Book Description
The voracious energy of Cairo, the grandeur of Luxor's monuments, the laid-back vibe of Dahab and the remote beauty of the Western Desert oases: Lonely Planet's bestselling guide to Egypt packs in more treasures than Tutankhamun's tomb. MEET THE PHARAOHS - an illustrated Pharaonic Egypt chapter by world-renowned Egyptologist Dr Joann Fletcher brings the ancient rulers to life CRUISE THE NILE - for felucca fun, Agatha Christie-style nostalgia or kid-friendly cruising, our expert tips make finding the right trip a breeze DIVE IN - the definitive Red Sea diving guide will get you underwater and feeling on top of the world SLEEP IN STYLE - whatever your style, opinionated reviews bring you the best city hotels, Nile flotels, budget hostels and sunny resorts GET ORGANISED, STAY CONNECTED - tap into authoritative advice on transport, safety, Internet access and digital photography.
Customer Reviews:
Good at every moment.......2007-10-17
On my trip to Egypt this book was very usfull. It has information about tourist places, hotels, restaurants. It also has usfull tips and cultural information. It is a complete guide for those who wants to go with or without a tour to Egypt. ¡Do not hesitate this is the guide you are looking for!
Rosie from Mexico City
Very good book - it saved my neck in Egypt!.......2007-05-24
I am so glad I bought and digested Lonely Planet Egypt before setting foot in Egypt recently. While the book is very good about places to see and things to do, it also has excellent information of what to watch out for. I can't stress enough some of the points made in the book about being vigilant, counting your change, respecting the religion, and not being swindled left and right. The book makes a point of how to deal with taxi drivers, hotel staff, tipping, and even shopping insights. Obviously the book paints a pretty positive picture of Egypt, but few people come back with positive attitudes about Egypt when they return, but no other book tells you point blank what to expect when you get there and how best to enjoy the sights and sounds of Cairo and the rest of the country. I can safely say that if I had not bought Lonely Planet Egypt, I may have even had much worse things happen to me there, so I really credit this book for saving my neck since Egypt is not the safest destination for American tourists nowadays - be sure to read the US State Department info before departing. Buy the book and be sure to think on your feet while you are there - those are the two most important things to have on hand in Egypt.
Thorough & helpful - another LP winner.......2007-03-09
As always, from health to history, from the Nile to the necropolis, Lonely Planet does it again--assaulting you with helpful information you need before traveling. I did not check to see if there was a "Footprints" guide (which I highly recommend for South America and Peru over the LP guides) for Egypt. But I have been very satisfied with LP's work with Egypt.
A must-have for any Egypt trip.......2007-01-05
My friends and I took both the Rough Guide and Lonely Planet on a recent two-week trip to Egypt. RG had better maps, but it was the LP we repeatedly turned to for reference on dining, shopping and sightseeing. Some prices were slightly inaccurate, but the guide was extremely accessible and easy to understand. The descriptions of museums, temples and tombs were concise while offering enough information for us to grasp what it was we were seeing.
We would especially recommend LP for younger adults who are traveling on a budget but can afford the occasional splurge.
A "must-have".......2006-09-09
The collaborative effort of travel experts Virginia Maxwell, Mary Fitzpatrick, Siona Jenkins, and Anthony Sattin, Egypt is now in its newly updated and expanded eighth edition as the author-researched, traveler-tested guide from Lonely Planet to experiencing the wonder of the Land of the Pharaohs, whether on a business or pleasure trip. Black-and-white and color maps and photographs illustrate this information-packed guide to key locations in Cairo, the Nile Valley, the Western Desert, the Suez Canal, the Red Sea Coast, and much more. History, hours and admission costs of landmarks, a handful of useful words, and a crash-course in adapting to unfamiliarities of Egyptian culture are among the many useful features that make the 8th edition of Egypt a "must-have".
