Claire’s Guide: Egypt, Jordan and Turkey
I'm excited to share with you my recent adventure to the Middle East! If you follow me on Instagram, you may have already gotten a sneak peek of my once-in-a-lifetime trip. But now that I'm back, I want to give you the inside scoop on what's happening in my favorite adopted countries: Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey.
I'll be your guide as we explore these amazing destinations from A to Z. But before we dive in, let me share some essential tips that will help you make the most of your trip. First things first: learning the local language. Trust me, speaking even a little bit of the local tongue can make a huge difference in your experience.
Easy words to know in Arabic:
No: La
Yes: Naam
Thank you: Shukran
No Thank You: La, Shukran
Excuse me/you’re welcome/sorry: Afwan
Salam Alaikum: Literally translates to “peace be upon you” but it is used as a greeting. In response to Salam Alaikum, some will respond with the same – or shortened to just say “Salam”.
Easy words to know in Turkish:
Good morning – Günaydın
No – Hayir
Yes – Evet
Thank you – Tesekkür ederim
Goodbye – Hoşçakal! (HOSH-CHA-KAL)
What to Wear
I think this was probably my most asked question. The Middle East is far more conservative than Canada, and although there were many people that were clearly tourists (ie. wearing shorts, tank tops, even top tops). We chose to ‘blend with the locals’ and stay conservative. That said, they were strict everywhere. When going into Mosques - it is essential to wear long pants, covered shoulders and covered head for women.
Egypt:
For Men: shorts are acceptable
For Women: knee length dresses (or longer) with shoulders covered
Jordan:
For Men: most men do not wear shorts
For Women: arms, legs & chest covered - so maxi dresses or pants
*bathing suits are acceptable at the beach/Dead Sea*
*No PDA*
*When exploring Petra they are much more lenient, so tourists were wearing shorts & t-shirts*
Turkey:
For Men and Women: shorts & tank tops are okay except in Mosques (so when we toured and went into Blue Mosque, we had to wear long pants/long dresses)
For ALL 3 Places:
Sandals are fine everywhere & runners for longer touring days and going to Petra
For Women: always pack scarf & socks (for walking on carpets in Mosques) in day bag
For Men: always pack socks (for walking on carpets in Mosques) in day bag
From currency to what to expect and where to go, here's everything you need to know to make your journey a success.
What to Expect in Egypt:
Bring your own toilet paper, hand sanitizer & a little cash for bathrooms
Be prepared to bargain/haggle it is an integral part of the culture
Arabic is a shouty language & people smoke everywhere.
Cats will be everywhere
Don’t let someone grab your boarding pass, passport, bags, try to clean your shoes, etc or they will ask for a tip to get it back
Definitely do a camel ride at the pyramids, 300EGP (about $20) for 30 mins
The Egyptian Pound is the official currency of Egypt:
$1 CAD = 23 EGP
Expected Tips:
5 EGP bathroom attendants
10 EGP for guardians at archaeological sites to take pic
10 -20 EGP hotel bags
5-10% for meals, tours, camel rides
My TOP EATS in Cairo:
Abou El Sid Zanalek
Le Pacha 1901 (docked boat on the Nile)
Andrea Mariouteya
Zooba (casual Egyptian street food , so yummy - multiple locations)
Khan el Khalili (Old Cairo) - in the famous market and run by Oberoi Hotels
Crimson - over looking the Nile
What to Expect in Jordan:
Don’t flush toilet paper – put it in the bin beside toilet
Dress conservatively
Haggle when with merchants when shopping.
The Jordanian dinar is the official currency of Jordan
$1 CAD = .53 JOD
Expected Tips:
5-10% for meals
$1-2 US hotel bags
$1-2 US for taxi drivers
Drivers $15-$25 US per day for group (1-6 people)
My TOP EATS in Amman:
***Karam Beirut
***Fakhreldin Restaurant
The House
Levant Restaurant
Mrah Salameh - in a cave 30 min drive from downtown Amman
What to Expect in Turkey:
Don’t flush toilet paper – put it in the bin beside toilet
Haggle when with merchants when shopping – and go to the Grand Bazaar
The Turkish Lira is the official currency of Turkey
$1 CAD = 14.6 TRY
Expected Tips:
5-10% for meals
$1-2 US hotel bags
Just round up to the nearest 10 for taxi drivers
Drivers $15-$25 US per day for group (1-6 people)
My TOP EATS in Istanbul:
***Sunset Grill & Bar (it's a vibe on Sundays)
Neolokal
Mikla
Paper moon
***Nobu(try to get a table upstairs, nicer vibe on a weekend)
Ulus 29
Yeni Lokanta
Alaf
Nusr-Et (Macka palas)
Lucca (average food but cute place)
Banyan
Ruby or Sortie (for a night out)
Blue Fig for brunch
If you're up for an adventure, I highly recommend visiting Egypt, Turkey, and Jordan all in one go. It's a journey that'll take you through centuries of history, diverse cultures, and breathtaking landscapes.
No matter where you go in this region, you'll get to experience an adventure that'll leave you with memories that'll last a lifetime. So, if you're into culture, and exploration, pack your bags and get ready for an amazing trip. Trust me, you won't regret it!
