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Revision as of 17:58, 16 May 2013

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==Understand==

+

Ever since the 2011 revolution, tourism (which employs ~15% of the country = 1/3 of the population are reliant upon) has taken a major hit. As of May2013, there is little risk of any violence or continued rioting. On Fridays you may see 20-30 people congregating at Tahrir Square in Cairo, but this is simply because they are unemployed (and directing their blame towards Morsi and the current administration). Because of the downturn in tourism, expect more persistent and aggressive touts, but really this is a great time to visit as prices are lower and you can avoid the gigantic crowds that are typically overflowing the marvelous sites.

+

===History===

The regularity and richness of the annual Nile River flood, coupled with semi-isolation provided by deserts to the east and west, allowed for the development of one of the world's great civilizations. A unified kingdom arose around 3200 B.C. and a series of dynasties ruled in Egypt for the next three millennia. The last native dynasty fell to the Persians in 341 B.C., who in turn were replaced by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. It was the Arabs who introduced Islam and the Arabic language in the 7th century and who ruled for the next six centuries. A local military caste, the Mamluks, took control about 1250 and continued to govern after the conquest of Egypt by the Ottoman Turks in 1517. Following the completion of the Suez Canal in 1869, Egypt became an important world transportation hub, but also fell heavily into debt. Ostensibly to protect its investments, Britain seized control of Egypt's government in 1882, but nominal allegiance to the Ottoman Empire continued until 1914. Partially independent from the UK in 1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty following World War II. The completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1971 and the resultant Lake Nasser have altered the time-honored place of the Nile River in agriculture and the ecology of Egypt. A rapidly growing population (the largest in the Arab world), limited arable land, and dependence on the Nile all continue to overtax resources and stress society. The government has struggled to prepare the economy for the new millennium through economic reform and massive investment in communications and physical infrastructure.

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*'''Spices''' - can be bought at colourful stalls in most Egyptian markets. Dried herbs and spices are generally of a higher quality than that available in Western supermarkets and are up to 4 or 5 times cheaper, though the final price will depend on bargaining and local conditions.

−

When shopping in markets or dealing with street vendors, remember to [[How to haggle|haggle]].

+

When shopping in markets or dealing with street vendors, remember to [[How to haggle|haggle]]. Because of the downturn in tourism since the 2011 revolution, tourism is very low and you'll find shopkeepers very open to haggling and prices lower than in the past - even in places like Luxor/Aswan and not just in Cairo.

You will also find many western brands all around. There are many malls in Egypt, the most common being ''Citystars Mall'', which is the largest entertainment center in the Middle East and Africa. You will find all the fast food restaurants you want such as Mcdonald's, KFC, Hardees, Pizza Hut, etc. Clothing brands such as Morgan, Calvin Klein, Levi's, Facconable, Givenchy, Esprit, and more.

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{{infobox|Scams and hassle|Travelers often complain about being hassled and attempts at scamming while in Egypt. While irritating, most of this is pretty harmless stuff, like attempting to lure you into a local papyrus or perfume shop.

Typically, you will be approached by a person speaking fluent English who will strike up a conversation under social pretenses. He (and it will always be a he) will then attempt to get you to come along for a cup of tea or similar at his favourite (most-paying) souvenir shop. This could also happen outside museums etc. where the scammer will try to make you believe the "museum is closed" or similar.

−

Hassling, while rarely dangerous, could be annoying, especially in the main tourist areas. There is no way to avoid this, but a polite ''la shukran'' (no thanks) helps a lot. Apart from that, try to take hassling with a smile. If you let yourself be bugged by everyone trying to sell you something, your holiday won't be a very happy one.

+

Hassling, while rarely dangerous, could be annoying, especially in the main tourist areas. There is no way to avoid this, but a polite ''la shukran'' (no thanks) or ''halass'' (enough) helps a lot. Apart from that, try to take hassling with a smile. If you let yourself be bugged by everyone trying to sell you something, your holiday won't be a very happy one.

+

You'll typically also get the "do you remember me? I work in your hotel and saw you this morning" scam as well at which point the guy will try to lead you to a shop or restaurant where he can get a commission. Best to reply that he is mistaken and you are not staying there or just arrive today then walk away.

