Cool news! We will have private sleeper cars on the overnight train. They will be two people to a compartment and there are adjoining doors between compartments that can be locked/unlocked.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Overnight Train from Cairo to Aswan - 2 to a room sleeper cars!
Cool news! We will have private sleeper cars on the overnight train. They will be two people to a compartment and there are adjoining doors between compartments that can be locked/unlocked.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
ECTAA meets the Egyptian authorities to strengthen tourism in Egypt - 10/27/11
European Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Association
The European Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Association met last Monday the Egyptian Minister for Tourism, Dr. Monir Fakhri Abdel Nour, and the Chairman of the Egyptian tourist authority, Mr Amr El Azabi, to discuss how to revitalise and strengthen tourism in Egypt.
For the European travel industry Egypt is a holiday destination of paramount importance and this meeting is the first step towards a broader collaboration that will target promotional and communication activities as well as addressing practical problems and issues of tour operators in Egypt, for the benefit of both Egyptian and European tourism operators and ultimately of the consumer.
Said Chairman of the Destination and Sustainability Committee, Mr. Claude Perignon: “The past political events have created a faulty image of Egypt. Together, European tour operators and Egyptian Authorities have to convey to customers the feeling that they are welcome in Egypt and that their safety is guaranteed. We will work together to improve the image of Egypt and deliver high quality tourism services, so that travellers can fully enjoy the natural, historic and cultural richness of this beautiful country. Now it’s the time to bring back tourists to Egypt!”
ECTAA represents the national associations of travel agents and tour operators of 29 European countries. Altogether it represents some 70.000 enterprises.
http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/46011-ECTAA-meets-the-Egyptian-authorities-to-strengthen-tourism-in-Egypt
The European Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Association met last Monday the Egyptian Minister for Tourism, Dr. Monir Fakhri Abdel Nour, and the Chairman of the Egyptian tourist authority, Mr Amr El Azabi, to discuss how to revitalise and strengthen tourism in Egypt.
For the European travel industry Egypt is a holiday destination of paramount importance and this meeting is the first step towards a broader collaboration that will target promotional and communication activities as well as addressing practical problems and issues of tour operators in Egypt, for the benefit of both Egyptian and European tourism operators and ultimately of the consumer.
Said Chairman of the Destination and Sustainability Committee, Mr. Claude Perignon: “The past political events have created a faulty image of Egypt. Together, European tour operators and Egyptian Authorities have to convey to customers the feeling that they are welcome in Egypt and that their safety is guaranteed. We will work together to improve the image of Egypt and deliver high quality tourism services, so that travellers can fully enjoy the natural, historic and cultural richness of this beautiful country. Now it’s the time to bring back tourists to Egypt!”
ECTAA represents the national associations of travel agents and tour operators of 29 European countries. Altogether it represents some 70.000 enterprises.
http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/46011-ECTAA-meets-the-Egyptian-authorities-to-strengthen-tourism-in-Egypt
A Woman's Guide to Visiting Egypt Now, 10/29/11
When I told my parents I was going to Egypt, they freaked out. My dad, who was sure I'd come home in a body bag, threatened to steal my passport. Such are the views of a conservative father with only one daughter. Even when that daughter is 24 years old.
I made it to Cairo, one week after the attack on the Israeli embassy there, and while I wasn't afraid of violence, I was worried -- well, curious -- about being a woman in Egypt, not to mention an American one. I looked for information on what to wear and watch out for as a female tourist in Egypt, but couldn't find a comprehensive guide. So, ladies, here's what you need to know.
While Egypt is a Muslim country, it is much more progressive than other Arab nations. Some women wear a niqab (a veil covering the face), others wear a hijab (a covering of the hair and neck but not the face) and still others do not cover their heads at all. Women are not required by law to follow a dress code, so as a tourist, you can wear whatever you'd like; some people do. But whatever comfort you might find in wearing minimal clothing in the heat will be cancelled out by the discomfort of having men stare and yell at you. Save the push-up bras and cleavage-bearing tops for your next trip to Brazil.
You do not need to cover your head in Egypt, but dress modestly. Wear pants or long skirts. Cairo is hot, so loose fitting pants are going to be more comfortable than a pair of skinny jeans. It is also dusty and dirty, so white clothing will appear soiled far more quickly than clothing of other colors.
Sunglasses are a must, not only because it's bright out but also because they make it easier to avoid making eye contact with men on the street. If you find yourself without shades, don't look men in the eye -- it's considered a form of flirtation.
