Product 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 Organized, Stay Connected - tap into authoritative advice on transport, safety, Internet access and digital photography.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #141011 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

Synopsis
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.

Customer Reviews

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.

Mixed
I've been to Egypt 3 times and the last time I spent 4 months there. The general consensus amongst travellers was that the Rough Guide was superior, but that the Lonely Planet has better maps. An additional issue is that since the Lonely Planet is the most popular guidebook, do you really want to be sitting smoking sheesha at a coffee shop filled with other white middle class travellers, all with Lonely Planets on their tables? Cringe!

A great book for pre-travel information
My copy is already looking a bit "well read" and I have only just bought it. Bursting with information and useful advise, this book is a must for anyone who is planning their own trip to Egypt.