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Holidays To Egypt The Art Of Haggling

by EgyptTripAdviser on January 31, 2012


Egypt is a beautiful nation of sands, sunsets, oases, and pyramids. Every year, millions of holidaymakers worldwide go to Egypt to see the mysterious Pyramids of Giza, the stunning Nile River, the dark Tomb of Tutankhamun, the mammoth Great Sphinx, and other sights. In the Middle East, Egypt is one of the most often visited lands.

During your holidays to Egypt, you may experience another sort of attraction that is not often stated in guide books — the street stalls, souks, and bazaars. All around Cairo and other urban areas in Egypt, there are hawkers offering all types of merchandise, from classical pottery to ultramodern electronics. Best of all, you can get them at very reasonable prices — if you know how to bargain.

1. Don’t hesitate to ask for a lower price. Indeed, bartering and haggling is considered a normal way of doing business in the country. Thus, hawkers already expect you that you will bargain for a better price.

2. Due to the fact that not all folks in Egypt speaks English (or your native tongue), it may be difficult to talk when it comes to figures and numbers. Bring a small calculator. Just type in the price you want to pay for the selected good and show it to the merchant.

3. Sellers will first show you with the published price of the good. Do not agree with the figures immediately even if they seem extremely cheap. The first price that is shown is often ten times the actual value of the good.

4. A hawker may swear or blabber if you suggest a lower price. Don’t let that let you feel sorry for the vendor. Take note that displaying “emotional fits” is the seller’s strategy of haggling, as they want profit also.

5. Once you determine an agreeable figure that you deem good to both you and the seller, adhere to it. If the merchant refuses to honour the rate, turn around and walk away. Most likely, he will have second thoughts, afraid that you will get the same item from a another store, and he will agree to your price.

6. Do not get ripped off by taking a closer look at the currency being quoted. Inquire if they are in English pounds or Egyptian pounds.

7. Drop by other stalls. Most likely, you will find similar items at better rates.

Whether you are going for cheap holidays to Spain, Egypt, Turkey, or some other country, it is beneficial know the art of bargaining.

Cheap Holidays To Egypt Cost-Effective Vacation On Your Way

by EgyptTripAdviser on January 31, 2012


Egypt is a mystical country of sands, pharaohs, Sphinxes, and pyramids. Many of the planet’s most famous wonders such as the mighty Pyramids of Giza, the scenic Nile River, the intriguing Tomb of Tutankhamun, and the impressive Great Sphinx are all located here. It’s no mystery then why Egypt is known as one of the most frequently traveled destinations in the Middle East.

Enjoying holidays to Egypt to see these attractions first-hand is an excellent way to learn about the country’s treasures. But as a responsible adventurer you need to follow a few things before you set foot in Egypt.

1. If you are a woman
Egypt is a Muslim nation although it is usually more liberal than other Middle Eastern countries. So if you are a woman and you’re travelling solo, you don’t need to worry. Keep in mind though please do respect cultural differences. For instance, be aware that you must sit separately from men on public transport. You must to cover your shoulders and legs if you go inside a Muslim area or a mosque. Plus avoid wearing skimpy clothes, not even normal tank tops, unless you are in a resort alongside a beach.

2. Getting to places
Egypt has an excellent transportation network. However, if you want to save money while getting around, try the bus. The service is reliable and relatively safe. Depending on where you are going, you may ride on opulent air-conditioned buses or rusty, hot buses. But whatever kind of bus you will be riding, you are in for a great adventure.

3. Dining
If you desire to save money while experiencing culinary culture, get your food at a local snack bar or street stall. Popular Egyptian dishes are served, and you will surely delighted in the tasty array displayed in front of you. Ironically, the dishes in Western fast food chains or restaurants are expensive, so you might wish to avoid those places if you are on a limited budget.

