Guide to Egypt

Beaches

The beaches on the Red Sea Riviera are quite simply stunning. Long swathes of golden sands sweep down into sparkling waters. Most of the hotels have their own private sandy havens and offer a great alternative for those who would rather delve into a good book than dive beneath the waves. Scuba diving is unquestionably one of the main draws of the Red Sea Riviera, which provides the perfect arena for viewing turtles, sharks, hard corals and fish of every size, shape and colour. Unsurprisingly there are a number of dive schools dotted along the coastline if you want to take the plunge and uncover an underwater paradise.

Eating out

TYPICAL LOCAL DISHES

Before your meal you might be offered a selection of dips and snacks such as olives, tahina, stuffed vine leaves, houmous and baladi, which is like pitta bread.
Kofta is a type of kebab made from minced lamb, which tastes a lot better than it looks! You'll also find kebabs made from chicken and other types of red meat, accompanied by dips such as houmous or babaghanoug (tahina with aubergine).
Fish might be on the menu, and if so it's normally grilled or fried and served with salad and chips. Sea bass come from the Red Sea, or you might try Snapper.
Stewed foul or fava beans are commonly served, perhaps boiled and mashed with tomatoes, onions and spices. Locals often eat them for breakfast with a chopped, boiled egg.
Kushari is a mixture of macaroni, rice, fried onions, chickpeas and lentils topped with a spicy tomato sauce – popular with vegetarians. Pigeon is a local delicacy, and is often stuffed with a spicy wheat stuffing.
Sweet, sticky pastries are similar to those found in Greece and might include basbousa (semolina cake soaked in honey), baklawa (filo pastry stuffed with nuts and honey) or katif (shredded wheat with nuts and honey).
Milk based puddings include Umm Ali (corn cake, coconut cream, nuts and raisins soaked in hot milk), Roz bi-laban (rice pudding), and creme caramel.


DRINKS OF THE REGION

Karkaday is a red fruit juice made from hibiscus flowers, and is served hot or cold, especially in Luxor and Aswan. It's allegedly good for blood pressure.
Tea and Turkish coffee are widely served. Tea is often served black with sugar, so if you'd like tea with milk, ask for shai bi-laban.
Thirst quenching fruit juices might include orange, banana, mango, carrot, pomegranate or coconut.
Beer is the most widely available form of alcohol. Stella is the local brand, though there's also a new brand called Sakkara, which has a bit more flavour.
Obelisque is a locally produced wine, which comes in red, white or rose, though the red is generally considered the best.

Nightlife

The cities of Luxor and Cairo aren't famed for their nightlife, it's the sights that most people come here for. However, as well as restaurants there's a selection of authentic Egyptian bars catering to western tastes. Most of the entertainment tends to be hotel based, with dazzling belly-dancing shows and live Egyptian folk music among the offerings. It's a similar story in the Red Sea Riviera with hotels laying on Egyptian-themed entertainment. The heart of the action is down in Sharm el Sheikh, with casinos, discos and nightclubs to choose from come sundown.

Shopping

Away from the turquoise waters, the Red Sea Riviera is also known for its excellent shopping facilities. Have fun haggling with the locals as you barter for good value leather goods and Egyptian ornaments in the local bustling bazaars. Away from the hustle and bustle of the markets, take a trip out to one of the Western-style enclosed shopping malls where you can shop to your heart's content in sleek boutiques and glossy department stores. Inland, Luxor has street markets that stay open well into the night. Narrow streets crammed with stalls and shops sell everything from bespoke jewellery and Egyptian handicrafts to woven carpets. In Cairo, meanwhile, inhale the intoxicating scene of perfume and spices as you browse for bargains in the Khan el-Khalili bazaar.