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A lot of people like to spend their holidays in exotic countries. Vacation in Egypt, with its considerably low prices, warm sea, various antiquities and bright underwater life is the best one. The prices don’t bite and you can spend here a wonderful holiday.
Visa
Since the 21 of March 2002 the citizens of Ukraine and Russia don’t have to worry about registering an entry visa. One can pay 15$ and register a visa in the airport (you don’t have to pay for a child, if he is under 12 years old and is registered in the parent’s passport).
A mark will be put in your passport. It will allow you to stay on the territory of Egypt for a month. The first annoyance, that you’ll face even in the airport is bakshish (tip). Everyone who helps you, even with an advice, will wait for a tip. A porter will also ask for a tip. Usually they are given 1 pound, though they can ask for more. Besides, the exchange rate is 6,2 pounds for 1 dollar.
Customs rules
Customs rules allow import and export of private use goods without custom declaration. Rules concerning alcohol are strict. People over 20 years old can take no more then one liter. Custom won’t let through video tapes or printed editions, which contradict with norms of Islam and morals. If you take photo or video camera, its mark and number should be written down in the passport. Corrals are protected by the law. You’ll pay a considerable fine, if you try to export them.
The weather in Egyptian resorts
The most appropriate time for vacation in Egypt is a period from November till February, when the weather is the most favorable. In these months day temperatures are 20-25°C, and night temperatures are 12-15°C (don’t forget to take warm clothes for night walks). The temperature of water is always about 23-26°C, so the conditions for a holiday are the best. From March begins the hot season and the ticket prices are reduced. From March till October day temperature can reach 38-40 °C. In spring (usually in April) you may be surprised by sand-storms, or so called khamsin.
Anyway it is not recommended to stay in the sun after 2 p.m. And don’t forget to take a good , and clothes to cover the whole body. Otherwise you can get a sun burn and loose all the joy of vacation in Egypt. In spring (especially in the end of March – beginning of April) sand storms, so called khamsin may occur.
Egyptian hotels
Egyptian hotels are usually situated near the sea. Then they will also have their own beach, where you can use sunshades and deck-chairs absolutely free (no one will ask for bakshish).
Hotels consist of a row of one or two-stored houses and the main five-stored building. In the room there will be mini-bar, air conditioner, TV and of course telephone. Safe is not always in the room, but nevertheless it is free. But anyway make a list of things in your safe, because their reliability is not perfect. Unfortunately, bathes are only in the highly comfortable 5 star hotels, in the others there are only showers.
Usually the cost of the tour ticket includes breakfast and supper in the hotel. If you use the system “All inclusive”, then you of course will have a dinner too. Hotels use smorgasbord, that means you may have everything that is served and in any quantity.
You serve yourself and if you want some more, don’t use a dirty plate, there are plenty of clean ones. Moslems don’t eat pork, instead of it you’ll have mutton or beef, and also fish and plenty of fruit and vegetables. To slake the thirst you can use a traditional drink “karkade”, which should be served cool.
Egyptian resorts
Vacation on the Red sea is represented by following resorts.
The most popular resort in Egypt is considered Sharm el-Sheikh, which is situated on the Sinai peninsular. Here there are a lot of first class hotels. Coral reefs are near the cost, so there are no places for smooth immersion in the sea. It creates difficulties in vacation with children. The approach to the sea is equipped with floating pontoons, where begins a big depth. Sharm el-Sheikh suits to those who like underwater sport or just want to see the wonders of underwater life. Almost in every hotel there is a diving club and you always can rent a mask and flippers. Besides there are a lot of other entertainments: mini-golf, tennis-court, windsurfing, jacuzzi, sauna. Another interesting for tourists place is St. Catherine’s Monastery, not far from Sharm el-Sheikh. You can also have a tour to the mountain Sinai. On the hill’s flank there are a lot of cafes for tired tourists.
El-Gouna is the most expensive Egyptian resort. It is a complex of small islands joined with bridges. It was built for one of the richest families in Egypt. To move by the canals you’ll have a boat, which you can use to get to the shop or restaurant. The center of the resort is island Kafr, where the most of entertainments are. This place besides the chic sea resort is also well known for its golf club, the best in Middle East. El-Gouna even has its own port and aerodrome.
Hurghada resort is situated on the African coast of Egypt. Here there are a lot of hotels along the coast with smooth beaches without corals. The prices here are the lowest in the Egypt, including tours and food. Of course, you shouldn’t expect for a high level of service. Nevertheless, Hurghada is the best place for a family vacation. If you want to see the underwater life, you can have a trip to the coral reefs on a boat with glass bottom. You also have a chance to windsurf. In the hotel there are playgrounds for children. A lot of entertainments (discos, restaurants, shops) there are in the town, where you can get by the local transport (1-2 Egyptian pounds).
Resort Safaga is 60 km south from Hurghada. There are not so many hotels here, that’s why their beaches are wider and more free. Safaga is popular among those who want to rest without crowds of people, as in other resorts. In Safaga all entertainments are on the hotels territory. You won’t find anything interesting outside. But still there are a lot of coral reefs and you can enjoy their beauty.
A big advantage of these places is mountains, protecting from sand storms. From here you can visit Pyramids, Cairo and Luxor.
Tours to Egyptain sights
The main Egyptain sights are of course the Pyramids. There are over hundred of them on the territory of the country, but the most popular Cheops pyramid is near Cairo. And of course sphinx – architectural monument, made of a one piece rock. To visit Egypt and not to see the pyramids means not to see the Egypt at all.
The prices of a tour to the pyramids and to Cairo start from 60$, depending of the duration and level of the tour (a tour from Hurghada is from 60$, from Sharm el-Sheikh from 70$). Remember, that it is forbidden to climb too high, so you won’t be able to take a photo on the top of the pyramid. You also won’t be able to approach the sphinx, it’s fenced in. It is forbidden to take flash photos inside the pyramid, otherwise you’ll have to pay bakshish. And be careful, if someone offers you a free ride on a camel. You’ll have to pay 20$ to get off.
Another entertainment is a jeep ride. A ride in the desert will cost 60$. You’ll be offered to try kebab made of camel meat, to learn how is the water found and to see the sunset.
A tour to the St. Catherine’s Monastery costs 35$. This holy Orthodox centre exists since VI century. Here one can find a lot of icons, bells, church plate made by Russians, ancient books on ancient languages. In the Monastery territory there is the Flaming Fraxinella, the bush in the flames of which the Lord emerged before Moses’ eyes and bid him to lead Israel’s sons out of the Egyptian slavery. It doesn’t matter what is your religion and whether you believe in Holy Bible or not, here you’ll feel as a witness of those bygone events.
If after visiting a Monastery you have a wish and strength to climb the Moses mountain, it will take you 2 hours to get there. There are more then 3 thousand steps, but there is easier way, that is longer. On the slope there are a lot of places, where you can have a rest. On the top of the mountain you’ll see a chapel, built in honor of Holy Trinity and a wonderful view. The tour costs 35$.
Another interesting tour is a row in a boat with transparent bottom. You’ll see all the beauty of Red sea underwater life with its amazing corals and bright fish. The cost of the row is 15$.
A tour to the color canyon will cost 40$. Here you’ll see an amazingly beautiful ravine in Sinai mountains. The canyon, about 5km long and 25-30m high, was formed as a result of earthquake.
We wish you a good holiday and new impressions on the one of the most exotic resorts! |