4. Beverage
Try not to drink tap water although it is relatively safe to drink from the faucet. Generally, Egypt’s water can’t seem to settle well in Westerner’s stomachs. So, don’t forget to carry or order bottled water. Avoid eating salad that is washed in tap water. Do not put ice in drinks; order the drinks cold.

When you are spending cheap holidays to Spain, Egypt, or any country in the globe, always know about the country’s culture and the environment.

Planning Your Egypt Vacation

by EgyptTripAdviser on January 22, 2012


Are you or your family heading to Egypt on your next holiday vacation? The experts have lots of advice and tips on traveling overseas, so make sure you do your homework before you jet off into the skies on your Middle East adventure. Fortunately, you can find great expert and amateur advice on Internet travel sites. The best websites host online forums where you can chat with fellow travelers to find out about the cheapest flights to Egypt, the best Egypt travel packages, recommended hotels, and information about what to see, where to go, and what to do in Egypt. Be sure to visit the pyramids and take a cruise on the historic Nile River while you’re there!

Worldwide River Cruises

by EgyptTripAdviser on January 21, 2012


If you’re looking for a new, thrilling, and fascinating way to see the world, consider taking a river cruise. Whether you are a senior citizen enjoying your retirement, a family on a holiday vacation, or a student backpacker traversing the globe, river cruising is an experience you won’t forget.

The global map is teeming with well-known and largely unknown bodies of water, with oceans, lakes, rivers, straits, and canals just waiting to be explored and discovered. Sailing the world’s rivers will literally take you all over the map, including diverse and exotic places such as the Yaroslavl River in Russia, the River Po in Rome, the Murray River in Australia, the Rajang River in Borneo, and more.

There is more than one way to cross the waterways of the world. You can step aboard a large luxury cruise ship along the French Riviera or sail the Danube River in a boutique ship. You can also chart a yacht, rent a hotel barge, paddle in a canoe or kayak, or sail the seas in a paddle streamer, tug boat, or longboat.

If the notion of cruising the world’s rivers appeals to you, here is some information about some of most powerful and prestigious rivers to include on your travel itinerary:

Brahmaputra River: Located in Bangladesh, the Brahmaputra River is approximately 1,800 miles long. Stated more accurately, the river ends in Bangladesh, however it originates in Tibet and runs through the Himalayas and Assam Valley. When the snow on the Himalayas melts in the springtime, this river has been known to overflow, causing severe flood damage. Experts have identified tidal bares, the most powerful type of tidal wave, on the Brahmaputra River.

Congo River: This African river is 2,992 miles long and is also known as the Zaire. The Congo is the most powerful river in Africa, beginning quietly near Lake Tanganyika and gradually picking up speed until the waters become dangerous rapids.

Yangtze River: The Yangtze is Asia’s longest river and the third longest in the world. It is about 4,000 miles long and its strong tides have been known to create massive, devastating floods. The river is mostly used for transport and electricity.

Nile River: The Nile River is undoubtedly the most famous river in the world, claiming the top spot as both the longest river in Africa as well as in the world. The Nile is mentioned numerous times in the Bible, and throughout the ages until modern times has served as Egypt’s main source of food, water, and trade. If you’re visiting Egypt, be sure to ask your Egypt tour operator about Nile River cruises, which are a great way to visit all the major cities of the country. Most Nile cruises begin and end in Luxor, however you can embark and disembark from any number of ports.

Amazon River: The Amazon River in South America is the second-largest river in the world next to the Nile. It measures approximately 4,000 miles in length (6,400 kilometers) and is known for its powerful water flow. The river is unequaled in depth and at its mouth can release up to eight trillion gallons of water daily.

Hotels in Egypt - Minimizing Your Accommodation Expenditure

by EgyptTripAdviser on December 23, 2011


Of all lands in the Middle East, Egypt is one of the most frequently visited. This country of sands is very popular due to its ancient wonders such as the Great Pyramids, the Great Sphinx, buried cities, and towering minarets. But Egypt is not left in the past. In fact, it is one of the most progressive countries in the world, its economy being one of the most diversified in the Middle East.

