Egypt Anybody?

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Mrs Hogan fancies 7 - maybe 10 - days in Egypt in April/May

Stays in Cairo and Luxor seem essential - but any thoughts on other locations to stay?

And any thoughts on whether a few days Nile cruise should be in our plans. We are not 'cruise' people - though a 4 day Nile cruise does not really seem quite the same as two weeks on a huge cruise liner (the latter holding no attractions to us at all)

 

[Lord Tyrion]

What is Foreign Office advice regarding Egypt? Is it safe?

One thing to bear in mind. My in laws did a tour a few years ago, before the recent attacks, and you have armed guards with you at all times. It could only be more intense now. Can't say I would find that very relaxing for a holiday but if you are okay with that, not being funny just making sure you know, then that is fine.

 

[Beezerk]

Like my mate says, I’d rather boil me heed than go to Egypt.

 

[ScienceBoy]

Was a top destination on our “to do” list.

Not going now as it’s not worth it unless things change significantly.

If you can wait 5-10 years to do it I would, hopefully things change sooner rather than later.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

What is Foreign Office advice regarding Egypt? Is it safe?

One thing to bear in mind. My in laws did a tour a few years ago, before the recent attacks, and you have armed guards with you at all times. It could only be more intense now. Can't say I would find that very relaxing for a holiday but if you are okay with that, not being funny just making sure you know, then that is fine.

We have friends who are out there at the moment and I have been reading a fair few 'holiday' reports recently that tell how the security is high, but does not sound suffocating - will check with our friends on their experience when they are back. Can we wait 5-10yrs? Not really.

 

[User62651]

Depends if you want a holiday or an experience.
Have you been to a majority islamic country before? Western tourists might as well have flashing beacons on top of their heads, you can't hide it.
Up to you, I wouldn't take my family near north africa/middle east in the current political climate.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Depends if you want a holiday or an experience.
Have you been to a majority islamic country before? Western tourists might as well have flashing beacons on top of their heads, you can't hide it.
Up to you, I wouldn't take my family near north africa/middle east in the current political climate.

hmmm.

 

[Deleted member 18121]

I echo the other thoughts....in this current climate you couldn't pay me to go to "that" part of the world, I consider it a risk to my life.

If you do decide to go - I found 1 day in Cairo was more than enough. I've never been more harassed and hassled by people than there, they literally do not leave you alone (read begging) from the moment you get there to the moment you leave.

I loved Sharm, but again I wouldn't leave the confines of the hotel.

 

[Dasit]

World is such a big place with so much to see


Why would you want to put yourself and family at increased risk going to Egypt.

 

[SteveW86]

I've been to Egypt for the last 2 years, but not to Cairo. Parts of Egypt are definitely dodgy and I would stay away from, but for the last 2 years have been to a place called El Gouna. Fly direct to Hurghada and it's about a 30 min drive north.

Have a look here: www.elgouna.com

I was sceptical about going there but it was an amazing place and I would have no hesitation in going back. It is an exclusive resort, there are ZERO beggars and there is a lot of Egyptian money there.

If you have any questions on the place just let me know.

 

[gmhubble]

Avoid hurghada like the plague - shelm is glorious as is the rest of Egypt - beautiful place

 

[andycap]

Ive just come back from Marsa Alam , had a great time , couldn't fault the hotel , it is a hotel holiday as there is nothing outside , but 10 days of winter sun , plenty to eat and drink , fantastic snorkelling was fine for me .
Agree with a previous comment that Hurghada is not nice , but some of the hotels are , Sharm is lovely but hard to get to at the moment , Cairo is hell , although the museum is fantastic . We was in Marsa Alam with TUI , at the moment they are not doing excursions to Cairo or Luxor .

 

[spongebob59]

Avoid hurghada like the plague - shelm is glorious as is the rest of Egypt - beautiful place

Whats wrong with Hurgada ?

Thought it was meant to be safer than Sharm ?

 

[andycap]

Sharm is safe , the only issue has only been airport security , Hurghada is just dirty , unattractive , featureless . The nicest part is the marina and that is expensive and deserted during the day . Sharm was just a small fishing village (old Sharm) the rest has been built purely for tourism and its massive .

 

[GMC1981]

Been once a few years ago . The hotel was outstanding and we had our own swim up pool . Probably the best hotel we’ve been to . Just a shame it was in Egypt . Having to go through metal detectors entering the hotel and having our taxi searched for bombs brought us back down to earth with a bump. Wouldn’t go near the place these days

 

[Tashyboy]

Been and will deffo not go back. If it is culture you are after. Go to vietnam ( Halong Bay) and Canmodia. Siam Reep, Ankar Wat is one of the most stunning places i have been to in the world.

 

[OnTour]

Not for me sadly. Dead or kidnapped doesn't appeal on my current life experiences #BucketList 🤔 or jailed for being English (breaking some law that's pretty small )

 

[Green Bay Hacker]

No sure if this is any use as we were only there for a day trip from a cruise ship and it was eight years ago. We docked at Alexandria and were bussed down to Cairo to go to the Pyramids and the Museum of Cairo. Even then we had an armed motor cycle escort out of the docks (although they disappeared after about a mile) and an armed plain clothes officer on the bus.

Cairo looked a very scary place even then with personnel carriers full of police/troops parked up every few hundred yards towards the centre and that was before the uprising in 2011. The traffic was also a nightmare to get through and I hate to think of the casualty rate for pedestrians and bikers.

However, if you have not done the Pyramids and the museum then I recommend that you do it as we did via a day trip and not stay in the city itself. Don't bother with a visit to a gold/antiquities shop if it is part of the tour, it is a rip off.

 

[NWJocko]

Went once about 10 years ago and will never be back!

Hotel we were in was nice (El Gouna) but the rest of Egypt is a dump. Went to Cairo for the day to see the pyramids and other than seeing the pyramids it is an absolutely horrendous City.

Great for scuba diving in the Red Sea though if thats you're thing :thup:

 

[pokerjoke]

I have been to Egypt a couple of times,Hurgada about 15 years ago,I was wind surfing on Xmas day,sea though is so salty.Went to Loxhore and can safely say one of my worst days ever just harassed beyond belief.Also went to Sharm 10 years ago.I would never go again.Back then they loved the English and I was treated like royalty.Russians and Germans were everywhere in the mornings but funnily enough they just disappeared during the day.