Thursday, August 17, 2017

Is it safe to holiday in Egypt?

Tours to Egypt once again beat all records of popularity among Russian tourists - booking for April and May surpass all expectations of travel agencies. The last two years against a background of political and social unrest selling tours to Egypt were several times lower than usual. But the "All-Russian health resort" so sweet to our visitors that abandon it in favor of other beaches, they could not, and it happened "great return". While the beach is not the euphoria reached its peak (which is especially likely during the May holidays), let us remember about the security measures on vacation in Egypt.


 Is it safe to holiday in Egypt?

The situation in the country.   Although the lion's share of Egypt receives from tourism, and the new government (as well as the old ones) say that the political unrest will not hurt resort areas, you still need to remember that the country's continuing political and social crisis .  Day after day from the central square of Cairo are reporting new demonstrations and speeches .  Yes, and that go far - strike two days ago were held at the airport in Alexandria - air gate of the second largest city of Egypt were closed for landing and departure of aircraft .  In related news, on April 5, and it reported that the Cairo airport will close all of its own runways of at least 4 hours a day, "in order to save electricity" .  And although in Alexandria and Cairo our tourists practically fly, but only go on tour, but the output can be done - in the country of the Pharaohs, not all calm .  Against the backdrop of all these strikes and demonstrations and then there are reviews about the declining quality of food and service in the beach hotels .  Russians complain about the monotony of food, lack of staff for quality service hotels .

Officially, the Russian Foreign Ministry at the moment does not prohibit visits to Egypt, tour operators charter flights operate, but you should be aware of some safety measures in Egypt:
  • choose a hotel upgrade, the recommended travel agencies, as well as look for unbiased reviews of other tourists about hotels
  • refrain from distant excursions, and if they are buying tours or entertainment, do it at the official sales points
  • Prior to entering the tour read media reports about the situation in the country to adjust their exposure to the rest (for example, refrain from the same or sightseeing trips outside the hotel - on the market in urban centers
  • in the event of unusual situations in the country, keep in touch with your travel-coordinator, follow the guidance of the hotel or tour operator; if you are traveling on your own - tell about their whereabouts to the embassy or any Russian consulate in Egypt; try to notify relatives of their movements

Sea and beaches . Most of the time tourists spend holiday on the beaches. Beaches in Egypt are good, sandy, but some of them come in bulk, ie, can be felt under the feet of coral. And sometimes frankly coral beaches, so do not neglect to use special footwear (rubber slippers), mainly concerned Sharm El-Sheikh. Due to the abundance of coral sometimes provided entrance to the sea from the pontoon - hotels with these beaches is not recommended to choose for families with children. In Hurghada, the majority of the beaches really sandy, with shallow entry into the water and a calm sea, which is especially good for children. The infrastructure developed beaches, they are equipped with sun beds, etc. The tides on some Egyptian beaches can be quite high, there should be guided by the recommendations of the travel agents and reviews of tourists have already visited.

From the beaches of Egypt, do not forget about security measures:

  • Pay attention to flags indicating the possibility of swimming, for example, in high tide or wave
  • do not go far beyond the territory of the beach entrance to the sea there can be dangerous
  • Do not swim at night, as they are likely to step on coral or sea urchin
  • Do not feed or touch the fish and other underwater creatures
  • Do not collect corals, and even more so do not take them with me: for their removal from the country may be fined.

Water sports.   Even the most ardent fans lying on the beach during the holiday in Egypt indulge Water Activities .  One of the most popular activities - snorkeling, swimming and snorkelling and viewing the bright Egyptian inhabitants of the deep sea .  Another entertaining pastime is diving .  With all these "water treatment" should be very careful to take precautions .  So, diving or snorkeling only under the supervision of an instructor assigned to the official water station, and allowed for such entertainment places .  Danger without training deal with "water treatment" in the open water, especially against the background of the not long ago the invasion of sharks to the shores of Egypt's resort .  Remember, too, that none of the Egyptian instructor does not appreciate "by eye" the work of your heart, and is likely to give you a "c" to dive, because it is his money .  Are responsible for themselves, evaluate the physical capacity and health to all your entertainment, be it even a harmless-looking attraction "banana" or "cheesecake" .

Power and water. In Egypt, you can not drink water from the tap. Drinking bottled water is sold in every hotel and is represented in mini-bars. It is desirable to wash all fruits and vegetables, especially purchased outside the hotel. Try to wash their hands before going to the restaurant and eat food obviously stale species. Recently, there have been complaints in the monotony and not very fresh food in the hotel (staff are often not enough, there are shortages of food, morning foods processed in dishes for dinner), so before you go, read reviews about diet, consult your travel agent on the issue. And, of course, keep in the medicine cabinet with a set of drugs like mezima, smectite, activated charcoal and n., In time to prevent or reduce the symptoms of gastric ailments.

 Is it safe to holiday in Egypt?

Finally a few more general tips on precautions in Egypt:

  • Keep valuables and documents in a safe. Make a photocopy of your passport and carry it, and not the original document.
  • If you use a taxi - always negotiate a price in advance to avoid possible unpleasant dispute with a taxi driver. Unscrupulous drivers block mikroavtobusov- "Mini Bus" at tourist resorts is sometimes transported to the destination, and then try to take the payment of taxi fares, under the pretext that "flight" was carried out "for you."
  • Egypt - a Muslim country, so it is better to know in advance the rules of conduct and local "taboo". Avoid open outfits and relaxed behavior, drinking alcohol outside the hotel. You are at a party, always remember this and try to keep up appearances.
  • Do not succumb to the charm of the many sellers of everything. Haggle with them, because the price of the goods originally overstated several times. Egyptians intrusive and try to make money out of all first think - you need a product or service. Be careful not to "shine" in the money market ranks from children themselves hold.
  • On the bus tour do not hesitate to make a remark to his driver, if you feel that high speed driving style or alarming.

In any case, if you think your rights have been violated, you can safely turn to the tourist police officer, who shall assist you. Find it in any tourist center is not difficult and can be found on the armband with the inscription tourist police. Also, for any questions, please contact on vacation at the hotel, a travel-coordinator of the host company and in the case of health problems - the insurance company.

You good and safe holiday in Egypt!



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