Many travelers wish to head out to Egypt to personally see these wonders. But they are hesitant in their plans when they see the huge cost in visiting that side of the planet. Fortunately, there are now ways to make traveling to the nation more affordable and accessible. Part of that is the introduction of cheap accommodations.

If you desire to visit the country, then you should book at one of the excellent hotels in Egypt that provides you excellent discounts. Here are several ways on how you can get the best deals to make your trip an enjoyable, money-saving one.

* Look for deals and promos in the Web. Many hotels and resorts offer huge discounts to online clients. The Internet should be the first place if you’re searching for these deals.

* Travel to Egypt during off-season. To lessen their losses and maintain a profitable margin, many hotels give off big discounts to entice customers to book. This is your chance to take advantage of very affordable prices.

* It is also a good idea to call hotels in Egypt through the phone or VoIP. Inquire about offers and discounts. Sometimes, these establishments do not display certain deals on the Net, or they might be delayed in posting those promos.

* Some hotels offer discounts to credit card holders of some card establishments. Get in touch with the hotel’s sales department and ask if they can give out discounts for you considering that you are a card holder.

* Inquire if the establishment provides certain packages that can help you in minimizing your expenses. For example, many hotels offer rooms with free breakfasts.

To select the best holidays to Egypt, log in to Travel Republic.

Things You Didn’t Know about the Nile River

by EgyptTripAdviser on December 17, 2011


If you are looking for a travel destination featuring famous historical sites, majestic monuments, and plenty of things to do, no country fits the bill more than Egypt. Who doesn’t recall learning about the ancient Pharaohs, hearing about the Egyptian pyramids, and isn’t familiar with the name King Tut? For all these reasons, Egypt is among the top tourist destinations in the Middle East region, visited by the thousands every year.

Yet by far the oldest and most famous geographical element of Egypt is the Nile River. Flowing since the days of the Bible until today, the Nile has been declared the longest river in the world. Moreover, the Egyptian people and the land have been dependant on the Nile for food in water for millenniums. Indeed, in years past, if the Nile had dried up, Egypt would be deprived of water to irrigate the land, to grow crops, and hence to feed the nation. Later on, when waterways began to be used as thoroughfares for trade, the Nile served Egypt well economically and politically, placing it good standings with neighboring countries. Still today, over 90% of Egypt’s major cities and attractions are lined up along the banks of the Nile River, which is why Nile cruises are so popular and considered one of the best ways to learn about the history of Egypt.

Here are some more facts about the Nile River that perhaps you didn’t know :

• The name Nile comes from the Greek word “Neilos,” which means valley
• The Nile begins near the equator, flows north along the Saharan Desert, and ultimately empties into the Eastern Mediterranean Sea
• The river is said to be 4,184 miles (6695 km) in length
• The river flows through nine countries but is most strongly associated with Egypt and Uganda
• The remaining countries through which the Nile travels are: Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Zaire, Tanzania, Sudan, and Burundi

What else can you expect to be included in Egypt travel packages? The list is long, but here are some of the highlights.

Pyramids of Giza: Nothing behooves the mind more than these perfectly aligned triangular structures, built entirely by hand without the aid of modern construction tools and machinery. The three pyramids will leave you in awe and must be included on any Egypt trip itinerary.

The Sphinx: If you were mesmerized by the Great Pyramids, you will be equally baffled by the Sphinx, another towering Egyptian pyramid. No wonder archeologists still today are trying to solve “the Riddle of the Sphinx”.

Abu Simbel: Built by Pharaoh Ramesses II in commemoration of himself and his wife, these two temples are breathtaking in their beauty and much effort has gone into their preservation.