Before my trip, I was warned that outside Egypt's major cities the locals are much more conservative and that you must dress accordingly. But I found the opposite to be true. I took a cruise down the Nile and stopped at major tourist sites like the Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple. With the exception of a few souvenir dealers, everyone at these sites is a tourist, and they dress as such. Among tourists, you can wear what you want (within reason). There's no point in sweating it out in long pants and a long-sleeved shirt if everyone around you is in shorts.
While you don't need to wear a headscarf, it's not a bad idea to carry around a lightweight pashmina in case you go into a mosque and want to cover your head. In the more conservative mosques, if you're not completely covered, they will ask you to wear a bathrobe-type garment.
"Your conservative equals their slightly-less-scandalous, so skinny jeans need a long shirt, and even a high-neck shirt must either be loose or be layered with a loose sweater. There are many occasions where you can wear whatever you want at your destination, but the transportation and walking in between is the killer," said Alison, an American journalist who has been living in downtown Cairo for two years. So while a cocktail dress is perfectly acceptable attire at many parties, walking the streets in one is another matter altogether.
"Egyptians are very friendly and outgoing people," said Alison. "You can certainly socialize, but while in the US (or Lebanon for that matter) it's perfectly acceptable to talk to a stranger at a bar, be aware that this is not part of the Egyptian culture. When Egyptians go out at night, they do not interact with others outside their immediate group. So be yourself and enjoy the hospitality, but keep the rules of the locals in the back of your mind."
Expect harassment, ranging from harmless flirtation -- men will call you sukar (sugar), mozza (banana), butta (duck) and ask how many camels you cost -- to men staring at you, following you, grabbing your chest or butt and verbally harassing you. This is less common than flirtation, but nevertheless common. Avoid walking alone at night.
"It happens to all women in Cairo at some point, but do not be afraid of taking public transportation, like the metro, or going to certain areas, because there is no pattern of location," said Alison.
According to a report by the Egyptian Center for Women's Rights titled "Harassment: The Social Cancer," 98 percent of foreign female visitors to Egypt and 83 percent of Egyptian women experienced some degree of sexual harassment, and 62 percent of Egyptian men admitted to harassing women, both foreign and local.
Despite the potential for unwanted attention from men, with a little common sense and appropriate clothing, Egypt is an enjoyable destination with a rich history, an abundance of archeological sites, a delicious cuisine and a promising future.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/olivia-katrandjian/a-womans-guide-to-visitin_b_1063486.html
I made it to Cairo, one week after the attack on the Israeli embassy there, and while I wasn't afraid of violence, I was worried -- well, curious -- about being a woman in Egypt, not to mention an American one. I looked for information on what to wear and watch out for as a female tourist in Egypt, but couldn't find a comprehensive guide. So, ladies, here's what you need to know.
While Egypt is a Muslim country, it is much more progressive than other Arab nations. Some women wear a niqab (a veil covering the face), others wear a hijab (a covering of the hair and neck but not the face) and still others do not cover their heads at all. Women are not required by law to follow a dress code, so as a tourist, you can wear whatever you'd like; some people do. But whatever comfort you might find in wearing minimal clothing in the heat will be cancelled out by the discomfort of having men stare and yell at you. Save the push-up bras and cleavage-bearing tops for your next trip to Brazil.
You do not need to cover your head in Egypt, but dress modestly. Wear pants or long skirts. Cairo is hot, so loose fitting pants are going to be more comfortable than a pair of skinny jeans. It is also dusty and dirty, so white clothing will appear soiled far more quickly than clothing of other colors.
Sunglasses are a must, not only because it's bright out but also because they make it easier to avoid making eye contact with men on the street. If you find yourself without shades, don't look men in the eye -- it's considered a form of flirtation.
Before my trip, I was warned that outside Egypt's major cities the locals are much more conservative and that you must dress accordingly. But I found the opposite to be true. I took a cruise down the Nile and stopped at major tourist sites like the Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple. With the exception of a few souvenir dealers, everyone at these sites is a tourist, and they dress as such. Among tourists, you can wear what you want (within reason). There's no point in sweating it out in long pants and a long-sleeved shirt if everyone around you is in shorts.
While you don't need to wear a headscarf, it's not a bad idea to carry around a lightweight pashmina in case you go into a mosque and want to cover your head. In the more conservative mosques, if you're not completely covered, they will ask you to wear a bathrobe-type garment.
"Your conservative equals their slightly-less-scandalous, so skinny jeans need a long shirt, and even a high-neck shirt must either be loose or be layered with a loose sweater. There are many occasions where you can wear whatever you want at your destination, but the transportation and walking in between is the killer," said Alison, an American journalist who has been living in downtown Cairo for two years. So while a cocktail dress is perfectly acceptable attire at many parties, walking the streets in one is another matter altogether.
