Vacation Rentals in Egypt
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Travel destination Egypt.
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Destination
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Overview of Egypt
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| Size |
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1,001,450 sq km (386,660 sq mi) |
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| Population |
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79 million |
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| Language |
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Arabic |
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| Time Zone |
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2 hours ahead Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +2). |
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| Electricity |
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220 V, 50 Hz |
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| Clothing |
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Light clothing is generally recommended for Egypt's warm climate. You may however need a sweater and
jacket for winter evenings. Remember that this is a Muslim country and dress should be conservative. |
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| Religion |
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Muslim (mostly Sunni) 90%, Coptic 9%, other Christian 1%. |
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| Currency |
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Egyptian Pound (EGP)
Currency Converter |
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Location of Egypt
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Egypt lies in northeastern Africa sharing borders with Libya to the west, Sudan to the south, and Israel
to the northeast and has its coastline along the Mediterranean Sea in the north, and the along the Red
Sea in the east. Egypt is overwhelmingly a desert country that is divided in half by the River Nile.
Most of the population is settled in and around the Nile Delta and the coasts.
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Climate in Egypt
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Egypt has a desert climate with only two seasons: a mild winter from November to April and a hot
summer from May to October. Summer in Egypt can get extremely hot and dry. Along the Mediterranean coast
the average temperature is arond 14°C (57°F) in winter and 30°C (86°F) in summer. Between March and
April the khamasin, a warm wind comes from the desert carrying a lot of dust and sand. Temperatures vary
widely in the inland desert areas, especially in summer, when they may range from 43°C (110°F) during midday to
7°C (45°F) after sunset. In the winter temperature in the desert can be as low as 0°C (32°F).
The Mediterranean coastline and the Nile Delta is the most humid region in Egypt with an average annual
rainfall of 20 cm (7.5 in). Some desert areas experience no rain at all for several years.
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Best Time to Travel to Egypt
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Peak travel season in Egypt runs from mid October to May. This is the best time to visit
Egypt. During the spring time the weather is fairly moderate, but avoid the khamasin or
sand storm season that runs from mid March for all-out April and thereabouts. But it only takes
about 5 days and you can handle that easily... it is quite an adventure! After the month of May
and for the rest of the year it is fairly hot, especially at Luxor and further to the south.
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Attractions in Egypt
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Home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World and origin of the River Nile, Egypt is also home of one of
the world's oldest and most famous civilisations, which can be dated back as far as 4,000 years ago.
A trip to Egypt should definitely include a tour to the Great Pyramids at Giza, the Karnak Temple,
the Valley of the Kings or the Great Sphinx and the ancient artifacts of the southern city of Luxor.
The pyramids of Egypt are very conveniently located just beside Egypt's capital Cairo. This city,
with a population of approximately 17 million people, is Africa's largest. Cairo has been the entertainment
capitol of the Arab World for more than a century. On New Year's Eve the entire city looks like
one big party. Thousands of Arabs, from North Africa and the Middle East, fly to Cairo for that special night.
Beginning the year you can visit the International Book Fair at the Madinat Nasr Exhibition Grounds in Cairo.
It is a three-week affair with displays by foreign and local publishers. Also in January the
International Documentary and Short Film Festival takes place.
February has two interesting observances. The first is a gift from the ancient Egyptians. In Abu Simbel
the ascension of Ramsses II to the throne of ancient Egypt is celebrated on February 22. Ramsses ordered
the temple built in such a way that on this day the sun penetrated into the inner sanctuary of the temple
lighting his statue within. The second event is the International Fishing Tournament held at Hurghada
on the Red Sea. This event welcomes fishermen from around the world.
March heralds the spring and the Annual Flower Show at the Orman Gardens in Giza.
It is accompanied by the International Children’s Film Festival.
The hot summer has little to offer in the way of festivals, but September and October are busy months.
A new festival is the Alexandrias of the World Festival: the cities bearing that name (there are over
40 in the world) join in the four-day celebration held in Alexandria, Egypt. The second yearly celebration
at Abu Simbel, this time commemorating the birth of Ramsses II, occurs in October. Every year in October
the Alexandria Mediterranean Biennale offers a wonderful venue for artists. In Ismailia, the
International Folk Festival is attended by participants from all over the world. And then there
is the Pharaoh’s Rally, an 11-day, 4,700 km (2,900 mi) daredevil motor vehicle race through
the deserts of Egypt. November hosts the Egyptian Arabian Horse Show, with fine Arabian horses on display.
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Society in Egypt
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Egyptians have been raised in a social environment steeped in Islam, making Egyptians generally
charming and helpful hosts - despite economic difficulties and urban pressures that to some extent
oppose custom and tradition. Islamic societies segregate men and women, although in Egypt prohibitions
on foreign women are not as strictly enforced as in some other Islamic countries. The more you interact
with residents, the more sensitive you must be. Ticket lines, for example, are often segregated; women
should stand with other women (especially because the lines are usually shorter). On buses, the driver
may direct you to sit with other women. On metro lines, the first car is usually reserved for women;
at the end of the line, you may have to get out and change cars. For men, speaking to an unknown Muslim
woman is a breach of etiquette, and such forwardness is occasionally met with severe punishment.
Tipping (called baksheesh in Egypt) is common practice for most services, regardless of how inconsequential.
In hotels and restaurants, a service charge of about 12% is added to the bill, but an extra 5% tip is
customary. Taxi fares often include a tip, but if your driver has given especially good service, tip about
10%. Many people rely on tipping to supplement their incomes, so it is important to be aware of the
practice and to remember to carry small change.
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Food in Egypt
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Egyptian cuisine is known for flavor and its use of fresh ingredients. It is a blend of Mediterranean,
Arabian and Turkish cuisines. The dishes are simple and appetizing, made with naturally ripened fruits
and vegetables and seasoned with fresh spices. Common ingredients of Egyptian cuisine include
garlic, herbs, vegetables, lemon, pure ghee or laban rayeb, a unique yoghurt-like product.
The most popular items of Egyptian cuisine are a pita type flatbread, boiled or deep-fried fava beans,
kushari (a dish combining pasta, lentils, and onions), and fresh fruits and vegetables.
Salads are typically made with ingredients selected from various foods such as greens, tomatoes,
potatoes, eggs, beans, and yogurt. Rice and bread form the bulk of Egyptian main courses, which
may be served at lunch or dinner. For most Egyptians, meat is a luxury to be used in small amounts,
cooked with vegetables, and served with or over rice. The mixed-vegetable casserole or stew called
torly is usually made with lamb or beef, onions, potatoes, beans, and peas. You can order grilled
chicken firaakh mashwi in a restaurant or buy one already cooked at streetside rotisseries.
Hamaam pigeons are raised throughout Egypt, and when stuffed with seasoned rice and grilled,
constitute a national delicacy. Fruit and vegetables include burtu'aan bedummoh pink oranges,
with sweet, red pulp. Tin shawki is a cactus fruit that appears in August or September.
Egyptian pastry or pudding desserts are usually drenched in honey syrup. Baklava (phyllo pastry sheets
with honey and nuts) is one of the most famous.
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Visa for Egypt
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Most travelers obtain their Visa upon entry to Egypt. Visa applications are normally passed out by
airlines prior to landing at an Egyptian airport.
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