Cairo: The most popular Egyptian cities frequented by tourists are Luxor, Giza, Awan, and the capital city of Cairo. A hub of Egyptian culture, the city has plenty of first-class accommodations and restaurants featuring Middle Eastern culinary delights. Be sure to spend a morning or afternoon in the Egypt Museum, where archeologists have put together an unprecedented collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. And if shopping is your passion, you won’t want to miss Cairo’s bustling bazaars where you pick up some knick knacks and enjoy bargaining with the local merchants.

Valley of the Kings: If you don’t find the concept too creepy, take a trip to the Valley of the Kings, where Egypt’s most famous Pharaohs are buried. The place is crawling with ancient mummies, undiscovered treasures, and is the site of the famed King Tutankhamen’s tomb.

Cheap Holidays - How To Travel Light

by EgyptTripAdviser on December 14, 2011


Are you looking forward on spending cheap holidays in another country? A lot of budget travelers and backpackers go around the world with barely sufficient money, relying on wits, staying in budget accommodations, riding public transportation, or even camping to minimize their expenditures.

Besides minimizing the amount of money spent, another important aspect of independent, affordable travel is mobility. You would want to go around to as many locations as possible, right? You can do this conveniently if you take steps in making sure your load is light. With a light load, you can get on the road and travel longer, faster, and easier.

Keep these tips in mind for lightweight packing if you are on cheap holidays:

1. Pack no more garments than can fit in your carry-on luggage. Anyway, you can just avail for laundry service in your destination to clean the garments you are carrying, therefore, you don’t need to carry more clothes than necessary.

2. Pack lightweight clothes that are wrinkle-free. In this way, you don’t have to worry about packing them too tightly. Additionally, pack clothes that share only a few basic colors. In that way, you can mix and match what you wear easily.

3. For cheap holidays, bring travel-sized toiletries, enough to last for a week, in a zippered plastic bag. Some lightweight travelers even forgo toiletries since they can always obtain these at the hotel they are booked in or purchase them in stores at their destination.

4. If possible, avoid bringing a laptop. It may be small, but it can add a lot of weight into your pack. Instead, take a smart phone with you. Yes, it may be expensive but its portability offsets this disadvantage. You can use a smart phone to surf the Internet, play videos and music, compose documents, and do many other things a laptop does.

5. Do away with unneeded things. For instance, do you really need to bring your portable speaker for your MP3 player? Why not bring smaller and lighter earphones instead? Do you really need to bring a towel? The hotel can provide you fresh towels anyway.

For cheap holidays to Egypt, browse through Travel Republic.

Cheap Holidays: Safeguarding Yourself from Identity Theft

by EgyptTripAdviser on December 13, 2011


Today, packages that promise cheap holidays have enabled individuals of all income levels to travel around the globe. That is good news for a nation’s tourism. But the influx of visitors also provides people who have malicious, unscrupulous intentions a lot of opportunities to do their nefarious deeds. It’s not only cash that they are after, but also tourist’s; identities.

Identity theft is a feared crime since it enables criminals to invade one’s privacy. Thankfully, this can easily be prevented. If you are a traveler on cheap holidays to another country, you can protect your privacy by following these tips:

1. Avoid making your vacation plans public. Simply, avoid broadcasting your vacation plans. The details that you share on social networking sites, forums, and other venues can be seen by anyone. Even if you engaged your accounts’ privacy setting, there is always a chance that a hacker can break the safeguards of your accounts. Just think: you would not want to place an “away on vacation” sign on your front door while you are away, would you?

2. Open your wallet and remove documents that can reveal your identity in case your wallet is stolen. Examples of such documents include your social security card, credit cards, birth certificate, and others. Keep these important documents in a safe location. It is also a great idea to photocopy all remaining documents in your wallet.

3. When you are away for cheap holidays, before leaving your house, ask the post office or a trusted neighbor to accept and hold your mail for you. Mailed documents that are left in an unlocked mailbox can attract identity thieves like candlelight that attracts moths. In addition, the pileup can send a signal to potential burglars that no one is at home.

