Would you recomend Egypt with small children? Is it safe or an unfriendly place? Please advise

[winegoddess]

Hi, thinking of going to Egypt for xmas. Dh very keen as quite cheap but alarm bells are ringing for me. There was that car driven in to a resort, then a tourist bus attacked etc. Am i just focusing on the bad or is it somewhere to give a miss? I have 3 children, 7, 5 and 1, would you go with them this age?
Please advise. Anyone been? Anywhere to recommend?

I live quite close to Egypt (about an hours flight) and we have decided not to take the children (aged 5 and 3) there. Many friends have travelled there from here and just about all have come back with a bad stomach.

I'm sure there are others on here that will tell you about great holidays there. Just our personal feeling.

So glad you said that because there is always that worry, particularly when travelling with a child as young as 1.

Yes still a baby, could be very poorly if he/she contracted some sort of food poison. Sorry I sound so miserable and pessimistic but I wouldn't take the risk.

Have you got any other destinations in mind?

I have been to Sharm alot to dive. Because it is sooo sterile, and essentially consists of a string of luxury hotels in a desert, I never got ill. It might be a bit boring if the kids are too young to snorkle or dive.

Have been to Cairo a few times and been really ill every single time. Its a dirty, chaotic and daunting city.

have taken dd to sharm twice now, last year when she was 2 and this year when she was 3. we stayed in a good quality hotel and had a fab time.

I guess it depends what you want from your holiday. Are you going to stay in a very nice hotel for the whole time or are you going to go exploring, the latter being more risky.

We're considering Cape Verdie Island (think thats how it's spelt!) but don't know much about it. Bascially, we want to go somewhere hot and relaxing for 7 nights for not more that £2500 just before xmas. Open to suggestions, emphasis is mostly on the relaxing but the sun would be great too!!

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madrose, which hotel did you go to, if you don't mind me asking? thinking of going to egypt with a 2 year old and are quite doubtful too... hearing mixed reviews.

We went in March of this year, I was 26 weeks pregnant and took our 18mth old. If you are planning on doing the resort/hotel thing, honestly you would never even know you are in Egypt in most of those places. We stayed in a 5* and the standard of food was good, no sickness at all and the staff were really attentive with the kids. We stayed at the Sheraton Mirimar at El Gouna, was nice (and fairly cheap I recall...)

hatwoman, I think, had a thread recently about how utterly wonderful Egypt was with kids - can't remember where but it was a v recent thread, try searching!

found it!

My friend went with her hubby and two kids last year in April. She and her youngest aged 4 had bad stomachs for days. It put me off!! Holidays can be stressful enough with little ones so dont need illness as well!!

I went to egypt on a multi-centre tour and it was amazing!! we expected to have upset tummies, didn't. we thought we'd get hassled, didn't(even at the pyramids). we ended up in sharm for a week and i can honestly say that if you stay in good hotels and don't use the water - even to brush your teeth you should be ok...

some friends of mine have just been with 2 xDD (2 and 4) to quite a posh place (English prices for food) and had a fab time.

Did Egypt with 4 year old. best holiday ever. She loved Cairo markets, loved pyramids and loved the beach. So did we!