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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu these are safe holiday destinations

211 replies

Thisisanewnamename · 28/08/2022 20:16

Help me get some mental clarity Mnetters.

DH and I have 2 DC 3 and 9 months. Thinking of grabbing a cheap bit of winter sun in Nov, all inclusive 4/5*.

want it to be mid 20s at least to have lounge by pool/ beach and not do a lot else sort of hols. Basically 0 intention of leaving the hotel compound/ beach area somewhere that can’t be walked to.

talked to DM about you know as light convo and she balked at the destinations. Insisting they weren’t safe, hygiene would be poor, health care should anything happen would be insufficient and that it’s tantamount to neglect and me putting my selfish need/ want for a hols about my kids welfare, it’s just got me questioning myself.

looking at -
hurgurda in Egypt
looked at and dismissed Ayala and izmir as I think they aren’t that warm in nov
cape verde
dubai ( unlikely as seems pricey but maybe can find a deal)

shes being ridiculous right? Would you take your kids here? I just need to soundboard that these are perfectly legit places to take kids.

OP posts:
MiniDinosaur · 28/08/2022 20:20

With DC so young I’d avoid Egyptian resorts, but Cape Verde would be fine and Dubai very safe on all counts (the ethics of UAE society are another issue).

WhereAreMyAirpods · 28/08/2022 20:21

Agree with the other poster that I wouldn't go to Egypt.

Other place to look for AI with decent winter weather is any of the Canary Islands.

titchy · 28/08/2022 20:22

As long as you've got travel insurance they'll all be fine. You'd be treated in a private hospital, unlikely to be one locals use.

edwinbear · 28/08/2022 20:23

I wouldn’t personally rush to Egypt, there has been terrorism issues there, albeit I might be a bit out of date and I think Sharm/Hurgdura has generally been perceived as being less risky.

Cape Verde I’ve not been to, although friends who have don’t rate it much. Safe enough I think, but not a particularly pretty place. Although if you just want a week in the sun by the pool especially with young DC, that might not be so much of an issue if the hotel looks nice.

Sunnyqueen · 28/08/2022 20:24

The only one I'd go to would be cape Verde.

Original poster
Thisisanewnamename · 28/08/2022 20:25

why not Egypt for those who said they wouldn’t go with younguns?

i know you can’t drink the tap water (learned that the hard way) but I thought hurgurda is generally considered safe?

OP posts:
clary · 28/08/2022 20:26

I wouldn’t go to Egypt. No idea about the others.

APurpleSquirrel · 28/08/2022 20:26

I'd go for Lanzarote or other of the Canary Islands. Good weather & short flights, lots of resorts plus stuff to do if you do decide to venture out - we had a fantastic villa holiday there when DC were 4 & 11m.

travailtotravel · 28/08/2022 20:28

You won't get the sun, but Turkey has excellent healthcare.

Huckleberries73 · 28/08/2022 20:28

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Original poster
Thisisanewnamename · 28/08/2022 20:29

Oh should’ve said OP, ive been to Dubai and other places in uae many times (safest place I’ve ever been to), been to Egypt (sharm and hated it) not Cape Verde and been to Turkey many times more istanbul though and that felt v safe to me but I doubt the weather would be what I want in November anyway

OP posts:
edwinbear · 28/08/2022 20:29

www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/terrorism

This would be my concern about Egypt, just me personally.

PegasusReturns · 28/08/2022 20:30

I wouldn’t go to Egypt.

Not sure canaries are hot enough.

Dubai is perfectly safe and the weather will be the nicest of your options

Sprig1 · 28/08/2022 20:31

I have been to Egypt twice in the last 3 yrs. I don't know why people are saying they wouldn't go. You are probably more at risk of terrorism in your UK departure airport than you are in a major resort in Egypt. We have always felt completely safe and had a great time. It represents excellent value for money.

Original poster
Thisisanewnamename · 28/08/2022 20:31

edwinbear · 28/08/2022 20:29

www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/terrorism

This would be my concern about Egypt, just me personally.

