All about daily life in your holiday destination

Pharmacies
You can recognize these by the internationally used word PHARMACY. Pharmacies are widespread throughout Egypt. They generally open between 8 and 10 a.m. and stay open until 11 p.m. or even midnight. Every city has 24-hour pharmacies. All common medications can be easily purchased in Egypt. Medications that need to be taken regularly for chronic conditions should be ordered in advance. Show the pharmacist the empty package.

doctors
Almost every hotel has a doctor who holds office hours on-site and is paid directly. Outside of these hours, you can consult him through the hotel reception. Ask for a receipt, which you can submit to your international health insurance provider in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

In case of acute emergencies, please contact the Port Ghalib Hospital in Marsa Alam:

Kilo 72 South Quseir, Marsa Alam
Telephone: +20 (0) 65 370 01 22 / +20 (0) 65 370 01 20, Mobile: +2 0100004402,
Email: info@portghalibhospital.com

Diplomatic missions
GERMAN EMBASSY
2, Sh. Berlin (off Sh. Hassan Sabri), Zamalek, 11211 Cairo
Phone: + 20 (0) 2 2728 2000
Email: info@kairo.diplo.de

AUSTRIAN EMBASSY
5, Wissa Wassef Street, 5th floor, Corner El Nil Street,
Riyadh Tower, Giza, 11111 Cairo
Phone: + 20 (0) 2 3570 2975

EMBASSY OF THE SWISS CONFEDERATION
10, Sh. Abdel Khalek Sarwat, 11511 Cairo
Phone: + 20 (0) 2 257 582 84

EMBASSY OF THE NETHERLANDS
18, Hassan Sabri Street, Zamalek, 11211 Cairo
Phone: + 20 (0) 2 2739 5500

EMBASSY OF THE PRINCIPALITY OF LUXEMBOURG
20, Kamel El Shennawi, Garden City, Cairo
Phone: + 20 (0) 2 354 74 94

SHOP
The bazaar and the many souvenir shops invite visitors to shop. Haggling, almost a national pastime, is part of Egyptian culture. Specific products of the country include water pipes, alabaster, papyrus, gold and silver, carpets, perfume, etc.

Filming and photography
Filming and photography are generally prohibited in religious buildings. The same applies to military installations, airports, ports, and train stations. Violators face heavy fines and even imprisonment. At some tourist attractions, such as the Great Pyramid of Giza, the tombs in the Valley of the Kings, and the Egyptian Museum, you must leave your camera at the entrance or are only permitted to film/photograph for a fee. This also applies to the archaeological sites in Luxor. Filming and photography are strictly prohibited in the tombs of the Valley of the Kings. According to the Quran, photographing people and animals is not permitted, so please politely ask for permission before taking a picture. In most cases, your request will be granted. A small tip (baksheesh) is always appreciated.

Business hours
There are no official business hours in Egypt in the European sense. Therefore, here are some guidelines you can follow:
Opening hours: 10am-22pm. In the summer months, also until midnight and later. Government offices and banks are closed in the afternoon and often not open on Fridays (the Arab Sunday) and Saturdays.

Health
Here's how to protect your skin from the sun:

• Gradually acclimate your skin to the unfamiliar lighting conditions.
• Apply sufficient sunscreen with a high sun protection factor 30 minutes before sunbathing.
• Reapply sunscreen after swimming, as even waterproof sunscreen loses 50% of its protection in water.
• Avoid the sun between 11 am and 15 pm.
• Green tea reduces cell damage caused by UV radiation.
• Do not apply perfumes or deodorants before sunbathing, as this can lead to unsightly skin discoloration.
• Drink 2-3 liters of mineral water a day and avoid alcohol before sunset as well as ice-cold drinks or drinks with ice cubes.
• Zinc has anti-inflammatory properties and helps sunburns heal faster. Sources of zinc include meat, eggs, and milk.
• Some medications (e.g., antibiotics) increase photosensitivity.

Internet
Most hotels offer internet access for a fee. Additionally, all local mobile network operators offer mobile internet dongles for laptops or internet-enabled SIM cards for mobile phones.

