Egypt Travel Guide
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The mysterious, almost magical wonder that is Egypt has had people clamoring to visit its harsh beauty and unlock its secrets for thousands of years. Today, the appeal of an Egypt vacation extends beyond the Pyramids of Giza and the Valley of the Kings and into the country’s overall complexity as a destination. From the suffocating city interiors to the expansive and unforgiving desert, rest assured that a vacation here won’t be without some hassles, but comes in trade of an eye-opening experience in a land of unfounded optimism. That being said, it can times feels difficult to round a corner without encountering some type of magnificent monument – be it the geometrical perfection of the pyramids or the spectacularly detailed tombs and temples of Luxor.
If you’ve surmised that the only way to describe Egyptian weather is with the words hot and dry, well then, good job. For the most part, that is. December – February finds temperatures in the northern region below freezing at times, as well as receiving the majority of the country’s rainfall. Because of this, the best time to plan an Egypt vacation is ultimately dependent on where you’d like to go. For the country as a whole, that December – February stretch (winter) is still the peak tourist season, while June to August (summer) is the off season, something reflected by lower hotel prices, discount airfare to Egypt, and of course, brutally hot temperatures.
Egypt has a full range of accommodation options, from basic backpacker hostels to high-end five star resorts. Most major hotel chains are represented in the cities of Cairo, Sharm el-Sheikh and Luxor, where you’ll find the Hilton and Best Western brands throughout. Those wishing to spend the bulk of their Egypt vacation surrounded by luxury in Cairo should look to the historic Cairo Semiranis, which boasts a prime city center location and overlooks the majestic Nile River. It’s worth mentioning that due to a recent increase in scams run by “attendants” who await foreigners at train/bus stations to offer them deeply discounted rooms, it’s wise to book all of your accommodations ahead of time.
So much of what Egypt has to offer is an amazing clash of old meets new; where ancient historical monuments meet the fine dining hotspots doing everything they can to exude more of a modern feel. Regardless of any bias you might have against the touristy locales, first-timers to Egypt should strive to visit the Pyramids of Giza (along with the Sphinx), the Egyptian Museum, the Library of Alexandria, and the Temples of Abu Simbel, all of which are of immense historical significance. Outside of Cairo is an amazing array of cities and sights to choose from. You can bask in the sun at the Red Sea resorts at Sinai Peninsula, where some of the best dive locations in the world are offered. For a more rugged experience, one could traverse the Western Desert and the Oases by car, stopping at each of the oasis towns along the way.
Throughout the country, Egypt has an extensive (and somewhat complicated) long distance bus network. Buses are operated by numerous private companies, and popular routes will often be offered by more than one carrier. Many will allow you to book seats in advance, but in a pinch you can also find others that are “hop-on” seating. In the major cities, taxis are a very safe, cheap and convenient way of getting around. Travelling by car can be tenuous at times, despite the enticingly low gas prices in Egypt compared to the rest of the world. Nonetheless, maneuvering a vehicle through the compacted urban areas of Cairo is something probably best left for your taxi driver.