FAQ

Egyptian civilization began over 5,000 years ago, about the time when the first king united the two halves of the country. The Egyptians developed a way of life that lasted for over 3,000 years, impressing even ancient Greeks and Romans with its great age and stability. Egypt was a land of many gods, and its kings, who became known as pharaohs, were regarded as living gods. Their absolute power enabled them to command the building of huge pyramids and temples of which Egypt is still famous.

Although Egypt is a Muslim country, and the majority of local people abstain from alcohol, it is not forbidden.

Indeed beer, wine and a few spirits are produced in Egypt. Availability is, however, relatively limited and tends to be concentrated in the cities and tourist areas.

The official language of Egypt is the Egyptian dialect of Modern Arabic.

Egyptian Arabic is perhaps the most widely understood variety of Arabic, thanks to the popularity of Egyptian-made films and TV shows usually the people who visit Egypt have

little problems with communications because those working in the tourist sector are normally adept in at least many different languages.

The Arabic Language is written from right to left. It has its own alphabet, different from the Roman alphabet used for English. Most of Egyptian work with tourist speaks good level of English language.

12 airports across Egypt ensure that travellers are able to choose their destination of choice and experience the full spectrum of Egyptian experience. However, there are 4 main airports which will take you to the most popular tourist destinations; Cairo Airport will take you right into the heart of the pyramids, Luxor Airport from where you can discover the medieval heart of Egypt,. Sharm El Sheikh Airport or Hurghada Airport will take you to the sun sea and sand resort holidays on the Red Sea, whatever you need Egypt has it covered.

Most hotels and resorts have a bank on the grounds and there are various cash machines located around the towns and markets areas.

In the West, we call it "tipping" or "service."

Or otherwise, tipping. Baksheesh is an important part of being in Egypt…wages are low and so tipping is more than helpful for waiters, porters, maids and drivers. The recommended amount is 10% of the bill for a waiter, 10LE for a porter, guide or maid and 5LE for a driver per day. Of course tipping is not compulsory, but it is recommended if you are able.

In a country united by the river Nile travelling by ship was one of the main means of transport. The history of Egypt is totally dominated by the River Nile. At one time nearly all transportation was by boat along the river. The felucca has remained, over the centuries, the primary transportation of the Nile. Its ancient form still graces the river as it has done since the time of the Pharaohs. Motorised barges transport bulk material and modern cruise ships resembling floating Hotels transport tourists, but the felucca remains despite modern alternatives.

Belly dancing is a popular form of dance, and there are a number of local and tourist venues to see live performances. Some tours include dinner and a belly dancing show.

Egypt is a country with an immense cultural mix, In every major city in Egypt you will find traditions that remain from the time of the Pharaohs, and in other parts you will find pure tribal customs that were brought in by many invaders throughout the centuries.

You will find that the customs and mentality tends to be full of warmth towards visitors and foreigners, One of the reasons why Egypt is considered the most attractive country in the region for travellers.

The Egyptians are moderately religious and religious principles are quite noticeable in their daily lives. Here each family member is responsible for the integrity of his or her family and for the behaviour of other members, creating an environment that would be envied by many people in the West.

Camels live primarily in the deserts of Egypt although they can be found in other deserts. They store water in their humps and so are the perfect beasts of burden for dessert regions such as Egypt. Nomadic caravans have always used camels to travel from one oasis to another; and Camels are still widely used even still today.

Most of the major credit/debit cards, such as American Express, MasterCard, Visa, all Euro cards and JCB, are widely accepted in various hotels and shops. If you want to use an ATM

machine, they mostly accept Visa, MasterCard and Cirrus cards. If you can't find an ATM machine in your vicinity, you can still obtain cash if you go to any of the Misr Bank branches. Banks are unwillingly to accept $100 notes issued before 1992. If you wish to convert your currency, you can use $US, £UK or Euros, as they are accepted in many banks and other places. TIP: Don't change your $, £ or Euro until you arrive in Egypt – the conversion rate is much better here!

It’s best to take a mix of local currency, a major currency (€, $ or £), and you own cash card. Every major city and resort has ATM machines where you can withdraw money. Check with your bank before departure how much they charge for withdrawals abroad.

