The Sinai Peninsula and its luxury hotel resorts along the coastline of the Gulf of Aqaba - simply called the Red Sea - is a favored destination for the sun and fun lovers from around the world due to the International Airports in Sharm el Sheikh in the very south of Sinai and Taba, which is the perfect gateway to Jordan and Israel. The 4 and 5 stars resorts offer exceptional bargain packages for every budget and promise a pampered holiday. Yet there is more to Sinai than fairytale-like deluxe hotels in the most beautiful settings. Sinai offers the best diving spots in the world and is therefore a prime destination for divers and underwater enthusiasts. Sinai is home to the indigenous people, the Bedouins, who are more than happy to share with you their love for the desert whether on a jeep tour or on a camel trek. Sinai invites for a voyage into biblical history - the climb of Mount Moses is a highlight by itself. Walking tours in the high mountain range, once home to hermits and monks, are a fascinating experience.
After 8,000 years at the heart of history, experience the continuing contrasts. Sinai is where rock meets coral reef and the desert stops at the sea. It is the grandeur of granite meeting golden beaches. Here, you will find tropical fish and rare birds, spectacular sunsets and clear starry nights. Meet Sinai and discover yourself:
El-Arish has shady palm beaches, Mediterranean waves and the glowing colors of Bedouin crafts. Sharm el-Sheikh is the simplicity of sun, sea and sand. The luxury of five-star hotels, water sports, shopping and entertainment, Ras Mohamed is a world- famous paradise of coral gardens and tropical fish.
Sinai is the land of discovery. It is the route to the Promised Land, where Isis sought Osiris and the Pharaohs found gold. It is where Moses witnessed the Burning Bush and the Bedouins camped by Crusader forts. Sinai is the meeting point for three great religions, at the crossroads of Africa and Asia.
In Sinai, normal clothing is shorts and T-shirts during summer or any style of loose cotton. Most kind of light clothing will be OK. With the number of shops here that sell T-shirts, you don't need to bring much luggage. In winter, wear layers that can be taken off during the heat of the day and put back on for cool evenings. A hat or cloth for the head can avoid a heat stroke. In the winter months on a boat, the wind can be quite cold, so a wind jacket for protection is advisable.
Currency
The official currency is the Egyptian pound (L.E. or E£) consisting of 100 Piaster. Notes are available in 10, 25 and 50 Piaster, and E£1, E£5, E£10, E£20, E£50, E£100, and E£200 Pound. In 2003, the exchange rate has dramatically changed in favour of foreign currency such like the Euro. One of the reasons was that the Egyptian government wanted to kill the black market for money. It raised the exchange rate, so tourists and locals would now go to banks to change money. In addition, prices are sometimes written without decimal points, such as 233
instead of E£2.33. For tipping, it is useful to always keep enough small money.
Customs
On arrival to Egypt, there is a duty-free limit of 1L of alcohol, 1L of perfume,
200 cigarrettes and 25 cigars. Additionally, after arrival you are allowed to buy another 3L of alcohol plus a wide range of duty-free articles in any of the duty-free shops that are mostly in the airport. Arriving to Egypt you have a period of 1-2 days to still buy articles in the duty free shops. Please refer to the customs to have the latest period information. Tourists and travelers crossing Egypt may bring along all articles that are for personal use, such as clothing, shoes, WC-article, etc. Furthermore, 1 photo camera, 1 film camera, films, 1 video camera, 1 laptop, 1 radio, 1 walkman, 1 musical instrument, 1 disc player, 1 binocular. Sport articles should be written into the passport and removed from there again, once leaving thecountry.
Holidays
Feb. 23rd- Eid al-Adha, March 16th- Islamic New Year, April 25th- Sinai Liberation Festival, May 1st- Labor Day, May 6th- Sham El Nessin (Osterfest), May 25th- Moloud (birthday of the prophet), June 18th- Liberation Festival, July 23rd- Revolution Day, Oct. 6th- Day of Armed Forces, Dec. 6-8th- Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan), Dec. 23rd- Day of Victory.
Please be aware that these dates are subject of change each year since they are mostly calculated from the moon calendar.
Islam
Egypt is mainly an Islamic country. It is a matter of interest for those traveling here to experience this religion and to get a deeper understanding about Islam.
Language
The official language in Egypt is Arabic, but most people, especially in tourist areas, do speak English or some French or German. However, if you go deeper into Sinai's desert, you might find Beduinand they usuallydo not speak English.
Water
Try to avoid drinking local tap water if you are not used to living in Egypt. In most shops, there are bottles with mineral water available in large quantities and it prevents acquiring undesirable stomach maladies.
Women Traveling
There are hardly restrictions for foreign women in Egypt. In fact, to travel alone is generally safe, but it will be noticed. One is better off not being too open nor offended by private questions. It is natural curiosity and one should tell them politely that it is none of their business. This will not deter them, so it is advised to remain quiet for some time. Even if not married, one shouldn't hesitate to invent a husband. However, if problems do occur, don't hesitate to seek help from the police or any shop or person nearby. Egyptians judge improper behavior harshly and will be on your side. Especially as of late, women's rights in Egypt have improved dramatically and in some cases, to such an extent that women are joking about the "right-less men" in papers or on TV. In this aspect, Egypt is definitely an extraordinary exception among the Arab countries.
