| TRAVEL
TIPS |
| Alcoholic Beverages |
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| Alcoholic beverages are available in most hotels, cruises,
and select restaurants. Both local and international wine and
beer can be purchased. The international brands tend to be more
expensive. |
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| Cameras & Video Cameras |
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| Only video cameras must be registered at Cairo International
Airport upon arrival. This process takes only a few minutes.
There will be a small charge to use both still cameras and video
cameras at most museums and sites, including the Egyptian Museum
of Antiquities. In addition, flashes are prohibited inside most
museums and tombs. |
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| Clothing |
|
| Overall, Egypt is a very casual country! However, you may
want to plan accordingly for the weather. Day dress should include
cotton and breathable fabric clothing, comfortable shoes, hat,
and sun block. Shorts are acceptable. Evening dress is smart-casual.
A light jacket or sweater is advisable for the months of October
- April. |
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| Electrical Current |
|
| 220 volts is the electrical current used within the country.
The 220 volts is a two-pronged plug. Most 5 star hotels provide
hair dryers and ironing service. However, if you need to bring
an appliance, you may want to purchase an adapter before traveling. |
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| Food & Water |
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| A change in drinking water and food can upset your stomach
when traveling. We advise you to drink only bottled water, which
can be purchased at most hotels and vendors. In the first few
days, we recommend you eat lightly and avoid any raw vegetables
or fruits, unless you can peel them. If you should come in counter
with the "Pharaoh's Curse", no worries! Your tour
guide or representative will be able to help you obtain certain
medications specific for this problem. These medications can
be purchased in most pharmacies throughout Egypt. |
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| International Telephone/Fax Service |
|
| Most hotels have business centers where you can place international
calls or fax. You should be able to place international calls
in the privacy of your room, however not in all hotels. A more
in-expensive alternative is to purchase an international phone
card, which are sold at most small shops and vendors. |
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| Medical Assistance |
|
| Medical assistance is available throughout Egypt. If you should
require medical attention, please speak with your representative
or tour guide for assistance. They will help you to locate a
physician or medical center. |
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| News |
|
| The international news can be viewed on BBC and CNN in most
5 star hotels. The local news can be viewed on local channel
#9 at 7:00pm (English Transmission). Newspapers and magazines
can be purchased at most hotels, bookshops, or news stands.
The Egyptian Gazette Newspaper is the local paper published
in English. |
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| Passport |
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| Your passport will be collected at your hotel upon arrival.
The hotel staff will retain a copy of your passport as a standard
procedure upon check-in and then return your pass-port to you
once this copy has been made. It is advisable for you to make
two photocopies of your passport before departure and store
in separate locations while traveling. |
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| Money |
|
| The local currency used is the Egyptian Pound (LE). The Egyptian
Pound is divided into 100 piastres. Prices can be shown in either
pounds (LE 2.00) or piastres (200 PT). Most hotels have a bank
on the premises for your convenience. The hotel banks offer
a fixed rate of exchange. There are also banks located in most
cities in Egypt. Make sure to take your passport with you when
exchanging money. Most hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops
do accept credit cards. Using your credit card within the local
markets (among vendors) is not advisable. |
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| Postage |
|
| Postage stamps can be obtained from hotel and souvenir shops
that sell postcards. Depending on the location you are sending
mail to, out-bound mail takes approximately 10-14 days to arrive
to its destination. |
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| Taxis |
|
| If you decide to venture out on your own, taxis are very affordable
and safe. Remember to set the price before you commence your
journey and carry the right amount of change if possible, to
avoid being taken. |
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| Valuables |
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| As always, unnecessary valuables should be left at home before
traveling. We strongly recommend that you keep your passport,
extra money, traveler's cheques, credit cards, and your return
airline ticket, when not in use, in the hotel/cruise safety
deposit boxes. |
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