We closely monitor the latest travel updates to Egypt and follow the advice of the UK Foreign Office. For the latest travel advice from UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), please visit: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt

Visas to enter Egypt are compulsory for all tourists. For many nationalities, it is possible to obtain a tourist visa when you get to Cairo International Airport. At present the charge for a visa is 25 GBP/ 25 EUR/ 25 USD. Even though Ciconia Travel has stated the information above, the Egyptian Embassy urges that all tourists obtain a visa before arriving.

• Visa requirements for Australian and New Zealand Residents: http://www.egypt.org.au/

• Visa requirements for UK Residents: http://www.egyptianconsulate.co.uk/

• Visa requirements for US Residents: http://www.egyptembassy.net/

• Visa requirements for Canadian Residents: http://www.mfa.gov.eg/

• For all other nationalities: http://www.projectvisa.com/

Egypt’s culture is a fusion of both the ancient times and the modern today. The culture of Egypt has thousands of years of chronicled history with Egypt being amongst one of the initial civilisations. This can be seen through its impressive monuments, sites, architecture and artwork. Although this is still evident in Egypt, the influence of modern culture is apparent in the main cities such as Cairo and Alexandria where the likes of internet and television have opened the Egyptians eyes up to the Western world of different ideas such as music, fashion and literature. Though this may be the case, Egyptian’s firmly hold onto their traditions and customs. Egypt is mainly Muslim with the clear majority being Sunni Muslim. However, there are also a lot of Christians in Egypt where the greater part belongs to the Coptic Orthodox Church, the dominate religion in Egypt before Islam.  Whichever religion, religion in Egypt controls many parts of societal life, is permitted by the law and life entails daily prayer.  The religious holidays of Ramadan and Eid are the most significant events for Muslims.

When you visit Egypt, it is an essential part of experiencing the country by trying the food and drink. Egyptian food is a combination of Turkish, Syrian, Lebanese, Greek and French cuisines, adapted to match what the locals like. Street stalls and eateries provide dishes that are tasty, simple and cheap whereas restaurants offer a wider variety of dishes and are more expensive. Nonetheless, getting the opportunity to taste a broad assortment of Egyptian food is what it’s all about. The array of spices, vegetables, fruit and meat that is prepared so different to how you’re used to makes a trip to Egypt unique. Due to Egypt being mainly a Muslim country, alcohol is not widely drunk however can be obtained in most places. Egypt’s countrywide beverage is tea (shai) and is very much part of their everyday lives.

With windy, vibrant streets with hidden souks, diverse smells, sights, sounds and plenty of shops, Egypt ensures that your shopping experience will be an exciting adventure. Cairo offers plenty of markets, bazaars and flea markets where everything from jewellery and clothes, to spices and meat, to furniture and crafts are sold. What’s more, haggling is all part of the fun and buying process so brush up on your bartering skills to get the best price.

Ramadan: Ramadan is perhaps the most important holiday in Egypt. It occurs on the ninth month of the Muslim lunar year and is a time of blessings and prayers to honour the revelation of the first verses of the Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad. Ramadan is also a time of fasting where Muslims evade food and drink from sunrise to sunset throughout the month. Eid al-Fitr: Eid al-Fitre signifies the end of the month of Ramadan or in other words is a festival for the breaking of the fast. In many of the cities there are big celebrations for this and a lot of feasting. Many Egyptians who can afford it, take time to travel and others gather in the streets waiting for sheep and cows to be slaughtered after the morning prayer when the holiday arrives. Abu Simbel Festival: Ramses II created a large temple at Abu Simbel so that the internal chamber would light up twice a year; in February, on the day he took the throne and in October, the anniversary of his birthday. Every year the Abu Simbel Festival draws a crowd before sunrise to witness the jet of light progressively creeping through the stone and enlightening the sculptures of Ramses, Ra and Amun in the central chamber.