Egypt at the moment?
Discussion
We went to Hurghada in August 2022, an all inclusive resort, with three teenage children.
The complex was great, the beach lovely (if hot) but outside the complex felt a bit 'uncomfortable' in my opinion.
If I was on my own, I wouldn't have had an issue, but with a teenage daughter, I felt very aware of the surroundings.
Seeing armed police with I assume AK47s at regular stations along the road was unsettling!
I can't comment on the touristy areas though.
I probably wouldn't go again, but rarely repeat locations anyway.
Very hot in August!
The complex was great, the beach lovely (if hot) but outside the complex felt a bit 'uncomfortable' in my opinion.
If I was on my own, I wouldn't have had an issue, but with a teenage daughter, I felt very aware of the surroundings.
Seeing armed police with I assume AK47s at regular stations along the road was unsettling!
I can't comment on the touristy areas though.
I probably wouldn't go again, but rarely repeat locations anyway.
Very hot in August!
J4CKO said:
Wife has been put off by the attacks on tourists in the past but its pretty low risk I would say.
I'd be far more aware of every single regular human trying to rip me off. A pal went there a couple of years ago and found it absolutely intolerable.
People would walk up to them, point at something to photograph and then demand payment.
I'd definitely be curious to go. I think I'd do it disguised as a camel rather than juicy tourist. I guess proper tours know what's what.
Edited by bloomen on Monday 3rd April 18:26
J4CKO said:
Worth a look,
Yeah - pyramids.Seriously - it's one of the wonders of the world and mind blowing.
Worth doing a Nile cruise package
All of it is amazing.
I never felt unsafe (15 years ago) - the big well known attacks were a long while back - machine gun attack at Luxor was the main one.
Prob a lot safer than South Africa if you walk down the wrong road.
Tips: You WILL experience hawkers ALL the time "sir, sir", "boss! boss! - best goods, best price!" as they walk along side you. It's absolutely no hassle at all as long as you
a) don't let it bother you
b) be firm but polite in saying no. My "technique" is a firm "no thank you" - with my hand up in a "stop" fashion (without going all "nazi"!) and a gentle smile - eye to eye, then immediately break eye contact and never make it again. They get the message fairly quickly and know you are not a target worth pestering any more. The trick is to purvey the message "this aint going to work with me, you are wasting your time" - whilst being polite. I have zero issues with it though it ruined the holiday for a friend of mine. Still, he goes back often, diving.
We did go to Dahab as well and our coach had an armed escort the entire way, with all cross roads stopped for us to pass through, which was a little "alarming". I guess you have to weigh up how much "risk" you are prepared to take in the quest for enjoying life.
On the other hand - if you are going to Egypt "because Sharm" - just go another country's beach that is exactly the same where there is zero terrorist risk. :-)
Mate of mine went on an All inclusive a few months back for a week’s break with his wife
Said the hotel was lovely but it was a bit unnerving sitting by the pool with guards with Ak47’s standing around
He said there were also armed guards on the doors of the hotel as well
He said it was ok but his misses was on edge because of the guys with machine guns all around the place!
Said the hotel was lovely but it was a bit unnerving sitting by the pool with guards with Ak47’s standing around
He said there were also armed guards on the doors of the hotel as well
He said it was ok but his misses was on edge because of the guys with machine guns all around the place!
Went for the 8th time last year and quite possibly booking the 9th for this year.
August will be silly hot. Had highs of 47 last July when I Was there.
It’s very much a third world country and while it’s true that hassle is possible - I’ve seen it all over the world. Egypt is no different. People are trying to earn money.
Tourism has taken a proper kicking over the past few years and it’s hit a LOT of people.
I’d avoid Sharm like the plague personally - but that’s not down to the eqyptians.
Hurghada is deemed a “tourist zone” and consequently has a different official approach than other parts - the guard posts along the roads are tourist police checkpoints but you’ll never see anyone getting stopped.
I’d recommend going absolutely but outside of the hotel can be a bit of a culture shock.
A lot depends on whether you’re doing the history side of the country or the lay on a beach all inclusive side.
August will be silly hot. Had highs of 47 last July when I Was there.
It’s very much a third world country and while it’s true that hassle is possible - I’ve seen it all over the world. Egypt is no different. People are trying to earn money.
Tourism has taken a proper kicking over the past few years and it’s hit a LOT of people.
