KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
When you leave your home country, you are subject to the laws of the country you are visiting.  Therefore, before you go, learn as much as you can about the local laws and customs of Egypt.  Good resources are your library, your travel agent, and the embassies, consulates or tourist bureaus of the countries you will visit. The Department of State's Consular Information Sheets are available for every country of the world.   In addition, keep track of what is being reported in the media about recent developments in those countries.

PREPARE FOR THE TRIP

Safety begins when you pack. Carry the minimum number of valuables. To avoid problems when passing through customs, keep medicines in their original, labeled containers.  Bring copies of your prescriptions and the generic names for the drugs.  If a medication is unusual or contains narcotics, carry a letter from your doctor attesting to your need to take the drug.  If you have any doubt about the legality of carrying a certain drug into a country, consult the embassy or consulate of that country before you travel.

Make two photocopies of your passport identification page, airline tickets, driver's license and the credit cards that you plan to bring with you.  Leave one photocopy of this data with family or friends at home; pack the other in a place separate from where you carry the originals. Pack an extra set of passport photos along with a photocopy of your passport’s information page to make replacement of your passport easier in the event it is lost or stolen.

THINGS TO ARRANGE

Legal Documents
Have your affairs in order at home.  If you leave a current will, insurance documents, and power of attorney with your family or a friend, you can feel secure about traveling and will be prepared for any emergency that may arise while you are away.  If you have minor children, consider making guardianship arrangements for them.

Credit
Make a note of the credit limit on each credit card that you bring, and avoid charging over that limit while traveling.  Americans have been arrested for innocently exceeding their credit limit.  Ask your credit card company how to report the loss of your card from abroad.  1-800 numbers do not work from abroad, but your company should have a number that you can call while you are overseas.

Insurance
Find out if your personal property insurance covers you for loss or theft abroad.  Also, check on whether your health insurance covers you abroad.  Medicare and Medicaid do not provide payment for medical care outside the United States. Even if your health insurance will reimburse you for medical care that you pay for abroad, health insurance usually does not pay for medical evacuation from a remote area or from a country where medical facilities are inadequate.  Consider purchasing a policy designed for travelers, and covering short-term health and emergency assistance, as well as medical evacuation in the event of an accident or serious illness.