Egypt Travel Guide

The ancient Egyptian empire lasted for over 3,000 years and had many rulers, including Ramses II, Khufu, Alexander the Great and Cleopatra the last Pharaoh of Egypt who had political and romantic relationships with Julius Caesar and the Roman general Mark Antony. Egypt then became part of the Roman Empire after Caesar Augustus invaded and defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra's forces. The country was introduced to Islam around the 6th century by Arab-Muslim armies led by Amr ibn al-As; Egypt was also part of the Byzantine (395 AD - 639 AD) and Ottoman Empire (1517 - 1805). In 1799, during a French campaign in Egypt led by Napoleon, the Rosetta Stone was rediscovered which helped to decipher the ancient hieroglyphs and unlock the secrets of ancient Egypt. The 19th century saw the British Occupation of Egypt, whilst technically still remaining part of the Ottoman Empire, and the construction of the Suez Canal by the French engineer Ferdinand de Lesseps. Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings in 1922, which attracted worldwide attention and interest in Egyptology. Egypt's location played a strategic role during WW1 and WW2, as the Suez Canal enable faster communication and transportation. The country gained some independence in 1922 from Britain, but the British military stayed until 1957 following the Suez Crisis (1956) where Egypt gained full control of the canal. Despite periods of political instability in the 21st century, Egypt has remained a popular tourist destination and offers a wide range of attractions, including archaeological sites and beach resorts along the Red Sea.

The places we visited in Egypt are generally safe and our guides will always keep an eye out for you. However, where there are large crowds there can be opportunists and pickpockets. It is wise to be vigilant, especially at busy tourist attractions, and always take good care of your personal belongings. Make use of the safe at your hotel and carry a photocopy of your passport when out and about.

English is widely spoken in areas that are frequented by tourists.

Irish/UK citizens require a visa to enter Egypt. A charge applies. Your passport must contain two blank pages and be valid for 6 months from your return date of travel.

• High protection sunscreen
• Sun hat
• A shawl or pashmina for ladies, long trousers for men, for visits to holy places
• A warm jacket (useful for air-conditioned places and for your return journey)
• Comfortable shoes

Most establishments in Egypt use continental round-pin sockets. To avoid any issues, we recommend travelling with a universal adapter as this will be ableto work in any country you visit.

In Egypt, tipping is part of the culture and is seen as an accepted means of distributing wealth to service providers who earn very little, or possibly nothing more than tips.