Book Description
Covers: Cairo and its surrounding areas, the Nile Valley, Sinai, the Red Sea Coast, the Delta, the North Coast, and the Western Desert region.
Customer Reviews:
Egypt Eyewitness Travel Guide.......2007-06-11
Lots of great information and beautiful pictures, but too heavy to take with me to Egypt.
Eyewitness Travel Guide to Egypt.......2006-03-22
Very nice -- as I have found most Eyewitness Guides. Well organized, current, accurate as far as I could tell. I agreed with reviews of small number/small sample of restuarants and hotels. Guide enhanced an excellent trip!
Fabulous guide.......2006-02-28
Comprehensive, pictorial. The guide we always look for when planning a trip.
Highly recommended.......2005-10-09
I've been highly satisfied with the Eyewitness Travel Guide series, and this Egypt edition does not disappoint. Maps are clear and helpful, photos help to explain all of the rich history and culture of Egypt. We brought the Lonely Planet Egypt book with us as well, but we found the Eyewitness Travel Guide to be clearer and simpler to use.
The only issue that we found with the book was viewing a performance of the whirling dervishes in Cairo. The book directs us to a place near the bazaar, but the mosque where they normally perform is under renovation. As a result, the performances were being held at the Citadel during the time of our visit. This isn't the book's fault, as this was new and even the conceirge directed us to the wrong place.
That being said, the book guided us to the right places many other times. We especially appreciated the tip on the Egyptian Pancake place in the bazaar!
excellent overview.......2005-05-02
Excellent, detailed information re: sites. Plenty of tourist maps to help get you oriented. Illustrations of major sites to show multiple views and overview. Only drawback is hotel listings - they leave out important hotels, sometimes even the best bet in the city. All else, is terrific.
Book Description
The Rough Guide to Egypt is the ultimate guide to this fascinating country. The guide opens with a 24-page, full-colour section introducing EgyptÂ's highlights, including in-depth accounts of all the top sites, from the pyramids at Giza to the incredible tombs in the Valley of the Kings. The main heart of the guide includes detailed, insider listings on where to find the tastiest food and the best places to stay, whether youÂ're on a budget or travelling in style. There is plenty of practical advice on a host of outdoor pursuits, including diving in the Red Sea to camel-trekking in the Western desert. The guide also includes thorough and informed commentary on EgyptÂ's history and contemporary culture, as well as detailed maps and plans for every region.Â
Customer Reviews:
Egypt.......2007-09-21
Excellent guide book with lots of good suggestions. Buy it before going to Egypt. This is a must have.
Egypt travel guide.......2007-03-09
Choc full of good and interesting information. Layouts of pyramids, temples, touring info, cautions, advice, etc. Very good and I will take the book to refer during my upcoming trip.
Excellent.......2006-09-23
All rough guides that I have encountered are chock full of great information. The Egypt guide in particular is one of the best. The number of maps is fantastic and the quality of the information is comparable to what you usually have to visit the site to obtain.
Saves money big time.......2006-07-06
I went to Egypt in February 2006 with my wife and our two boys (5 and 2.5 years). Although we took a package tour to Hurghada, we actually overnighted there only three nights of the eleven we were in Egypt. The rest we spent moving around (Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, busses, train, cruise ship, jeep). For the whole trip we spent around 1000 USD plus the package. We could have easily spent twice as much (or, more precisely -- seen twice as little because the budget was limited) if not the hints in the book.
Thanks to this book we got a great offer for a two night last-minute Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor. By taxi (30 USD, 80 km round trip, an option that without the book would not be even considered) we visited pyramids of Giza and Dahshur. Dahshur (as described in the book) has the second largest pyramid in Egypt as well as the strangest-shaped one (The Bent Pyramid). We were there alone if not the half a dozen French travellers -- it is an experience much different from one you get at Giza where your awe about the greatness of the structures is mixed considerably with the awe about the number of people around.
