Holidays in Egypt
Although best known for its vast and arid desert landscape, a holiday in Egypt can be a holiday of contrasts. The jewel in North Africa’s crown can offer something special for sun seekers, historians, and divers alike.
Sunseekers enjoy the year-round warmth and sandy beaches of the Red Sea Riviera, and its resorts of Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada, both of which are also well known dive sites. The Ras Mohammed National Park alone is home to thousands of tropical fish, coral reefs, sharks, and dolphins. Over in the lively resort of Hurghada, a site full of shipwrecks also provides a unique diving experience. Diving courses are readily available to suit all abilities.
Cairo is within easy reach of the Red Sea area, and is well worth a visit. Explore the desert by camel or jeep safari, and immerse yourself in the history and ancient hieroglyphics at the famous Pyramids of Giza.
For those wanting to explore more of Egypt, an exotic cruise down the longest river in the world, the Nile, is a popular holiday option for the general public, and an increasing number of celebrities. Many tour operators offer cruise packages, with elegant accommodation, modern facilities, and a carefully planned journey taking in many of the main sites along part of the river that runs through Egypt. These include The Valley of the Kings, a site of some 62 famous tombs, including Tutankhamun’s, the only tomb that wasn’t raided in ancient times. Another typical stop off is the Aswan Dam. This spectacular feat of engineering was built on a site once thought to be the end of civilisation.
Egypt Travel Tips
Egypt flights from most UK airports run several times a week. The majority of these airports offer flights to Sharm El Sheikh, with the bigger airlines also flying to Hurghada, Luxor, Cairo, and several lesser known destinations. Flight times to Egypt from the UK are approximately 5 ½ hours. It’s also possible to fly to different parts of Egypt but domestic flights can be expensive.
Free entry stamps are granted to UK and EU residents entering Egypt and staying at certain resorts for a maximum of 14days. Those staying for a longer period, visiting other areas, or taking a diving holiday require tourist visas. These are available from the Egyptian Consulate and Egypt’s main airports.
The local currency is the Egyptian Pound and it’s recommended that visitors carry a range of notes and small change with them, especially for things like taxi’s and tips. Change can be scarce, and credit cards/travellers cheques are not always accepted outside the main tourist resorts. Egypt does have some poorer, rougher areas, so it’s always worth keeping aware, and keeping your money and possessions safe.
June to September will be the hottest time to visit Egypt, with the thermometer reaching a high of 41°c, December to February’s average is a much cooler 23°c.Temperature wise, December to February tends to be cooler, with the thermometer reaching a high of around 41 degrees from June-September.
Sharm El Sheikh is one of the best places to shop, with its mix of modern shops and traditional bazaars selling a variety of souvenirs from jewellery, to Shisha Water Pipes. It’s also a good place to sample the local delicacies of Shish Kebab, Grilled Pigeon, and fresh fish direct from the Red Sea.
A visit to Egypt is like a visit to another world, and whether you go for the sun, sea, and sand, or the historical beauty of the country, you’re sure to treasure memories of your Egypt Holidays for a lifetime. So why not pack your bags and say Sabaah Al-khayr (Good Morning) Egypt!?!