Hurghada Egypt - insanity??

[summerholsdreamin]

Desperate for some sun over Feb half term, without paying silly prices. A few people have recommended Hurghada in Egypt. I've looked into it: yes it's Egypt, no it's not near Sharm, yes it's had historic security problems, yet TripAdvisor now has glowing reports and visitors say it feels a very safe and beautiful place to be.

Would love to go but is it lunacy especially with kids?

The thing is that FCO advice is reactive. Meaning that places aren't usually considered dangerous until something bad happens. Tunisia has only been blacklisted since the beach massacre, Egypt was considered safe until the Hatshepsut massacre. Sharm was considered safe until someone smuggled a bomb on board a plane and then the horrendous lack of airport security was finally admitted to. What are the chances that an atrocity will occur during the precise week that you're in that one place? Low, I would guess. But whether you feel comfortable travelling there is up to you. I wouldn't visit any Muslim country at the moment or for the foreseeable future. Sure, most of the people in those countries wish Westerners no ill will. Many of them rely on tourism to make a living. But I would feel at risk and, worse, that my DC were at risk, merely to get a bit of sun. There are other sunny places to go that are much safer - I'd choose one of them.

Yes, definitely.

Sheraton Street is great for shopping/fakes/ knock-offs etc (DD has some 'Beats' headphones that we paid a tenner for!

Most hotels (if not on beach) have beach buses. From the JAP you go to Dana Beach which isn't great, JAViva takes you to Makadi Bay beach which is lovely. JAmarine is on the beach which is great for snorkelling.

JAP has a bigger water park, the one in JAViva is great but not heated in winter. JAmarine is smaller but heated.

Cleopatra's mini markets have all the holiday tat you need. The Senzo Mall is a huge shopping complex with a Spinneys (Asda!) and loads of shops/ fast food outlets etc.

Great activities/tours with Falcon - especially Dolphin House (a boat trip that goes to an area where you are 90% sure to see dolphins and swim with them sometimes - and the desert safari (quad bikes)

We love Hurghada

Egypt terror there is high.
London terror threat is severe.
Would you be asking the same question about London?

fakenamefornow I don't think I'd do that style of holiday, but I would investigate a resort based holiday, as summerholsdreamin seems to be considering.

I should say - We were in the JAP when it all kicked off in 2013 and again in 2014. If it wasn't for FB we wouldn't have even known! That's how safe and cut off Hurghada is. All the hotels have upgraded security and have check points etc to go into.

The bigger shops also have metal detectors and locker areas where you have to leave bags when you go in.

The airport has been upgraded since then as well (a new one built) and the security is second to none - better than at Gatwick actually (where DH was able to go back through security into the main entrance without being challenged, and returned without being checked - just this year - and yes, we did report it)

I'm obviously biased, but I've never felt unsafe there, and I can't help but at people who say they wouldn't feel safe / wouldn't go, when they've not been. Of course if you have actually experienced trouble then you are able to advise, I just don't get the "oh my god I never would" when they never have!

Terrorism is everywhere - London, Paris, Nice, Berlin etc. Even Benidorm was bombed by ETA! It's a crappy world we live in, but let's try to make the best of it.

Also looking at Jaz Dar El Madina in Marsa Alarm. Looks lovely and smaller version of Hurghada, although again how safe?

Good point Desert!

Yeah I wouldn't do Cairo/Luxor now (did them in 2010) although last summer one family we made friends with did that on a trip with Falcon and loved it.

summer that's where we went- I was an early poster up thread. There's certainly enough to do, snorkling, lots of free food(!) evening entertainments etc. Very safe, IMO because so very remote.

folded...it does look lovely and is cheaper, but the only flights are on a Wednesday which buggers up half term

I agree with the poster that mentioned the terror alert level in the U.K. No one would set foot in London if they all followed that advice. I was in Turkey on New Years day a few hours after the shooting, you wouldn't have known. You've got to live you're life to a certain degree, otherwise we'd never leave our houses.

There is also a high threat from Terrorism in France, Belgium and Germany according to foreign office advice and recent events. The second recent plane crash involving an Egyptian plane is now looking like an accidental fire was the cause.

The risk at AI resorts in Hurgarda and Turkey us probably no higher than anywhere else closer to home.

So Dallas, million dollar question...if you were forced to choose one of those hotels which would it be?

No pressure

"but Foods not great"

That would be a deal breaker for me. I wouldn't go anywhere on holiday to eat crap food, no matter how nice the weather and facilities were.

Whilst the terrorism threat in Hurghada wouldn't put me off, the level of extremely rude Russian tourists would...

Although I hear those numbers have dropped remarkably.

What about Morocco OP?

We stayed in a fab hotel all inclusive with water park in October?

Is Morocco warm enough in February? I have been in April and it was pleasantly warm, not hot.

Me too nickname. We're seriously thinking about Egypt, for the snorkeling and diving and that because this year our only chance to go on holiday might be out of season and short notice due to DPs work so will be limited in what we can do. Of Eve's list the Jaz Aquamarine sounds most appealing and has also been recommended by a friend who's been at least twice.

A few years ago I'd have said the JAP without a doubt. But not now sadly.

For 'get away from it all', nice food, safety and lovely beach I'd say Jaz Aquaviva. But in Feb the water park will still be Baltic and your kids might not enjoy it as much.

So for keeeping everyone happy I'd say the Jaz Aquamarine. Good food, nice grounds, on the beach, heated pools and heated water park.

I'd go Essoueira if you're doing Morocco. All the charm but much more laid back. I loved it.

Eeek - so have booked hol to Aquamarine!!! Thanks for recommendation Dallas. Shall report back after half term on our experience (assuming we get back )

Anyone know best currency to take?

Ooh, well done, very jealous.

We take US $ with us whenever we go. We take lots of $1 bills for tips (please don't tip in pound coins - they can't change them). Most shops take dollars, euros and sterling, but will give change in Egyptian.

You will need to buy visas on landing. Once you are in the terminal ignore all the 'reps' shouting at you to come to them and go directly to the bank tellers immediately on the right of the arrivals/passport control - there are 3 of them there. They will cost you £22 each, the reps will charge you £25 each. You do need these Visas, no matter how long you are going to be in the country.

There is a FB group called Jaz Aquamarine Lovers as well, join up and you will get loads of tips.

We have been to Egypt 3 times since the sharm flight ban came into effect - twice to Marsa Alam and once to Hurghada.

Hurghada is very safe (especially if you stay in the makadi makinat) as it is in effect a huge gated community with a dozen or so hotels and it controlled at a security gatehouse. If you aren't staying or working at the hotels - you don't get in (one day they wouldn't even let our travel companies bus in to pick us up for a boat trip). Security checks at the airport are also very strict - never for one moment didn't feel safe.

In Hurghada we stayed at the Jaz Aquaviva (kids loved the waterpark) and we have booked to go to Hurghada again next Christmas but this time we are trying the Jaz Aquamarine.