Choosing Between Egypt in August or India in November—Need Advice for Our Family Trip!

[flawless29]

We are planning a holiday—my partner, our 18-month-old son, and I. It will be our first trip since I was pregnant. I’ve gone through numerous brochures and read lots of online reviews. We’ve stumbled upon a fantastic deal in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt that looks incredible and has good reviews, all at a reasonable price. However, I’m a bit worried about the heat in August being too intense for my son. Additionally, I’ve read a few posts online about harassment towards women, which adds to my concerns. We’re torn between visiting Egypt in August or perhaps waiting to travel to India in November. Is India a far better for young family ? Could anyone share their experiences or advice on which might be a better option? Thanks in advance!

I would imagine that the heat in Egypt in August would be pretty horrendous. If there’s a deal that seems really cheap, there’s probably a very good reason for it.

Neither would be ideal but a lot would depend on where in India you're planning, any vaccinations required, availability of decent medical care for you all. The infamous 'Delhi Belly' is not a myth and not what you'd want for any of you.
Egypt in August....nope!

Egypt in August is cheap for a reason!
also if you are worried about harassment of women then don’t go to either of those places

I wouldn’t go on either of those holidays. Egypt would be too hot in August and although I took a breast fed baby to India, I’d worry that a toddler would get a dodgy tummy.

Both sound awful

I went to India 3 times between 2007-2015. Granted that’s a while ago now, but on the basis of my experiences there I definitely would not take my young DC there.
If you’re after South Asia though, have you considered Sri Lanka?

Very odd choices, neither are particularly child friendly and both will be scorching. Any particular reason you have landed on these two?

I’ve just come back from Egypt. We have been lots of times in July.

it was way too hot this year. You couldn’t be in the sun at all for large parts of the day and even the pools and the sea were like a bath so it was hard to cool off without going into an air conditioned room. It became pleasant at about 4.30pm

don’t go to Egypt in august. Especially with a little one.

Neither are ‘18 month old’ child friendly

Sharm in August- horrific. Also lots of people get dodgy stomachs. Including me.

India - also not known for being a family friendly destination.

Have you been to either before?

Where in India? Delhi is very different to Goa.

This has to be a joke surely?

We’ve stumbled upon a fantastic deal in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt that looks incredible and has good reviews, all at a reasonable price.

the “reasonable price” bit and the month of August may have some correlation

but also, there’s a Holidays forum on Mumsnet? This is AIBU?!

Egypt in August will be VERY hot and your little one might find it difficult. Everything outside will be hot to the touch, sand will be boiling hot and the sun very bright. It can also get quite windy. However, Sharm is a major tourist destination and (from experience) the harassment you will encounter will not be because you’re female, but because you’re a tourist and they want to sell you something/get you into their brother’s restaurant/take you on a tour etc

Both destinations sound...ambitious with an 18 month old.

When I went to Egypt in August it was 46° and unbearable. I also did have a lot of “attention” as a female and unsolicited talking and offers to barter for me etc from men. It’s not suitable for young DC at all.

Ive never been to India but why can’t you go somewhere cooler/closer for a young child? India is known for being hectic, busy and hot. Why take an 18 month old there?!

We took our toddler son to Greece in September, it was plenty warm enough and the locals were charming and adored DS. I wouldn't want to go anywhere hotter like Egypt or India with such a young child (when you don't know how well they'll cope with flights, sudden heat, etc). Greece has a good reputation for family holidays and doesn't need to be expensive, so I would be recommending somewhere like that instead. Or maybe Majorca?

Don't you need additional vaccinations for India also, or am I remembering incorrectly?

Neither op!

Unless you can't go away outside of school holidays I'd go for mainland Spain/Greece/Canaries/Balearics.

Find somewhere with a nice splash pool, a mini disco and as least hassle as possible.

Sharm at any time of year would be hellish if you ask me. It's a complete shithole.

Never been to India but not somewhere I'd choose to take a young child.

Having been to Tunisia which had a similar
cuktural view of women to most North African countries - hell would freeze over before I’d go back, which is a shame as I’d love to see the historic side of Egypt.

i’m not sure it’s a holiday, more
a punishment for being a female.

Surely you can find a safer and more civilised country to go to! There are plenty to choose from that would be better than either Egypt or India tbh

I have been to Egypt in August with an 18 month old. We had a swim up room so he could go into the air con and our older DS could still swim etc. I wouldn’t do it again with such a small child.

I wouldn’t do either of these holidays with an 18 month old. August is way too hot in Egypt and both destinations (when I’ve travelled) will require you to have at least hepatitis A so ask yourself if you’re willing to inject your child?
Sometimes what appears a good deal isn’t by the time you’ve taken everything into consideration.

🤣

Behave

Crazy!
I think it would be irresponsible to travel to either.

I would absolutely not go to Sharm, especially not with an 18 month old in that heat.

India is hardly family friendly. I’ve been there sight seeing but can’t understand why you would go all that way for all inclusive/ a beach holiday. It’s such a long flight for an 18 month old when there are so many closer options.

Why don’t you go to the Canary Islands?

Why would it be irresponsible? Thousands of families travel to both destinations every year?