Cash can be exchanged at banks, exchange agents and many hotels. Many Egyptian merchants and travel agents will also accept major foreign currencies. However, the likelihood is that prices will be rounded up, so local currency is extremely beneficial.

Traveller’s cheque are less use these days. They cannot be exchanged everywhere, and in many cases agents will charge a hefty commission on their use.

Check in time is usually 12:00 afternoon but can be up to 15:00 depending on the Hotel. Check out is noon, although late checkout can be requested subject to availability and charge. If you depart in the evening hotels usually allow you to store your luggage in a store room. In Egypt as with other countries the Check-in and Check-out are lengthy procedures so please keep this in mind especially if you are departing for the Airport.

Check in time is usually very early in the morning upoin collection form your hotel and transfer to the Boat. Depending on your itinerary it may be that there is a sightseeing trip before being checked into the boat.

Check out time is usually 6pm but again depending on your itinerary ot may be earlier or later depending on the sightseeing itinerary involved for your particular group.

The unit of Egyptian currency is the Egyptian pound and it is divided into 100 piaster. Here you will find 25 and 50 piaster notes and various sized coins down to the 5 piaster.

Summers in Egypt can reach sizzling temperatures so be advised to pack plenty of sunscreen. In winter (between October and May) the weather is colder than most people anticipate, and cold winds blow over the desert at sunrise and sunset. Even when it is warm outside, it can be surprisingly cold inside the massive stone Temples so bring a few items of light but warm clothing, so that you can cope with the cold early mornings and the occasional, and unseasonable, cold snap.

Officials of the Coptic Orthodox Church, frequently say that Christians make up 10% or more of Egypts population of approximately 80 million people.

Christians have been living in Egypt peacefully side by side with the muslims for centuries. In Egypt, Muslims and Christians live as neighbours, they share a common history and national identity they also share the same ethnicity, race, culture and language

Traffic drives on the right side of the road with very good sign posting. Drivers must be 18 years old and must possess either a valid national driving license or an international one if renting a car

It would be our advice to avoid driving in Egypt and seek other forms of transportation. Driving is notoriously dangerous in Egypt and is best left to the locals.

Egypt has a very special environment, which has played a very big part in Egyptian history. Basically Egypt is really part of the Sahara Desert, which runs all across the top of Africa. More than 90% of Egypt consists of desert areas. The two main deserts in Egypt are: The Libyan Desert ( also known as the Western Desert) in the west, a part of the Sahara desert The Arabian Desert ( Also called the Eastern Desert), which borders the RED Sea and the Gulf of Suez, in the east. The deserts are separated by the River Nile which flows from the Sudan and through the length of Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea.

In major resort destinations, hotels have a resident doctor living in property, available 24/7. In city hotels and other resort areas, doctors visit the hotel upon request. Pharmacies are available in towns and tourist resorts

When visiting Egypt don't drink the tap water, as it is highly chlorinated. However, this water is only safe to drink if you are used to it and have been living in Egypt for a long time; This doesn't mean that the tap water is polluted, it simply means that you are not used to it, and you might get stomach problems. Use it only for washing and brushing your teeth.

Egypt is a Muslim country. The culture and dress code are not as strict in Egypt as they are in some muslim countries, but it is still best to be modest, especially for ladies. Within your Hotel and round the Beach and pool it is normal to wear bikini, but if walking inside the Hotel,restauraunts, shops e.t.c It is much better to be sensitive to local culture and and to dress in a way that is appropriate and polite.

Egypt is a land which has so many amazing things to offer. It is possible to fit a variety experiences into one short holiday by taking advantage of the huge variety of Excursions on Offer. Please note that Excursions should be booked only through Dahabiya Ali Baba advisors as only then can we be sure that those looking after you and managing the Excursions meet all the necessary British Health and Safety requirements.

Top Excursions available from all destinations and resorts include Cairo, Luxor, Petra, Jerusalem, Abu Simbel, Karnak Temple Light Show, St Catherines Monestry & Mount Sinai, Ras Mohammed National Park, Mahmya, Glass Bottom Boat & Submarine Tours, Dolphin Spotting, Bedouin Feast & Stargazing, Off Road Adventures

All above excursions are available to book in resort, please ask us for full information and we will be happy to assist.

Electricity - Electricity is 220 volts through continental-type 2 pin plugs.

