Egypt has always been one of the most popular travel destinations: in terms of its popularity among tourists, it is second only to Turkey. With the onset of cold weather, this country turned into one of the most affordable destinations for a guaranteed sunny holiday.
The sun shines 364 days a year in Egypt, but many are still not ready to travel to the country and enjoy its unique history, attractions, warm sea, and calm hotels.
1. How to choose the right hotel?
Egypt is known for its developed tourism infrastructure and wide selection of hotels. Traditionally, hotels are assigned a star rating from 1 to 5. However, given that hotel standards in different countries of the world are different, we recommend choosing 4-5 star hotels, which in terms of service and comfort will correspond to European 3 and 4 stars. Choosing a lower-class hotel can be disappointing.
Another important point is the type of hotel: there are hotels offering accommodation only for adults, which means a more relaxing holiday; There are hotels suitable for families with children, with child-friendly facilities and offers. You should also pay attention to the type of food included in the hotel offer and choose what suits you.
The most popular choice for resort holidays where a lot of time is spent at the hotel is all-inclusive, which means there are no additional costs for food and drinks. When traveling to Egypt for the first time, it is especially important to discuss all these details with a travel agent to ensure you choose a hotel that suits your requirements.
2. When to go to Egypt?
The most popular time to travel to Egypt is from October to April. From December to February, Egypt experiences warm, summery weather during the day, which is ideal for Latvian travelers who actively enjoy the sun. However, since it is winter in the country at this time, you will need a light jacket or sweater in the evening, and immediately after sunset, it becomes even cooler.
Winter is the best time to explore the most popular attractions, visit the pyramids of Giza, and ancient Luxor, and cruise through the desert – the temperature is not too high. Summer weather in Egypt is not much different from the southern European summer, especially in recent years when temperatures in Italy and France reach 40 degrees. Therefore, when thinking about travel plans for next year, Egypt should also be considered as a spring-summer destination. Keep in mind that the hottest weather is in July, and July-August will be the best time to travel for those who are partial to mangoes when the season of this delicious fruit is in full swing.
3. How to save time and money on excursions?
Join UP! Baltic recommends Egypt not only to those travelers who prefer a lazy holiday by the pool or by the sea but also to those who love active holidays, adventures, and new interesting places. In Egypt, the most convenient and safe way to travel around the country, as well as visit various entertainment (for example, diving and viewing corals, quad biking in the desert, etc.) and historical places such as the Pyramids of Giza, Luxor, are organized excursions with local guides. Excursions can be purchased at your hotel or through a travel agency or tour operator, but do not buy excursions offered on the street.
4. Bring cash
In Egypt, you can pay with a credit card, but not everywhere, so it is important to have cash with you. You can pay in euros, dollars, and Egyptian pounds. Please note that in Egypt it is customary to tip service staff.
5. What to do and what not to do?
Although countries with a developed tourism industry are open and hospitable, it is important to remember that local customs and laws must be taken into account when visiting a country. For example, no matter how much you would like to shoot a tourist video using a drone, this is prohibited in Egypt. Likewise, it is prohibited to photograph police and military personnel, and to photograph residents, you must ask their permission.
When sightseeing, it is also advisable to take a scarf or light sweater with you, as when visiting some monuments and sites, such as mosques, churches, and synagogues, it is necessary to cover your arms and legs.
It is very important to note that corals are protected, and even if you find a piece of coral on the beach, you should not take it home. Under Egyptian law, this is a criminal offense and the fine can exceed US$1,000.
But in Egypt, there are not only prohibitions. Some local traditions are quite interesting for tourists. For example, bargain and bargain again. But there are several nuances here: if you do not plan to buy, then you should not bargain, and if you do, then ask the price of the product and start bargaining with about half of what you are willing to pay. In many cases, you will be able to buy what you want at a very good price.
6. Prepare your passport and book your trip
Traveling to Egypt is the case when it is more economical and convenient to use the services of a tour operator rather than going on your own. The tour operator will do everything for you: flight, hotel, transfers. And at a lower cost than if you did it yourself.
Currently, winter trips to Egypt start from 600 euros for two. But do not forget that it is necessary to check the validity period of your passport and replace it in time. For travel to be possible, the remaining validity of the passport must exceed six months.
You will also need a visa, which can be obtained at the airport upon arrival in Egypt and costs €25.