Mediterranean coast – Egypt – Guide
ROSETTA
The quickest and most comfortable way to get to the town from Alexandria is by taxi (1 at. 40 min) or by train (2 at). There is no hotel in the city.
SEEDLING – Communication and information
In the celebration of al-Badawi's holiday, sometimes even approx. 2 min participants – accommodation during this period must be booked well in advance. Tanta has a rail link with Cairo, Alexandria, Damanhurem, Mansura (1 at. 30 min), Damietta (2 at) and Az-Zakazik (1 at. 30 min).
From the bus station, you can reach Cairo, Alexander and Damanhuru (until. 18.00), Mansury i Port Saidu (morning). The taxi journey to Cairo continues 1 at. 15 min, to Alexandria – 2 at. 15 min.
WITH DAMSIS – Communication and information
Al-Mansura has a bus connection: with Cairo (co 30 min), with Az-Zakazik (co 15 min; 1 at. 30 min). It is easy to reach Sinai from this town, in the area of the Suez Canal, and also to Tanta and Alexandria.
ALEXANDRIA
Communication
From Cairo, Alexandria is very easy to reach by train, by bus, by car or by plane. There are two routes to the city: crowded old road (Delta Road) across Delta (ok. In the tourist season, it is difficult to find vacancies on buses. Air travel is expensive.
Trains stop at the train station in the Sidi Gaber district. The main stations in the center are Ramia, Midan al-Gumhurija, Midan chartum. Alexandria is served by two airports, not meeting international requirements due to lack of infrastructure and short runways: Nozha airport and Burg al-Arab military airport.
Orientation and information
Alexandria's northern border is the sea. The city stretches over the past 20 a kilometer long narrow strip along the coast from Abu Kir Bay in the east to the Western Port between Lake Buhajrat Marjut and the sea. The Corniche runs parallel to the shore, separating the beaches from skyscrapers and houses facing the sea. In some places in the area, the Mediterranean character of the resort has been preserved - the streets are open to the sea breeze by the thoroughfares. This arrangement makes it easier to navigate, however, driving around downtown and finding a specific address is extremely difficult. Śródmieście is a maze of one-way streets that are constantly jammed and blocked by trams and buses stopping every bit. There is currently no current map of Alexandria available, in addition, the signs placed on the street corners do not always indicate the valid name. Only in the center, next to Arabic inscriptions, there are European equivalents on them (often, however, very distorted).
Main tourist information office (tel.03/4851556; codz. 8.30-18.00, pot. VII — poi. VIII do 20.00, w ramadanie 9.00-16.00) is based on the corner of Midan Saad Zaglul. Other departments are located in the Port of Alexandria (tel.03/4803494), at the airport posted on websites: www.alexandriatour.com and www.houseofptolemy.org (city history).
The city center and the Corniche are best explored on foot. Other districts are best accessible by public transport or by car. 0 tram routes are indicated by inscriptions only in Arabic. The crowded and dirty city buses are only worth using for getting between Midan Saad Zaglul, Midan Orabi, Midan al-Tahrir i Midan al-Gumhurija. Taxis or more expensive carriages are much more convenient (caleche) You have to pay a lot for renting a car.
Many internet cafes have opened in the city. The most famous are: Access CyberCafe(Main Shopping Mail, Semouha, tel.03/4255766, fax 203/4255766, access@dataxprs.com.eg; codz. 9.00- 13.00).
Accommodation
Hotels in Alexandria vary greatly – both dingy burrows await tourists, and antique, objects albeit a bit tired, as well as luxurious palaces, like the newest Four Season Hotel near Montazah Palace. Information on accommodation in the city is provided on the websites: www.hoteldub. pl/SearchResults.asp?id = 7304, www.onetime.com/hotels/Egypt/Alexandria i http://travel.yahoo.com/pl.
Gastronomy
Although it is in vain to look for diversity like in Cairo, it is in Alexandria that there is no shortage of inexpensive places specializing in seafood and Greek cuisine (old tradition). Egyptian take-away dishes are also worth trying (ful, falafel or shawarma). Unfortunately, there are no pre-war Greek cafes and patisseries anymore – to, which work are but a faint shadow of the old.
Single women shouldn't visit Arab cafes. Although wine is produced in the vicinity of the city, bars serving alcohol are hard to find in Alexandria (they are only in big hotels). The premises are described on the website www.alexandriatour.com.
The Samakmak restaurant is noteworthy, 42 Qasr at-Tin, Anfusi, tel.03/4811560. Serving delicious fish, north, crab tagine and clam spaghetti. In summer, tables outside under a huge tent.
Entertainment
Alexandria nightlife, so colorful in years 20. XX w., today it is limited to bars and casinos in expensive hotels (www.alexandriatour.com). Egyptians imitating the Western way of life play in discos with Western music on Thursdays and Fridays (more expensive hotels) or Arabic (often in dingy houses in old neighborhoods).
