Would you take your kids to Egypt

[ImagineImagine]

Last year I booked a once in a lifetime trip to
sharm el shiek for my hubby and i and our3 kids. The hotel is all inclusive, 5* and quite special and we’re also booked on a day trip to see the Pyramids. But after today’s events in the Middle East I’m anxious and worried about taking my children to a volatile part of the world. The tour operator, have given me the option to reschedule or change destination. But I have to decide by Sunday. This option woudl also mean buying new flights, and losing our day trip money (£1k) 😬Now I know Egypt are generally peacekeepers, but even Daily news Egypt said this today. "This action jeopardises the well-being of the region's peoples and threatens to plunge the entire region into overwhelming chaos," the statement continued.

i don’t mean to alarm anyone. But it’s worth remembering that ww1 started following a relatively minor incident.

Any advice appreciated

No. Never would, 30 years ago or now.

No I wouldn’t. Particularly because of sharks!!

I would

I hated Egypt, due to the poverty and young children running up to me and begging. I also didn’t like the cruelty to the horses. Finally, it’s the only country where we all got D & V.

Absolutely not

Nope.

Yes. Have done so multiple times.

Sharm el sheikh is a purpose built tourist resort in the middle of the desert. It’s got an airport, luxury hotels, and shops and activities aimed at tourists. It is in no sense like living in Egypt. It’s probably one of the most western places in egypt and full of
tourists.

we liked it.

What is the Foreign Office advice ?

Been to Egypt with kids countless times. Preferred Hurghada to Sharm, but that is because we feel there is more to do in Hurghada. Never seen any trouble, never felt unsafe. The majority of the hotels (esp the 5* ones) are immaculate and have so many activities for the children that it is almost impossible to be bored!

The conflict is 100s of miles away from the resorts and Gov travel advice hasn't changed over the years - Sharm and Hurghada are still 'green' to go. Airport security is excellent, actually over the top which causes complaints (nuts really as I'd much rather be delayed but safe than wiz through quickly by cutting corners).

We last went in April this year and did a tour to VotK etc, which we much preferred to the Pyramids, so if I was going to change anything about your trip, it would be that!

We had this exact dilemma last year and changed to Tenerife. We are not inexperienced or unadventurous travellers but DH and I both agreed we just weren’t looking forward to the holiday so we changed it. Absolutely no regrets.

No I wouldn’t but more from a cruelty point. I have an Egyptian street dog. The cruelty to animals is just awful so no, I wouldn’t go there because of that.

I'd go to the hotel. Absolutely no way would I take young kids to Cairo. Having done the pyramids as an adult, Cairo is dangerous and incredibly overwhelming with salesmen and very young kids (2+) begging. Sack off the pyramids and stay in the hotel the whole time. No ice in drinks. No washed salad.

I’ve booked to go over NYE. Unless FCO advice changes we will go but I probably wouldn’t go to Cairo (easy for me to say I’ve I’ve already been).

SeS is a purpose build resort town far from the border with Israel. I believe I’m at more risk commuting on the tube each day and working in the City than I am in SeS.

I wouldn't go in the summer as it's way too hot now, go in September/October when it's calmer down but still mid/late 20's

No, absolutely not. It's a vile, dirty place.

I went to Egypt recently- Cairo / Luxor though and wouldn’t recommend Egypt as a destination- maybe the resorts are different
I have travelled alot / lived abroad but I felt as if I was being scammed the entire time (and I love haggling)
Change to Turkey!

Went once before kids quite a few years ago. You couldn’t pay me to go back. If you are having second thoughts change your holiday, looking forward to a holiday is part of the experience!

No. The Middle East is far too unstable for me to consider a holiday near by. Look at a map. Sharm el-Sheikh is closer to Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel than it is to Cairo!! Regardless of the current situation it’s too far away from Cairo for a day trip with children.

I live in Cairo, so yes! Moved here 10 years ago with my 3 dc.

Wouldn't go to Sharm though. It's basically Blackpool. But perfectly safe for a 'fly & flop'.

My kids & I generally holiday in Dahab. It's laid back & the snorkelling is fantastic.

@charlieandjennaI'm so pleased you have a balady dog - they're gorgeous & so smart.

I've been a few times, but Sharm is a really horrible place. I was scammed, assaulted and pestered constantly for 14 days. It's not Egypt really. It's a man made resort for attracting tourists. It has no culture or artifacts. The diving is good off Sharks Bay, but there's sharks and a tourist boat sunk killing people just a few weeks ago didn't it? Hurghada, Aswan, Luxor and Dahab with maybe a side trip to the pyramids would be great for young kids learning Egyptian history but no. I wouldn't do Sharm, there's literally nothing there.

It's not my type of holiday (I don't like inclusive resorts) but I wouldn't have qualms about taking children to Egypt.

We went to Egypt years ago because dd had been studying Ancient Egypt at primary school and we thought she would enjoy seeing the Pyramids etc. It was the Arab Spring. One day we walked through Tahrir Square and chatted to some of the young protesters. The next day, we watched it being cleared by police and military.

Even then, Cairo was perfectly safe for tourists. There's no risk in going to a tourist resort.

I'd avoid Iran and Israel at the moment but no need to avoid Egypt.

We went last year but to Cairo, Luxor, Nile trip etc on a fully guided tour. Loved it though the poverty, begging, animal mistreatment was hard to take.

Personally I think you'll be fine. I'd say a long trip to the pyramids from there with kids will probably feel like a waste of time though.

Nope, the region is unstable .

We went to Egypt several times when our daughter was young and in her teens, and, unless the security situation deteriorates significantly, I wouldn’t have any concerns going back now. We’ve always stayed in Luxor, Aswan, or Abu Simbel and have never felt in the slightest bit unsafe. I’ve always been happy to walk round Luxor late at night, which I wouldn’t dream of doing in my area of south London. Egyptians might try to rip you off in the cities and pester you, but physical assaults are very rare. We’ve been to Cairo on day trips and my daughter lived there for a year when she was in her early 20s and loved it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more overwhelming thsn the pyramids, and I had to be prized away from Tutankhamen’s death mask in the museum.

The Red Sea resorts have never appealed to us because Luxor is such a wonderful city with so much to see. There are some wonderful hotels in the cities which are as good as any I’ve stayed in elsewhere. I also think Egyptian food is very under rated, and in all of our many trips, none of us has ever had a stomach problem. We’ve also always loved the weather, and whilst it’s been over 40 degrees several times when we’ve been in Egypt in the summer, we’ve always found it bearable because the humidity is so low.

If it was me, I wouldn’t change my plans at the moment because of the security situation.

No, but then again I never would.