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

I'm desperate to go back to Cairo when the new museum fully opens - it's a fascinating city, and Egypt is a brilliant country. My first trip there was just after the first Gulf War!

But Sharn could be anywhere, tbh, so if all you want is an all-inclusive resort, then change to somewhere like Cyprus.

I have been to various parts of Egypt multiple times, taken my children, and I genuinely don’t understand why anyone wouldn’t go if they wanted to. It’s fine. People are just scared of things they don’t know and don’t understand. No one has stopped going on holiday to Europe because of the war in Ukraine.

Never been just as a friend had food poisoning, and then after started with arthritis. She blamed the food poisoning for the arthritis (apparently salmonella can cause joint paint and arthritis). This is over 20 years ago mind.

If I was doing a once in a lifetime holiday, I wouldn’t be going to Sharm el Sheikh. I’ve yet to meet someone who hasn’t gone to Egypt and come down with the raging shits, even very seasoned travellers. Plus I have concerns about cultural attitudes/safety towards women and also the security situation. It wouldn’t be my idea of a relaxing holiday destination for that kind of holiday.

Problem will be what your budget gets you elsewhere as Egypt, Turkey etc tend to be a lot cheaper than a similar package in somewhere like the Canaries.

No I won’t. Egypt is comparatively cheap 5* for a reason especially Sharm due to previous terrorist activity. Pay a little more for piece of mind especially if it’s a once in a lifetime!

Couldn’t pay me to go back there.

No for so many reasons but the conflict definitely would add to that. I ruled out Cyprus for this year's holiday as it is just too close to that region for me.

Mil went a few years back and adored it but was very happy to get home. My kids would probably adore it but wouldn’t chance it now, I’d definitely change if I had the option

You couldn’t pay me to go to Egypt.
Political situation, inevitable D&V, street culture, crowds and noise …

We love Sharm and Hurghada both great for snorkelling and scuba diving. My parents go multiple times a year. You will get a mix of opinions on here as Egypt seems to be very decisive. You will get some who say it's "too hot" it's not. I've only been in July or August and yes it's hot but it's a dry heat, not humid so it's perfectly fine and that's what the pool and bar is for! I've not known anyone have an issue being harassed in Sharm and yes some do get the Egyptian belly, I have had it my mum never has and must have been over 20 times. My friend got back a few weeks ago and her and her family avoided it. If you go get Antanil I think it's called, from the local pharmacy. It's the only thing that gets rid of it and it clears it in a few hours. When I have had it I felt fine, I just needed to be near a toilet 🤣. I've not been to Cairo but I have a friend whose son lives there for a couple of months and he had a great time. We have a saying in our house, if it's not a hell yeah it's a no. So if you have strong reservations I would say change it, you won't enjoy it if you are worried. But it's a lovely country, there were sharks years ago caused by locals I've been since then it's fine. There was a boat that sank, there are multiple tourist boats every day, only one has sunk. My son was 11 when we last went and he went scuba diving, he's done it in a few countries and said he felt as safe there with the equipment and guides as he has anywhere.

This is the only post on this thread that is relevant.

I just checked. It was updated yesterday and it says in bold

FCDO advises against all travel to parts of Egypt.

This means you will not be covered by normal travel insurance. You would need expensive and difficult to get specialist cover.

Do not go. It's not considered safe by our government.

I would and if helps your nerves then ditch Cairo (which is a shame as it was one of my family’s best days ever).
Would the tour operator let you use the 1k to book other excursions.

SES isn’t included in the FO warning, so there’s no warning against travelling there. See where it says ‘parts’? It’s not a blanket warning against all travel to Egypt. It tells you the specific areas, none of which are SES.

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt

Have you already taken out valid travel insurance? Would it cover the lost £1k.

You may find that in order to get valid travel insurance to cover this trip now you have to spend the best part of £1k anyway. You definitely should be keeping in mind.

SES is in the green zone for travel. There are no warnings against travelling there and no implications for travel insurance.

Thank you- I didn’t know this sickening.

Here’s the FO map

We love Sharm, always felt very safe. We don't do much sitting in the resort kind of stuff. Every day is spent at the beach or on trips. The snorkelling and diving is out of this world. Desert trips are worth it. Farsha Cafe is wonderful.

i wasn't a fan of the hustle and bustle of the main town shopping areas but people leave you alone if you politely but firmly say no.

Egyptian people as a whole are incredibly friendly and welcoming. Never had a bad stomach over there.

Just returned from Hurghada. It was very safe as it's far away from the border (so is Sharm). It was great. Hotel and beach were beautiful

That's not correct, it's all travel to certain parts. Sharm is still on the green list

I absolutely would go. Egypt is one of the best holidays I've had (although I was backpacking, not in Sharm). My sibling just took their children to Sharm and said it's their favourite holiday too.

Wouldn’t have a problem normally but given the volatile situation over there at present, even though Egypt itself isn’t involved, I’d give it a miss

In 8 or 9 visits, none of us has ever had the shits. The first time we went I was told that the vast majority of stomach bugs come from the germs on Egyptian money, and if you look at most of the notes, you can see why. We have always been absolutely meticulous about using hand gel every time we handle money, as well as obvious things like avoiding ice and using bottled water to brush our teeth. But I agree that Sharm Al Sheikh wouldn't be my choice for the holiday of a lifetime.

I went nearly 30 years ago, not sure what was going on politically but we needed police escorts to get from Hurgada to Cairo through the desert due to risk of kidnap, attacks sort of thing, which was a long journey if I remember rightly so not sure how a day trip would work?

I wouldnt now, at this point. Wait until things calm down, which might be never.

Yes, I would go. I love Egypt and have visited Cairo many times. I am also currently in the Middle East now. It will be fine.