+

A recent one that is popping up as touts are getting more creative is that they'll ask you go give money into a donation box in a mosque claiming that it will help the neighborhood that recently had an earthquake. He will even tell you not to give money to people but only the donation box - SCAM!

Potentially more annoying are taxi drivers or others getting a commission fee to lead you to their hotel of choice, of course paying commission fees for each guest they receive. Firmly stand your ground on this. If they insist, just ask to be dropped off at a street or landmark close to the place you are heading to. This scam is especially common among taxi drivers from the airport.|print=fullpage}}

−

Egypt is generally a safe and friendly country to travel. Egyptians on the whole are very friendly - if you are in need of assistance they will generally try to help you as much as they are able.

+

Egypt is generally a safe and friendly country to travel. Egyptians on the whole are very friendly - if you are in need of assistance they will generally try to help you as much as they are able. Since the 2011 revolution, tourism has taken a major hit making touts even more aggressive and persistent than ever before. Safety is not an issue, but do get ready for a lot of annoying drivers/salesmen. If after 3 or 4 times of saying "No thank you / laa shukran", just ignore them and eventually they will go away.

−

Egyptian men will make compliments to women; do not take offense if they do this to you. Men shouldn't be worried, either; if they do this to your partner/daughter, it will be nothing more than a compliment, and hopefully won't go any further than that.

+

Egyptian men will make compliments to women; do not take offense if they do this to you. Men shouldn't be worried, either; if they do this to your partner/daughter, it will be nothing more than a compliment, and hopefully won't go any further than that. If it does, don't be afraid to confront them sternly with the look of death at having insulted your wife/daughter. Most will giggle and walk away rather than get into a fight (penalty for injuring a tourist is pretty astounding).

−

If you are a woman traveling alone or with another woman, be warned that some men will touch you or grab you anywhere on the body, whether you are negotiating with them or simply walking down the street. Dressing modestly will not deter them. Getting upset at them for touching you will be met with amusement by them and any onlookers, both male and female. The best way to avoid this is wear a wedding band and don't be too friendly.

+

If you are a woman traveling alone or with another woman, be warned that some men will touch you or grab you anywhere on the body, whether you are negotiating with them or simply walking down the street. Dressing modestly will not deter them. Getting upset at them for touching you will be met with amusement by them and any onlookers, both male and female. The best way to avoid this is wear a wedding band and don't be too friendly. If a man grabs you inappropriately, do not be afraid to slap him and yell at him for his indecency/lack of shame. The penalty for harming a tourist is quite severe.

===Terrorism===

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Pickpocketing is a problem in Egypt's bigger cities, particularly Cairo. Many locals opt not to carry wallets at all, instead keeping their money in a clip in their pocket, and tourists would be wise to adopt this as well. On the upside, violent crime is rare, and you are highly unlikely to physically mugged or robbed. If, however, you do find yourself the victim of crime, you may get the support of local pedestrians by shouting "Harami" (Criminal) while chasing the person who robbed you.

−

Overall, scams are the main concern in Egypt. Be aware that many Egyptians who starts a conversation with you in Cairo and Luxor want your money. There is a very insidious tactic used where they will "befriend" you, take you around, show you things, even bring you back to their place for dinner, and then they will demand money for it. Basically, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Demand prices for absolutely everything, because if you say "I thought it was free!" after the fact you are in for a vicious argument.

+

Overall, scams are the main concern in Egypt. Be aware that many Egyptians who starts a conversation with you in Cairo and Luxor want your money. There is a very insidious tactic used where they will "befriend" you, take you around, show you things, even bring you back to their place for dinner, and then they will demand money for it. Basically, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Demand prices for absolutely everything, because if you say "I thought it was free!" after the fact you are in for a vicious argument.

