We want to go to Eygpt next year and would appreciate any advice!!!!

monkeyspanner

Although Egypt has been relatively quiet for some time and the convoy restrictions were recently removed from tourist bus transport please bear in mind that Egypt has been subject to numerous terrorist attacks specifically targetted at tourists/tourist resorts in the past.

With the recent Israeli military actions in Gaza (adjacent to Egypt) it may be advisable to hold off booking until events in the area settle down.

swiss69

The Pyramids are very overrated in my opinion. They are literally 100 yards or so from some hotels. I expected to drive into the desert to see them but no we could see them from our hotel room. You get hassled outside by people trying to sell you things and if you go into one it is incredibly claustrophobic. The Sphinx had scaffolding on when we went! Its not worth the 700 odd quid you would spend on flights and 8 hours on an egyptian coach just doesn't bear thinking about especially with kids!

Cairo is not my cup of tea at all though the Museum is interesting (Armed guard wherever you go though so completely puts me off going back). If you want to see more of egypt stay in a hotel in Luxor. Hotels are great and there are lots of temples/tombs etc to see.

tishybabe

Oops really don't fancy a day on a coach, I and other half would be ok but definatly a no no with the little one. Might have to look into a flying in. Thanks though.

gemz20

yeah can be a bit much with children i was lucky mine was ok but it is amazing i dont think they are overated and my son loves looking at the pictures and at school they done a topic on it and it is lovely memory for him to keep, if you go with a proper tour company you do get security and you dont get that much hassle when you are at the pyramids
It wasnt what i expected as being in the mioddle of desert but you see proper egypt and river nile it all added to the expeirance for me and my family
Wasnt any scaffolding up at the pyramids when i went last december so that could be a new thing not sure about that

caveman38

You may want to read this
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/middle-east-north-africa/egypt
It was posted in response to my post on the Israeli invasion.

KatieMatkin

We had a week in Hurghada last August, went by coach to both Cairo (stayed 1 night) and Luxor. Cairo was about £120 per adult, included everything apart from drinks, coach trip took about 7 hours but left Hurghada about 3am so slept for most of it. Luxor about 5 hour journey for about £70. Boyfriend says I bankrupted him because I insisted we couldn't go to Egypt without seeing the Pyramids etc, and he wanted to see Tutenkhamun's mummy in Luxor (which was very disappointing). Pyramids are right next to the city but on top of a palteau which give great views of city, plus they are pretty special. Went inside middle pyramid, cost about £2, never been so hot, cramped and claustophobic in my life, but quite cool. We're both young 20's.

Leothecat

I was in Sharm this year. We were due to go for 14 nights but I was only able to go for 9 due to my mother being ill. Well, I have to say it was the dullest place I have ever been. Sharm is purpose built for tourists. There are no nice streets to wander through as in Europe or Turkey. You are hassled from the moment you get out of your taxi until the moment you get back in. There are plenty of bars and resturants in Sharm but nothing else! Also, Sharm is very very expensive - be prepared to spend a lot of money on a night out there!
My daughter (5) loved Egypt. We went all inclusive and the hotel had an excellent kid's programme. The kids were well looked after and fully entertained at the kids klub during the day and at night there was a minidisco and family show. I did not particularly want her to spend every day at the club but she was having so much fun, I felt bad stopping her.
I would go somewhere else to be honest or only go for 1 week.

eileenfromplaistow

Why not spend a week in Luxor? Seemed quite touristy, lots of hotels,temple on the doorstep, can do trips to Karnak and Valley of the Kings, and a great bazaar to haggle your socks off. And you could also do a trip to Cairo and the pyramids if you wanted.

Sazzyukrafc

I used to work in an editorial role for a major tour operator with Egypt as one of my areas, I've also been a few times.

Sharm el Sheikh is divided into different areas. Naama Bay is the centre, very busy and touristy, however, it's worth a visit if you want to get away from your hotel. There are hotels in the centre of Naama Bay, but I've always stayed in ones along the beach about 15-20mins walk away. That gives you the quiet location, but the option of going into the centre.

I'd also recommend Hurghada, Makadi Bay and Taba Heights. The last two are much quieter, but many of the hotels are large and you tend to stay in your hotel most the time.

You'll find many tour operators have complexes aimed at families, so I'd recommend getting a brochure to take a look at these.

Also....if you're going at the end of May, beware. I've been in mid-May twice and it was 40degrees in the day and about 30degrees at night. You might want to consider going in April if you have young children.