Art and festivals
Alexandria w I poi. XX w. it was famous for many cultural centers, including from the 19th century. opera. The most interesting events, including chamber concerts of classical music (Arab and European), organized by Alexandria Creative Center (Shari Fuad, 003/4924533). The Sayed Darwish Theater hosts symphonic concerts as well as ballet and opera performances. In August, at the Abd el-Wahab Theater in the open air, you can watch folk dancing and belly dancing shows. Tickets must be booked the day before.
The World Festival of Alexandria is organized in September (music and theater) and the International Film Festival. Every two years in November, the Museum of Fine Arts holds the Alexandria Biennale devoted to the art of the Mediterranean countries. In October, water sports enthusiasts from all over the world are attracted by the International Yacht Regatta. During Ramadan, Muslims celebrate five moguls, holidays that begin with ceremonies in front of the al-Mursi mosque.
Sport and active recreation
Many companies organize scuba diving lessons, e.g.. Alexandra Dive (24,6th July Road, Bahary, East Harbor, tel / fax 03/832045, 01/06666514, info@alexandra-dive.com, www.alexandra-dive.com/center.htm). The office also offers snorkeling trips and boat safaris, as well as windsurfing courses, jet skiingu, parasailingu. In sport Club (tel.03/5433627) guests can play tennis, squash and golf, as well as horseback riding and swimming – swimming pools are also available in more expensive hotels (e.g., Renaissance Alexandria, Montazah Sheraton).
Informant
Consulate RP szari Talaat Harb/4830407, fax 03/4829517.
Midan Ramia Post Office (codz. 8.00- 15.00), szari al-Ghurfa at-Tigarya, train station Masr.
Tourist Police – The checkpoints are located above the tourist information office (tel.03/4873378), at the Sea Station (tel.03/4804633), at the entrance to the Montazah Gardens (tel.03/5473814), at the Greek-Roman Museum (tel.03/4845594).
Hospitals – Private hospitals: al-Madina al-Tibaia (tel.03/5432150), al-Markaz al-Tiby (14th May Road, Smoutha, tel.03/4272652).
AI-AGAMI
In case of emergency, it's best to seek help from private hospitals: al-Wafaa (tel.03/433 8318) i Ibrahim Farouk (tel.03/4332 925). There is also a pharmacy here, Internet cafe and telecommunications office (codz. 8.00-24.00). Hannoville beach is definitely worse, for this accommodation is cheaper. Wanting to eat tasty and cheap, best to avoid restaurants in expensive hotels. The bank operates Mon-Thu. i nd. in hours. 8.30-14.00.
SIDI ABD AR-RAHMAN
Communication, orientation and information
The best way to get here from Alexandria is by bus (209 km; 3 at,; above 15 EGP.). Air-conditioned Superjet coaches run from Cairo (4 daily, ok. 6 at). EgyptAir offers air connections (Wed, pt. i nd; 1 at).
Access from the bus and train stations is provided by taxis. You can rent a donkey-drawn vehicle or a bicycle.
There is a tour desk on the Corniche (tel./fax 046/4931841, in winter every day. 9.00-19.00, in the summer 9.00-20.00). The tourist police is located nearby (tel.046/4935575).
There is a post office nearby (codz. with ex. pt, 8.30-14.00) and a 24/7 telecommunications office. Internet access is available at the Hotel Beau Site, and the exchange of money and travelers checks – National Bank of Egypt.
In case of emergency, help is provided by a military hospital (szari Gala, tel.046/4935286; pt. closed) or public (tel.046/4933355).
Al-Farghaly pharmacy is located on the corner of Shari Isjandarija and Shari Alam Rum (tel.046/4939393).
Accommodation and gastronomy
There are many hotels in the city, but their standard is not high. Single women should definitely avoid cheaper places. The greatest difficulties in finding a room are during the summer season – most places are reserved for campers. In winter, numerous accommodation facilities close their doors. More detailed information on accommodation available at www.a1tourism.com/egypt/marsa-matrouh.html. Open from May to October, the youth hostel is located west of Shari Iskandarija (tel.046/4932331). It is said that you can pitch a tent for free on the beaches of Matruh, but the tourist police must be notified in advance.
Liana shops and bakeries offer a wide range of groceries. There is a well-stocked fruit and vegetable market at the Omar Muchatr Sharia. Elegant hotels have restaurants. In winter, most venues close before midnight.
Holidays and entertainment
At Marsa Matruh, vacationers are entertained very much. 24 August starts the Regional Festival with numerous performances of folk groups, parades with horse riders and camels, theater and film performances. In July and August, concerts are organized in the park by the Beau Site Hotel.