Yeah f that as the saying goes

OP posts:
Original poster
Thisisanewnamename · 28/08/2022 20:31

Sprig1 · 28/08/2022 20:31

I have been to Egypt twice in the last 3 yrs. I don't know why people are saying they wouldn't go. You are probably more at risk of terrorism in your UK departure airport than you are in a major resort in Egypt. We have always felt completely safe and had a great time. It represents excellent value for money.

Where’d you go @Sprig1 ?

OP posts:
thunderonlyhappenswhenits · 28/08/2022 20:32

Cape Verde will be safe enough as you're mainly on a resort to be honest (we went to Boa Vista) we stayed at the Tuareg I think it was and it was a huge hotel, very good food but I was bored !

Original poster
Thisisanewnamename · 28/08/2022 20:33

APurpleSquirrel · 28/08/2022 20:26

I'd go for Lanzarote or other of the Canary Islands. Good weather & short flights, lots of resorts plus stuff to do if you do decide to venture out - we had a fantastic villa holiday there when DC were 4 & 11m.

I don’t think the weather will be warm enough, ive been a few times to the canaries and tbh I’m not really a fan (but I could have negative associations from shit childhood hols)

OP posts:
thunderonlyhappenswhenits · 28/08/2022 20:33

I wouldn't go to Egypt personally but my sister and brother have both been and said it was okay. But they both got eaten alive by mozzies and spent most the time getting injections in their bums Grin

RyanYESorNO · 28/08/2022 20:37

Definitely wouldn't go to Egypt myself, never mind with young kids.

Dubai, probably fine and there's probably great health care there if insured. But I'd just not ever go there for a number of other reasons.

Cape Verde, I've always dismissed as a holiday destination as its just so barren and nothing to do, but if you literally are not leaving the hotel, then I think it would be great for the weather you want (Although I've heard the beaches can be very windy). I think your mum may have a point though about health care. Have you looked at what is available in terms emergency care so that you can address her concerns? Although still very unlikely, accidents are actually more likely to happen on holiday as you're in an unfamiliar environment and more likely to take risks you wouldn't at home. Or if the children came down with something serious. Maybe they have great health care on Cape Verde, but it just seems to me as a place of nothing!

Canaries Islands is the usual choice of people wanting winter sun, although not guaranteed. And Florida the next popular choice.

edwinbear · 28/08/2022 20:37

What about Cyprus? Is that still hot in November?

Kerrrmieee · 28/08/2022 20:37

Fuertaventura - 60 miles off the coast of Africa.

Met loads of lovely people when I took my DD as a single mum. They used to go at Christmas, said it was always hot during day but temps would dip in evening so take jumpers etc.

I wouldn't be doing Egypt.

jollygoose · 28/08/2022 20:39

I wouldn't take tiny children to Egypt I have heard too many tales of food poisoning

Kerrrmieee · 28/08/2022 20:39

Thisisanewnamename · 28/08/2022 20:33

I don’t think the weather will be warm enough, ive been a few times to the canaries and tbh I’m not really a fan (but I could have negative associations from shit childhood hols)

Show quote history

Blimey, you should have seen the caravan we stayed in, in Cromer as kids 😭🤣 It wouldn't be allowed on site these days!

Suzi888 · 28/08/2022 20:41

Egypt is fine- we’ve been. Went in November and it was still lovely and warm every day. The only thing I would say is they will possibly touch you if your a blue eyed/blonde. Our hair was touched and they stroked DD’s cheeks. This happened in Turkey and Tunisia also (Tunisia I didn’t have DD). I have no idea why as surely it’s not that rare to see blonde hair these days! They tend not to touch you if you are with DH/ a male.

Dubai was also lovely in November, like Egypt it’s more of a hazy, less intense sun. Still very warm
and was a great holiday. We had a few excursions in Dubai, always felt safe.

Not been to Cape Verde, a work colleague did and had a fabulous time.

Never felt unsafe, more bemused than anything!