The bargaining tips and information on ticket prices were so accurate in tiniest details! We started laughing when a typical merchant approached us in Luxor and asked for our help in writing a letter in English to "his friend from abroad" -- our book speciffically mentioned this trick used by shopkeepers to lure unsuspecting tourists!
Enough -- if you are going to Egypt and want to see the real thing, get this book!
Great So Far.......2006-01-26
I arrived in Egypt this week and have been using this guide to help me get aquainted with it. I don't have any other guides to compare it to, but I can say that the organization, writing, maps, extras, and overall quality of the book seem to be excellent. It has been very helpful so far.
The most outstanding features to me so far is the sensible organization of the book, the readablity and humor of the writing, and the excellent maps. However, if you're wanting lots of pictures, you'll need to look elsewhere. It does have some nice pictures at the very beginning, about the first 30 pages, but that's it, you won't find another. After that it's all text, maps, extra's, and special features.
There is a helpful Language section in the back that covers basics of Egyptian Arabic and it has been very helpful to me so far, but it is only the very basics of the language, as I suppose is to be expected from such a book. You'll need another source if you want to try and have any kind of descent communication with most people here, as far as I can tell. It's been my experience that the majority of people here in Egypt speak pretty poor English- quite a bit worse than I expected. But, the Language section will help you with the most basic situations.
I really like the writing style. It rarely gets stiff and boring. It flows well and can be quite funny. It's not "just the facts." There's a little spice thrown in... fitting, for the country it's written about.
Customer Reviews:
Rich visual guide to Croatia's cultural, natural, and historic heritage.......2006-09-23
I took three guides on a three week trip to Croatia in 2006: Lonely Planet, Bradt's, and this one. I used the first two to learn about where to stay and eat. I used the Knopf guide to truly learn about Croatia's amazing natural and cultural offerings.
The authors cover in much greater depth the historical, cultural, natural, and archaeological sites of lovely Croatia than any other guide book. It was an invaluable resource for choosing the best places to go and what to see and visit in the country.
The book itself is a pleasure to use. It's gorgeous, well-designed, illustrated, and written. The maps were superb and the most practical and useful of any of my guide books.
The book is as useful on the ground as it is for pre-trip planning and dreaming.
Product Description
The guide described by The New York Times as 'indispensable', revised and updated for 2006, fills a vital niche for expatriates and Cairenes alike who need a helping hand to organize and enjoy the challenges of a sojourn in Cairo. The basics of daily life: finding a flat, transporting personal goods, investigating school options for children, navigating Egypt's famous bureaucracy, and the intricacies of feeding and clothing oneself and one's family from the local market are all detailed here. Advice gathered from a wide range of Cairo insiders, both native and foreign, gives the reader a cornucopia of current facts on prices, neighborhoods, product availability, work and business opportunities, and the dizzying range of cultural and leisure pursuits that Cairo is famous for. The format of this edition addresses the needs of independently minded tourists as well as residents by the inclusion of: an A to Z directory of goods, services, and interests subdivided by neighborhood; a language section on the basics of Cairene Arabic; and details on shopping and sightseeing from a resident s perspective. 'Cairo: The Practical Guide', now in its fifteenth edition, is the key to deciphering the complexities of living, working, and enjoying life in one of the world's most exciting and dauntingly complex mega-cities.
Customer Reviews:
"indespensable"?????.......2007-01-21
this book may be indispensable for expatriots or foreign workers living in cairo but is not valuable for tourism purposes. a general travel guide will provide much more vital info for the short term visitor.
All the Nuts & Bolts!.......2006-11-03
If you're a tourist, this book may not be for you. HOWEVER, if you will be in Cairo for any time, for any reason, you will need this book! It is the best compilation of grassroots information - it covers things not covered by the usual travel guides. I just wish it had some city maps in it!
