All about daily life in your holiday destination

Pharmacies
You can recognize these by the internationally used word PHARMACY. In the center of your holiday resort, there is a pharmacy on almost every street. There you can buy all necessary medications at reasonable prices, most of them without a prescription.

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 South Sinai Hospital.

Banks and currency exchange
Almost every hotel has an ATM where you can withdraw Egyptian pounds using your EC/Maestro card or exchange some euros for pounds. Nearly all banks accept traveler's checks. Regardless of the payment method you use, you will always receive Egyptian pounds (LE). Banks often offer a better exchange rate than hotel receptions. Make sure you get a receipt so you can exchange money back. Exchanging pounds back is only possible at the airport in the arrivals hall.
Note: The export of Egyptian pounds is not permitted!

Buses
In Egypt, long-distance buses connect the most remote parts of the country with the major cities, for example, oases in the Libyan Desert with Cairo. It's best to buy tickets only one day before your trip and to make sure you confirm the departure time.

SHOP
The bazaar and its many souvenir shops are a tempting place to shop. Haggling, almost a national pastime, is an integral part of Egyptian culture. It's expected and considered good manners; otherwise, the seller will lose interest in the transaction—and you'll lose face. Start at a third of the asking price, and if you agree on 50% or even less than half, that's perfectly acceptable! Take your time, especially when buying valuable items, and don't buy from the first vendor you see! The more time you spend, the better the price you can get. Typical Egyptian products include water pipes, alabaster, papyrus, gold and silver, carpets, perfume, and more.

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 and the tombs in the Valley of the Kings, filming and photography are permitted.
At the Egyptian Museum, you must leave your camera at the entrance or are only allowed to film/photograph for a fee. This also applies to the archaeological sites in Luxor. Photography is 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 if you may take 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).

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, but you'll have to pay a fee to use it. It's cheaper to send your emails at the internet cafes, which are now practically on every corner. In some cafes, bars, and restaurants, you can connect your own laptop using national access numbers.
Connect directly to the network, free of charge via Wi-Fi.

Clothing
Please remember that you are spending your holiday in an Islamic country! Women should therefore avoid 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 sunbathing and nudity 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. Please also pay attention to notices in hotels regarding dress codes. Summer clothing is perfectly suitable. A light sweater is recommended for the cooler nights on the Red Sea coast, and sturdy, comfortable walking shoes are advisable for visiting the pyramids, temples, and tombs.

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, temperatures can reach over 60°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 plummet 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. Egypt has been leading the way since the mid-1970s.
More food is imported than exported. Today, 36% of food is already imported. A drive through the Nile Valley reveals 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.

Nightlife
Nightlife isn't confined to cafes, as is typical for Egyptians. If you'd like to enjoy a drink, listen to music, or simply relax outdoors outside your hotel, here are some bar and disco recommendations in Sharm el Sheikh:

Camel Roof: A relaxed and laid-back atmosphere high above the rooftops of Naama Bay in Sharm el Sheikh. Enjoy a drink while taking in the fantastic view of your holiday paradise.
Dolce Vita: There's live music and parties here every day.
Farsha Bar: This bar is located right by the sea and is ideal for chilling and smoking shisha.
Hard Rock Cafe: World-famous music bar with daily changing themed evenings and a large selection of cocktails.
Little Buddha: The sister of the world-famous Buddha Bar Paris. Indulge in the finest Japanese, French, and Pacific cuisine. Dance until the early hours.
Pacha: A renowned nightclub and the epicenter of Sharm's nightlife. Featuring rotating international DJs and daily parties. Pacha is particularly famous for its Ministry of Sound parties.

Post
Postcards and stamps are available in almost all souvenir shops. You can drop off your mail at reception in all hotels. Delivery to Germany takes approximately 2-3 weeks. Post offices are generally open from 9 am to 14 pm, Saturday to Thursday. Please expect longer waiting times.
Expect waiting times, as there is always a large crowd.

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
Golf
The Hotel Maritim Jolie Ville Golf offers an 18-hole golf course with an associated golf school.

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, with a large number of diving and surfing schools. We recommend that beginners and advanced divers entrust themselves only to a reputable diving or surfing school, such as Sinai Divers (Dahab) or Werner Lau (Naama Bay).
and C-Fun Divers (Iberotel Palace).
Your tour guide will be happy to provide you with further information.

Beach
The hotels located directly on the beach all have their own private beach, where sun loungers, parasols, and towels are provided free of charge. These are preferable to public beaches due to the fees charged and, above all, because of their often very basic and sometimes poor facilities. 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 midday sun, as you will still tan even in the shade!
Due to the numerous reefs and coral reefs, most of which are located very close to the beach, wearing water shoes is recommended. 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). These usually have fixed prices. Otherwise, you should always negotiate private taxi rides. Never get in without an agreed-upon price, as this will save you a lot of trouble!
The many minibuses that operate as shuttles (shared taxis) are extremely affordable. The fare is between 1 and 3 LE per person (within the city). Official taxis in Sharm el Sheikh are easy to spot, as they are all blue and white. They are also equipped with meters. However, whether these meters actually work is another question! To be on the safe side, ask about the fares beforehand. This will save you from any unpleasant surprises.

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.