1st Time to Egypt

by **V-Flyer** on Thu Jan 03, 2008 20:11 pm

Hi
Well at long last my wife has got me to Egypt. We have booked with Kuoni & go in March. We have 3 days in the Le Meridian (pyramid room) Cairo and then onto 7 night cruise on the MS Sun Ray. We have travelled all over the world (just returned from Florida) but would really appreciate any tips or advice on our accomodation,weather,do's & dont's,tipping,balloon trips, also have not yet booked our trips in Cairo will the hotel help? Sorry its a bit of a long list!!
Oh two other thoughts 1) was the advice correct from somebody that the visa can be obtained from Cairo airport for around �12 sterling & not from the tour company & 2) how much currency can you take and is it better to get it here or once there.

Many thanks

by **Sekhmet** on Fri Jan 04, 2008 12:59 pm

Hi,
Have you clicked onto the Tips for 1st Timers thread on the Sharm forum? May help with some of your questions, like jabs, currency, tipping, upset tums, dress codes, visas, etc.
You should be able to obtain a visa in Cairo; we got ours in Sharm for �8,50 each, cos it says $15 on it (about �7.50) & we refused to pay over the odds for the handing fee thru our tour op! You maust hone your haggleing skills for everything!
Hotel should be able to help re: trips in Cairo; most run their own excursion plans.

by **V-Flyer** on Sat Jan 12, 2008 16:04 pm

Hi

Thanks for that I have now looked at the various threads and very useful they are too.

Just counting down the weeks!!

by **HW iaintwoeyes** on Sat Jan 12, 2008 16:31 pm

Hopefully you'll love it. I've been twice now and not had service like I got in Egypt anywhere else.

The Egyptian waiters are brilliant and work for every penny they earn.

by **V-Flyer** on Sun Jan 13, 2008 18:05 pm

I'm sure I will love it but I have to say its been along old slog for my wife to get me there, I have just never fancied it, which I know is not good - so thanks for that.

by **linchada** on Sun Jan 20, 2008 14:44 pm

Am confident you will love it most people say it is one of the best holidays! I took my mother and we thoroughly enjoyed it. I was advised to go for a smaller rather than larger boat which we did. The room standard was basic and we were misled by Londwood holidays but the food on the boat was truly excellent and the service exemplary which is what is particularly outstanding about Egypt. Usually they have a general receptical for tips at the reception area on the boats but individual tips for particular staff and the room cleaners are always welcome. I would advise that you either try and get before you go or be sure to hoard once there the smaller0 notes. Everywhere you go tips are expected even if you just speak to someone, so be sure to store up the notes separately. For your wife she will need them for the loos anywhere. Have fun.

by **V-Flyer** on Fri Jan 25, 2008 19:07 pm

Thank you it all helps!!