Invaluable Resource if You're Moving to Egypt.......2003-08-18
I was offered a job in Egypt in 2000 and purchased the 2000 version of "Cairo: The Practical Guide." It was, as the title said, full of practical information about living in Cairo. It was a great resource as I prepared to relocate and I referred back to it many times over my two years there. It had everything from the skinny on the different parts of town to how to deal with tipping and lots in between. This book has the sort of stuff about everyday life that you won't find in tourist guide books. The accompanying book of maps (sold separately) was also very useful.
Moving to Cairo? This is a must-read.......2000-03-31
This book is not your average "here's-how-to-get-to-pyramids" guide book to Egypt, nor is it intended to be. This is a book specifically for individuals and families moving to Cairo for an extended period who have not spent time in Middle Eastern, African or other second-tier countries whose citizenry has a different "walterschaaung" or worldview. Listing this guidebook in the travel guide section is wide of the mark; this is a survival guide for ex-patriots to one of the most historic and culturally unsual (from a Western perspective) place on the planet. Thousands of survival tips are given, such as which kinds of cheeses to select, where to find and what to pay a housekeeper, where to find fresh meat, which mall has a Baskins-Robbins, which neighborhood would best suit the new arrival, and a pretty good chapter on survival Arabic. The writing style, like this guide, is not sugar-coated but directly sparse, defoliated and easy to read and remember. I would pack this book along with several other guidebooks if you are planning an extended (more than a few days) stay in Cairo. While world-romping tourists could probably live without this guide, the expat would find it indispensible. Chances are, though, a new guide book edition (the 10th) is already headed toward the American University in Cairo Press.
This revision is awful.......1999-09-12
The previous edition of this book, edited by Cassandra Vivian was far superior to this one. This edition is written for a single audience-wealthy married with children embassy types-and ignores the wide variety of other foreigners who wind up in Cairo. It is highly idiosyncratic in its views and leaves out whole areas of information that were covered in the previous edition. My old edition fell apart and I threw it away thinking the new edition would replace it, and now I am kicking myself for doing so.
Book Description
The thousand years of Egyptian history from the conquest of Alexander the Great in 332 B.C. to the Arab conquest in A.D. 641 are rich in archaeological evidence and well documented by 50,000 papyri in Greek, Egyptian, Latin, and other languages. However, travelers and others interested in the
remains of this period are ill-served by most guides to Egypt, which concentrate on the pharaonic buildings. The dozen leading experts who have contributed to this volume redress the imbalance with clear and concise presentations of the history and documentary evidence from the Hellenistic, Roman,
and Late Antique periods, enabling the reader to appreciate the fascinating cities, temples, churches, and tombs from these later periods.
With specially commissioned plans of sites and buildings and room-by-room tours of museums, this book is both a tourist's companion to the principal sites and an armchair guide to the splendors of a little-known and culturally diverse civilization.
Customer Reviews:
Egypt: From Alexander To The Early Christians.......2005-10-12
This gorgeous book is an asset to any history-lover or Egyptophile's library. The chapters, written on such subjects as Alexandria's kings and queens, and Ptolemaic Art, are informative and accessable, but this book is no beginner's guide to Ptolemaic Egypt, and is very in-depth. While not a picture book, this work includes twenty six gorgeous and rare color photos. Though few, these pictures are extroadinary. The book contains dozens of wonderful black and white photos, and it seems that all the images and visuals in this book aren't simply there for their beauty (though they are amazing) and serve a purpose. Perhaps the best part of this book is the dozens of never-before seen maps and timelines, which help to give the reader a visual idea of time and chronology, as well as the layouts of some of the more important historical and archeological sites and monuments. Maps of Egypt, the Ptolemaic and Roman Empire, the Greek and Roman Provinces in Egypt, and important cities and trade routes are included, and are extremely helpful and important. This book is worth every penny of its 40 or so dollars. The best book I've encountered on the Greco-Roman Period of Egypt. I recommend this wonderful book to anyone interested in this fascinating time period.
