Egypt's capital is ugly, polluted and overcrowded. Cairo sprawls for miles along either bank of the River Nile and is home to over 12 million inhabitants. The everpresent dust, traffic fumes, decay, noise and general chaos will put off even the most diehard city-lover, especially in the hot summer months when the problems seem to be exacerbated. The possibility of Islamic Fundamentalist attacks on tourists in Egypt remains - Foreign Office advisory notices offer the latest official advice and should be consulted before booking.
Unless you are insensitive to a 24-hour symphony of car horns it is advisable to choose a hotel that is properly soundproofed.
There are no beaches but most of the smarter hotels have swmming pools as well as health clubs and tennis courts. At night there is a wide selection of discos, bars and a few hotel casinos.
Levels of hygiene are often poor, even in hotels, and it is not unusual for tourists to get stomach upsets; use only bottled water even for brushing teeth.
Getting around can be difficult. The buses are not recommended because of overcrowding, hair-raising boarding practices and few printed schedules. The French-built underground called the Metro is a cheap, fairly efficient and cleaner alternative. Taxis are metered, although the meters are rarely used, so ensure you agree the fare before setting off. It is helpful to have the name of your hotel or destination written down in Arabic.
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Oct 12th, 2000
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