Welcome to Egypt
Welcome to Egypt.
Airline Egyptair:
I am a direct flight kind of girl. Out of JFK, Egyptair has a direct flight leaving daily at 6:30pm arriving in Cairo at 11:00am. This flight is the best option for me and purchased in advance is normally $890 round trip. It is more if you are going to Luxor, Aswan or Sharm Sheik or selecting a return from one of these cities other than Cairo.
Currency:
The current rate is 15.83 Egyptian pound for every dollar. When I was last there this past August, it was 17.83. This shows the economy is getting stronger in Egypt. I use a global calculator to help me when trying to figure out the rate otherwise I would be lost.
Dress Code:
There is no dress code for men
Women, however, should adhere to the cultural norms and dress modestly. No spaghetti straps or sleeveless shirts/dresses. Dresses, skirts and shorts should not be above the knee. Please avoid plunging necklines and sheer, see through materials.
WiFi:
Hotels have free WiFi. Sheraton has it throughout the hotel but it’s stronger in the lobby. This is the case for most hotels. Other hotels have it free only in the lobby and you have to pay for WiFi in your room.
Phone Service:
At the airport, you may purchase a sim card for 100 Egyptian pounds which is $6.31 USD before you leave the luggage area. Crazy, I have sprint and had full coverage but used WiFi at my hotel.
Visa:
Come with $25USD! At the airport, you will pay $25 for your visa. It has to be in the home currency from which you’re traveling from. You cannot use the ATM or credit/debit card to pay for your visa. The hardest part is waiting in line. You may purchase in advance: https://www.egyptonlinevisa.net/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwwr32BRD4ARIsAAJNf_0WJtf65xuPvJTtaeycwH1JZruEDjcdneK1n_0ZKauF-y9AnOl_o0UaAt_hEALw_wcB
Water:
Do not drink the water! By bottled water. In the restaurants I recommend you may get ice. Otherwise be precautions!
The moment I stepped off the plane I fell in love with Egypt. Now 3 trips later my love has grown deeper!
Cars zipping in and out of traffic. People zooming by me with three passengers on motorbikes and sometimes with a mother holding a baby. In Cairo, traffic lights and the lines on streets are there for decorations. Every image I’d seen in textbooks and on the internet pales in comparison. The sheer size of the Pyramids captivated me, the closer I got. I realized nothing prepared me for actually being in their presence. The Sphinx rises from the ground so majestically and right across the street is Pizza Hut and Kentucky Fried Chicken. My first sip of Lemonmint or taste of Koshari and I wanted more.
Restaurants in Cairo:
Most, if not all restaurants deliver to your hotel, B&B and Airbnb almost 24hrs a day.
Simonds: Dessert
The cheesecake, chocolate candies and tarts are simply amazing.
112 26th of July Corridor, Omar Al Khayam, Zamalek, Giza Governorate, Egypt
Abouel Sid: Traditional Egyptian food
I love the Duck here.
Bab el Yemen: Yemen food
Grilled chicken, Fasha and bread. Go hungry.
61 Mesadaqu st At Dokki
Chef Saber: Seafood
The best fresh fish and seafood soup. It is a lot and you will be stuffed.
8 Abou El Feda St. Dokki 11511
Transportation in Cairo:
I used Uber for everything there. It is a language barrier because many do not speak English. You will find yourself using Google translate a lot when using this method. Fortunately, I have a friend there who called for my Uber. With Uber you can get a car or motorbike. Yes, motorbike so pick the right transportation on the app.
If you’re staying at a hotel, they keep cabs outside for you to use. This is preferred by the hotel when you’re an American because they want to make sure you’re safe.
My favorite hotel in Cairo is the Sheraton. https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/caisi-sheraton-cairo-hotel-and-casino/
Must see in Cairo:
Pyramids
Sphinx
Egyptian museum
Hanging church (Old Cairo)
Khan Khalili market
Saqqara and Memphis
Djoser pyramids
Giza
Took a two hour drive to visit one of the largest and oldest libraries in the world, welcome to Alexandria. The roads are dusty and old, but the skyline by the water made me think I was gazing at NYC.
Must see in Alexandria:
Fort Qaitbey
Stanley bridge
Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
Lighthouse of Alexandria
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
An hour long plane ride landed me in Luxor. Welcome to tradition. Rooftops left undone for sons to build their family’s apartment on top one day. Horse drawn carriages fill the streets next to cars. See hieroglyphics first hand as I entered before the tombs of Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens and Valley of the Workers. Get a glimpse of how the streets of Egypt once were walking through Luxor and Karnak Temples.
Transportation in Luxor:
You will either take a horse and carriage, motorbike or car taxi/cab.
My favorite hotel in Luxor is Sonesta St. George Luxor Hotel. https://www.sonesta.com/eg/luxor/sonesta-st-george-hotel-luxor
Must see in Luxor:
Karnak Temple
Luxor Temple
Valley of the Kings
Valley of the Queens
Valley of the Workers
Hot air balloon ride to see from the sky
A picturesque water taxi down the Nile seeing the Stone Mountains, sand dunes and colorful villages. I disembarked and was surrounded by children vying for attention. From traditional food, way of life to the market, each experience made you feel right at home. Being in Aswan is like going down south to see all your people. Brown skin oh how we love that brown skin. Aswan the home of the Nubians.
My favorite hotel in Aswan is the Movenpick. https://www.movenpick.com/en/africa/egypt/aswan/resort-aswan/overview/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=local&utm_campaign=Glocal+aswan
Must see in Aswan:
Nubian Village
Market
Nubian museum
Kitchener’s Island
Foods and drinks you MUST try in Egypt:
Kushari
LemonMint
Hibiscus tea
Schweppes Pomegranate pulp
Schweppes Tangerine pulp
Schweppes Lemon Mint
Om Ali
Mangos
Sugarcane juice
This is how AJ Excursions shows you EGYPT!