You can get the continental adapters to fit other kinds of plug quite easily outside Egypt in travel shops and at airports but it is better to bring your own. In some hotels there are not many sockets so it can be handy to have an adapter that lets you plug two 13 amp 3-pin plugs into one two-pin socket. Some light switches work the other way round to the way most people are used to. Up can be on. Down can be off.

In case of emergencies, such as arrest, serious illness, accident or death outside of working hours please call 002 02 2791 6000 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting FREE 002 02 2791 6000 end_of_the_skype_highlighting and explain your situation.

With effect from June 09 urgent calls to the British Embassy out of normal office hours will be transferred to the foreign and commonwealth Office Global response Centre in London, The response Centre is open 24hrs a day 365 days a year. And your call will be charged at normal Egyptian Local rate.

Find out the secrets of the past as our university degree qualified guides impress you with their vast knowledge of Egyptology, history, customs and ideology of the people both past and present.The Valley of the Kings less often called the Valley of the Gates of the Kings( is a valley in Egypt where, for a period of nearly 500 years from the 16th to 11th century BC, tombs were constructed for the Pharaohs and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom( The valley stands on the west bank of the Nile, opposite Thebes (modern Luxor), It was the principal burial place of the major royal figures of the Egyptian New Kingdom, together with those of a number of privileged nobles. The royal tombs are decorated with scenes from Egyptian mythology and give clues to the beliefs and funerary rituals of the period. Almost all of the tombs seem to have been opened and robbed in antiquity, but they still give an idea of the opulence and power of the Pharaohs. The Valley of the Queens is a place in Egypt where wives of Pharaohs were buried in ancient times. In ancient times, it was known as Ta-Set-Neferu, meaning –‘the place of the Children of the Pharaoh’, because along with the Queens of the 18th, 19th and 20th dynasties (1550–1070 BCE) many princes and princesses were also buried with various members of the nobility.

Address: British Embassy 7 Ahmed Ragheb Street Garden City Cairo Egypt The switchboard number of British Embassy Cairo is (002) (02) 2791 6000. Switchboard: (002) (02) 27916000 Website: ukinegypt.fco.gov.uk Consular: consular.cairo@fco.gov.uk

Egyptian cuisine tends to include a lot of vegetables and pulses, including chickpeas, which form the basis for one of the national dishes. Fuul is a dish of fava beans that have been cooked, crushed and mixed with onion, garlic, parsley, lemon juice and lashings of olive oil. Often served as a breakfast dish with lots of bread as an accompaniment.A favourite street food in Egypt is falafel, which consists of croquettes of a paste made from chickpeas and fava beans which have been blended with various spices. These are usually served in pita bread with salad, pickled vegetables and a hummus-style sauce. Egyptian cuisine relies heavily on vegetable dishes as meat has been expensive the dishes have evolved as a result of limited budgets with some delicious results. Food in Alexandria & the coast of Egypt tends to use a great deal of fish and other seafood but for the most part Egyptian cuisine is based on foods that grow out of the ground.

Most of the British airlines organise charter and schedule flight from and to Egypt on a daily basis.

With Egypt flights taking just over 5 hours from the UK, this is a historical country waiting to be explored. Whether you want to be stunned or sunned, we will book your flights to Egypt and explore this enchanting country for yourself.

The River Nile has a large selection of fish that local fisherman set out on their small boats to catch every day. Fishing is part of your itinerary and It is possible to do fishing from the Dahabiya and indeed we can eat the catch for lunch, prepared by our professional chef. We can provide the rods and the equipment but it is also possible to bring your own. We can also join the local fishermen when we visit the local villages and experience the genuine Nile fishing by the locals. The crew will be able to give expert advice to get the best results.

Taking a Felucca down the Nile is something you must do when visiting Egypt. Feluccas are sail boats that have been used on the Nile since antiquity. You can take short sunset sails in Cairo and Alexandria or you can opt for longer cruises which usually depart from Aswan. A Felucca is not quite as comfortable as a luxury cruise ship but nothing can beat sailing in a quiet rig that was designed thousands of years ago.

