Travel
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Egypt?
I watched that 5 minute around the world video last night and it really got me interested in going to Egypt (the picture of the NIle River is what really hit me - SO much history there for this history nerd to soak in.) Going there would be a long shot (although I priced airfare this morning and it's not nearly as terrible as I'd imagined.)
If you've been to Egypt . . . What's the weather like there in February? What about July? (Those are the months when we have vacation time.) What out of the ordinary preparations would we have to make, if any (i.e.: shots, etc.)? And what can you tell me about Egypt Air? Reliable? Or super budget and unreliable like Ryanair?
?"All I want is what I have coming to me. All I want is my fair share."
GP buddy to blenderdance
GP buddy to blenderdance
Re: Egypt?
I've been to Egypt in late December - the weather was perfect for sightseeing. It was cool in the mornings and evenings but the sun really warmed up during the day. I wore jeans, a light long-sleeved shirt and a scarf in the morning everyday. I imagine February would be similar weather. I'd go in the winter over the summer unless you want to go to the beaches.
We didn't need any shots. No special preparations necessary. We flew EgyptAir direct from JFK to Cairo and it was on time, clean, plenty of free movies, and generous with drinks/snacks, etc.
It was a truly incredible trip. We did a short Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan and then spent a few days in Cairo. We also flew from Aswan to Abu Simbel just for the day and it was a highlight of the trip.
I am going in April! My husband is getting Hep A and B and his tetanus updated. I am not getting any additional vaccinations.
We are flying El Al in and out of Israel, though. We are visiting a total of 3 countries... Israel, Egypt and Jordan.
So Tasty, So Yummy
GP buddy to blenderdance
My trip a couple of years ago was in November, and it was perfect weather - of your two options, I'd choose February as the summer is incredibly hot there.
One of my besties from college is actually teaching in Egypt this year - it's actually her 3rd year there, so she was there during the Mubarak overthrow, plus the recent upheaval. She said that as long as you avoid the Tahrir Square area, you don't have any problems (and she's definitely doesn't look arabic - no mistaking her for a Caucasian farm girl). I flew Delta from JFK to Cairo, but EgyptAir from Cairo to Aswan and Luxor back to Cairo with no issues - pretty safe. I will say that air travel within Egypt was definitely not as secure as air travel within the US, but they did have the same strict security, passport/customs control, etc. that you'd expect when you left the country.
I LOVED the Nile cruise - Egypt was beautiful and amazing, and this trip was my favorite part! We had a fabulous tour guide, and only 8 English speaking people in our group, so it was easy to hear, all our questions got answered, and I never felt rushed.
I just got back from a trip there (as well as in Jordan and Israel). December was perfect weather (and I am guessing February will be similar). Nice and cool but warm in the sun and afternoon (not warm enough for beaches/pools). All of the sites were pretty empty as most people cancelled their trips due to the unrest (we walked around the pyramids as soon as they opened and no one was there!). There were protests in Tahrir Square the entire weekend we were in Cairo, so we did miss the Egyptian Museum as they closed it, but everything else was fine and perfectly safe. I only used Egyptair for domestic flights, and they did tend to be delayed, but everything else was ok. No extra shots for us, but we already have had a lot as we travel often.
Here is what we did - 2 full days in Cairo, flying to Luxor and starting a 4 night cruise to Aswan, spend a day going to Abu Simbel, a day in Aswan before flying to Jordan. Let me know if you need any recommendations!
I went in January, and thought the temp was great. The sun was hot during the day. You'll want to wear a skirt or pants, as it's not a place where pants are appropriate. I wore light pants, a tee and a scarf (to protect face during wind from sand) and was comfortable. It was really warm.
Nights are a bit chilly, but that's normal for any desert regardless of the season.
July, I imagine, would be quite hot.
We went last year in late June and early July. In Cairo it was around 90, a bit cooler on the coast in Alexandria and probably near 110 in Aswan. Not gonna lie, it's HOT. But of all the things I would tell someone about that incredibly spectacular trip, how hot it was does not make the top 10. You certainly have to manage it with drinking lots of water, trying not to be out in the middle of the day, etc., but it is doable. Also, we flew US Air to Munich, where we switched to Egypt Air. Also flew EA on several flights inside Egypt and had no problems -- it's a Star Alliance airline.
If you can swing it, I would absolutely recommend it. We were really lucky to find a great deal on a package through Rue La La, but the company we actually booked with was Intrepid Travel, and their tour is very reasonable even without the Rue discount.
We have a lot of details on our blog here: http://justanothertravelblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Egypt The last couple of days were in Sharm, but you would probably be most interested in the earlier part, so just keep scrolling
GP buddy to blenderdance