+

Unfortunately you cannot trust strangers in Egypt, who are getting more and more desperate since tourism has dropped post-2011. Any of the "I want to practice English", "I work in your hotel, remember me from this morning?", "I am a teacher", "I am getting married soon" cannot be trusted. Even those who ask where you are walking to and claim to know the right direction you should not follow and stick to your map. You're best to ignore them and walk away. If you find yourself caught in a scam, when the time comes that you're asked for money (as a "donation", for "guide services", "holding" your luggage, etc.) - do not give them any money no matter how desperate they appear, and be sure to tell them directly that you will not give them money because it will otherwise encourage them to continue dishonest/criminal behavior. Make sure they understand exactly this point.

==Stay healthy==

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Take great care if you choose to drink, especially if you're from countries where heavy drinking is accepted. Even if you are used to it, you can't estimate the effects of the climate, even at night. The impact drunk people have on Egyptians is quite large and very negative. The best plan is just to abstain or limit yourself to one drink per meal while in Egypt; it will be cheaper too.

+

Do not elicit any conversations about politics, but don't be afraid to partake if a local you are speaking with (typically a middle-class and well educated shopkeeper) begins a rant about his hatred for Morsi and the current administration (for whom they blame, rightly or wrongly, for the drop in tourism and economic loss). This will be a common theme that you'll find many of the friendly locals go into, but certainly you don't want to be seen as a foreigner coming in to insult their government with knowledge of only what you hear in the media.

===Dress===

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:51, 17 May 2013
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	[[Alexandria]], with several historical sights and the stunning new Bibliotheca Alexandrina, is the country's main summer attraction for Egyptians escaping the summer heat and looking for a place to spend the summer vacation. Tourist attractions include Roman and Greek monuments, Bibliotheca Alexandria, Qa'edbay's Castle, and Qasr El Montaza (El Montaza Palace).		[[Alexandria]], with several historical sights and the stunning new Bibliotheca Alexandrina, is the country's main summer attraction for Egyptians escaping the summer heat and looking for a place to spend the summer vacation. Tourist attractions include Roman and Greek monuments, Bibliotheca Alexandria, Qa'edbay's Castle, and Qasr El Montaza (El Montaza Palace).
		+
		+	'''North Coast'''
		+
		+	it's a very unknown beach to tourists that's close from Alexandria that very very few tourists visit simply because that's where all Egpytians actually go in the summer specially the younger generations and you can go if you have any friends in Egypt or make friends the coast is uslally refferred to as "sahel el shamally" it's pure white sands and you can be able to rent an apartment there, but strongly suggested that you go with Egyptian friends
		+	3 hours drive from Cairo
		+
		+	'''Ain Sokhna'''
		+
		+	a line of mountains and calm beautiful beaches for miles and a range of hotels to satisfy various budgets 90 min drive from Cairo for a relaxing exprience with a group of friends or couples to stay there is a must.

	'''Port Said''':		'''Port Said''':

@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 If you are [[Special:userlogin|logged in]] to a [[Wikitravel:How to create a user account|user account]] there will be a '''This is a minor edit''' checkbox for marking your changes as "minor". The idea with this is that people reviewing page history or recent changes can filter out unimportant changes. It's up to you to determine what makes your changes "minor" -- usually, spelling corrections, grammar, or formatting changes are "minor", and changes to the real information on a page are not.
-The '''Watch this article''' checkbox puts this article on your [[Wikitravel:Watchlist help|watchlist]]. Any changes to the article, or to the article's talk page, by you or anyone else will show up in your watchlist, so you can keep an eye on the article.
+The '''Watch this article''' checkbox puts this article on your ''[[Wikitravel:Watchlist help|Watchlist]]''. Any changes to the article, or to the article's talk page, by you or anyone else will show up in your Watchlist, so you can keep an eye on the article.
-The default setting -- whether these checkboxes are checked or not by default -- can be set in your [[Wikitravel:User preferences help|user preferences]].
+The default setting -- whether these checkboxes are checked or not by default -- can be set in your user ''[[Wikitravel:User preferences help|Preferences]]''.
 ==Starting new pages==
-If you are starting a new page from scratch, please make use of our '''[[Wikitravel:Article templates|templates]]''' which helps to organize the information on a page and give a consistent look. See [[Wikitravel:How to start a new page]] for more information.
+If you are starting a new page from scratch, please make use of our '''[[Wikitravel:Article templates|Article templates]]''' which help to organise the information on a page and give a consistent look. See [[Wikitravel:How to start a new page]] for more information.
 ==Restoring previous article versions==
-If an editor changes or removes content from an article the old versions of the article are still available from the article's history.  To view article history, click on the "history" tab for any article, then click on the date for the revision that you are interested in.  To revert the article to the specified revision, simply click on the "edit" tab while viewing the old version and then re-save the version.  Alternately, if you just want to revert a single edit click on the "undo" link from an article's history next to the edit that is being reverted.
+If an editor changes or removes content from an article the old versions of the article are still available from the article's history.  To view article history, click on the "'''View history'''" tab for any article, then click on the date for the revision that you are interested in. To revert the article to the specified revision, simply click on the "edit" tab while viewing the old version and then re-save the version.  Alternately, if you just want to revert a single edit click on the "undo" link from an article's history next to the edit that is being reverted.
 ==See also==