Golf in Egypt, although still young by global standards, does have its history and certainly a bright future. Historians have said that golf's roots in Egypt stretch to the late 1800s; however, most say that golf was introduced there by the British around the first World War. By the middle of the 20th century, there were seven fully operational golf courses in Egypt, but it wasn't until the last decade that the country truly embraced the game and a boom in golf development began. With the support of the Ministry of Tourism and the Egyptian Golf Federation, the country began in earnest its promotion of Egypt as a golf destination.

Royal Valley is superb golfing experience. Our 18– hole championship course and its elegant Clubhouse are situated on the East Bank of Luxor, 13 Km from Luxor’s city center and 8 Km from Luxor’s International airport. Royal Valley offers a wonderful combination of year round sunshine and desert golf where you are only moments away from Luxor’s spectacular ancient civilization.

Head Office : Sama Tower Ring Road - Kattamya - Cairo - Egypt

Tel: +20 27275147 / 8 / 9 Fax: +20 27275152

Mobil: +20 0101631356 / 0101631349

Golf Club : Tiba Road - Behind Luxor International Air Port

Tel: 0959280098 Fax : 0959280097

E-mails: royalvalley@golfluxor.com / monaelsawaf@golfluxor.com

eman@golfluxor.com / sales_m_abdelsami@golfluxor.com

Egypt has always been famous for gold. The skin of the ancient gods was said to have been made of gold, and so it was frequently used for making statues, but it was also used to gild various items, sometimes including entire building elements and of course, to make Jewellery. Also, as a compound together with silver, it produced electrum which was often used, for example, to cap obelisks.

Gods The ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses were mostly human shaped deities who behaved like humans and walked among mortals. Gods were not worshiped in the same way throughout Egypt or throughout time. Particular locations and pharaohs favoured one set of gods over another..

The basic traditional Egyptian garment for men is a long shirt (gallibaya). You will see many of the Egyptian men wearing the Gallibaya in the streets of Egypt today.

Egypt covers an area of approximately 1,001,450km2 (386,662 miles²) and is bordered by Israel and the Gaza Strip in the north-east; the Red Sea in the east; Sudan in the south; Libya in the west; and the Mediterranean Sea in the north. It is the 3rd most populous country in Africa and the most populous in the Middle-East with the majority of its estimated 80 million people living on, or near, the banks of the River Nile. Only 5.5% of the total land area is actually used by the population, the area that borders the River Nile as well as a few oases, the other 94.5% being uninhabitable desert.

There are many hospitals in Egypt. As it has been a tourist destination for hundreds of years and with thousand of foreigners living in Egypt there are highly equipped international Hospitals of high standards.

The International Hospital Luxor is a new hospital with good facilities. It contains all the usual technologies such as a dialysis unit and a blood bank and there is a special ward for foreigners and tourists where the facilites are hotel-like

Egyptians are extremely friendly and hospitable. Poor hospitality and generosity is considered a deficiency in values and morals and this apart from the country’s legendary sites, is one of the things Egypt is best known for.

There are many hospitals in Egypt. As it has been a tourist destination for hundreds of years and with thousand of foreigners living in Egypt there are highly equipped international Hospitals of high standards.

The International Hospital Luxor is a new hospital with good facilities. It contains all the usual technologies such as a dialysis unit and a blood bank and there is a special ward for foreigners and tourists where the facilites are hotel-like

Egyptians are extremely friendly and hospitable. Poor hospitality and generosity is considered a deficiency in values and morals and this apart from the country’s legendary sites, is one of the things Egypt is best known for.

The roots of Egyptian civilization go back more than 6,000 years to the beginning of settled life along the banks of the Nile River The story of ancient Egypt has survived for thousands of years. As Egypt was one of the greatest civilizations of the past. Power was centralized in the hands of a pharaoh, and, thus, the country became the first organized society. The ancient Egyptians were the first people of antiquity to believe in life after death. They were the first to build in stone and to fashion the arch in stone and brick. They had developed a plough and a system of writing. They were accomplished sailors and shipbuilders. They learned to chart the heavens in order to predict the Nile flood. Their physicians prescribed healing remedies and performed surgical operations. They sculpted in stone and decorated the walls of their tombs with naturalistic murals in vibrant colours. The monuments and tombs of their Pharaohs continue to stand intact today thousands of years later.

The Egyptian writing called hieroglyphics used pictures to represent different objects, actions, sound or ideas. There were more than 700 hieroglyphs. Some pictures stood for whole words.

