libya.
Situated in north-east Africa, Egypt is one of the oldest civilizations of the world which can be traced back to 5000BC. Also known as the Gift of Nile.
Most of the country lies in Africa. However, the Sinai Peninsula which lies in the easternmost portion of Egypt is considered to be a part of Asia. This peninsula forms the only land bridge between the two continents |
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| Language: |
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| Nearly the entire population of Egypt speaks Arabic. However, only well-educated people easily understand standard Arabic. Colloquial Egyptian Arabic is the language of daily conversation. Many Nubians also speak their ancestral language. Berber is spoken in a few settlements in the oases of the Western Desert. Coptic Christians use the Coptic language, descended from ancient Egyptian, for liturgical purposes, but it is not a language in daily use. English and French are common second languages among educated Egyptians. |
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| Clothing: |
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| 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.
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| Country name: |
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Conventional long form: Arab Republic of Egypt
Conventional short form: Egypt
Local long form: Jamahiriya Misr al-Arabiyah
Local short form: Misr
Former: United Arab Republic (with Syria |
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| Currency: |
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| 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 piasters (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. |
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| Postage: |
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| 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. |
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| Passport: |
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| 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 passport to you once a 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. |
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| Weather: |
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We suggest bringing cotton clothes in summer and woolen clothes in winter. You will find in Cairo and the main cities well stocked shops with super quality clothes and gear required by the visitors' exhibited at reasonable prices. Egypt is well known for its superb cotton products sold at bargain prices.
If you would like to be up to date with Egypt's warm weather you can find it by just following this link: www.weatheronline.co.uk |
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| Cameras & Video Cameras: |
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| 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. |
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| Alcoholic Beverages: |
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| 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. |
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| Food & Water: |
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| 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 get 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. |
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Medical Assistance:
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| 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. |
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Medication:
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| You are advised to take along sufficient qualities of your medicine to last the duration of the trip. However, if you run out or forget to pack then we will make every effort to obtain them locally. |
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Electrical Current:
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| 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. |
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Means of Transportation:
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- Taxis : Taxis are plentiful, cheap and easy to use within major cities in Egypt. Meters are supposed to be used but seldom are, so the fare becomes a part of negotiation. Try to agree on the fare before taking the trip to avoid arguments.
- Buses: First class air conditioned buses can take you from city to city. They are safe, dependable and comfortable at a very reasonable cost. EL NASR TRAVEL can arrange tickets for your convenience.
- Train: First class trains are available between major cities in Egypt. They are comfortable and reasonable priced. EL NASR TRAVEL can advise you on what train to take and will arrange ticketing.
- Domestic airlines: Egypt air operates flights between most major cities. EL NASR TRAVEL can provide schedules, fairs and ticketing.
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