egypt
 

We are thinking of going to Egypt but are concerned about safety for Americans. I am looking at Grand European Tours. I would appreciate any feedback on safety or the tour company. Thanks, Ken

kenc, My sister and I just returned from Egypt on Oct. 18th. We didn't have any problems and found the people, for the most part, friendly and helpful. By "for the most part" I mean that other than the sellers harrassing you to buy something (you do get adjusted to this after a few days) everyone was wonderful. As for safety, it really never crossed our minds. You will find uniformed policemen (well armed with guns) everywhere. All were helpful and polite. Every where we went,(with our tour group) two or more armed guards went with us. Our guide told us that the US mandated that all Americans were to have these escorts. We felt safe at all times! We went with Smithsonian Tours, and had a wonderful time. The cruise was the best, but check out your boat if you can. Ours was the Sonesta Sun Goddess and was super. Some of the others were pretty bad, so just do some checking. Please, go,go,go! I would again in a moment! If you want any ideas on what to see just ask, foders is a great source of info.

MY husband and I just were in Egypt this past September.. fantastic! I never felt unsafe (well except for the traffic in Cairo, but that is a different story).
We opted to use a local provider and go on a private tour (less likely to be in a vast group of European/Americans).
Egyptians are just wonderful, they were very appreciative, and remember their lives are very effected by terrorism in a very immediate way, when tourists stop arriving, many can't feed their families.
I felt far safer in parts of Egypt then in my home town of Los Angeles..
But yes the vendors do get aggressive, but you just learn to "deal".

I've been in Egypt for 8 weeks in the last year. I felt just as safe when I was without the armed guards as when they were there. When I was in the desert, I felt safer without the armed guards -- the one time I had them there they followed us everywhere & I felt like a target. But it's nice to see them at the more conventional tourist places like the pyramids & the hotels.

Personal safety is non-pareil. I felt safe where ever I went during day or night. There were 2 times when I was harrassed a little too much, so I found an Arabic family each time to walk with.

Besides, where are you safe? Phuket Thailand last Christmas? The London subway? The Madrid subway? The World Trade Center?

Americans will be no less safe than any other westerner