"Egyptians are very friendly and outgoing people," said Alison. "You can certainly socialize, but while in the US (or Lebanon for that matter) it's perfectly acceptable to talk to a stranger at a bar, be aware that this is not part of the Egyptian culture. When Egyptians go out at night, they do not interact with others outside their immediate group. So be yourself and enjoy the hospitality, but keep the rules of the locals in the back of your mind."
Expect harassment, ranging from harmless flirtation -- men will call you sukar (sugar), mozza (banana), butta (duck) and ask how many camels you cost -- to men staring at you, following you, grabbing your chest or butt and verbally harassing you. This is less common than flirtation, but nevertheless common. Avoid walking alone at night.
"It happens to all women in Cairo at some point, but do not be afraid of taking public transportation, like the metro, or going to certain areas, because there is no pattern of location," said Alison.
According to a report by the Egyptian Center for Women's Rights titled "Harassment: The Social Cancer," 98 percent of foreign female visitors to Egypt and 83 percent of Egyptian women experienced some degree of sexual harassment, and 62 percent of Egyptian men admitted to harassing women, both foreign and local.
Despite the potential for unwanted attention from men, with a little common sense and appropriate clothing, Egypt is an enjoyable destination with a rich history, an abundance of archeological sites, a delicious cuisine and a promising future.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/olivia-katrandjian/a-womans-guide-to-visitin_b_1063486.html
Monday, October 24, 2011
Deadlines
November 10, 2011: Manual payment plan monies are DUE. (If you are sending a check, send it a few days in advance to: Explorica, Inc., 145 Tremont St., 6th fl., Boston, MA 02111. Reference "Banas-9329" on the memo section of the check.)
December 2, 2011: Give Mrs. Banas a copy of your passport by this date. (The internal flight in Egypt requires that they have this information several months before the flight.)
February 7, 2012: MANDATORY meeting to go over paperwork, sign any additional forms, answer last minute questions, and make sure everyone is clear on expectations and details of the trip. Location: TBA.
December 2, 2011: Give Mrs. Banas a copy of your passport by this date. (The internal flight in Egypt requires that they have this information several months before the flight.)
February 7, 2012: MANDATORY meeting to go over paperwork, sign any additional forms, answer last minute questions, and make sure everyone is clear on expectations and details of the trip. Location: TBA.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Haggling in Egypt
For the most part, Egyptians are honest, kind and hospitable people. Crime in Egypt is very low. If you lose your wallet in Cairo the chances of someone returning it to you with your money and credit cards intact is significantly greater than if the same event occurred in any major European city.
Egyptians would much rather separate you from your hard earned cash through the age old tradition of haggling or bartering.
The price of almost everything you see for sale in Egypt is open to negotiation. From markets to souvenir shops, travel agencies and taxi drivers, learning the basic principals of haggling will save you money and probably lead to a few memorable and enjoyable encounters.
1) Don’t start haggling in Egypt unless you are genuinely interested in an item or product
You should never haggle for practice or fun. Haggling is not an opportunity for either party to exploit the other. It is a negotiation that should lead to a mutually beneficial transaction in which both parties gain and neither party has their time wasted.
2) Have a price in mind
When you see an item you like, work our beforehand what you think the item is worth and how much you would be happy to pay for it.
3) Always ask the vendor to offer a price before you do
Vendors will often ask ‘how much you want to pay?’ or ‘what do you think it is worth?’ If you offer a price first, you give them the upper hand and will never know for sure if you are paying over the odds. Your first price may be more than the item is worth and the vendor will then exploit this by acting as though the price is too low.
4) Offer about half what you would be prepared to pay for the item
Once the vendor has given a price, assuming that you think it is too much, offer about half what you would be prepared to pay. The vendor’s first offer will usually be about double what they would be prepared to accept. This gives both parties room for negotiation.
5) Take it in turns to adjust your price
Having made your first offer, do not make another offer or adjust you initial offer until the shop keeper has reduced theirs. From then on take it in turns. If you start reducing your price to quickly it shows weakness and gives the shop keeper the upper hand. It also reduces your room to negotiate.
6) Remember you can always walk away
Don’t feel under pressure and accept a price that you are not happy with. Remember you can always walk away. Saying that you will need to think about it and walking out of the shop can often lead to great price reductions. If it doesn’t, you can always come back later.
7) Show them the money
Actually getting the money out of your wallet and extending your arm to hand it over can be an effective way to show you’re serious and that you are making your final offer. This tactic is more effective if you have separated your money beforehand and can show that your wallet only has that amount in it.