There is something magical about soaring through the air in a hot air balloon over the temples and tombs of the ancient pharaohs, while watching the sun rise up over the Nile.balooning has become a very popular tourist excursion in Luxor and as a result tourists often can enjoy a balloon ride cheaper in Egypt than anywhere else in the world.

Balloon flights take place when wind conditions are at their calmest, which tends to be at sunrise and sunset.

Islam is practised by the majority of Egyptians and governs their personal, political, economic and legal lives.

As a precaution make sure the ice in your drinks is made from bottled water; All ice served on the Dahabiya is made from bottles water.

Wired and wireless internet access is widely available in all hotels and in all resorts. The Dahabiya Ali Baba has wireless internet available throughout the boat.

Normally no immunizations are required or needed. If you have recently been travelling in an area known to be experiencing problems you should obtain a health certificate before arrival.

Buying jewellery in Egypt can be really exceptional value; one thing to remember about buying jewellery in Egypt is that the price is based on the weight of the gold or silver and also on the craftsmanship. Genuine gold and silver has an assay mark. Please ask the Captain for recommendations on where to buy for the best value.

For something tasty and meaty, Egypt has a delicious selection of their speciality dishes - freshly grilled kebabs available, delicious and healthy.

No other country except Egypt has this amount of monuments and sightseeing due to its heritage of successive and different empires that ruled. From the immortal Pharonic monuments, to the monuments of the Greek civilization, and from the historical sites of the Roman Empire.

Luxor has been given the title ‘The Greatest Open Air Museum In The World’.This city is home to one-third of the world’s monuments!

Islam is the second most popular religion in the world with over a thousand million followers. It is more often thought of as a complete way of life rather than a religion.

Islam began in Arabia and was revealed to humanity by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Those who follow Islam are called Muslims. Muslims believe that there is only one God, the same God as Judaism and Christianity. Simply put ‘Allah’ is just the Arabic name for God.

It’s best to take a mix of local currency, a major currency (€, $ or £), and you own cash card. Every major city and resort has ATM machines where you can withdraw money. Check with your bank before departure how much they charge for withdrawals abroad.

Cash can be exchanged at banks, exchange agents and many hotels. Many Egyptian merchants and travel agents will also accept major foreign currencies. However, the likelihood is that prices will be rounded up, so local currency is extremely beneficial.

Traveller’s cheques are less use these days. They cannot be exchanged everywhere, and in many cases agents will charge a hefty commission on their use.

Most of the artifacts displayed at the Luxor Museum were discovered in the area of ancient Thebes (modern Luxor). Highlights of the collection include masterpieces of pharaonic art as well as examples of everyday objects. Several galleries are devoted to a spectacular group of statues found in 1989 hidden beneath the floor of the Luxor Temple; there is also a newly-built annex dedicated to Egypt's Golden Age (the New Kingdom, ca. 1550-1070 BC), which includes two royal mummies and a short film on ancient papyrus and vase-making. Labels are in Arabic and English.

Aswan In 1912, an old rest house on the southern tip of Elephantine Island was converted into a museum. Expanded in the 1990s, the museum boasts a collection that focuses on the history of Aswan and Nubia. The displays include mummies, weapons, pottery, utensils, and statues. Outdoors, a garden leads into the ruins of Abu, the pharaonic settlement on the island. Labels are in Arabic and English.

Egypt has some very notable, as well as important mosques, some of which may be visited while others are not open to touristic visits.

The Mosque of Abu’l Haggag at Luxor Temple. This mosque is located just inside the Luxor Temple, and it has a history of a thousand years. It is a symbol of how this temple combines the three different religions, ancient Egyptian religion, Christianity (through several Roman inscriptions), and Islam.

The River Nile flows through the country into the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile enters Egypt from the Sudan and flows north for about 1545 km (about 960 m) to the sea.

The Ancient Egyptians lived along the banks of the river Nile in Egypt. Farmers first settled in Egypt along the River Nile around 5000 BC.

About 95 % of Egypt's population still live in the Nile valley (the area next to the river) Egypt is mainly made up of hot deserts and receives little rainfall. Without the River Nile, the area would be entirely desert.