Wikitravel - Changes related to "Western Desert" [en]

Egypt

Egypt

Wikitravel:How to edit a page

@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 ==Understand==
 ===History===
 The regularity and richness of the annual Nile River flood, coupled with semi-isolation provided by deserts to the east and west, allowed for the development of one of the world's great civilizations. A unified kingdom arose around 3200 B.C. and a series of dynasties ruled in Egypt for the next three millennia. The last native dynasty fell to the Persians in 341 B.C., who in turn were replaced by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. It was the Arabs who introduced Islam and the Arabic language in the 7th century and who ruled for the next six centuries. A local military caste, the Mamluks, took control about 1250 and continued to govern after the conquest of Egypt by the Ottoman Turks in 1517. Following the completion of the Suez Canal in 1869, Egypt became an important world transportation hub, but also fell heavily into debt. Ostensibly to protect its investments, Britain seized control of Egypt's government in 1882, but nominal allegiance to the Ottoman Empire continued until 1914. Partially independent from the UK in 1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty following World War II. The completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1971 and the resultant Lake Nasser have altered the time-honored place of the Nile River in agriculture and the ecology of Egypt. A rapidly growing population (the largest in the Arab world), limited arable land, and dependence on the Nile all continue to overtax resources and stress society. The government has struggled to prepare the economy for the new millennium through economic reform and massive investment in communications and physical infrastructure.
@@ Line 381: / Line 383: @@
 *'''Spices''' - can be bought at colourful stalls in most Egyptian markets. Dried herbs and spices are generally of a higher quality than that available in Western supermarkets and are up to 4 or 5 times cheaper, though the final price will depend on bargaining and local conditions.
-When shopping in markets or dealing with street vendors, remember to [[How to haggle|haggle]].
+When shopping in markets or dealing with street vendors, remember to [[How to haggle|haggle]].  Because of the downturn in tourism since the 2011 revolution, tourism is very low and you'll find shopkeepers very open to haggling and prices lower than in the past - even in places like Luxor/Aswan and not just in Cairo.
 You will also find many western brands all around. There are many malls in Egypt, the most common being ''Citystars Mall'', which is the largest entertainment center in the Middle East and Africa. You will find all the fast food restaurants you want such as Mcdonald's, KFC, Hardees, Pizza Hut, etc. Clothing brands such as Morgan, Calvin Klein, Levi's, Facconable, Givenchy, Esprit, and more.
@@ Line 477: / Line 479: @@
 {{infobox|Scams and hassle|Travelers often complain about being hassled and attempts at scamming while in Egypt. While irritating, most of this is pretty harmless stuff, like attempting to lure you into a local papyrus or perfume shop.<br>
 Typically, you will be approached by a person speaking fluent English who will strike up a conversation under social pretenses. He (and it will always be a he) will then attempt to get you to come along for a cup of tea or similar at his favourite (most-paying) souvenir shop. This could also happen outside museums etc. where the scammer will try to make you believe the "museum is closed" or similar.<br>
-Hassling, while rarely dangerous, could be annoying, especially in the main tourist areas. There is no way to avoid this, but a polite ''la shukran'' (no thanks) helps a lot. Apart from that, try to take hassling with a smile. If you let yourself be bugged by everyone trying to sell you something, your holiday won't be a very happy one.<br>
+Hassling, while rarely dangerous, could be annoying, especially in the main tourist areas. There is no way to avoid this, but a polite ''la shukran'' (no thanks) or ''halass'' (enough) helps a lot. Apart from that, try to take hassling with a smile. If you let yourself be bugged by everyone trying to sell you something, your holiday won't be a very happy one.<br>
