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AIBU?

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Original poster

...to travel to Egypt?

74 replies

AdoraKiora · 03/06/2016 16:07

Its my mum's 70th birthday soon. She is a very intrepid traveller, has travelled the world, but hasn't been to Egypt and would love to see the pyramids before she gets too past it to travel.

We are both ancient civilisation geeks, and have talked about going on one of those Jules Verne Cairo-Luxor Nile tours for years. Are now starting to talk about doing it more seriously, possibly for next Spring.

UK government doesn't advise against it (North and South Sinai and the areas around Sharm seem to be the 'no go' areas), but I would be leaving two young children at home with their dad and feel a sudden attack of 'am I being unreasonable/irresponsible?' coming on.

Would you go in the current climate?

OP posts:
exLtEveDallas · 03/06/2016 18:36

Slightly baffled by exlteve though- if the major tourist traps are asking for trouble, why are you going to Hurghada twice? hmm

Major tourist traps as in the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings, Cairo museum etc. Hurghada is quieter and safer.

Bearbehind · 03/06/2016 18:56

Major tourist traps as in the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings, Cairo museum etc. Hurghada is quieter and safer.

Really? Hmm

I've visited both Sharm and Hurghada and given you can't actually fly to Sharm from the UK, Hurghada has become a 'major tourist trap' by default but each to their own.

Not to exaggerate how unsafe Egypt can make you feel but I recall talking to a couple whilst there who were in a taxi when the driver went off piste and started being really strange- the guy, who was 6ft 6 so no wuss, said it seriously went through his mind that he'd kill his wife himself before letting anyone attack her. Dramatic I know but it's kind of how it made you feel.

John4703 · 03/06/2016 19:06

i have been once and loved it, The pyramids are amazing and I spend a whole day in a museum and only saw a fraction of it, it was huge. Prices should be good too with all the bad publicity.
life is full of risks but if your mum wants to go and you are both sensible seasoned travelers go and see one of the most wonderful sights from the ancient world.

ICanTuckMyBoobsInMyPockets · 03/06/2016 19:19

I'd go.

We were there last October and flew back a week before the plane was brought down by the Russians.

I'd still go.

Original poster
AdoraKiora · 03/06/2016 19:35

Thanks for all your replies. Food for thought.

Just to be clear, the UK government doesn't advise against travel to Cairo, Luxor or any of the spots we'd stop off at along the Nile.

It doesn't include Hurghada or Sharm, either, although have no interest in either of those places, really.

OP posts:
zoobaby · 03/06/2016 21:00

DP and I only just had a conversation about how we're pleased we went to Egypt 8 years ago as we'd never go now. Sad

We booked a group tour (Trafalgar who are fabulous - I looked and they're still offering tours at the moment) with 3 days before the start. Since tours tend to show the highlights, we like to have additional free time to see things at leisure.

We felt a little uneasy and nervous from the first moment (and that's not including the Cairo traffic, haha) and the first full day certainly opened our eyes. We stayed at the hotel for the other 2 days and never strayed from the confines of our tour group for the duration.

Even back then there were army guys holding big machine guns all over the place and one part of our Nile cruise up to Dendara included 2 young army guys coming on board overnight with their massive bolt-on machine gun. Confused

But it was fine and we remained perfectly healthy on our lovely boat (it's the felucca cruises that make people really ill). It's a truly amazing place and I'm really sad that it is being hit so incredibly hard right now.

Things are so much more scary now I have DC.

SouperSal · 03/06/2016 23:53

Even back then there were army guys holding big machine guns all over the place

Like London at times then.

Idliketobeabutterfly · 04/06/2016 00:02

Nope, no way.

ONatural · 04/06/2016 00:15

Similar to zoobaby, DH and I are seasoned independent travellers, we have both been to Egypt/Cairo before, but never would now. We've talked about it too. Ditto Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey, and so on. No thank you.

AnnieOnnieMouse · 04/06/2016 00:28

If you go with a good tour guide, it will be fine.
If you can afford it, go with Aidan Dodson, he's an English professor of Egyptology. He and his wife guide fantastic tours of Egypt and Sudan.
I would go back there now, but physically can't.

Artandco · 04/06/2016 00:31

Nope.
We last went 7 years ago when I was pregnant with ds1. Had a lovely time, didn't feel threatened at all and Dh and I would have def returned had the country not turned to shit

wtfisgoingonhere · 04/06/2016 01:05

We went to sharm for the first time following the unrest in 2011, returned 2 years later and first went to hurghada winter before last.

