Product Description

Authors include novelist, critic and broadcaster Anthony Sattin. Special chapter on Pharaonic Egypt by world-renowned Egyptologist Dr Joann Fletcher. Packed with information for the tourist and tips on how to escape the crowds and enjoy the country's archaelogical heritage in peace.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #155427 in Books
• Published on: 2006-05-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 588 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Lonely Planet--Egypt takes a practical approach to its readers and audience. It steers away from the hippie flavour of The Rough Guide (where the virtues of sleeping on a friendly native's roof are dwelled on at the expense of more mundane information) and adopts a tone that is sensible and thoughtful, though not timid.

The information is thorough and for the most part accurate. Particularly useful are the suggested highlights for every major city, which, though doomed to meet with dissent, generally provide a good foundation for planning an itinerary. The inclusion of good, colour photographs is also a benefit. There are some notable weaknesses. Maps are disjointed and difficult to relate to each other, and there are vital moments where the guide shies away from making specific recommendations or suggesting priorities. This can make choosing which of Cairo's mosques or Luxor's West Bank tombs to visit a slightly hit-and-miss affair, especially if your time is limited.

An early disclaimer wails (justifiably) that "Things change", and there are already some areas where the information is incorrect. However, if you're a tourist, rather than a traveller, with weeks rather than months to spend in Egypt (and you're ready to view a guide book as a guide, rather than as an authority), then this may well be the single best book with which to plan and enjoy your visit. --Richard Kelly

Customer Reviews

Essential for anyone travelling to Egypt!
We took this book everywhere! From the suggested sites to visit in each location to the suggestions about how much to pay for a felucca or callesh (and how much baksheesh to give on top of the price), it was informative, accessible and above all accurate.

We took the Rough Guide to Egypt also and that's still in immaculate condition while the Lonely Planet Guide looks like it has been read by every taxi driver in Luxor who's cousin has a felucca!

Definately essential reading!!!

Very Good Insight For 1st Time Visitors!
We've just come back from honeymoon and used this book when we visited Cairo and particularly the incredible museum... the descriptions are spot on and the book guides you thru' room by room. Our tour guide was saying practically the same things as the book, so its all you need!

Dress codes for women in Cairo aren't as strict as the book makes it out to be, there were loads of girls with string tops and shorts, so long skirts and long sleeved shirts aren't necessarily a must!! Other than that, pretty accurate about local customs and traditions.

This book was my `bible', well worth buying
I have used two editions of this guide which I found excellent. It is a good read just as a book. The prices quoted are not always accurate but all is negotiable in Egypt even in the more up-market hotels and shops. This is a must for the independent traveller and a great source of information for those on tours.