Whether you have always wanted to take that coveted week-long cruise along the Nile or see the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt is one of the top 10 countries to visit in 2022, according to Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel. I visited Egypt for the first time in January of this year after planning and saving for the 10-day trip of a lifetime for almost a year. From discovering some exceptional dining experiences in Cairo and Luxor to traveling as a family and safety measures, I share five of many reasons why you should mark this year’s calendar with a trip to Egypt.
The Cuisine is Outstanding
Egyptian cuisine encompasses some recognizable dishes like baba ghanoush, hummus, and baklava with their own spin when it comes to taste and preparation. For instance, the hummus may be flavored with a variety of local spices or be incorporated into a local favorite for breakfast. Ful (pronounced ‘fool’) is one of the popular dishes you may find being served at breakfast. It is made with cooked fava beans, tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, and mint. Dip in to ful with ancient Egyptian flatbread, aish baladi.
For dessert, try kunafa, a perfect alternative to baklava. Kunafa, a notable dessert to enjoy during Ramadan, is made with shredded phyllo dough, cheese, and a sweet simple syrup. It may also contain fruit like dates or mangoes and chocolate. When in Egypt, a great neighborhood to stroll through and do some food shopping is Zamalek. This neighborhood is home to dozens of small businesses, and you will find yourselves surrounded by local Egyptians and away from the tourists.
Egypt is Much Safer Than You Think
The 2011 uprising and revolution put a sudden halt to tourism. This significantly impacted the industry for the entire country for a couple of years. With regards to tourism today, visiting and traveling within Egypt is considered safe. During my trip, I never once felt concerned for my or my family’s safety or felt uncomfortable in any sort of situation, whether in the airport, walking around major tourist attractions, or walking through the local neighborhoods.
The main situation to address is to be aware of any sort of tourism scams. An example may be if you come across someone who may be trying to upsell you tickets to a museum or the pyramids, tries to persuade you to take a ride from them at the airport when you are trying to coordinate transportation, etc. The best advice is to work with a travel agent/advisor or booking agency that will arrange for transportation, tickets, accommodations in advance of your trip. And remember, when in doubt, do not proceed and instead refer to your guide/booking agency. With regards to gratuities, tipping is very common across Egypt. We arranged for our tour guide to handle any and all necessary tipping throughout the trip, so we did not have to carry money and loose change in our pockets.
Egyptians Love Children
It was so adorable to see all the interactions between my two young children and all of the locals we met throughout our trip. Even though most of the local families we met did not speak English, they loved saying hello to my children and playing with them through friendly interactions. Children are widely accepted at restaurants, and businesses are very accommodating. We visited the Mall of Arabia in Cairo which gave them an opportunity to visit a local play place and do some shopping. And while walking around the pyramids and temples in Luxor and Aswan, it was not uncommon for other moms to say hello to our children and ask if we could all take a photo together. They were very friendly, and it was so nice to have these regular interactions with locals.
There is Still So Much Being Discovered
Even with over 4,500 years of history, there is still so much that is to be discovered and is currently being excavated across Egypt. For instance, my family and I met several archeology students from the University of Chicago at a boutique hotel outside of Luxor. They were part of an excavation team that is working to potentially expand on sites near the recent Lost Golden City discovery. Plus, there are many famous relics still to be potentially unearthed from the tomb of Nefertiti to burial location of Thutmose II.
You Will Want to Visit Again (And Again)
My family and I left Egypt with an even stronger desire to visit sooner than I could anticipate. Though we uncovered so much in 10 days from touring the Valley of the Kings to exploring the Temples of Philae and Nubian Village, there is still so much to see and do. Sites and regions I would love to explore during my next trip include a visit to the Red Sea coastline, exploring the White Desert and the salt lakes, and traveling near the border of Sudan to witness the Abu Simbel temples.
During your first trip, allow for between at least eight to 10 days with three days in Cairo, three in Luxor, and two in Aswan, as a recommendation. Bring extra pairs of sunglasses, a hat, and sturdy footwear and get ready for the trip of a lifetime!