Travel tips for Egypt:

don't go anywhere near a cruise boat - they spend most of their time tied up sandwiched between other cruise boats

everyone expects tips and even someone in a museum who shows you something will expect payment; if you don't want to pay, make it clear right at the outset that you don't need help

low denomination notes are useful for tips but you'll run out of them; try to get change whenever possible (although many shops won't have change) and don't give out low notes unless you have to

you can travel between Aswan and Luxor by taxi in part of an early morning convoy that will stop at Kom Ombo and Edfu

you can do overnight sleeper trains between Cairo and Luxor/Aswan

caleche drivers will quote you low prices, take you to high pressure sales rooms and tell you a much higher price at the end - pay what you agreed plus tip and walk away

although you will remember all the thieves and conmen, most people you meet will be nice but less memorable

Egypt is hot so cover up and drink lots of bottled water

the food is not great

Abu Simbel is a great daytrip but make sure to go with Egypt Air and not Air Memphis

unless you are an expert, don't buy anything as an investment

if you travel through Israel, remember that it's not just Israeli stamps that may cause you difficulty in the future, but also the corresponding Egyptian and Jordanian ones

you cannot go into a shop without getting hassle, so manage your expectations accordingly

"la shoukran" and a flick of the hand means no thankyou

pack a sense of humour