Clothing
Please remember that you are spending your holiday in an Islamic country! Women should therefore avoid overly revealing necklines and very short shorts and skirts. Otherwise, you risk being subjected to unpleasant harassment, especially when visiting rural areas or taking excursions to Cairo. Topless and nudist behavior are forbidden and offend the local population's sense of honor. Men in shorts and with bare chests are also frowned upon and will make themselves the laughingstock of the locals. Appropriate attire should be worn for dinner. Therefore, please pay attention to the notices in the hotels regarding dress codes. Summer clothing will serve you well throughout the year. For the cooler nights on the Red Sea, a light sweater is recommended, and for visiting the pyramids, temples, and tombs, sturdy, comfortable walking shoes are advisable.

Climate
The coastal region and Lower Egypt have a Mediterranean climate, meaning mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. July and August are dry. Upper Egypt has a desert climate with very hot summers, prolonged drought, and high levels of sunshine year-round. In Luxor, the thermometer can reach up to 49°C. Strong temperature fluctuations between day and night are typical in winter. For example, in Luxor, the daily minimum in February is around 10°C, while the daily maximum can reach 25°C. Temperatures are even more extreme in the desert regions, where they can drop from 50°C to as low as -5°C. Beach holidays on the Red Sea coast and in the Sinai Peninsula are possible all year round. Water temperatures are generally always above 18°C ​​– even between December and February! Air temperatures rise to 27°C and cool down to 15°C or less at night.

live
Egypt's tree of life, the date palm, is ubiquitous. A single palm yields an average of 60 to 100 kilograms of the sweet fruit per year, and its dry fronds provide building material for simple furniture, fruit crates, fences, and enclosures. Since pastureland is scarce, livestock farming plays a relatively minor role, and Egyptian meat is primarily chicken. However, farm animals are still very much a part of agriculture, as tractors have yet to displace traditional pack animals like camels, donkeys, and water buffaloes in the Nile Valley. Agriculture cannot keep pace with the enormous population growth. Despite very fertile soils and excellent growing conditions, the dream of self-sufficiency has long since been shattered. Large-scale land reclamation projects will not change this in the long run. Since the mid-1970s, Egypt has been importing more food than it exports. Today, 36% of its food is imported. A drive through the Nile Valley will show you lush, green fields at any time of year, cultivated according to cooperatively established farming plans.

tap water
The tap water is not potable, but it is perfectly safe for brushing your teeth and personal hygiene. You are in the desert, where water is a precious commodity. Please help us conserve water. Occasionally, when hotels are fully booked, there may be temporary shortages or water outages, for which we ask for your understanding.
Note: In this context, mineral water refers to still water. Water with carbonation is called soda or sparkling water.

Post
Postcards and stamps are available in almost all souvenir shops. Affix 3,5 LE to your postcard. You can drop off your mail at reception in all hotels. Delivery to Germany takes approximately 2-3 weeks.

All about money
The national currency is the Egyptian pound (LE). One pound is divided into 100 piastres (Pt) and 1000 millièmes. Coins are available in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 25, and 50 piastres, as well as 1 pound. Banknotes are available in denominations of 5, 10, 25, and 50 piastres, as well as 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 pounds. One euro is approximately equivalent to 19,53 Egyptian pounds (as of March 2019). Foreign currency exchange is permitted only at banks and authorized exchange bureaus.

The banks are open daily, except Fridays and Saturdays, from 8:30 13:Open 30 hours a day; currency exchange offices in hotels and at the airport are available daily. Opening hours are generally from 9 am to 20 pm.

Credit cards are accepted in hotels, restaurants, and most shops. Not all banks accept credit cards for cash withdrawals. The nationwide hotline in Germany for blocking Maestro cards, credit cards, mobile phone numbers, and online banking is +49 116 116. For Austrian and Swiss banks, it is advisable to contact your bank directly to have your cards blocked.

