Can Egypt be a nice holiday ?!

[3smallpups]

Thinking of going in November, had pretty much decided but then realised that on mumsnet the consensus is very much avoid at all costs and if you do go expect to get dysentery.
was thinking of three nights in Cairo and 5 nights in dahab .
anyone acobeen and enjoyed it ?

Personally I loved the historical sites but I am brown so no one bothered or harassed me. The Pyramids and temples are amazing, just out of this world if you like history.

I also have a stomach like iron and well used to travelling in developing countries, so didn't get ill.

I wouldn't go for sea and sun.

Of course! Been several times, and loved it.
You have to take precautions for "Pharaoh's Revenge", and it could still happen, but who cares? You're seeing some of the most magnificent sights on earth, thousands of years of history.... a bit of mild discomfort is really not worth worrying about.
I am desperate to get back to Cairo, to visit the new Grand Egyptian Museum.
I'm not sure what there is to see in Dahab - wouldn't Luxor be a better choice?

I want to visit the new museum too. Maybe next year.
I also think Luxor would be better.

Cairo is an absolutely hole. But went in my twenties with a friend and we got constantly sexually harassed. Worst place I’ve ever been would never go back.

Keep out the sun and be really strict with no salads, bottled water ice in drinks etc. When we went the tour guides were insistent on us standing in shade, we visited attractions early on the day etc.And we were both fine.

We are in Egypt at the moment - it is gorgeous. Love the country, people are very friendly and the Red Sea is amazing.

I always recommend to people.

Cairo is stunning but I would adviae getting a guide or driver to protect yourself a bit more.

I've been twice, but Cairo, Luxor, Nile etc. , & always with a guide
Never had any stomach problems, or been harassed.

Was thinking Dahab for bit of sitting about in the sun, seemed less mega touristy than Sharm

Sort of feel now worth going just for the museum
would be travelling independently but then using guided trip, excursion type things to venture out in Cairo. Have my eye on a food tour.

Me and DD2 went for 2 weeks at Easter this year to visit DD1 who was doing her uni year abroad in Cairo. We loved it, it was so much fun. We had DD1 there though who did a sort of itinerary for us when she was at uni.

I would love to go back and go to Aswan.

We do speak some Arabic though which helps. And my DDs could get away with looking Egyptian which also helped with hassle - although DD2 did get asked if she was married a couple of times.

Yes to going to pyramids etc early. I was careful with what I ate, no salads for example, although the girls ate most things and were fine.

Egypt is an amazing holiday. I have been to most of the Red Sea resorts and Cairo a few times. I’ve never had a stomach upset, have travelled as a lone woman very happily and safely and only once been made to feel uncomfortable by a Nubian man down south.

A Cairo trip followed by Dahab will be a perfect combination.

We stayed in Zamalek and visited lots of amazing mosques, a great antiques market which is on every Saturday, called something like Diana? Fayoum for a day with a guide was the best day ever. Coptic Cairo, the Pyramids, the museum……

Oh that’s all really positive thanks
now to narrow down itinerary

I’ve been twice to Sharm el Sheikh and also on a Nile cruise when I was a lot younger. Luxor, Abu simbel were all amazing.

We’ve visited Egypt three times. The pyramids and temples are amazing and a Nile cruise is great fun. Like a pp, I would love the opportunity to visit the new Egyptian museum. Stomach upsets are not a problem if you take the warnings seriously - hand sanitizer after touching Egyptian notes and no ice or washed salads etc. We’ve never had any stomach upsets. My advice would be to go for it!

I've been to Egypt twice. Once with partner and 6-year old DD. Went in winter and had a great time. Cairo is very busy and can be overwhelming. Driving is a bit crazy there, we used Ubers and found it's better to choose the more expensive options like Uber comfort (still super cheap) to get better / safer cars with working seatbelts etc. The pyramids and other attractions will have lots of guys standing around trying to sell you things and / or be your guide. It can be a bit uncomfortable if you're going solo. I've also done Cairo alone for a conference and had a great time. I stayed near Baron Empain palace which is my favourite area. I also recommend the El Khalili market - even at night - but again better if you're with a friend or two as it can seem a bit edgy. We've also visited Sharm and it was lovely. My favourite place is Farsha cafe and its beach. Oh and it was 25*C in January!! Just bliss. No issues whatsoever with food. Have a great time!

