::. Welcome to Classical Travel .::

Egypt is probably the world's oldest civilization having emerged from the Nile Valley around 3,100 BC, historically. Egypt is probably one of the oldest vacation spots. Early Greeks, Romans and others went there just for fun, and to see the wonders of some of mankind's earliest triumphs. But Egypt is much more than Pyramids and monuments. It is also Red Sea scuba diving, hot night spots, luxury hotels and five star restaurants. It is romantic cruises down the Nile on festive river boats, a night at the grand opera and it is a cultural experience like none you have ever experienced. Egypt is a land bustling with life, sound, visual beauty and excitement. More than anything else, we want you to think of Egypt as fun. For thousands of years, it has been the playground of emperors and kings, and we hope you will take the time to find out why.

The check-in and check-out time at all hotels is generally midday- Where your flight arrives early in the morning, the room may, subject to an extra chare, be reserved from the previous night and so be ready for immediate occupancy. If you need to rerain your room after midday the room may (subject to availability) be extended until 6 PM (or later) at an additional charge. For the Nile Cruise, check-in is at 12.00 noon on the day of arrival, and check-out is 08.00 am on the day of departure.

Cairo, as a truly cosmopolitan city, offers the full range of international cuisine. Fruits, vegetables meat and sea food all excellent and plentiful. Specialties include stuffed or spit broiled pigeons, shish kebabs made of marinated chunks of lamb and spices, and small ground lamb kebabs called "kofta" Seafood is good choice with prawns from the Red Sea, sea bass front the Mediterranean and tilapia from the Nile. Local dishes can be sampled by choosing the "Oriental Mazze", a selection of Egyptian favorites.

Generally speaking, although alcohol is prohibited under Islamic law, hotel restaurant, bars and night clubs offer alcoholic beverages for sale to tourists, although these may be restricted during Ramadan and other religious. Imported alcoholic drinks in the hotels are expensive so do plan on using you're your duty free allowance.

Stella local and Stella Export, The local beer is very good. An unusual specialty in Egypt is Carcade. A drink made from Hibiscus flowers and served cold in summer and hot in winter.

No tap water should ever be drunk in Egypt . We recommend that you purchase bottled water, readily available throughout the country, and ensure that the seal has not been broken on the bottle. It should also be used for cleaning teeth.

Telephones at our offices are manned 365 days per year. After normal working hours, Guest Relations and senior staff can be summoned by emergency telephone numbers provided in final documentation.

The Classical Travel fleet of vehicles ranges from Limousines to Luxury motor coaches, all of which are maintained to the highest standards. Our cruise boats are the finest on the Nile. We have purposely built them to accommodate a Limited number of clients to ensure all our guests receive Luxor rantd service. Should the size of group or other circumstances warrant it we are able to provide a selection of other Nile cruise boats of varying sizes.

All internal flights to and from Cairo are scheduled Egypt Air flights. The aircraft used are all new Boeing737 S and Airbus 300S.

Standers of accommodation in Cairo very according to price but all hotels offered here are of an international standard. Hotel rooms have ensuite facilities and air conditioning. The cruise boats on the Nile have cabins smaller but similar to hotel room.

All the Nile cruises have swimming pools and spacious dining rooms, bars and lounges. The Nile boats is smart casual comfortable shoes, dark glasses and a hat are essential. Binoculars are also recommended. Laundry, pressing and dry cleaning services throughout the country are excellent, fast and reasonably priced. There is therefore no requirement to bring lots of clothes.

Egypt is predominantly Moslem and visitors are asked to respect the local customs. Women should avoid shorts, miniskirts and low-necked dresses in public places such as markets shopping areas, Modest dress is particularly.

Important when visiting mosques, synagogues and churches. Men should wear short or long sleeved shirts And long trousers. Shorts and beach wear should be worn only at the beach or hotel pool areas.

All Classical Travel Egyptologists are fully licensed in their specialist language in Cairo. In upper Egypt, Alexandria and aboard the Nile Cruise the Egyptologists are usually English speaking.

The electric current Egypt is 220 volts. Sockets take the standard continental European round two-pronged plug. It is advisable to carry an adapter with you.

Egypt is blessed with a year round sunny climate. During the winter months (December, January and February ) daytime temperature, although generally warm, can sometimes be cool and the nights cold, particularly in desert areas where temperatures from April to June are comfortable but are hot in the middle of day.