Nefertiti is known for her elegant beauty. Her bust has been an icon for many women and for many modern cosmetic lines. Many societies around the world have adopted the queen as a symbol of true beauty. Some historians have even proclaimed her the most beautiful woman in the world. Whatever people have said about her, one thing holds true—she remains renowned for her beauty after her death and during her life as a queen.

The ancient Egyptians believed if you did not have your name written down somewhere, that after your death, you would disappear. Everyone made sure their name was written somewhere, including inside their tombs and graves. The pharaohs ordered monuments built so they would be remembered. These monuments provided places to write their name down in a very public way. Some monuments were temples. Others were obelisks.

Obelisks were made of stone, and often built in pairs. Each obelisk was at least 70 feet tall and most were taller. Each was decorated with writing telling of the great achievements of the person each obelisk honored.

Egypt does have some oil: it produces about 600,000 barrels a most of Egypt's oil stays in its domestic market: it exports only 89,000 barrels a day, Egypt also ranks 18th in natural gas But - as with its petroleum - most of it is retained for the domestic market;

Tourism and Antiquities Police covering every single spot tourists could go to like sites, museums, hotels, etc. such as the Great Pyramid of Giza, Memphis Giza, Egyptian Museum, etc. in Cairo, Alexandria - Qaitbay Citadel and the Serapium Temple and Pompeys Pillar, etc., going through all cities in Egypt carrying same weapons as law enforcement police.

The vast majority of Egypt's inhabitants live in the Nile valley and delta, and the rest of the country (about 96% of Egypt's total land area) is sparsely populated. Most modern Egyptians are of a complex ethnic mixture, being descended from the ancient Egyptians, Berbers, sub-Saharan Africans, Arabs, Greeks, and Turks. Arabic is the official language; many educated Egyptians also speak English and French. About 90% of the people are Sunni Muslims, and most of the rest are Coptic Christians

There have been many queens that reigned in Ancient Egypt. Some reigned quietly while others took it upon themselves to bask in the glory of power. These powerful women tried to ensure their legacy would last an eternity, some intentionally, others accidently. Perhaps we will never know the true biographies of each queen listed below; however, one fact remains apparent in ancient and modern times—these women have been romanticized and stir up controversy.

In Egypt, dining out can range from stand-up sandwich bars to luxurious five star five-course meals. You can also find Western-style fast-food chains like McDonald's and Kentucky Fried Chicken. In addition to the many Egyptian restaurants in all price ranges, Egypt is an excellent place to sample other Middle Eastern cuisines. Fresh fish, ordered by the pound from a display and cooked to order, is a local specialty. Egypt also now boasts fine Italian, Swiss, French and Asian restaurants. Muslims do not eat pork, and few restaurants serve it. Alcohol is also forbidden to strict Muslims; however, most restaurants serve at least wine and beer.

During the holy month of Ramadan all Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk and are only permitted to work six hours per day. Fasting includes no eating, drinking, cigarette smoking, or gum chewing

Egypt Railways is the backbone of passenger transportation in Egypt with 800 million passenger miles annually. Air-conditioned passenger trains usually have 1st and 2nd class service, while non-air conditioned trains have 2nd and 3rd class. Most of the network connects the densely populated area of the Nile delta with Cairo and Alexandria as hubs. Train fares in commuter trains and 3rd class passenger trains are kept low as a social service. There is also a sleeper train service. The Alexandria–Cairo–Luxor–Aswan route is served daily in both directions by air-conditioned sleeper trains of Abela Egypt. This service is especially attractive to tourists who can spend the night on the train as it covers the stretch between Cairo and Luxor.

Whether you have olive skin or fair skin you will need the highest factor you can get - preferably sun block, don't worry you will still get a tan without getting burnt. If you’re sailing on the Dahabiya then you will even catch a tan sitting in the shade, the welcoming breezes from the surrounding Nile tan you faster & more gently than lying on a sun bed roasting yourself.

The sun in Egypt is very deceiving, stay out of the mid-day sun, and wear hat & sun glasses & drink lots & lots of water.

This is an emotive subject as some people will say upset tummy is due to food-related problems, others will say it's dehydration & over indulgence of alcohol / food, while another group will say it's down to not being used to the climate. Some will also say that too cool air conditioning will send the body into a kind of thermal shock.

