Egypt
Egypt awakens our imagination.
Visit Egypt is returning to the roots of our civilization, and that, while reconciling ourselves with our history lesson.
So go visit these amazing places that have shaped its history lesPyramides Giza, Memphis, Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel, The bubbling Cairela capital Alexandriequi was once one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean, Luxor, The Sphynx and Aswan.
It is also near the Red Sea lie the best diving spots in the world including Quoseir, Hurghada, Sinai, or Sharm el-Sheikh.
History of Egypt
During the Napoleonic campaigns that led to the expeditionary forces, engineers, historians and Egyptologists, Egypt began to host a large French community. The French language became the common language to communicate with other foreign communities.
The Egyptian elite and the middle class began to send their children to learn French. Until the 50s, the French played an important role in Egypt's diplomacy. Today the French language has not disappeared in Egypt, the country is still an active member of the Francophonie and the elite speak almost all the French.
Things to see and do in Egypt: the inevitable
Attractions and places to visit abound in this North African country with an area of about one million square kilometers. Moreover, Egypt has a semi-desert climate.
If you decide to go in the summer, the temperature is very high. However, to avoid the intense heat, it is possible to visit the historical monuments at dawn and before dusk. The impressive pyramids remain to this day the most visited monuments in Egypt.
Pyramids and museums in Egypt
Land of the pyramids, mummies and the Nile, Egypt offers a huge selection of travel. Visiting the pyramids is certainly the most common and also the most economical choice.
A trip to Egypt usually start with Cairo and the pyramids essential are located just next to the sprawling metropolis.
Linger a bit in Cairo and do not leave right away for a descent of the Nile. Cairo is a bustling and fascinating city, generating an incredible energy! We must therefore enjoy the excitement and join the crowd that walks the old Cairo bazaar.
Also visit the Coptic Museum and the Egyptian Museum where you can admire the one hand, the oldest and most beautiful relics of the Egyptian civilization.
On the other hand, the remains of the ancient city of Thebes, the temples of the pharaohs like Ramses II and Hatshepsut, and the tombs of the Valley of the Kings focus within the city of Luxor.
If you have time, then take a train to Alexandria (north). This gentlewoman of the Mediterranean is just as interesting, with its wide beachfront, its diverse neighborhoods and great library.
Then, take the road south towards Aswan, Assiut, Luxor, Abu Simbel ... In these places, you will find ancient Egypt of the Pharaohs at the height of their hubris.
The Nile and its range of activities
Yet a romantic cruise on the Nile to discover Egypt in a different light. Indeed, this river RIDE offers a breathtaking view of the banks, so you can at the same time discover sites from a new angle and travel several cities.
The Red Sea is one of the meccas of the world diving. Hurghada there is figure of tourist factory. Clear and rich fund fish and corals, water changing colors, from turquoise to emerald green, many clubs offering baptisms and dives for those with an advanced level.
The most popular destination in this region is the famous Sharm el Sheikh a large resort in the desert which, with its many hotels, bars and restaurants, is like Las Vegas Egyptian.
Trekking in the desert, for the more energetic allows a sensational discovery of nature!
Key events in Egypt
If you have time and if you are in Egypt in October, try to participate in Moulid Tanta. The city of Tanta is located halfway between Cairo and Alexandria.
Each year, during a week is this great religious festival in honor of Ahmed el-Bedawi, a great Sufi saints. This is the largest celebration of its kind in all of Egypt, and on this occasion the city was filled with millions of Egyptians.
There is music and dancing in the streets and the atmosphere is really electric.
Cooking and culinary
Egyptian cuisine is quite similar to the cuisine of other countries located in the eastern Mediterranean. Dishes like stuffed vegetables, grape leaves, Shawarma, Falafel and Tajine are found throughout this region.
If you want to taste the local cuisine, the mezze is a ritual not to be missed. It involves installing a variety of dishes on a table that can be used there at will.
A typical dish is very popular in Egypt is famous Koshari a mixture of macaroni, lentils, rice, chickpeas and tomato sauce. Very popular among locals and very cheap to try!
Hygiene level, it is strongly recommended to avoid street food and restaurants to choose.
Useful Information
Choose his stay in Egypt
The tourism to Egypt abound on the internet, because tour operators competing formulas, specials, tours, etc. What make the tough choice!