I’d avoid Sharm like the plague personally - but that’s not down to the eqyptians.
Hurghada is deemed a “tourist zone” and consequently has a different official approach than other parts - the guard posts along the roads are tourist police checkpoints but you’ll never see anyone getting stopped.
I’d recommend going absolutely but outside of the hotel can be a bit of a culture shock.
A lot depends on whether you’re doing the history side of the country or the lay on a beach all inclusive side.
My wife likes to bask like some cold blooded mammal for a week, I generally get a bit bored but like Scuba/Snorkelling, hotter the better for her and she only ever does trips anywhere as a bit of variety or to try and feels like she has to, then back to testing her skin like a Space Shuttle hull tile.
So, sounds like it would suit us,
So, sounds like it would suit us,
J4CKO said:
My wife likes to bask like some cold blooded mammal for a week, I generally get a bit bored but like Scuba/Snorkelling, hotter the better for her and she only ever does trips anywhere as a bit of variety or to try and feels like she has to, then back to testing her skin like a Space Shuttle hull tile.
So, sounds like it would suit us,
When we were in Sharm it was June and very hot. Then we were on the beach one afternoon, and it suddenly started to get hotter, and the wind started to blow up from nowhere - it was like being in a blast furnace. Everyone left the beach pronto, it just bizarre.So, sounds like it would suit us,
I'm a big fan of the 'best ever food review show' on youtube, watched it for years. After watching their experiences in Egypt I can't imagine ever wanting to ever visit that place. The video is their most watched, and arguably influenced the way they treat tourists and travel bloggers.
still, i would never go. had a cousin who couldn't leave the place for several months because of some BS.
still, i would never go. had a cousin who couldn't leave the place for several months because of some BS.
ambuletz said:
I'm a big fan of the 'best ever food review show' on youtube, watched it for years. After watching their experiences in Egypt I can't imagine ever wanting to ever visit that place. The video is their most watched, and arguably influenced the way they treat tourists and travel bloggers.
still, i would never go. had a cousin who couldn't leave the place for several months because of some BS.
Shame, because you are missing out on one of the wonders of the world. History comes alive, and I found the locals to be lovely people. That said, this thread is going in the beach direction so maybe I'm preaching to the wrong people.still, i would never go. had a cousin who couldn't leave the place for several months because of some BS.
Griffith4ever said:
ambuletz said:
I'm a big fan of the 'best ever food review show' on youtube, watched it for years. After watching their experiences in Egypt I can't imagine ever wanting to ever visit that place. The video is their most watched, and arguably influenced the way they treat tourists and travel bloggers.
still, i would never go. had a cousin who couldn't leave the place for several months because of some BS.
Shame, because you are missing out on one of the wonders of the world. History comes alive, and I found the locals to be lovely people. That said, this thread is going in the beach direction so maybe I'm preaching to the wrong people.still, i would never go. had a cousin who couldn't leave the place for several months because of some BS.
Got a photo of my grandad in front of the Sphinx in about 1943 when he was there in the RAF, so would feel like I should go.
I've been to Egypt a fair few times from Gulf of Aqaba resorts (Sharm etc) to southern Red Sea area (Hurghada, Soma Bay and nearer the Sudan border Marsa Alam). Most hotels are good, most beaches are man made, many hotels have their own reef which is (was) excellent for snorkelling (turtles, barracuda if you're lucky), make sure you find a hotel with an accessible by foot reef. An amazing way to spend a few hours just floating around looking at fish. I'm assuming you're not a scuba diver so won't talk about dive sites.
The towns in general are safe, but other than Sharm be aware you're basically in a third world country.
The tourist towns are nowhere near the big tourist attractions. even Aswan - closest to soma Bay by road, is a long trip across the desert. It can be done though, I'd hire a car + driver if you're feeling adventurous. Best way IMO to see the sights is by Nile boat trip. Egypt is an oddity in the modern world in that it's main tourist attractions are a distance away (other than the pyramids which are a bit of a disappointment) from population centres so are not that easy to reach. General rule seems to be either to do the sights, or do the 5* hotel and beach holiday. HTH
The towns in general are safe, but other than Sharm be aware you're basically in a third world country.