Book Description
National Geographic brings 113 years of incomparable travel expertise to today's sophisticated globe-trotters. Each practical and portable National Geographic Traveler features:
- Detailed background and site descriptions plus fascinating vignettes on history, culture, and contemporary life
- Mapped walking and driving tours
- A complete directory of visitor information, including notable hotels, restaurants, entertainment, and shopping
- Foldout end flaps, printed with maps and quick reference information that serve as handy bookmarks
- Top-rated travel writers who bring sophisticated, authoritative guidance and a strong, individual voice to each book
- Superior photography and artwork
Customer Reviews:
Most helpful book!.......2007-07-10
This book has been the most helpful to date for a new visitor to Egypt. Alongside the Michelin guide, it works wondrrs!
National Geographic Traveler - Egypt.......2007-05-13
The only book one needs to take on a tour of Egypt. I found this book informative, up to date and easier to use than those I had previously purchased. I learned of this book when I saw fellow travel companions reading theirs. Since returning from my trip to Egypt I purchased the book to further my research and edit my photographs.
Excellent Guide!.......2007-03-02
I took this book along with me on a recent family trip to Egypt, and I loved it! National Geographic magazine is famed far and wide for its amazing photographs and interesting articles- its travel guides are much the same! The book is written by a British expat living in Cairo, and so you get both the tourist feel and the local bent on travel through Egypt. The guidebook contains a rich historical and cultural section, and then is full of information about places to visit, foods to eat, and things to do.
I especially liked the detailed information about sites of interest- for many of the old temple ruins, such as those at Luxor, Karnak and Abu Simbel, there are pages devoted to describing the ruins in detail. I found this particularly useful to read just before heading off the bus to visit the sites, as then I knew what I was looking for.
Overall, the National Geographic Traveler guide was a great companion on my trip to Egypt- I will definitely be looking for more Traveler guidebooks in my future travels!
The best of both worlds!.......2003-07-24
I have gathered several books on travel to Egypt, Lonely planets, Passport, Travelers Key, DK eyewitness(second fave) and this one I would rate the best. Its got tons of great pictures, some of which I haven't seen in other books, plus its very full on information. Usually with such books its either tons of info and few pictures or vice versa. This one balances both well. It also has some nice maps and diagrams (tomb layouts, pyramid chambers)a section rating hotels and restaurants, a small section on usefull arabic terms, and a book and movie guide with egyptian themes.
The book starts out with an introduction to the history and culture of Egypt, something many travel guides lack and require a second book for. Then it moves on to points of interest in Cairo, around Cairo, The delta and Suez, Alexandria, Western Desert, Middle Egypt, Luxor, South of Luxor, Red sea and Sinai, then the final part of the book is basically travel tips. Lots of great information. I was happy to see they included a section on the rescue of the temple of Abu Simbel. I've heard of how they moved the temple to save it but was having trouble pondering how such a task could be done. This book explains the actual 'why' the temple was in danger, the various ideas of saving it, and the technique used. Just an example of how in debth this book is.
The pages are nice and glossy as well. And though thick for a traveling book(to take along) its still a reasonable size to fit into a travel bag to take with you.
I would say if you were looking to buy one book only, by far, I'd recommend this one. I like the DK eyewitness book too, but this one I rank higher due to more volume of information and pictures. If you want something slimmer and less in debth I'd go with the DK one, which is still a great book on its own.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent travel guide.......2007-10-17
I bought three travel books for Egypt (also Rough Guide and Lonely Planet), and this was my favorite. It is loaded with pictures and 3D layouts of the tourist attractions and cities. It lists the sites not to be missed and gives a great summary of the places and history. The section on practicalities of travel is also complete and helpful. Although the latest Rough Guide to Egypt has more in-depth coverage, the DK book will be going with me to Egypt.
Book Description
Revised edition. A travel guide that explores the spiritual significance of the sights of Egypt.
Customer Reviews:
The best book if you want something a little deeper........2001-09-03
If you want a guide book with more than the basic superficial run of the mill tourist info this book is for you.