 Potentially more annoying are taxi drivers or others getting a commission fee to lead you to their hotel of choice, of course paying commission fees for each guest they receive. Firmly stand your ground on this. If they insist, just ask to be dropped off at a street or landmark close to the place you are heading to. This scam is especially common among taxi drivers from the airport.|print=fullpage}}
-Egypt is generally a safe and friendly country to travel. Egyptians on the whole are very friendly - if you are in need of assistance they will generally try to help you as much as they are able.
+Egypt is generally a safe and friendly country to travel. Egyptians on the whole are very friendly - if you are in need of assistance they will generally try to help you as much as they are able.  Since the 2011 revolution, tourism has taken a major hit making touts even more aggressive and persistent than ever before.  Safety is not an issue, but do get ready for a lot of annoying drivers/salesmen.  If after 3 or 4 times of saying "No thank you / laa shukran", just ignore them and eventually they will go away.
-Egyptian men will make compliments to women; do not take offense if they do this to you. Men shouldn't be worried, either; if they do this to your partner/daughter, it will be nothing more than a compliment, and hopefully won't go any further than that.
+Egyptian men will make compliments to women; do not take offense if they do this to you. Men shouldn't be worried, either; if they do this to your partner/daughter, it will be nothing more than a compliment, and hopefully won't go any further than that.  If it does, don't be afraid to confront them sternly with the look of death at having insulted your wife/daughter.  Most will giggle and walk away rather than get into a fight (penalty for injuring a tourist is pretty astounding).
-If you are a woman traveling alone or with another woman, be warned that some men will touch you or grab you anywhere on the body, whether you are negotiating with them or simply walking down the street.  Dressing modestly will not deter them.  Getting upset at them for touching you will be met with amusement by them and any onlookers, both male and female.  The best way to avoid this is wear a wedding band and don't be too friendly.
+If you are a woman traveling alone or with another woman, be warned that some men will touch you or grab you anywhere on the body, whether you are negotiating with them or simply walking down the street.  Dressing modestly will not deter them.  Getting upset at them for touching you will be met with amusement by them and any onlookers, both male and female.  The best way to avoid this is wear a wedding band and don't be too friendly.  If a man grabs you inappropriately, do not be afraid to slap him and yell at him for his indecency/lack of shame.  The penalty for harming a tourist is quite severe.
 ===Terrorism===
@@ Line 498: / Line 502: @@
 Pickpocketing is a problem in Egypt's bigger cities, particularly Cairo.  Many locals opt not to carry wallets at all, instead keeping their money in a clip in their pocket, and tourists would be wise to adopt this as well.  On the upside, violent crime is rare, and you are highly unlikely to physically mugged or robbed. If, however, you do find yourself the victim of crime, you may get the support of local pedestrians by shouting "Harami" (Criminal) while chasing the person who robbed you.
 Overall, scams are the main concern in Egypt. Be aware that many Egyptians who starts a conversation with you in Cairo and Luxor want your money. There is a very insidious tactic used where they will "befriend" you, take you around, show you things, even bring you back to their place for dinner, and then they will demand money for it. Basically, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Demand prices for absolutely everything, because if you say "I thought it was free!" after the fact you are in for a vicious argument.
 ==Stay healthy==
@@ Line 529: / Line 535: @@
 Take great care if you choose to drink, especially if you're from countries where heavy drinking is accepted. Even if you are used to it, you can't estimate the effects of the climate, even at night. The impact drunk people have on Egyptians is quite large and very negative. The best plan is just to abstain or limit yourself to one drink per meal while in Egypt; it will be cheaper too.
 ===Dress===