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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

Easter holidays: Canaries or Egypt?

22 replies

parapluiepliant · 04/02/2015 15:37

Hi (name change - used to be ratflavouredjelly but forgot my log in deets

I'm daring to go away with my DP at Easter (sans little ones).

How is Egypt at the moment for travel? DP is concerned.
Gran Canaries - never been but reading conflicting reports.
Thanks ladies

OP posts:

mousmous · 04/02/2015 15:38

egypt- no way

SunnySomer · 04/02/2015 15:43

Personally I wouldn't take the risk.
Canaries - depends what you like. We've been to Tenerife at easter (later than this year) and it was lovely. For us. We stayed in the north, did lots of walking etc and it was utterly beautiful. Easy to drive to the south on chilly/wet days. Evenings too cool to sit out later than 7.30ish.
I would do that holiday again, but realise that others prefer something hotter and more beachy!

specialsubject · 05/02/2015 10:22

the Red Sea resorts in Egypt are a long way from the trouble spots (of which there are many) and heavily protected.

but I'd still prefer Tenerife or Lanzarote. Have also heard bad things about Gran Canaria.

Hersetta427 · 05/02/2015 13:11

If you want guaranteed sun then Egypt. The trouble in the north doesn't bother me - I have worked in the city for 20 years and have lived through all the IRA and 7/7 bombings.

We are off to Egypt next week for half term and we are 800km from Cairo and ever further from North Sinai. I can live with that...quite frankly I am closer to the attacks in Paris at my desk at work than I will be to the problems in Egypt when I will be laying on the beach.

specialsubject · 05/02/2015 13:20

that was the distance I was trying to find. Very fair point!

Hersetta427 · 05/02/2015 13:46

I should point out that we are not going to Sharm - We are going much further south to Marsa Alam (Thomson fly there). Sharm is still 500km to Cairo though!

bonhomme · 07/02/2015 21:41

I love Marsa Alam (snorkelling is amazing) but I wouldn't travel to Egypt at the moment. Personal choice though - plenty of people do.

Original poster

parapluiepliant · 10/02/2015 22:30

SunnySomer which part of Tenerife did you visit?

I'm resigned to a cheap holiday but don't want to be trapped in high rise and Emglish pub hell. I'll also be 5 months preggo...

OP posts:

Original poster

parapluiepliant · 10/02/2015 22:35

Can anyone tell me - Tenerife, are the natural beaches black sand?
If so - are there also man made golden sandy beaches?

Hersetta - Have you been to Marsa Alam before? Are you taking little ones too?

OP posts:

mothermirth · 12/02/2015 07:44

We went here a few years ago. It was idyllic - beautiful setting, fabulous breakfasts, friendly host. You'll need a car - if you explore the coastline in the north of Lanzarote there are dreamy turquoise beaches. Plus, La Graciosa is lovely.

Original poster

parapluiepliant · 16/02/2015 11:04

Mother mirth
Thanks for the link. Looks beautiful. Are all the beaches black volcanic there? Not that I want to lie on beach all day but will also be 5 months pregnant (with third).

OP posts:

AnyFucker · 16/02/2015 11:06

I wouldn't risk travel to Egypt right now

Have you thought about Cape Verde ?

AnyFucker · 16/02/2015 11:08

by "risk" I don't mean getting caught up in anything but the chances of having your flights disrupted/cancelled

Hoppinggreen · 16/02/2015 15:32

I wouldn't go to Egypt at the moment, I appreciate that the Red Sea resorts are a long way from Cairo but given that Egypt has just bombed ISIS I don't think it's worth the risk if there are other places you could go.

LemonYellowSun · 16/02/2015 15:43

I have been to various destinations in Egypt quite a few times (even shortly after the tourist killings in Luxor), but I wouldn't risk travelling there at the moment - especially because of the current bombing of IS by Egypt.

I am hoping there will be a day when we can go back to a calmer place, and show my children what a wonderful country it is.

Original poster

parapluiepliant · 16/02/2015 22:02

Yes, it's a complex situation that I don't want to be anywhere near. And as I'm pregnant am more emotional and want a stress free time.

I'm actually really sold on Furteventura (Correjoleas). Anyone been at Easter?

OP posts:

OnIlkleyMoorBahTwat · 17/02/2015 14:42

Lanzarote has plenty of (imported) golden beaches and little or nothing in the way of high rise due to the influence of artist Cesar Manrique. There's a few museums dedicated to him across the Island, and a good few other interesting things to do but I suggest you stay away from Puerto del Carmen (except the old town and marina area which is lovely) or Costa Teguise to avoid the English Breakfasts. Playa Blanca or the old town end (western) end of Puerto del Carmen, or a few of the smaller resorts sounds like more what you are looking for.

mothermirth · 17/02/2015 20:28

parapluiepliant no, most of the beaches in the north are white sand, and on La Graciosa they're all white sand I think. See the convo has moved on since my previous post, though - afraid I know nothing about Fuerteventura.

flowerdew · 17/02/2015 23:33

Hi ladies
I've just noticed your posts!! I've been looking into where to stay come Easter hols with 1 child, baby and husband in Fuerteventura last hour or so anyone been with kids and stayed in fab hotels happy to do 4/5* We were thinking Egypt too but not risking as want to relax and not feel worried. Thanks in advance X

Original poster

parapluiepliant · 18/02/2015 20:52

I've decided to book Corralejo in Fuertaventura. You can get amazing places through air B and B.

OP posts:

bonhomme · 19/02/2015 20:28

Under normal circumstances, Egypt - I'm not a fan of the Canaries. But as much as I loved our holiday to Egypt, I wouldn't travel to Egypt at the moment - it is in turmoil.

Hersetta427 · 20/02/2015 11:49

Got back from Marsa Alam on Wednesday night. Had a lovely time. Resort is completely isolated in the middle of the dessert (so really safe) but we wanted just a resort based holiday this time. The kids (7 & 3) had a great time. The hotel had an on site water park with loads and loads of slides and beautifully heated pools (like a bath) so they could stay in the water for ages. Weather was lovely although could get chilly in the shade and you needed a jacket or fleece in the evening.

Hotel entertainment a little poor - but we are used to the FC holiday villages so shows where they mimed to music were hysterical. All in all, for the price we paid we were more than happy.

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