Destination: Cairo, Egypt

WHY VISIT?

Cairo is anything but your typical travel destination. But if you are lucky enough to get the chance to visit, I will warn you it's not for the faint of heart. There are a lot of words I could use to describe the city, but "overwhelming" is the first that comes to mind...overwhelming crowds, overwhelming traffic, overwhelming pollution, but also overwhelming history and overwhelming beauty. Travel smart and safe and you will have a memorable time unearthing Egypt's past.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

Don't try to do Cairo alone. It may be feasible, but trust me, it's not worth the effort, time or money.

Skip the big tour bus company. Instead find an experienced guide and/or driver to pick you up at the airport, show you the city, and return you to the airport. We had great success with Ahmed Hamed Yousif and our driver Mustafa. If you're interested, email me at TheSavvySuitcase@gmail.com for Ahmed's contact info.

Traffic is an absolute nightmare. Throw out that timetable and just sit back and soak up the city. You'll get there when you get there.

Cairo is generally safe. Take the typical travel precautions and stick with your guide.

You need a visa to travel to Cairo. You can either wait and get one when you arrive or get one in advance. The best bet is to get one in advance so you are able to zip right through the customs/immigration lines.

Don't drink the water. Period. Not even in the 4- or 5-star hotels. This also means don't eat anything that hasn't been cooked. So no raw veggies, fruits, etc. Stick to bread, meat, and rice which is fairly easy to do there.

Plan on 3 days to see Cairo. Unless you are a wannabe Egyptologist, I also do not recommend taking a cruise down the Nile. After 3 days or so, you'll be ready to move on to your next destination or head for home.

Stay in central Cairo. Try the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo or the Cario Marriott & Omar Khayyam Casino. Mena House Oberoi earns positive reviews, but it's location in Giza is too far off the beaten path to see sites other than the Pyramids.

Exchanging U.S. dollars for Egyptian pounds is easy and most major hotels will help you. Check out the currency converter link below. Your dollar will go far in Egypt.

Street salesman are aggressive and persistent. Just give them a firm "no", keep walking, and you'll be fine.

You need several vaccinations before traveling to the area. Check with your doctor.

TOP 10 TO SEE & DO:

1. The Pyramids of Giza
   Step back and take in all 2,300,000 blocks averaging 2.5 tons each stacked 450 feet high and 756 feet wide. The Great Pyramid (or Khufu) is the oldest and largest of the three and the only surviving member of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World.

2. The Sphinx
   The mythological being with the body of a lion and the head of a human is right next to the Pyramids.

3. A camel ride at the Giza Pyramids
   Know the price your want to pay (typically $25/each) and be firm. Also be clear on where you will go on the ride and get assurance you will be returned to your starting point. I promise you it will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

4. A local meal (outside of your hotel)
   Try Abou El Sid on Zamalek (the island on the Nile).
5. Felucca ride on the Nile
   Sailing the Egyptian way. Try a quick, sunset ride on these ancient wooden boats. Plan on paying 20 - 30 LE for a 30 minute ride or 50 LE for an hour no matter how many people are onboard.
6. The Egyptian Museum
   Arrive by 9:30 AM and head straight to the 2nd floor and King Tut's treasures.
   

7. Khan el Khalil
   Feel the heartbeat of the city shopping amongst locals and tourists in the city's colorful, open-air bazaar.

8. Sakkara Step Pyramid
   The country's first pyramid - 4,700 years old - is about a 30 min -1 hr (depending on traffic, of course) drive outside of Cairo, but it's a great opportunity to see the beginnings of such impressive work.

9. The Citadel
   The Citadel is a massive fortress begun in 1176 by Salah ad-Din. Completely walled, the complex was the home of Egypt's rulers for 700 years. Make sure to take off your shoes and carry them with you inside the Mohammed Ali Mosque.

10. Coptic Cairo
    Cairo's oldest neighborhood and the ancient heart of Christianity. Home to five original churches, the first mosque built in Egypt and the oldest synagogue, all representing three of the major world religions.

DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME:

• Going inside the Pyramids - It's not worth paying extra money to hunker down through narrow passageways to look at an empty room
• Papyrus museum
• Lotus perfume factory

USEFUL PHRASES:

Hello = Asalaamu aeleekum (response: Wa aeleekum issalaam)

Please = min faddl-ak (-ik when addressing a woman, -uku when addressing more than one person)

Thank you = shokrun (pronounced: shock-run)

How much? (price) = bikaam

USEFUL LINKS:

The Department of State on Cairo

Yahoo Currency Converter