All of the above can be contributing factors as to why it is very common for tourists to experience an upset stomach upon their visit leading to it being labelled ‘Pharaoh’s Revenge’ the ‘Cairo Quickstep’ ‘Sharm Shuffle’ ‘ Luxor Limbo’’ Aswan Sand-dance’ amoungst others. The best advice is at the 1st sign of, or any type of tummy trouble is to go straight to the chemist UK products are often ineffective! (Local drugs for local bugs principle) Berbers, sub-Saharan Africans, Arabs, Greeks, and Turks. Arabic is the official language; many educated Egyptians also speak English and French. About 90% of the people are Sunni Muslims, and most of the rest are Coptic Christians

There have been many queens that reigned in Ancient Egypt. Some reigned quietly while others took it upon themselves to bask in the glory of power. These powerful women tried to ensure their legacy would last an eternity, some intentionally, others accidently. Perhaps we will never know the true biographies of each queen listed below; however, one fact remains apparent in ancient and modern times—these women have been romanticized and stir up controversy.

In Egypt, dining out can range from stand-up sandwich bars to luxurious five star five-course meals. You can also find Western-style fast-food chains like McDonald's and Kentucky Fried Chicken. In addition to the many Egyptian restaurants in all price ranges, Egypt is an excellent place to sample other Middle Eastern cuisines. Fresh fish, ordered by the pound from a display and cooked to order, is a local specialty. Egypt also now boasts fine Italian, Swiss, French and Asian restaurants. Muslims do not eat pork, and few restaurants serve it. Alcohol is also forbidden to strict Muslims; however, most restaurants serve at least wine and beer.

During the holy month of Ramadan all Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk and are only permitted to work six hours per day. Fasting includes no eating, drinking, cigarette smoking, or gum chewing.

Egypt Railways is the backbone of passenger transportation in Egypt with 800 million passenger miles annually. Air-conditioned passenger trains usually have 1st and 2nd class service, while non-air conditioned trains have 2nd and 3rd class. Most of the network connects the densely populated area of the Nile delta with Cairo and Alexandria as hubs. Train fares in commuter trains and 3rd class passenger trains are kept low as a social service. There is also a sleeper train service. The Alexandria–Cairo–Luxor–Aswan route is served daily in both directions by air-conditioned sleeper trains of Abela Egypt. This service is especially attractive to tourists who can spend the night on the train as it covers the stretch between Cairo and Luxor.

Whether you have olive skin or fair skin you will need the highest factor you can get - preferably sun block, don't worry you will still get a tan without getting burnt. If you’re sailing on the Dahabiya then you will even catch a tan sitting in the shade, the welcoming breezes from the surrounding Nile tan you faster & more gently than lying on a sun bed roasting yourself.

The sun in Egypt is very deceiving, stay out of the mid-day sun, and wear hat & sun glasses & drink lots & lots of water.

This is an emotive subject as some people will say upset tummy is due to food-related problems, others will say it's dehydration & over indulgence of alcohol / food, while another group will say it's down to not being used to the climate. Some will also say that too cool air conditioning will send the body into a kind of thermal shock.

All of the above can be contributing factors as to why it is very common for tourists to experience an upset stomach upon their visit leading to it being labelled ‘Pharaoh’s Revenge’ the ‘Cairo Quickstep’ ‘Sharm Shuffle’ ‘ Luxor Limbo’’ Aswan Sand-dance’ amoungst others. The best advice is at the 1st sign of, or any type of tummy trouble is to go straight to the chemist UK products are often ineffective! (Local drugs for local bugs principle)

All the bounty of the East can be found. Particularly good buys are spices, perfumes, gold, silver, carpets, brass and copperware, leatherwork, glass, ceramics.

Bargaining is a way of living in Egypt. Shopping can be a joy in Egypt, once you understand that 'bargaining' is a game. Egyptians are very good at it, and actually expect buyers to haggle with them. Offer a third of what they ask, originally. Keep it light, keep it fun, and you will probably get the item for half of the original.

Although a very ancient way of traveling the Nile (ie. Felucca Style) - Felucca, Sandal, and Dahabia Private Charter has become a growing trend for vacationing in Egypt. Especially for those repeat customers, that want a new experience (rather than a typical Nile Cruise). Stepping onto our Dahibeya Ali Baba is like boarding a luxurious VIP time machine that will transport you to another world and ancient civilization. With our highly skilled crew and professional onboard chef you will enjoy an unrivalled personal, professional and relaxed experience.