8) Learn some Arabic
Learning expressions in Arabic will help build rapport and demonstrate that you are experienced in haggling in Egypt .
For example, the phrase “Fill mish mish” is the Arabic equivalent for “not in this lifetime” and makes a jovial response to a far too high quote. You can download a free list Arabic words and phrases by clicking here.
And finally…
9) Smile throughout
This interaction should be fun and not tense. Smile while you are haggling in Egypt, laugh at his offers as though they are a joke, be animated and never be too serious. You will get better prices if the vendor warms to you.
Additional suggestions:
• Shop at the end of your trip
If you have many presents to buy, it makes sense to buy them at the end of your trip rather than early on and then have to carry them around the country with you. For example, the Kan Al Kallili market is a great place to do all your souvenir shopping in the shortest time possible.
• If you see something you simply have to have, don’t wait!
Slightly contradictory to point number two, if you see something you simply can’t live without, don’t hesitate as you might not see the same thing again. In actuality you’ll probably see it again and again and again, but why take that risk?
• Don’t let taxi drivers take you shopping
If you find a taxi driver or felucca captain is seriously eager to take you shopping, he’s probably making a commission. This is pretty normal behavior in Egypt, so nothing to worry about. However, you may find items are a little more expensive as shopkeepers need to factor in your driver’s cut.
Egyptians would much rather separate you from your hard earned cash through the age old tradition of haggling or bartering.
The price of almost everything you see for sale in Egypt is open to negotiation. From markets to souvenir shops, travel agencies and taxi drivers, learning the basic principals of haggling will save you money and probably lead to a few memorable and enjoyable encounters.
1) Don’t start haggling in Egypt unless you are genuinely interested in an item or product
You should never haggle for practice or fun. Haggling is not an opportunity for either party to exploit the other. It is a negotiation that should lead to a mutually beneficial transaction in which both parties gain and neither party has their time wasted.
2) Have a price in mind
When you see an item you like, work our beforehand what you think the item is worth and how much you would be happy to pay for it.
3) Always ask the vendor to offer a price before you do
Vendors will often ask ‘how much you want to pay?’ or ‘what do you think it is worth?’ If you offer a price first, you give them the upper hand and will never know for sure if you are paying over the odds. Your first price may be more than the item is worth and the vendor will then exploit this by acting as though the price is too low.
4) Offer about half what you would be prepared to pay for the item
Once the vendor has given a price, assuming that you think it is too much, offer about half what you would be prepared to pay. The vendor’s first offer will usually be about double what they would be prepared to accept. This gives both parties room for negotiation.
5) Take it in turns to adjust your price
Having made your first offer, do not make another offer or adjust you initial offer until the shop keeper has reduced theirs. From then on take it in turns. If you start reducing your price to quickly it shows weakness and gives the shop keeper the upper hand. It also reduces your room to negotiate.
6) Remember you can always walk away
Don’t feel under pressure and accept a price that you are not happy with. Remember you can always walk away. Saying that you will need to think about it and walking out of the shop can often lead to great price reductions. If it doesn’t, you can always come back later.
7) Show them the money
Actually getting the money out of your wallet and extending your arm to hand it over can be an effective way to show you’re serious and that you are making your final offer. This tactic is more effective if you have separated your money beforehand and can show that your wallet only has that amount in it.
8) Learn some Arabic
Learning expressions in Arabic will help build rapport and demonstrate that you are experienced in haggling in Egypt .
For example, the phrase “Fill mish mish” is the Arabic equivalent for “not in this lifetime” and makes a jovial response to a far too high quote. You can download a free list Arabic words and phrases by clicking here.
And finally…
9) Smile throughout
This interaction should be fun and not tense. Smile while you are haggling in Egypt, laugh at his offers as though they are a joke, be animated and never be too serious. You will get better prices if the vendor warms to you.
Additional suggestions:
• Shop at the end of your trip
If you have many presents to buy, it makes sense to buy them at the end of your trip rather than early on and then have to carry them around the country with you. For example, the Kan Al Kallili market is a great place to do all your souvenir shopping in the shortest time possible.
• If you see something you simply have to have, don’t wait!
Slightly contradictory to point number two, if you see something you simply can’t live without, don’t hesitate as you might not see the same thing again. In actuality you’ll probably see it again and again and again, but why take that risk?
• Don’t let taxi drivers take you shopping
If you find a taxi driver or felucca captain is seriously eager to take you shopping, he’s probably making a commission. This is pretty normal behavior in Egypt, so nothing to worry about. However, you may find items are a little more expensive as shopkeepers need to factor in your driver’s cut.