Yes been several times. Mostly diving in sharm but also Luxor a couple of times.

enjoyed it.

we’ve been to Egypt many times and it’s one of my favourite destinations of anywhere I’ve been. In about eight trips, none of us has ever been seriously unwell - I was told before our first trip, and also by several Egyptians, thst one of the main sources of stomach problems is Egyptian money, and we have always used hand gel religiously evwry time we have touched any notes. If you look at Egyptian notes, this seems very plausible and they look like they are crawling with germs 😆. Weve obviously amways taken other sensible precautions like only drinking sealed bottled water, avoiding salads etc.

Egyptians arw lovely, friendly people, and although the hassle from shopkeepers and souvenir sellers csn be a bit much at times, it’s nearly amways good natured and only gets more intimidating if tourists are rude. I think it’s also important to dress respectfully.

I can’t think of anywhere in the world with more spectacular sights, and I would agree with a previous poster that I would much prefer to spend the majority of my holiday in Luxor than a beach resort. There are some fantastic hotels in Luxor so it’s easy to combine a few days relaxing with trips to the Valley of the Kings, Luxor temple etc. Egyptian food is also really under rated and there are some excellent restaurants i. Luxor which are worth exploring.

Been twice in November. sharm reminded me of a poor man’s Dubai. It’s made for tourists. But the snorkling was amazing. We flew to Cairo and booked a private guide. He was amazing and we got to see historic parts of Cairo as well as museum and pyramids. Hotel was nice, but 5 star is not Europe 5 star. Hot and sea was lovely. I loved the scenery

Hurghada was ok. But more touristy and shops hassled you. Hotel was suppose to be 5 star. It was terrible. We ate out lots and found some amazing restaurants. We did lots of trips. We booked a private guide to Luxor. Was a lovely city full of history. Took us to a local restaurant and had the best meal.

both visits people were friendly. Didn’t get ill, but my partner did. It was through touching money so take hand sanitizer. Alcohol is not great so I don’t drink there. I ate salads and fruits and was ok.

I would love to go to Alexander.

And just to add, Aswan and Abu Simbel are an easy side trip from Luxor. We’ve done three day trips there in the past, catching rhe train from Luxor, one night jn Aswan, fly to Abu Simbel the next day with an overnight stay, and then another night in Aswan. Staying in Abu Simbel gives you the chance to go to the son et lumiere show at the temples at night and then go back again to be there for daybreak. Abu Simbel is possibly the most memorable place Ive ever been to.

So you have all inspired me
flights are tricky it seems but I can get flights in to Luxor and out of Cairo, with an internal flight Luxor to Cairo . Then 6 nights Luxor and four Cairo
will look at Abu Simbel though

I absolutely loved Egypt. Alexandria, Cairo (bazaar, Egyptian museum) , pyramids, sphinx, Nile cruise, Aswan, Luxor etc. The most amazing historical sites. Lovely friendly people. Yeah there was some hassle, but a wide brimmed hat and dark glasses to avoid eye contact dealt with most of it. Did get mild runs, probably from street food, but so worth it.

If it was me, I think I would maybe just have two nights in Cairo, which would be plenty of time to go to the pyramids, tjr Egyptian museum, and Saqqara, which is about 30km south of Cairo. You would then have more time for a trip to Abu Simbel and Aswan.

I went 35 years ago and it is still the best holiday I’ve ever had.

Did a guided adventure tour through intrepid travel years ago and loved it. Did the sights in Cairo, sailing down the Nile, Luxor. Did get an upset stomach for a couple of days but not the end of the world. Wouldn’t go for sun holiday but know lots who have and have enjoyed it.