Any tips for Egypt

[Ruth]

Hi everyone

Have just booked a Nile Cruise departing on 7th Jan.

Not having been to Egypt before has anyone any handy hints?

What's good to buy to bring back?
TC's or cash?
Must do's
Etc

Ruth

[carolynn38]

How fantastic - I love egypt and you will have a great time.

First off, just be a little carefull with the food. Most of it will be fine, but just use commonsense and if things should be hot and are not, or if there is salad stuff that looks like its been left out, then avoid.

Stomach upsets are one of the biggest problems most people have with Egypt.

The money esp is filthy, so just remember to keep washing your hands after handling it, and maybe take a small bottle of hand sanitiser.

persoanlly, I would take a small amount of Egyptian dollars, and the rest in TC's as you will be able to change on board.

Last tip is to make sure you have a camera and planty of memory if digital. There are so many fabulous things to see that you will end up taking loads of photos.

Have a great time.

[kimmy]

We went to Egypt quite some years ago.But you must do the light and sound show at the pyrimids,its on an evening.It was so beautiful,I shall never for get that.Also Cairo museum,that was amazing. As it was sometime ago ,car nt really comment on anything else.Its very different I ll say that.

[BevS97]

I went to Egypt for the day about 15 years ago. We saw the pyramids, the Sphynx and the Egyptian museum (all in one long day)

I bought some papyrus, and a necklace with my name written in hyroglyphics - I think everyone on the bus bought the same!

We weren't there long enough to worry about the food, but we did have a lot of bother with people trying to sell us things absolutely everywhere we went. So be prepared for that, and don't be afraid to be rude and just say no to everything.

I didn't have Egyptian dollars and just spent UK Pounds which were accepted fine (but we were on a tour bus and in very very touristy places)

[queenofthenile]

you must go on the trip to abu simbel (spelling might be a bit off here) might cost a bit but the best temples you will ever see, worth every penny. Also the light and sound show at philea temple is very good they also do one to karnak not sure if they might be included in the price, you can get some really nice papayrus. Our quides told us how much to expect to pay. You will have a great time am really jealous.

[michixxx]

sorry to jump in on your thread but dh is going to work there for a couple of months in january and the other guys who are already out there have told him to take american dollars.

[queenofthenile]

We took egyptian pounds and american dollat travellers cheques, because that was what we were advise to do.

[Ruth]

Thanks everyone - and what an appropriate name 'queenofthenile' - you didn't fancy Nefertiti then?

Unfortunately flying into and out of Luxor we won't see the pyramids - so it's an excuse to go back another time I guess.

Good tip about US$ as we may still have some!

Thanks

Ruth

[queenofthenile]

Thanks everyone - and what an appropriate name 'queenofthenile' - you didn't fancy Nefertiti then?

Unfortunately flying into and out of Luxor we won't see the pyramids - so it's an excuse to go back another time I guess.

Good tip about US$ as we may still have some!

Thanks

Ruth

As you can tell I am mad about egypt, we have a dog called cleopatra. Also if you get the chance Nefartari's tomb at the valley of the queens is supposed to be one of the best have not manged to see myself as the only let a certain ammount of people in per day.

[liverpool lou]

You will have a brill time, how jealous am I!! I have been on three Nile Cruises, seven times to Egypt all together, I would go along with everybody else and say about washing your hands etc, I always come back ill, but its still the the place I love.
Baby wipes are the way to go!!
When you have had this cruise you will want to go back, everybody does, or maybe you have an extra week in a hotel afterwards, and then you can do all the other things that you dont have time for on the cruise.
Stay a night in the Old Cataract Aswan,
Take the train from Luxor to Aswan [ quite an experience!!]
Go to the Valley of the Queens and pay a man who just guards the tombs to let you into a tomb that is not open to the public, spooky!!!
Take a day trip to Hurghada, and go to Giftun Island.

Then when you have done all that you will want to go to the Cairo musuem to see all 'the wonderful things' that were in Tutankhamuns tomb!! well worth a visit.
If you need anybody to carry your bags, just ask!!

Have a fab time.
Jean

[Dizzy]

Re the finances...........we go to Luxor on 2nd January and after trawling the internet for sites (trip advisor and another one that I don't know if I can mention:erm:) on Egypt found that the best thing to do if possible is to take UK pounds and exchange over there. This can be done at the airport and you will get more for your money doing it that way. I suppose it depends if you feel safe carrying the money....we are going to split it between us and of course lock it in the safe on arrival.

[derynifan]

We went a good few years ago and the food that caused us bother was ice cream (DH, twice - didn't learn from the first experience) and mayo (me, but not as badly as I have a pretty cast-iron stomach) so I'd say things of that ilk are the ones to avoid.

The waiters/tour guides advised anyone with gippy tum to drink orange or lemon juice. It sort of flies in the face of what we would do over here, but the people that did recovered way faster than the ones that didn't, so might be worth bearing in mind.

Don't know if this is an option, but we were advised to do the cruise Aswan to Luxor if possible, rather than Luxor to Aswan. The reason was that the temples sort of build up, as you get towards Karnak and the Valley of the Kings. So our guide would point out the stories in the hieroglyphics as we travelled north, and they would gradually build up, so when we got to Karnak/VotK he could just go "and there's that bit, and there's that bit, and there's that bit" rather than having to try to tell us the whole story on the first couple of days.

We also went in January and some days it was quite warm, but other days it was pretty chilly, so make sure you have layers to accommodate both.