July, to September is very hot in Upper Egypt and at coastal resorts but relief from the heat of the summer months id provided by air conditioned hotels and cruise boats. In the interior of the Sinai from December to February it can be extremely cold.

Egypt is generally dry throughout the year with low humidity although rain is often experienced around Alexandria and along the coast in the winter.

Dec, Jan, Feb 5-22 degrees
March, April 10-27 degrees
May 18-35 degrees
Jun, July, Aug 22-44 degrees
Sep, Oct 18-38 degrees
Nov 13- 30 degrees

Dress in Egypt is informal and even in major Cairo hotels men are seldom required to wear a jacket and tie. Lightweight casual cotton clothing is ideal during the daytime with slightly warmer clothing needed during the winter and for the evenings throughout the year. Evening dress aboard.

All major hotels and the Nile Cruises accept credit cards, as do some restaurants and shops. The most commonly accepted cards are American Express, Diners Club, Master Card and Visa.

Common sense should prevail and precautions should be taken As in any major city. Safery deposit boxes should be used whenever possible. Only carry small amounts of cash and keep an eye on year handbag and wallet.

As in all foreign countries, it is considered polite to show normal respect for local customs, particularly in religious places when a service is in progress, It is considered good manners in Arab countries to exchange greeting and handshakes both in commercial dealings and on a personal level.

The unit of currency is the Egyptian pound (L.E.), which is divided into 100 piasters. Pound are issued in notes 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 piasters are issued in notes of 25 and 50 as well as coins of 5,10 and 20.

There is one rate of exchange controlled by the Government, established daily and available from all banks and hotels. There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency or uxorran Cheques which may be brought into the country. Passengers entering or leaving Egypt are not allowed to carry Egyptian currency exceeding L.E. 20

Currency may be exchanged through hanks or authorized dealers including hotels, at which time a receipt will be issued. These receipts must be retained to permit currency to be re-exchanged when leaving Egypt as evidence that exchange of currency has been through official channels. Egyptian pounds may be converted back to foreign currency at the airport. We suggest that you only use uxorran Cheques and change small amounts of money as you travel to avoid having large amounts of Egyptian currency left over at the end of your trip.

Egypt is shopper's paradise offering hand-blown glassware, inlaid boxes, silver, gold, jewellery, brass, copper, carpets, antiques, papyrus paintings, leatherwear, spices, perfumes, alabaster, embroidered covers, wall hangings and furniture. Be careful when investing "genuine antiques" which in much cases are excellent forgeries.

It is prohibited to export any Pharaonic or ancient artifacts. For visitors the biggest attraction is the old commercial bazaar area of Khan el-Khalili founded by a Mamluk Amir in 1382. Bargaining is expected in the bazaar. Be wary of shipping goods home as parcels take a long time to reach their destination and sometimes never do. Classical Travel is not responsible for any purchases made not for any follow-up should the purchase not arrive.

Clients should familiarize themselves before departure with what precaution are currently recommended. Vaccination requirements can be obtained through your local doctor or health center.

REQUIRMENTS
All uxorran must be in possession of a valid signed passport that will remain valid for at least six months beyond their anticipated of departure from Egypt . A visa is required and is available as a single or multiple entry. A tourist visa may be obtained on arrival at Cairo international Airport, but you may also obtain one prior to arrival in Egypt.

We recommend you bring all your own equipment and plenty of film.We do not recommend you have your film processed locally in Egypt . Bring high speed ASA 400 films for night photography such as the Sound and Light shows, temple interiors, museums and tombs where you are not allowed to use flash for outdoor light conditions, a low ASA film is recommended.

Most Arabs are superstitious about cameras and may be distressed by an attempt to take photographs of them. Particularly in the rural villages. If you wish to take photographs of the local people, always ask the subject's permission. Never photograph a woman with the express approval of a husband, father, brother, etc.

You are strongly advised not to photograph airports, military installations, strategic sites, docks, police or soldiers.

During the holy month of Ramadan all Moslems fast from daybreak until sunset each day. During daylight hours no Moslem will eat, drink or smoke.

The fast is strictly observed and all non-Moslems are requested to avoid eating, drinking or smoking in the presence or sight of a Moslem during this period of fasting. Timings for Ramadan vary according to the variation in lunar months but are roughly as follows: 2 Dec 2000.