4. If you are bringing your tablet with you and you plan to connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi, be extra careful. That’s because many Wi-Fi zones are unsecured and unencrypted. In addition, you need to realize that key loggers (software that can monitor your keystrokes) may track you.

5. Leave documents that contain personal information in the hotel’s safety deposit box. Don’t leave them unattended in your hotel room.

For cheap holidays to Egypt, log in to Travel Republic.

Holidays To Egypt: Sound Travel Advice

by EgyptTripAdviser on December 10, 2011


Are you looking forward to spend your holidays to Egypt? If so, you have made an excellent choice! Egypt it the land of pharaohs and sands, a mythical place locked in time. It is one of the globe’s most visited nations, and people flock from all over the globe to take a look at the Sphinx, the River Nile, the Great Pyramids, and other wonders.

However, you need to take note that you are in a foreign land Here are several handy, practical suggestions to make your holidays to Egypt a memorable one.

* If you need to take a taxi, it is best to ask the concierge or the reception of your hotel to get you one. That’s because your hotel will typically have assigned taxis that they trust and know very well. It will be an adventure if you take a taxi elsewhere, however, you need to know the taxi fares beforehand to be on the safe side.

* Remember that Egypt is a Muslim country. Things that you consider normal such as kissing or holding hands with your partner, wearing revealing clothes, and taking photographs of important places may be frowned upon. Therefore, always keep a conscious effort to respect their faith and culture.

*Do not rely solely on guide books to get around and experience the country. Although they give a lot of information, they do not explain how to get out of problems. Furthermore, you may get disappointed at seeing or visiting actual sites that are described beautifully in guide books. It is best to ask locals and other travelers for recommendations and information and consider the information in guide books as supplementary.

* If you are driving a rented automobile during your holidays to Egypt, you have to stay right. For UK and Japanese travelers, they need to be conscious since they are used to driving on the left side of the road. In Cairo, you need to be extra careful since traffic is a whole lot busier in the capital city than in other Egyptian cities.

* Egypt is a hot country considering that it is located in the Sahara Desert. Thus, take precautions to combat the heat. Drink a lot of water to rehydrate yourself. Wear loose fitting clothes, trousers, hat, and sunglasses.

To reserve cheap holidays to Egypt, log in to Travel Republic.

Considerations When Selecting Hotels In Egypt

by EgyptTripAdviser on December 10, 2011


Each year, millions of people worldwide tour the mysterious country of Egypt. For many of these visitors, they stay in various hotels in Egypt. From the budget-conscious backpacker to the well-funded businessman, there is a large collection of options to choose from.

To help you select the ideal hotel for you so you will have a comfortable, enjoyable stay, consider the following suggestions.

1. Consider the facilities you require. Doing this will limit your search, making it easier for you to pick your choice. Depending on the facilities you want, you can stay in an elegant hotel that is fit for royalty, or a budget hotel that is friendly on your budget. Go through the hotel’s site, obtain feedback from past patrons, check out review sites, or actually call the hotel to fish out the information that you need.

2. Consider the area where you will be going. It is not really convenient if you want to stay in a hotel in Cairo when your objective is to visit Bedouin tribes hundreds of miles away. Therefore, think about the area where you want to stay. For example, if you want to do some diving along the Red Sea, then reserve a hotel near the beach. If you plan to attend to some convention in the city, book a room in a hotel that is in close proximity to the city center or the convention venue. Not only is this move more convenient for you but it will also save you money and energy.

3. Ask the hotel for for bonuses, offers, and deals. Just like many hospitality establishments in the world, hotels in Egypt regularly offer deals that would allow you to save money and enjoy freebies and other services. For example, your hotel may give free or discounted guided tours, river cruises, or dinners to their patrons. Again, check out the hotel or your local travel agent for information concerning these deals.

4. Contact the hotel if you have special needs such as wheelchair accessibility or a special menu. In most cases, these needs can be addressed if you contact the hotel beforehand.

To reserve hotels or holidays to Egypt, visit Travel Republic.