Due to the climatic conditions, rest in Egypt is possible at any time of year. It is always summer, and rainfall is very rare.
Vacation in Egypt is rightly considered one of the most budget; tours to Egypt are happily purchased by families, companies of friends and just single travelers.
In Egypt, there is one of the wonders of the world - the pyramid - a majestic creation of human hands.
Simplified visa regime allows you not to worry about a package of documents in advance. Tourists from Ukraine, Russia and Belorussia make out a visa at the border after the flight.
This destination offers many options for active recreation: diving, walks on camels, national dances and desert safari.
The Red Sea is recognized as one of the cleanest seas in the world. There are no rivers flowing into it, the water is transparent, and you can swim in it all year round.
There are the best places for diving in Egypt, which attract not only professionals, but also amateurs. The underwater world of the Red Sea is rich and even saturated with beautiful, imaginative coral reefs, as well as a variety of exotic fish and other water inhabitants.
Geographical location
Egypt is located on the territory of two large continents: Africa and Asia. They are divided by the Suez Canal. More than half of the country's territory (96%) is covered with deserts.
The country is washed by two seas: Mediterranean in the north and Red in the east. It is on the Red Sea coast that the popular Egyptian resorts are located.
Egypt's climate
The climate is dry, so high temperatures are much easier to tolerate than in the same Turkey or Thailand.
In this regard, there is an interesting trend: if before leaving for Egypt tourists fell ill, then on arrival to rest colds leave them on the 2nd-3rd day of stay in the country.
In Egypt there are two main seasons: from May to September the hot season lasts and the average temperature is 34 - 36 ° (with the thermometer column rises to 40-45 ° at times). In December, the cool season begins and lasts until March. During this period, the temperature drops to 25 °.
Do I need a visa to Egypt?
Egypt is a conditionally visa-free destination for citizens of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine: visa stamp is purchased upon arrival in the country, before passing customs control.
The cost of the visa for 2015 is $ 25 per passport, ie if the child is entered in the passport of the parent, both are purchased and paid for only one visa stamp.
Before buying a visa stamp, a migration card is filled in for each arriving person. The card contains passport data, hotel name, rest dates - all information is written in Latin letters.
It is not necessary to purchase a visa for those who come to Sharm el-Sheikh for rest: for this purpose you will need to put a mark "ONLY SINAI" on the migration card. This mark on your side guarantees you will not leave the Sinai peninsula, where Sharm el-Sheikh is actually located.
Requirements for the period of validity of foreign passports.
To buy a tour in Egypt, Russian citizens must have a passport with a period of validity of at least 2 months from the end of the tour. There are also recommendations of the embassy about the period of validity more than 6 months from the end of the tour.
Egypt's best resorts
Before you buy a tour to Egypt, you need to assess your desires and abilities. After all, in Egypt, there are many resort areas for different tastes: for family holidays, for a quiet measured rest, for holidays with children or even a noisy company.
Sharm el Sheikh is considered to be the youngest resort. It is surrounded by the Sinai Mountains, due to which there is an opinion that the temperature is a few degrees higher than in Hurghada. Most hotels in this resort have a coral reef in close proximity to the shore. Near Sharm el-Sheikh there are several attractions: the sandy island of Tiran, Ras Mohammed reserve;
Most hotels in Hurghada have magnificent sandy beaches and, again, sandy and gentle entrance to the sea.
El Gouna - a resort, located on 22 artificially created bulk islands - is rightfully called "Egyptian Venice". Tourists, vacationing here, move between islands by boats. The quarters here are more like cozy European streets. El Gouna has some of the most expensive and respectable hotels, as well as a couple of hotels, which are affordable for almost everyone.
Macadi Bay is a resort, located far from Hurghada Airport. Along the Gulf of Macadi on the 1st and 2nd lines from the sea are hotels 4 and 5* decent level. Macadi Bay's peculiarity is shallow water near several hotels and a beautiful coral reef.
Taba is popular among fans of healthy lifestyle. There are few opportunities for active rest, calm atmosphere and no bustling fuss. Taba distinguishes among other resorts by its proximity to the border with Israel - from the extreme hotel to the border is only about 500 meters. Therefore, Taba will be an ideal option for those who want to combine a quiet quality rest in a hotel and a trip to Jerusalem.