Tourists in Egypt: A local's perspective
Many thanks for contacting me and for having the trust in my view. Let me clarify few things (as you said assurances not guarantees) which you might already know. Tourism is engraved in Egyptian culture and having foreign tourists is part of Egyptians daily lives. You will normally find Egyptians very welcoming to tourists (sometimes too much extra welcoming). We even have a saying that we, Egyptians, wish that other Egyptians will treat us as nice as they deal with tourists. So in this regard, you should expect a very welcoming public as this is the norm.
As for security for tourists, there is absolutely no problem as far as I know. As we speak there are hundreds of thousands of tourists in Cairo, Luxor and every where else in Egypt. What you hear in the media about clashes between protesters and security forces every now and then, is only limited to the area where the protests are held. So, unless you decide to take your students to a protest to show them democracy in the making in Egypt :) , there shouldn’t be any problems every where else. In addition to that, we have a whole police branch called tourism protection police which are available at every tourist site and big hotels. By February next year, we will have our first properly elected parliament, so things will be much calmer as well and I doubt there will be much protests anyway.
I hope this has clarified the situation and as I said, I can’t provide guarantees but I wouldn’t worry about sending my children if I was in your students’ parents position.
Let me know if you need anything else.
All the best,
Mohamed Ibrahim
"We are All Khaled Said" English Facebook page & Website Admin
http://www.facebook.com/elshaheeed.co.uk
http://www.twitter.com/Alshaheeed
http://www.elshaheeed.co.uk
Email and Google chat: alshaheeed@gmail.com
As for security for tourists, there is absolutely no problem as far as I know. As we speak there are hundreds of thousands of tourists in Cairo, Luxor and every where else in Egypt. What you hear in the media about clashes between protesters and security forces every now and then, is only limited to the area where the protests are held. So, unless you decide to take your students to a protest to show them democracy in the making in Egypt :) , there shouldn’t be any problems every where else. In addition to that, we have a whole police branch called tourism protection police which are available at every tourist site and big hotels. By February next year, we will have our first properly elected parliament, so things will be much calmer as well and I doubt there will be much protests anyway.
I hope this has clarified the situation and as I said, I can’t provide guarantees but I wouldn’t worry about sending my children if I was in your students’ parents position.
Let me know if you need anything else.
All the best,
Mohamed Ibrahim
"We are All Khaled Said" English Facebook page & Website Admin
http://www.facebook.com/elshaheeed.co.uk
http://www.twitter.com/Alshaheeed
http://www.elshaheeed.co.uk
Email and Google chat: alshaheeed@gmail.com
Tipping & Other Misc. Expenses
Tour Director
On international tours, it is customary to tip your full-time Tour Director a minimum of $5-$6 per person per day.
Tour Guides
It looks like we will have six days of guided sightseeing tours. If the guide is good, it is customary to tip $1/person.
Bus Driver
On international tours, each participant is expected to tip their bus driver $3 per person per day.
On the Cruise
It is customary to tip $5-8/night per person. Our cruise is a three night cruise.
Egyptians are happy to take US Dollars. Therefore, we will be collecting $40 for our Tour Director, $6 for the local guides, $14 for the bus driver (we will be using two buses while going around Cairo), and $15 for the cruise. The total is: $75/person. We can decide as a group when we want to collect this money.
Other Miscellaneous Expenses/Costs
Meals while traveling to and from Egypt, $15 for an Egyptian Visa (obtained when we land in Cairo), lunch when not on the cruise, beverages (bottled water, etc...), phone calls home, and souvenirs. One checked bag per person will be taken care of by Explorica (so no bag fees if you pack light).
On international tours, it is customary to tip your full-time Tour Director a minimum of $5-$6 per person per day.
Tour Guides
It looks like we will have six days of guided sightseeing tours. If the guide is good, it is customary to tip $1/person.
Bus Driver
On international tours, each participant is expected to tip their bus driver $3 per person per day.
On the Cruise
It is customary to tip $5-8/night per person. Our cruise is a three night cruise.
Egyptians are happy to take US Dollars. Therefore, we will be collecting $40 for our Tour Director, $6 for the local guides, $14 for the bus driver (we will be using two buses while going around Cairo), and $15 for the cruise. The total is: $75/person. We can decide as a group when we want to collect this money.
Other Miscellaneous Expenses/Costs
Meals while traveling to and from Egypt, $15 for an Egyptian Visa (obtained when we land in Cairo), lunch when not on the cruise, beverages (bottled water, etc...), phone calls home, and souvenirs. One checked bag per person will be taken care of by Explorica (so no bag fees if you pack light).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)