Egypt is a Muslim country and some women wear the veil demonstrating modesty or Muslim piety. This also tends to discourage male advances, physical or verbal. As a rule, the less a woman wears the more looks and comments she will get. This should be considered, especially when in the streets. Topless or nude bathing is forbidden, even at hotelresorts.
Lastly, it should be mentioned that reactions towards women in Egypt, do depend very much on the level of society where one finds oneself.
El-Arish has shady palm beaches, Mediterranean waves and the glowing colors of Bedouin crafts. Sharm el-Sheikh is the simplicity of sun, sea and sand. The luxury of five-star hotels, water sports, shopping and entertainment, Ras Mohamed is a world- famous paradise of coral gardens and tropical fish.
Sinai is the land of discovery. It is the route to the Promised Land, where Isis sought Osiris and the Pharaohs found gold. It is where Moses witnessed the Burning Bush and the Bedouins camped by Crusader forts. Sinai is the meeting point for three great religions, at the crossroads of Africa and Asia.
In Sinai, normal clothing is shorts and T-shirts during summer or any style of loose cotton. Most kind of light clothing will be OK. With the number of shops here that sell T-shirts, you don't need to bring much luggage. In winter, wear layers that can be taken off during the heat of the day and put back on for cool evenings. A hat or cloth for the head can avoid a heat stroke. In the winter months on a boat, the wind can be quite cold, so a wind jacket for protection is advisable.
Currency
The official currency is the Egyptian pound (L.E. or E£) consisting of 100 Piaster. Notes are available in 10, 25 and 50 Piaster, and E£1, E£5, E£10, E£20, E£50, E£100, and E£200 Pound. In 2003, the exchange rate has dramatically changed in favour of foreign currency such like the Euro. One of the reasons was that the Egyptian government wanted to kill the black market for money. It raised the exchange rate, so tourists and locals would now go to banks to change money. In addition, prices are sometimes written without decimal points, such as 233
instead of E£2.33. For tipping, it is useful to always keep enough small money.
Customs
On arrival to Egypt, there is a duty-free limit of 1L of alcohol, 1L of perfume,
200 cigarrettes and 25 cigars. Additionally, after arrival you are allowed to buy another 3L of alcohol plus a wide range of duty-free articles in any of the duty-free shops that are mostly in the airport. Arriving to Egypt you have a period of 1-2 days to still buy articles in the duty free shops. Please refer to the customs to have the latest period information. Tourists and travelers crossing Egypt may bring along all articles that are for personal use, such as clothing, shoes, WC-article, etc. Furthermore, 1 photo camera, 1 film camera, films, 1 video camera, 1 laptop, 1 radio, 1 walkman, 1 musical instrument, 1 disc player, 1 binocular. Sport articles should be written into the passport and removed from there again, once leaving thecountry.
Holidays
Feb. 23rd- Eid al-Adha, March 16th- Islamic New Year, April 25th- Sinai Liberation Festival, May 1st- Labor Day, May 6th- Sham El Nessin (Osterfest), May 25th- Moloud (birthday of the prophet), June 18th- Liberation Festival, July 23rd- Revolution Day, Oct. 6th- Day of Armed Forces, Dec. 6-8th- Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan), Dec. 23rd- Day of Victory.
Please be aware that these dates are subject of change each year since they are mostly calculated from the moon calendar.
Islam
Egypt is mainly an Islamic country. It is a matter of interest for those traveling here to experience this religion and to get a deeper understanding about Islam.
Language
The official language in Egypt is Arabic, but most people, especially in tourist areas, do speak English or some French or German. However, if you go deeper into Sinai's desert, you might find Beduinand they usuallydo not speak English.
Water
Try to avoid drinking local tap water if you are not used to living in Egypt. In most shops, there are bottles with mineral water available in large quantities and it prevents acquiring undesirable stomach maladies.
Women Traveling
There are hardly restrictions for foreign women in Egypt. In fact, to travel alone is generally safe, but it will be noticed. One is better off not being too open nor offended by private questions. It is natural curiosity and one should tell them politely that it is none of their business. This will not deter them, so it is advised to remain quiet for some time. Even if not married, one shouldn't hesitate to invent a husband. However, if problems do occur, don't hesitate to seek help from the police or any shop or person nearby. Egyptians judge improper behavior harshly and will be on your side. Especially as of late, women's rights in Egypt have improved dramatically and in some cases, to such an extent that women are joking about the "right-less men" in papers or on TV. In this aspect, Egypt is definitely an extraordinary exception among the Arab countries.
Egypt is a Muslim country and some women wear the veil demonstrating modesty or Muslim piety. This also tends to discourage male advances, physical or verbal. As a rule, the less a woman wears the more looks and comments she will get. This should be considered, especially when in the streets. Topless or nude bathing is forbidden, even at hotelresorts.
Lastly, it should be mentioned that reactions towards women in Egypt, do depend very much on the level of society where one finds oneself.