National cuisine
A distinctive feature of Egyptian cuisine is the abundance of spices. Most dishes are rather spicy, served with various sauces and spices.
Traditional cuisine is rather poor for fruit because of its climate. Vegetables are cooked in different ways, perfectly combining with meat dishes.
Egyptians do not eat pork and do not serve it in hotels, preferring beef, mutton. Fish dishes are also popular.
The standard menu has different kinds of salads and snacks: eggplant, cheese, mashed potato soup, bean cutlets.
Vacationers here will always find many sweets.
Among drinks there are various kinds of tea, coffee, and local wine. It is a popular drink among Egyptians - cardade: brewed hibiscus leaves with various spices.
Rent a car in Egypt
Despite the fact that traffic in Egypt is right-handed, it is not recommended to rent a car in Egypt, as there is a high probability of an emergency situation. This is due to the peculiarities of traffic in Egypt: the first one to signal, he passed.
For movement in resorts it is recommended to use the services of buses and sightseeing buses, as well as cabs (preferably, cabs from hotels).
IMPORTANT: If you plan to travel by private cab, you should agree on the cost immediately, before boarding the car. If you still have a misunderstanding with the driver, then pretend that you are going to call the tourist police. Usually this helps to solve the situation.
Souvenirs in Egypt. What can be brought from Egypt.
From Egypt as a souvenir you can bring stoles, a picture on a papyrus, aromatic oils, carcade tea and a variety of souvenirs in the form of Egyptian deities.
IMPORTANT: Prices for souvenir products from local merchants are unreasonably inflated. In Egypt, it is necessary and accepted to haggle, originally announced prices as a result of which are reduced by an average of 2-3 times.
For the tourist's attention
Any rest except impressions and unforgettable emotions carries some dangers. To be ready for unexpected situations, you need to know about the possible difficulties that may arise during the trip. Following simple advice, you can protect yourself from fraud and trouble.
In Egypt, you should not use tap water, wash fruits and vegetables in it. For this purpose, as well as for brushing your teeth, it is better to use bottled water.
Going on a trip, collect a small first aid kit. Sorbents, antiseptic and anti-sickness agents may be useful.
In Egypt, it is customary to give a tip to service personnel at a rate of 5-10% of the bill, or $ 1-2 for help with the suitcases or a favorite room cleaning.
It is not allowed to photograph people without their permission, some may ask for a fee; it is also prohibited to photograph military and military facilities.
For swimming near the reefs it is recommended to buy special shoes, so as not to hurt your legs. Special shoes resemble sneakers with rubberized soles, they are sold in suspension stores and private stores.
When swimming in the sea, try not to touch its inhabitants: some fish can be poisonous and leave wounds and burns on the skin.
The current currency in Egyptian resorts is dollars and Egyptian pounds. For a trip you can stock up on euros, dollars, which can be exchanged at the hotel's exchange offices. Approximate prices for important services: dinner - $20-30, souvenirs - $50-70, transport costs - about $30.
Places, which are worth seeing
Before visiting this country, you should familiarize yourself with its main sights. Egypt is full of interesting places with rich history, which will give an unforgettable holiday experience.
The Big Sphinx is a sculpture that amazes with its size and mysteriousness. Created at least in 7000 BC, it remains a majestic creation;
Valley of the Kings is located in the western part of the Nile Bay. The tombs of the Pharaohs have been kept here for many thousands of years, among them the tombs of Tutankhamen, Ramses and Amenhotep, known to us from the school history course. Several tombs are allowed to visit. However, we must remember that shooting inside is strictly forbidden. The rooms where the tombs are located are decorated with interesting patterns that have kept their color for hundreds of years;
Mount Moses is a famous Christian shrine that attracts many pilgrims. According to the biblical teachings, it is there where the 10 divine commandments were given to Moses. According to the custom, climbing the mountain begins at night, reaching the top by sunrise;
Ras Mohammed Nature Reserve attracts divers from all over the world: gorgeous coral reefs, which are over 2 billion years old, mangroves and other amazing Red Sea inhabitants;
The Blue Hole is located not far from Dahab. It is an underwater cave, which reaches a depth of about 100 meters. This place is surrounded by a coral arch, which creates an unusually beautiful view. The blue hole is among the ten most dangerous places in the world for diving.
Vacation in Egypt has many advantages and is an ideal option in terms of value for money for fans of both beach holidays and active recreation.
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