Wifi is available throughout the Ali Baba Dahabiya and so you can easily connect to the internet to to keep in touch and make calls. Also, Egypt is connected to the cellular network with global mobile phone companies. prepaid SIM cards offer you the benefits of using your own phone at local rates. Simply replace your SIM card with a prepaid Egypt SIM card and you will be set up to make all those important phone calls and send quick messages across the world, without paying excessively high roaming costs.

A prepaid Egypt SIM card with an international cell phone is the most convenient and economical solution for staying in touch while in Egypt. All incoming calls while in Egypt are FREE, regardless of where they originate.

GMT + 2 (daylight saving from May till October)

Tea is the national drink in Egypt, and holds a special position that even coffee cannot rival. In Egypt, tea is called "shai" Tea is a vital part of daily life and folk etiquette in Egypt. Most people cannot function without a morning shot of tea, and drinking tea after lunch is compulsory. A visit to anyone of any socioeconomic level entails a compulsory cup of tea.

Local taxis are widely available in the resort areas. Always agree the fare with the driver before you get in the taxi, and do not pay until you reach your intended destination. For security reasons, only specifically authorised vehicles are allowed into hotel grounds, so you can only hail a taxi outside the hotel, and your taxi will have to drop you at the hotel gates. Most hotels operate a limousine service. This is a private taxi service licensed to access the hotel grounds. Limousine service will be more expensive than using local taxis.

Police uniforms are similar to army uniforms with the service uniform for the ground forces was khaki drill cotton. However, enlisted police personnel wear a black wool bush jacket and pants in the winter and a white cotton bush jacket and pants in the summer. Certain police personnel also wear a blue or black beret.

Most tourists and visitors to Egypt can obtain an entry visa at any of the major airports or ports of entry. All foreigners arriving in Egypt should have a valid passport (with at least 6 months left before expiry) to get an entry visa.

Valuables

The crime rate in Egypt is low but you should take sensible precautions. Take care of your passport and valuables, we strongly advise you to keep all valuables in the safety boxes provided at the Reception desk. Never leave them unattended in your room or cabin. This includes Travellers Cheques, cash, credit cards, passport and your air ticket which should be retained for departure.

Never leave belongings unattended in any public area or place.

Please always check that you take your belongings with you when leaving your car or coach and upon your return from an excursion. At times it is possible to leave items on the car or coach during the excursion however, never leave items such as cash, Travellers Cheques or credit cards unattended at any time.

Egypt is probably one of the safest countries in the world for travellers. Just use the same common sense you would use in visiting any 'strange' location for the first time. Please dress modestly when walking in the towns - short skirts and shorts can sometimes cause offence and we must remember that this is a predominantly Muslim Country.

Do not wander into the "back streets" of towns or into badly lit areas. Always stick to the well-populated tourist areas.

There will be an important welcome meeting upon embarkation Ali Baba Dahabiya.

The Welcome meeting will consist of all the information you will need to know before you start your holiday. You will be provided with all the necessary information along with details on the excursions that are available and you can use this opportunity to plan your time on the Dahabiya to match your personal preferences.

The Crew and the captain will make sure all your preferences and special requests are taken into consideration in order to make your journey with us everything you dreamed it could be and more.

While in Egypt drink the filtered bottle water or the mineral water. Also be sure to bring any prescriptions you might need. And don’t forget to prepare for the “Pharaoh’s curse” with a bottle of Imodium or similar. Be careful of fresh fruit juices as they may be diluted with local non-filtered water.

Egypt is a safe country with low crime rate. Egypt is a safe place for tourists, but crime is a fact of life in every country, so please take the same care for your safety, and that of your belongings, as you would at home. Take particular care in busy towns and at temples and sites of interest.

Here at Ali Baba Luxor Sailing Dahabiya we would like to help you discover the beauty and cultural heritage of this fascinating country.

All our bookings are handled individually and we will happily tailor make your visit to Luxor sailing Nile Cruise to suit you. You choose when to go, where to stay and just how long to spend in this extraordinary journey.

Contact our office to speak to friendly staff, who are experts. We will help you choose the itinerary that is right for you and answer all your questions.