Holiday FAQ's
Q: I am looking for information on how Europeans could spend holidays in Arab countries, including Egypt, and I need to know if there are tourists coming to your country in motor-homes or with caravans? Does Egypt have camps for such tourists? If I want to come to your country with a motor-home or caravan, what do I need?
Bernarda Bevc
Novo mesto
Slovenia
Q: We are from England and we have just booked a trip to Aswan next month. It is our first visit to the city and we want to get some information on the city's facilities concerning accommodation, food and entertainment. We also heard about a celebration that would be held in Abu Simbel at that time of the year. What is it? Could we attend? How do we get there? Is there any accommodation? Please advise.
Aswan has a variety of hotels ranging from budget to mid- range to top end properties. If you have money to spend, Old Cataract Hotel ((+2097) 316 000) would be a wonderful choice as it is one of Egypt's most famous and historic hotels. Basma Hotel ((+2097) 310 901) is another option that lies at the top of a hill. If you want to stay somewhere that is surrounded by picturesque greenery then Isis Island Hotel ((+2097) 317 400) is for you.
If you are looking for mid-range hotels, you could choose from Philae Hotel ((+2097) 312 090), Cleopatra Hotel ((+2097) 314 003) and Ramses Hotel ((+2097) 324 000). For budget accommodation, there is a selection of hotels including Nubian Oasis ((+2097) 312 126), New Berthern Hotel ((+2097) 310 466) and Al-Amin Hotel ((+2097) 314 189).
Don't expect to find international food chains in Aswan. Most of the restaurants there offer oriental food such as kebab and kofta, pigeon and chicken, rice and vegetables. Fast food restaurants serve the traditional fuul and tamiyya or fetir- like pizzas. The most famous restaurants are Al-Masry restaurant in Sharia Al-Mataar, Aswan Moon restaurant on the Corniche, and Chef Khalil in Sharia Al-Souq.
There are no cinemas or theatres in Aswan, but there are wonderful performances by an Aswani folk-dance troupe at the Palace of Culture ((+2097) 313 390) on the Corniche. The troupe performs Nubian tahtib (stick dancing) and songs depicting village life. The show lasts two hours and admission is LE10.
Also, most five and four star hotels have discos and nightclubs.
As for the celebration in Abu Simbel, it is for the equinox, and is held twice a year (22 February and 22 October) in Abu Simbel Temple where the first rays of the rising sun illuminate the innermost wall of the sanctuary and the seated statues of the four gods there. And, of course, all travellers are welcome to attend.
EgyptAir ((+2097) 315 000) has flights from Aswan to Abu Simbel at 5am and 6.30am for LE506 for non-resident foreigners, return trip, and for LE219 and LE334 for Egyptians and foreign residents for K and Y classes respectively.
You can also reach Abu Simbel by bus or microbus in police convoys. There is at least one convoy each day, each way. However, you have to check with the tourist office in Aswan before making plans. There are also trips to Abu Simbel by hydrofoil. The return trip, including breakfast, lunch, temple admission and a guide, costs $90.
There are only four hotels in Abu Simbel, namely, Nefertari Hotel ((+2097) 400 508), Mercure Seti Abu Simbel ((+2097) 400 294), Nobaleh Ramses Hotel ((+2097) 400 294) and Abu Simbel Village ((+2097) 400 092).