Every single time we've had those people eyerolling and telling us they'd never go there... the same people who said they wouldn't go to Tunisia or turkey (weve done those three times of late too)

Every time we had a fantastic time and never once felt in any danger, even going to Cairo on a private tour in 2011 seeing tiamo square with protestor in situ and the government offices which had been burnt out

Everytime weve been the security presence has been High, staff friendly and welcoming, and sites and weather beautiful

They have been massively hit by drops in tourist numbers and it's sad to see when so many people rely on it to support family

We're only going away this summer if we can find a late deal at good price but will be to either Egypt or turkey

I'd go, but appreciate the majority of people will disagree

pilpiloni · 04/06/2016 01:20

I wouldn't go near Sinai or western desert but I think I'd consider going to Cairo.

Feelingsolow12345 · 04/06/2016 01:31

I love Egypt. I was literally talking to my nan about this yesterday. I don't think it's a good idea going.

the nile tours aren't all what they sound to be. I hated it. it was dirty smelly worse than some of the canals in this country.

this trip is totally up to you. I couldn't go to Turkey but my nan has just come back from there in one piece. so it is possible to go and he safe.

gunting · 04/06/2016 01:34

Bloody hell no!

IPityThePontipines · 04/06/2016 02:20

There are some odd comments on here. I've stayed in Cairo twice with Egyptian friends and visited Alexandria and I'm not recognising the picture some are painting.

Yes, I would go OP, but check FCO advice.

habibihabibi · 04/06/2016 03:16

We went as a family in April and had a fab time based in Luxor. I'd think twice now though .We never felt uneasy or at risk but with young children you have to be more careful. . Most of the scantly spread tourists were older people (DH said they have nothing to lose )
The whole country is suffering terribly. It's very sad.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 04/06/2016 09:39

They have been massively hit by drops in tourist numbers and it's sad to see when so many people rely on it to support family

I was told by the guide that 60% of people work in tourism, 30% in agriculture and the remaining 10% in "other"

And that 60% is a hell of a lot of people ...

Teresalosingtheirleaves · 04/06/2016 09:49

If "if" anything happens you will be putting your dc at risk even by leaving get them at home. If you are hurt so will they. Don't risk it, the world has plenty of other places to see.

Teresalosingtheirleaves · 04/06/2016 09:52

The Nile tours are smelly apparently and two female friends of mine (50's) where pestered by locals hoping for "romance" and spare cash. Not in all places, but on the Nile cruise yes.

MargaretCavendish · 04/06/2016 09:53

I think one thing you need to think about/ be aware of is: what if the situation has changed by next spring? If FO advises against it by then you should be OK as trip would be cancelled so you should get refund, but if FO only advises 'caution' but you feel uncomfortable going or if only part of the trip would fall in a 'no go' zone, then you could be in a tough situation, as my understanding is that travel insurance won't pay out. I had to think about this when I went to Beirut (which lots of people thought was mad but was great, BTW!) - husband and I explicitly agreed that we'd pull out if either one of us felt too unsafe, even though we'd lose the money. I think if you book it now you have to allow for this possibility. Would that mean having no big trip with your mum, possibly ever? If so, that's quite a big risk to take.

razmataz · 04/06/2016 10:06

If you really want to go, then I would. But I'd go with a reputable tour operator who has experienced local guides and knows the ins and outs of the country in order to get you out of the way fast if anything was to happen.

Tour operators are still going to Egypt, and they wouldn't be if the risk was felt to be unacceptable.

Something like this:
www.explore.co.uk/holidays/nile-adventure-cruise

Beeziekn33ze · 04/06/2016 10:10

A retired couple I know have been spending winters in Luxor for the past few years. Apart from being warm and spending little they also have great time. They've got to know the expat community and there is masses going on. He does his Egyptology and she (a feisty Scot) has been invited by Egyptian women to wedding celebrations.
Sounds a different country from some of the descriptions posted! They have both (separately) worked abroad, sometimes in remote or challenging locations, and are the sort of resourceful people who just get on with life.

Tricerasaurus · 04/06/2016 10:17

I went with work six months ago. We did a day trip to the pyramids on our one day off. I have been before and enjoyed it but it felt awful this time. Here was something edgy and eerie about the whole place. Also there was a hint of aggression in serval interactions I had. I have spent a lot of time in Arab countries but the recent trip to Egypt was the first time that I thought I wanted to get out ASAP.

I was also violently ill every time I visited Egypt. Never had the same issues in Iran, Syria or other counties in the region.

In short I would not take a 70 year old and I would not go again myself unless the situation drastically improves.

LucyInTheSkyWithDonuts · 04/06/2016 10:32

I wouldn't at the moment, it's just too risky with someone of that age, even if relatively fit and healthy.

Has she been to Angkor in Cambodia and visited the temples? They are a fabulous experience, feel very exotic, and relatively safe. You could combine if with a trip to Bangkok and see some wonderful places? Or go to Chichen Itza in Mexico, fabulous ancient sites and a bit safer at the moment...