Egypt feedback
 

I'd like some feedback on people's recent trips to Egypt. I want to go very badly. I'm wondering about the safety and comfort factor. I understand all the common sense rules of travel but I would be solo on an escorted tour. Nobody wants to go.

I felt very safe the whole time we were in Cairo last Sept. We went with a guide that I read about on these boards and I was very happy with her.
You can do a google search for Casual Cairo Detours, if you are interested. She is from the US and moved to Cairo.

The person she arranged to pick us up from the airport had a special certification so he met us at our gate and helped us get our visa's and go through customs.

The people were so friendly to us there. When we were at the Bazaar they kept telling us how much they liked Americans. They said we don't like your government but we like the people. They were so friendly to our children. I had absolutely no complaints.

I was a little hesitant before we left, but once we were there I did not think about it. Most of the hotels have check points before you go in and they look under the cars with mirrors and have dogs. We stayed at the LeMeridian in Cairo and it was just like any of the larger hotels here in the US. I also felt that things were very inexpensive in Cairo. It is very poor there however, and that takes a little getting used to.

We were only their for a short time and I am sure that someone can give you more of a sense of what other areas are like outside of Cairo.

I really think that you should go, even if you have to go alone. No sense of wishing you had done something when you had the opportunity.

My kids were 5 years old when we went last year, and they still talk about it. My son and husband were able to go into one of the pyramids. I guess they really liked our trip because one of the other mothers from their Kindergarten came up to me and told me her son came home and said he wanted to go to the pyramids like Robbie and Madison. I found out they were talking at school about it with their friends.

What a nice post. Thank you so much for your time and info. I noted the tour name.

I live here by myself. I'm a 55 year old woman from the U.S. I wouldn't do so if it were unsafe.

As to comfort -- I asssume that you mean creature comforts. Like anywhere else, they depend on the star system -- as in you probably will be more comfortable in a 5 Star hotel than a 4 star hotel.

What do you mean by "Nobody wants to go"? Do you mean that none of your family/friends want you to go? Ignore them.

Most tours are mixed singles/married and everyone talks to everyone.

Yes, none of my family and friends want to go. Maybe it's them that are making me worry so. I travel very often alone, but not to "exotic" areas. I've been on many tour groups so I guess I'll stick with Globus, and just do it.

I returned from a 3-week trip 2 weeks ago. I'd been to Egypt years ago and was happy to see that people are still warm and welcoming. There are many tourist police around, watching for any problems. You don't even see the little kids importuning you for candy and pens anymore (I'm not sure that's an improvement though, as the kids were sweet and fun to talk to.) Since you want to go badly, you should do it. I went by myself (on a tour) and am so glad I did.

Hello,

I'd definitely recommend going to Egypt! I went last year with my sister -- we split up towards the end of the trip (she's into beaches and snorkeling and I'm an amateur Egyptologist so we each took a few days to pursue our own interests) so I spent some time solo as well. I found that as a solo traveller the local people were much more willing to approach me and it was really enjoyable.

As other people have said the tourist police are a prominent presence and we never felt unsafe. In addition to staying in hotels we let a flat for a few days and lived like locals in a little village on the Nile -- a great way to see Egypt!

Cheers,
Julian