Lots of maps, tips and explanations of the deeper meaning behind the sites you're visiting.
I'm bringing this book with me on my trip!
Enhanced with maps, diagrams, and photos.......2001-08-11
Now in a updated and expanded new edition, John West's The Traveler's Key To Ancient Egypt continues to be the definitive guide to all of the sacred places of ancient Egypt. The ideal traveler's guidebook is enhanced with maps, diagrams, and photos to accompany the history and spiritual significance of Egypt's art, architecture, mythology, religion, and ritual practices. From the Pyramids of Giza to the Valley of the Kings, this traveler's guide reveals the hidden meaning of monuments, ancient city sites, as well as new research on the dating of the Sphinx. Travel tips include tour information, Nile cruises, what to bring and what to wear, shopping advice, as well as information on money, hotels, and restaurants. If you are planning a trip to the Land of the Pharaohs, beginning with a thorough perusal of John West's The Traveler's Key To Ancient Egypt!
For any mind that is even slightly ajar, let alone open..........2001-03-08
This book is essential for any traveller to Egypt with a mind that is even slightly ajar, let alone open.
West gives an alternative account of the meaning of the monuments and antiquities to be seen in Egypt, more esoteric (though certainly not more difficult to understand) than that which is usually presented in guide books. He points out the details which brought him to the conclusion that the Giza Sphinx is in fact closer to 13,000 years old than the 4,500 years old that has been traditionally believed, and has a different viewpoint to the orthodox school in many cases. He presents both sides of the argument, and gives the information necessary to make up one's own mind based on observation of what is actually there to be seen.
On my first visit to Egypt, my companions and I felt rather sorry for tourists in groups with official guides, because they seemed to be missing out on at least half of the story, and in many cases the whole point.
I was particularly impressed with West's analysis of the architecture of the Temple of Luxor, based on the work of Schwaller de Lubicz, and once it was pointed out how the whole building maps onto a plan of the human skeleton, I found it very difficult to refute.
Whilst I did not always agree with his conclusions on every occasion, it cannot be disputed that West has raised thoroughly pertinent questions which conventional Egyptology has either glibly brushed under the carpet or failed to address at all.
Best Guide to Ancient Egyptian Sites.......2001-01-17
One of the most useful guides to ancient Egyptian sites! A visitor can read the descriptions to the tombs, monuments and temples prior to their visit - but the guide is most helpful during and after being awestruck! The guide is more of a historical, academic narrative to the many treasures of Egypt and is much more prefereable to the shallow descriptions of a traditional travel guide. In lieu of an ancient copy of Baedeker's, "Traveler's Key..." is the next best thing!
for open-minded readers.......2000-08-24
The author provides a historical overview of Ancient Egypt and the development of Egyptology (by Kircher, Napoleon, Champollion, and Schwaller de Lubicz among many people). The book covers Egyptian Religion as well as the major religious and funerary texts. Giza, the pyramids and the Sphinx are discussed as are Saqqara, Memphis, Dahshur, Abusir, Meidum, Akhetaten, Thebes, Abydos, Dendara, Esna, Edfu, Aswan, Abu Simbel and Alexandria. A section is dedicated to the content of the Cairo Museum. Included are 5 appendices - dynasties and kings; sphinx and pyramid; glossary; bibliography; and travel tips. Both orthodox and unorthodox views are dealt with in this book, whose emphasis is mostly on the art and architecture of Ancient Egypt. With black and white illustrations, it is recommended for the open-minded reader.
Book Description
Enjoy Egypt's three great cities with Cadogan's unique guide. It's the ideal companion for either a three-destination break or exploring the cities individually.
Customer Reviews:
A wonderful companion.......2001-07-05
I could not have asked for a better companion when I traveled in Egypt this spring. Michael Haag is a real expert; his guide is packed with informed comments and fascinating insights. And the practical information is extremely helpful and accurate. I recommend this book very highly.
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