"Saved 20 thousand": a tourist from Russia revealed the main secrets of her trip to Egypt

      Purchase of a tour package and flight

      The cost of a week-long vacation in Egypt with accommodation in a five-star hotel, three meals a day, flight, and transfer depends on the country where the tour is purchased. According to a tourist, the difference can reach tens of thousands of rubles. If the tour package is purchased in Kazakhstan, it will cost about 80,000 rubles per person, while in Russia it is around 100,000.

      The tourist chose the first option, so the flight was from Kazakhstan. The package also included a free city tour of Sharm El Sheikh.

      The journey consisted of several stages. First, about four hours of travel to Kazakhstan, then a flight to Egypt lasting about five hours. After arrival, it took a few more hours to reach the hotel.

      The weather conditions, according to her, were generally comfortable: hot during the day, with temperatures dropping to about +20 degrees in the evening. However, in windy bays, the sea may be closed for swimming until noon.

      Hotel and infrastructure

      The hotel where the tourist stayed is located on the first coastline and has a developed infrastructure. The territory includes pools, playgrounds, a tennis court, relaxation areas, and other leisure facilities.

      Meals are served in a buffet format with a variety of dishes. The tourist notes that there are especially many familiar vegetables and fruits, but there are also exotic items, such as kumquat. Although it is imported to Russia, it is much less popular compared to its closer relatives—oranges, mandarins, and lemons. The hotel also offers guests detox drinks made from water, cucumber, and lime.

      "The tables are just overflowing with food. It is, of course, generally similar every day, but there is a large selection. I'm not even sure I managed to try everything in seven days of vacation," the travel portal 56orb.ru quotes the traveler.

      Special attention is given to seafood. According to the tourist, there were particularly many of them in Egypt. However, fishing is prohibited in the city of Sharm El Sheikh, as this area is considered a protected zone.

      Among the vacationers are representatives from different countries, including France, Germany, Poland, and the Baltic states. The hotel staff, according to the tourist's observations, speaks several languages, but mainly at a basic level.

      In the evenings, entertainment programs are organized for guests: from concert performances to themed parties by the sea. During the day, various activities are available on the beach: from parachuting to camel rides.

      City tour and rules for tourists

      As part of the tour, the tourist was offered a sightseeing tour of Sharm El Sheikh. The city is considered relatively young—it is about 55 years old. According to the guide, it was built as a tourist center, and local residents mainly come there for work. By the way, only men can work in Egypt, so it is not possible to meet female staff in hotels, except for female animators who mainly come from Russia.

      One of the city's attractions is Peace Square with a monument in the shape of a globe with wings symbolizing the cardinal directions and the god Ra. The structure is made of metal, installed on a base of granite and lotus, and is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest metal art structure of its kind.

      "In real life, the structure is much larger than it appears in the photo. It's very beautiful; I've never seen anything like it before," shares the tourist's impressions.

      The guide talked about the composition of Egypt's population: about 90% are Arabs, and about 10% are Copts, who are considered the indigenous population and practice Christianity.

      "It is believed that if a Coptic girl wants to marry a simple Egyptian man, he must accept her faith. Otherwise, it is not allowed," the guide noted.

      Despite the fact that Egyptians do not particularly live in Sharm El Sheikh, there are still schools. Classes can have up to 50 students. However, there are also expensive British schools, where tuition costs $4,000 a year.

      Special attention is given to rules for tourists. In particular, there are restrictions on the export of goods. For example, even shells or stones purchased at the market can be confiscated in the absence of a receipt. In this regard, the tourist advises making purchases in state stores, where confirming documents are issued.