Page 2 | Thoughts on Egypt

MamaMiaOhDear · 2023-08-19T14:37:42+00:00

Has anyone got any thoughts or info about travelling to Egypt in very early November? I've found some amazing deals, 2 adults DD age 14, DS age 1. How is the weather at this time of year? What are the resorts like for all inclusive compared to European holidays of a similar type?

SanRaz1 · 19/08/2023 17:28

Went to Luxor a number of years ago. Enjoyed the sight seeing temples, museums etc in big groups it was somewhat safe…but when it was just me and DH, got hassled numerous times as soon as we got out of the hotel, DH nearly got into a fist fight after a local tried to defraud us. Some horrible people about unfortunately.

weather wise, it was December and was lovely. A bit chilly in the evening but otherwise fine. Would never visit the place again though…

Namefortodayandtomorrow · 19/08/2023 20:43

Have to say I haven’t had this experience in Egypt. Been to Sharm twice and had a great time. No sickness (food is mediocre though), ignored the pleas to go into restaurants and never really experienced the hassle at other times. We are going again this October so will be interested to see if it’s any different from the last time we were there 10+ years ago. We stay in good hotels recognising that 5 in Egypt is probably 4 or below elsewhere.

Nightmanagerfan · 19/08/2023 21:10

Canaries would be lovely. Look at Lopesan baobab in Gran Canaria. Amazing hotel.

Madeira is also lovely and should be ok weather ar that time of year. Lovely atmosphere and very safe

nocoolnamesleft · 19/08/2023 21:13

Egypt was one of the most amazing holidays I ever went on. Pyramids, sphinx, bazaar, Egyptian Museum in Cairo, trip to Alexandria, Aswan/Luxor/Valley of the Kings via a Nile Cruise. Had a bit of a dicky tummy, but well worth it for the awe inspiring history and culture.

QueenBitch666 · 20/08/2023 00:38

I've had several stays at Sofitel taba heights. Lovely hotel. Courtesy bus around area. Food ok. Glorious location. Would visit again
Wouldn't stay at Sharm again. Spent most of my holiday looking after stray cats. Locals couldn't gaf about them. Very upsetting. Also live animal markets ( I'm vegan before anyone pipes up )
Was in Madeira for 10 nights in July. Had maximum 2 days sunshine during the stay. Weather very changeable. Gorgeous place to visit though ( I don't visit just for the weather )
Pretty much an adults destination.
I've heard Tenerife is pretty much guaranteed weather wise that time of the year ( obviously not recommended atm due to fires )

foldingtowels · 20/08/2023 00:55

Been 3 times recently to Hurghada with my dd. She was 4 the first time we went. Hurghada is amazing. Get a good resort with everything in it and you don't need to leave the hotel, I left the hotel each time and felt safer in Hurghada than I do in the uk. Yes you get some hassle to buy things or go into the restaurants but a firm no is enough.

Stayed in titanic beach and spa every time I've been and loved it. Staff go above and beyond, especially for kids and not in a sleazy way. Food can be repetitive but plenty of different restaurants in this particular resort. Beautiful beach with pier and clear water.

I would go back in a minute. I had read mixed reviews before going also and I was apprehensive but I loved it and so did my dd.

foldingtowels · 20/08/2023 00:57

Also I sent in December last year, sunbathing weather in the late 20s-30s during the day. Night time is nice, not too warm not too cold

MetaverseMavis · 20/08/2023 00:59

Hurghada is filthy. Egypt is vile

Cellotapedispenser · 20/08/2023 01:03

I would really advise against taking any female children to Egypt. As pp have said it's very aggressively anti female. Whilst the pyramids and valley of the kings is amazing, the sheer disdain and aggression from so many men there means I'll never go again. I was literally spat at and called a whore, this whilst wearing full length wide legged trousers and a long sleeved shirt.

EverybodyLTB · 20/08/2023 01:08

Have a look at previous Egypt thread - there was one not that long ago. Your teenage daughter will be potentially sexually assaulted or as a minimum severely harassed, I say this from personal experience and that of others on that thread (I can’t seem to search it on my phone) but my shitty experience definitely wasn’t a one off, the thread was full of horror stories. There will be the odd person saying things like ‘yeah you get harassed and get ill, but we go back every year’ 🤦‍♀️

CrazyAboutBelek · 20/08/2023 01:10

Fine to see the pyramids and if you're on a package holiday. I would absolutely avoid going off the beaten path as my husband and I did. The majority of Egyptians are so greedy and corrupt, and the place is so utterly bureaucratic it's hard to get anything done unless money is stuffed in back pockets and all that. I am in no rush to go back and I travelled all over: Cairo, Alexandria, the White Desert, Abu Simbel, Sharm El Sheik, Qena, Hurghada, Ain Sokhna and Lake Nasser and Aswan. Never again!

