Capital: Cairo
Language: Arabic is the official language. English is widely spoken. French, and Italian are also spoken in many tourist areas.
Health Tips: Vaccinations are not necessary. You should bring all necessary personal medication for the duration of your trip. Many illnessess are caused by the change in temperature and intense heat. Drinking plenty of bottled water is highly recommended.
Currency: The Egyptian pound is divided into 100 piastres. One English pound is worth approximately 8.50 Egyptian pounds, you can change foreign currency at all banks, and most debit and credit cards can be safely used in all ATM machines but will carry a transaction charge by your bank.
Camera footage: In the Egyptian museums it is often forbidden to take pictures. Your local guide will inform you if it is prohibited or not to take photographs and videos. It is advisable to bring films etc with you.
Cuisine: It is part of the experience of The traveller" to sample the local cuisine even though you may find it very different from that to which you are accustomed. In hotels and on the boats the cuisine is typically international, however usually, some evenings are devoted to discovering the local cuisine. The national dishes, tend to be very flavoursome and rich in spices. Dishes contain fresh vegetables grown in Egypt with either beef or mutton and of course the local rice. The different flavours are wonderful and there is something for everyone to enjoy. You will be able to try the delicious fish cooked on the grill, the chipmunks (a patty of fried beans), the katàlef (sweet pastry stuffed with walnuts or almonds, fried and soaked in syrup) and much more
