Book cheap holidays to Marsa Alam

Marsa Alam

Description

Marsa Alam is a Red Sea resort located in the south of Egypt. The beach is golden and clean and the sea water is crystal clear. This area is dotted with an array of tourist attractions and excursions are numerous to these impressive sites. The Red Sea is a natural spectacle in itself, but should you wish to see more, Marsa Alam has much to offer from ecotourism to watersports, to culture and relaxation.

Shopping

Shopping in Marsa Alam is a treat for one and all. Tourists may not find swanky shopping malls, but if you want to buy some souvenirs for loved ones back home, then you will be well catered for.

Restaurants

Visitors relish a wide array of international delicacies and local cuisines that are authentic and fresh. To treat you taste buds, visit the Abu Nawaz Hotel and Three Corners Fayrouz which provides superb food at reasonable prices.

Night Life

Marsa Alam guarantees a fun-filled vibrant nightlife. There is a plethora of options for those night birds who love to party. There are interesting bars, night clubs and pubs. To amuse the visitors, the bars and the pubs often host special nights. Ciao Marsa is the most highly recommended disco.

Activities

This magnificent resort is an ideal place for a wide variety of outdoor activities, from fishing, sailing, hiking, para-sailing, water-skiing, wind surfing, diving, water scooters, boat rides and river cruises and many more. Tourists can hire water sports equipments like surf boards, boogie boards, canoes and sea kayaks to enjoy the activities.

Communications

The international access code for Egypt is +20. The outgoing code is 00 followed but the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). The city code for Cairo is (0)2. There are high surcharges on international calls from hotels; it is cheaper to phone long-distance from the 24-hour Post, Telephone and Telegraph (PTT) offices that are available in the major cities. For international directory phone enquiries dial 120. The local mobile phone operators use GSM 900 networks and have roaming agreements with all major operators. Internet cafes are available in the main tourist areas.

Contacts

Egyptian Tourist Authority, Cairo: +20 (0)2 285 4509 or www.egypt.travel
Egyptian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 895 5400.
Egyptian Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7499 3304.
Egyptian Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 234 4931.
Egyptian Embassy, Canberra, Australia (also responsible for New Zealand): +61 (0)2 6273 4437.
Egyptian Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 343 1590.
Egyptian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 660 6566.
United States Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 2797 3300.
British Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 2794 0852.
Canadian Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 2791 8700.
Australian Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 2575 0444.
South African Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 2359 4365.
Irish Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 2735 8264.
New Zealand Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 2461 6000.
Emergencies: 122 (Police); 123 (Ambulance).

Currency

EGP

Attractions

Marsa Alam is rich in historical sites. A wide range of expeditions, boat trips and excursions to surrounding resorts, towns and historic sitesis available. The Emerald Mines, Myos Hormos, Quseir Fortress and Wadi Hammamat are amongst those well worth a visit.

Language

Arabic

Language Description

Arabic is the official language although English and French are widely spoken, especially in the tourist areas.

Tipping

Tipping is known as 'baksheesh' and some small change is expected for most services, though small change can be hard to come by. 'Baksheesh' can be a useful practice in order to gain entry to seemingly inaccessible places, or for extra services- a small tip can open doors, literally. A service charge is added to most restaurant and hotel bills but a 5% tip is normally given directly to the waiter. Taxi drivers are tipped about 10%.