Giving a tip (baksheesh) is a social obligation that everyone should observe. A large part of the population earns its living this way. Tipping is customary for all kinds of services; this includes porters, chambermaids, taxi drivers, receptionists, tour drivers, local guides, camel drivers, and guards at mosques or tombs. Amounts of one to three Egyptian pounds are perfectly acceptable. However, you should not give money to children who beg for baksheesh.

Souvenirs

• Gold and silver jewelry of all kinds
• Copper and brassware as well as fine woodwork with mother-of-pearl inlays
• Woven carpets, pictorial tapestries, camel and buffalo leather goods
• Oriental spices and tea, such as the famous karkadê (mallow flower tea)
• Fragrant oils and essences
• Various items with motifs of the ancient Egyptians (on mugs, T-shirts, towels, hats, etc.)
• Papyrus exhibition rooms can be found all over Hurghada.
• Water pipes (shishas)

Under no circumstances should you buy coral, ivory, turtle shells, or seashells, as these are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and may not be exported! Antiques older than 100 years are also prohibited from leaving the country!

Sports
Tennis/Squash
Offered by most hotels. Equipment can be rented on site.

Watersports
The resorts on the Red Sea are a paradise for divers, snorkelers, surfers, and kitesurfers. Divers, in particular, will find plenty to enjoy. We recommend that both beginners and experienced divers entrust themselves to a reputable diving school. Your tour guide will be happy to provide you with further information.

Beach
All hotels have their own private beach, where sun loungers, parasols, and towels are provided free of charge. Please remember that you are vacationing in an Islamic country, and both topless sunbathing and nudism are prohibited. Always use adequate sun protection and avoid direct sunlight, especially at midday, as you will still tan even in the shade! Due to the numerous reefs and coral reefs, often located very close to the beach, we recommend wearing water shoes. Remember: The coral and shells you find while swimming, bathing, and snorkeling in the sea do not belong in your luggage!
Also pay attention to the flags, which signal the following to you:
Green: Bathing and swimming possible
Yellow: Swimming out is prohibited
Red: Swimming and bathing are prohibited
White and black checkered: The beach is unsupervised.

road traffic
It is not recommended to rent a car in Egypt: unfortunately, there is no liability insurance, and the prevailing traffic conditions can be very dangerous. Using public transport is much easier, more environmentally friendly, and also cheaper. A cheap and very popular mode of transport in Egypt is the minibus. Minibuses do not run according to a fixed timetable but are hailed by hand signals at the roadside.
In principle, the same traffic rules apply in Egypt as in Europe. Driving is on the right in Egypt.

Electricity
The electrical voltage in hotels is 220 volts. An adapter is not required if your device has a European plug.

Taxi
There are no official prices. Some hotels offer a limousine service (with driver) – usually at fixed prices. However, you can always negotiate (at reception/guest services). Never get in without an agreed-upon price, as this will save you a lot of trouble!

Phone
Did you bring your mobile phone? Then your provider will automatically inform you of the call and text message costs via SMS. Prepaid mobile phone cards – including those for internet access – are available inexpensively in many shops. The most common networks are Mobinil and Vodafone EG. Want to make a call from the hotel? Ask at reception about the costs, as there is often a minimum charge per minute.

Area codes of the countries:
Germany +49
Austria +43
Switzerland +41
Netherlands +31
Luxembourg +352

time
As a rule, you should set your clocks forward by one hour upon arrival in Egypt. Summer and winter time differ from the times in Europe.

Environment
Help your holiday destination and make your contribution!
Save water: Fresh water is a precious resource, and even more so here in the desert. Use it sparingly!
Save energy: Turn off the lights and air conditioning when you leave your room!
Landscape protection: Don't throw away waste carelessly. Dispose of it properly!
Conservation: Do not buy items that are subject to species protection laws or that promote the extinction of protected and rare animal species! Look, yes – touch, no: Do ​​not touch corals, shells, or other marine organisms; leave them in their natural habitat!
Respect for people and their culture: Respectable clothing, tradition and culture!

Valuables
Please store valuables, your passport, and travel documents in the hotel safe. The hotel accepts no liability for stolen items or money not stored in the safe.