DaleTremont · 20/08/2023 07:24

Love Hurghada, own an apartment there, go about 4 times a year with teen DD. Egyptians are incredibly friendly and to be honest I feel safer walking round downtown Hurghada than an English city on a Saturday night.

Yes they’ll try and get you into shops, you just ignore them and walk away, there’s a shopping mall called Senzo which is very westernised with fixed prices and no hassle. The Marina and intercontinental districts are relaxed as well.

We eat out a lot, never been sick and I clean my teeth with tap water so make of that what you will. The dirtiest thing is the money but you can get away paying by card or using sterling in most places.

Early November is the perfect time to go, the sea is still warm, temperatures are pleasant but not stifling like summer, slightly chilly on a night later on and great weather for sightseeing.

Window82 · 20/08/2023 07:32

really poorly in Egypt but mistake eating salad. But when I say poorly I mean literally couldn’t make it to the toilet cos of the D I mean it just took us over and ruined our holiday in Sharm. No hassle
from the hotel workers though, some hassle when out and about (some shouting/cat-calling in the main).

Morocco ALOT of staring from the men but in the hotel fine, food great.

Rollonsept · 20/08/2023 07:38

What hotel in Egypt OP? Join the Facebook page for advice tips. When you ask about places like Egypt/Tunisia and Morocco or similar the advice on here tends be over 1 or 2 decades old so quite outdated.

I've got Egypt booked next year! I read Facebook book hotel reviews for advice and tips from holiday guests.

pilates · 20/08/2023 07:40

I would go to Canaries. A lot of people are unwell when they go to Egypt.

Roselilly36 · 20/08/2023 07:41

No way with a 1 yo. Canaries would be better IMHO, we have visited in Dec & at Feb half term always had good weather. Have a great holiday wherever you decide OP.

Flowers94 · 20/08/2023 07:42

We take our kids to Egypt every year, normally September! We’ve never been unwell from the food or being inappropriately harassed by staff, the staff work extremely hard I don’t think it would be worth them losing their jobs over making sexual comments to teenage girls.
obviously I can’t speak for every hotel but the ones we have been to.
we don’t tend to leave the hotel as we book one with water parks and alacarte’s so there’s really no need.
as others have said you can’t brush your teeth with the tap water but I was under the impression you weren’t supposed to do that in Spain either? We used bottled water everywhere so not that inconvenient

it’s a beautiful country and the people are absolutely lovely.
weve been once before in nov and it was around 27 through the day, we’re doing nov again this year in sharm x

Fruitandnuts · 20/08/2023 07:53

Went in September last year,
38 degrees plus each day. Stayed in Sharm in all inclusive and had no problems. Paid for a private tour in Cairo for pyramids so probably didn’t get any hassle as our guide kept all that away. Did encounter some looks from men but was with DP and felt safe. Everyone looking money off you so as long as you smile and give a tip to service staff
it was fine. Would go back, no issues with any food inside or outside of hotel.
I’ve travelled to Thailand etc so just had to remind myself it’s outside of EU so it’s going to be very different

wisherwasher · 20/08/2023 07:54

CrazyAboutBelek · 20/08/2023 01:10

Fine to see the pyramids and if you're on a package holiday. I would absolutely avoid going off the beaten path as my husband and I did. The majority of Egyptians are so greedy and corrupt, and the place is so utterly bureaucratic it's hard to get anything done unless money is stuffed in back pockets and all that. I am in no rush to go back and I travelled all over: Cairo, Alexandria, the White Desert, Abu Simbel, Sharm El Sheik, Qena, Hurghada, Ain Sokhna and Lake Nasser and Aswan. Never again!

Surely you didn't miss Luxor?

CrazyAboutBelek · 20/08/2023 21:15

Thank you, missed it off the list! IMO Luxor - especially Luxor Temple, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings - was far more interesting than Giza. However, the way the guides/security guys who worked at the Valley of the Kings would allow you to venture beyond 'no entry' points and barrier ropes for extra money (of course) was disgusting and highlights my original point about Egypt. I hope many others refused as well, but I imagine many don't.