Obviously, the benefits of a trip via a tour operator are well known ease of organization, attractive price, it is only necessary to book a trip, pack his bags, and voila!
The downside: a singular lack of autonomy sometimes, especially for group tours, and improvisation is not part of the trip. Some do not hesitate to 'escape' a time to enjoy at their own pace in a particular attraction ...
Major theme stays in Egypt, we find the week resort hotel, beach diving in Sharm el Sheikh or Hurghada, visit Cairo and the Pyramids, stay in Luxor along the Nile with excursions or better yet, the descent of the river cruise with a stop in Aswan, Abu Simbel, and these are just the outline!
Some rates seem very attractive, but you always pay minimal attention to the content of the stay we reserve: surprises come once there! That is why it is important to study the details of the offer, including the quality of services of hosting, because that is where the rub often.
Take for example the Nile cruises. Very tempting of course, but the charm of the latter depends largely on the type of boat on which you travel (and incidentally, where we spend the night!). And to make matters worse, the first prizes often include large vessels overloaded with tourists, a trip that can quickly turn into a nightmare!
Other offers, where you will be quietly installed aboard traditional boats surely cost more, but the charm and fun of the cruise will be quite different.
One of the best ways to find a cheap flight to Egypt is to use a comparison flights.
Hotels in Egypt: the corners to sleep
All hotel categories are represented in Egypt, hotels less desirable to the most luxurious. It's all about budget. However for European hotels superior or deluxe remain affordable, except perhaps in Sharm El Sheikh, where there really, the prices are prohibitive.
In the category really cheap hotels, you will find a range of hotels more or less well maintained. Check rooms before taking them, try to haggle too, especially in low season.
Forget hostels, it does not worth it; Indeed, for a few pounds more you will find small pleasant and well maintained hotels.
Where to go in Egypt?
In Egypt it is not at all easy to find a place where they serve alcohol; bars that serve alcohol are usually the hotel bars that only foreigners attending.
Most are not just reserved for hotel guests. Some clubs also in uptown Cairo or Sharm El Sheikh serve alcohol. Admission is charged, cheap by European standards, but totally unaffordable for the majority of Egyptians.
You should know that Sharm El Sheikh you are not really in Egypt ... Alcohol flows freely, is available in most restaurants and cafes, although it is usually quite expensive.
Advice for travelers to Egypt
The main risks in Egypt are related to heat which can cause dehydration and sunstroke too cold because of the air conditioning.
In summer, it is essential to cover their heads to avoid sunburn that can shrink very quickly (in less than one hour). Sunburn can at best cause fever and headache, in the worst case you might die.
In general, Egypt is not a country to fear for safety, but the fairer sex must still be vigilant. So you can travel the country in peace. It will nevertheless be careful if you're traveling in crowded places, such as in the souks.
Identity card
Official Language: Arabic
Capital and largest city: Cairo
Population: 84 million inhabitants.
Inhabitants: Egyptians, Egyptian
Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP), 1 euro = 7.5 Book.
useful links
Official website of the Office of Egyptian tourism.
Good trip to Egypt!
Tours and itineraries in Egypt
Egypt is a popular destination for European tourists. There are many tours and beach holidays in Egypt. You choose the system that works for you in Egypt between modernity and antiquity, desert, souks, cruise, beach. ... You can find Nile cruises from 450 euros, but if you want to really discover Egypt other than the windows of a ferry on the north of the Nile, you will need to choose a more expensive tour or cruise. If you are going on a tour to Egypt a week it is better to focus Cairo with a tour of the area (Giza pyramids and Sphinx) and a cruise to Luxor. You can find comfortable and attractive routes: Cairo and Luxor from 600 euros, plus you will ride more upmarket estate prices are high. If you do not want to go down to Luxor or take a cruise on the Nile, in a week you will find circuits discovery Cairo and Alexandria. If you go more than a week, choose to come down from Cairo to Aswan via Luxor. You can, if you go longer, choose a large discovery tour of Egypt: Cairo, Alexandria, Giza, Luxor, Karnak, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan, Abu Simbel. For lovers of the desert, you can visit the Sinai desert through the Red Sea (with a passage in Sharm El Sheikh). You can find more original tracks (including treks) in the White Desert and oasis Bahareyya. The lazing on the beach will be served with a stay at the edge of the Red Sea Sharm El Sheikh in particular.