The tourist towns are nowhere near the big tourist attractions. even Aswan - closest to soma Bay by road, is a long trip across the desert. It can be done though, I'd hire a car + driver if you're feeling adventurous. Best way IMO to see the sights is by Nile boat trip. Egypt is an oddity in the modern world in that it's main tourist attractions are a distance away (other than the pyramids which are a bit of a disappointment) from population centres so are not that easy to reach. General rule seems to be either to do the sights, or do the 5* hotel and beach holiday. HTH
I've lost track of the number of times I've been to Egypt.
Numerous times to Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor & Hurghada.
Don't miss Cairo, the pyramids & museum. If you are at the beach resorts there are regular flights which are barely an hour each way. Luxor & it's surrounds needs doing.
June thru August are really hot. I've been there most months except January & December. April, May & October are best on the Red Sea
Its a fantastic place, but you need to do more than the beaches.
Numerous times to Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor & Hurghada.
Don't miss Cairo, the pyramids & museum. If you are at the beach resorts there are regular flights which are barely an hour each way. Luxor & it's surrounds needs doing.
June thru August are really hot. I've been there most months except January & December. April, May & October are best on the Red Sea
Its a fantastic place, but you need to do more than the beaches.
To echo the above - the history side is an absolute must but if you are doing beaches and sun - go as far south as possible.
Marsa Alam, Port Ghalib are the nicest areas I have stayed in.
No flights from the UK this year but many people fly into Hurghada and get their destination hotel to send a car. 3 hour drive and you’ll have some of the finest walk in reefs in the Red Sea.
Marsa Alam, Port Ghalib are the nicest areas I have stayed in.
No flights from the UK this year but many people fly into Hurghada and get their destination hotel to send a car. 3 hour drive and you’ll have some of the finest walk in reefs in the Red Sea.
Mrs L and I had a great experience, albeit 10 years ago. This was a Nile cruise on a dahabiya rather than one of the floating carparks.
A notable plus point, and I would reckon this still holds good, was as part of the package having a guide to help us around Cairo, Luxor, Edfu etc. We could have ended up who knows where, and missed out on a lot.
The sellers - I went quickly through patient and annoyed, and started taking the mickey, eg "how about you give me the postcards and 50 Egyptian pounds?" Also asking if they sold drugs, then going through the Brass Eye repertoire of bogusly named drugs.
A notable plus point, and I would reckon this still holds good, was as part of the package having a guide to help us around Cairo, Luxor, Edfu etc. We could have ended up who knows where, and missed out on a lot.
The sellers - I went quickly through patient and annoyed, and started taking the mickey, eg "how about you give me the postcards and 50 Egyptian pounds?" Also asking if they sold drugs, then going through the Brass Eye repertoire of bogusly named drugs.
It was an awful trip when we went…terrible place with everyone trying to get your money.
We were whisked away by armed security at one point with no explanation as to why ever given.
On a cruise a bloke dropped a 9mm pistol in the toilets and didn’t really try to cover it up.
I would not go back there if you paid me £10k for the week to go as well as all expenses.
We were whisked away by armed security at one point with no explanation as to why ever given.
On a cruise a bloke dropped a 9mm pistol in the toilets and didn’t really try to cover it up.
I would not go back there if you paid me £10k for the week to go as well as all expenses.
We went to Sharm in Feb this year, 10 nights all inclusive.
V nice hotel, great staff (all male staff was a bit weird) food was great, they really did try.
We did a few trips with Tui including taking a day trip by plane to Luxor incl valley of the Kings tombs, the day out was amazing, history like I have never seen before, great tour guide for just 10 of us.
Landcruiser trip into the desert at sunset was pretty immense.
Hotel had lots of Russian guests.
Yep road blocks and guns.
Yep got a upset tummy which is an understatement for a rough screaming #£&#s for a few days.
Weather was mid 20s.... which was nice.
I am glad I’ve seen the history but now I have I won’t be rushing back.
V nice hotel, great staff (all male staff was a bit weird) food was great, they really did try.
We did a few trips with Tui including taking a day trip by plane to Luxor incl valley of the Kings tombs, the day out was amazing, history like I have never seen before, great tour guide for just 10 of us.
Landcruiser trip into the desert at sunset was pretty immense.
Hotel had lots of Russian guests.
Yep road blocks and guns.
Yep got a upset tummy which is an understatement for a rough screaming #£&#s for a few days.
Weather was mid 20s.... which was nice.
I am glad I’ve seen the history but now I have I won’t be rushing back.
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