Should we go to Egypt?

Question

We are trying to book our summer holiday. I have heard good things about Egypt (Sharm in particular) from a friend who goes often - however, I get the impression she doesn't venture out of the hotel. We are thinking of going, and taking our 16 yr old son, who loves snorkelling (one of the reasons we are thinking of this resort). We like nightlife - and staying out till the early hours when we are on holiday. Can anyone tell me if this is the right resort for us? We will be basically
1. sun-worshipping and snorkelling
2. eating out - whats the food like?
3. drinking till the early hours - is it possible here? what are the prices like?

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

Hello there, Sharm is a great place for a holiday, and especially for the diving/snorkelling- it just is amazing underwater!
There have been some families of dolphins in the bay too over the last couple of years and I've heard of many people snorkelling who have had some fantastic dolphin encounters. I can honestly say its like swimming in a marine fish tank.
If only for this reason alone you should try it you will not be dissapointed.

However. Many people who go to Sharm go all inclusive. The hotels can be excellent (Try the Baron Palms, it's one of the best)
Security in the big hotels is second to none and once you're in the hotels they do everything for you- you need never venture out- especially if you are all inclusive! Thats probably why you're friend doesn't go out much.

There is a bit of nightlife in Nama Bay, with bars restuarants etc. Mainly visited by divers and the more adventurous. The food is excellent, varied and of good quality at a reasonable price. Like everywhere else in the world some places are better than others, but as a general rule, if you chose carefully you'll be fine.

Please be aware that you WILL get harrassed outside the hotel complexes. The locals will expect you to haggle, they do hassle you to buy/get in their taxis/use their services etc. Some people handle this better than others, but it's part of their culture and it does happen. If thats a problem for you then go elsewhere or accept you'll be in the hotel for most of the time.

Yes you can stay out late, yes you can drink till late in Nama Bay but it's not Benidorm. Also, in Summer it is very very hot- even at night and if you're active during the day you may find you've no energy in the heat to party all night :-)
July and August are particularly hot- in the 40's most days so be warned!

I think that Sharm is the kind of place that you either love or hate. I love it, but my best friend hated it and I really was shocked- I thought she'd've like it as much as I did.

Only you can tell at the end of the day, but as I said earlier, as far as the underwater life is concerned, apart from the Great Barrier Reef or The Indian Ocean, I've not seen anything else like it!
Its trully amazing! I was never one for doing snorkelling or diving until I went to Sharm and now I love it!

If you are lucky enough to be able to afford a lovely hotel, and you really don't want the AI option. I'd suggest going Bed and Breakfast. That way, you can explore as much as you like and eat out.
Although I have to say that the B&B option will not be cheaper overall than going AI - it may start off that way, but once there, lunches, dinners and the drinks for a family do add up to quite a lot of money. The All inclusive option is much better value and you don't have to be greedy and spend every minute drinking and eating as much as you possibly can without ever leaving the confines of the hotel.
In my experience, going all inclusive to Sharm is terrific value in the better hotels. You can stay reasonable close to the hotel during the day snorkelling or sunbathing returning for lunch and a bit of shade with some cool drinks and then either go out in the evening after dinner or occassionally go out for the night having a meal out. Thats what we do and it works very well indeed.
I assure you, if you're in the right hotel, you will be so well taken care of and pampered you simply won't want to leave!

One final thing. Sharm is a very big resort with the hotels spread out all around it. Be careful of your location or you may find things are so far away youre taxi bill will be huge over the two weeks! For example. Some of the hotels can be 12-15 miles away from Nama Bay and if you are really into nightlife you want to be within a couple of miles of this.

Sharm is a great resort and holidays there can be really terrific- you won't know if it suits you until you try it yourself.

Whatever you decide to do, I'm sure you will have a great holiday-Good luck!

Answer 2

I have been to many places in Egypt and would recommend Sharm for a first visit. I have been there several times. You will get far less hassle there than some other places and it is quite safe to walk around. I went there alone for a week a couple of years ago and I am a woman in her 40s and had no problems at all.
For your sons sake I would recommend you stay in Nama Bay which is the main centre with lots of restaurants and shops that are quite safe to mooch around and you can walk out easily from the hotel. Many other hotels are a distance from the centre and you would need to get a cab, one of the main sources of hassle. You can drink in many places in Nama Bay until the early hours, including on the beach which is really nice. Prices are very reasonable and a lot less than in the UK.
I am going to Egypt on friday but staying in El Gouna which is a great place but would probably not have enough to do for your son.
I hope you choose to try Egypt and think you wont regret it. The people who hassle you are only trying to make a living and mean you no harm so please dont be worried about it. If you just smile and say no they go away!

Have fun
Wendy

Answer 3

actually sharm el sheikh is the right place
and for snorkling, you can spend a day at ras Mohamed, its very close to sharm el sheikh, snorkling and diving there is like nowhere else, u dont wanna miss that.
also Dahab, its close to sharm too, there u'll be able to go shopping for oriental stuff like clothes, silver accesories, gold, souvenirs...etc
u dont need to worry about safety in Egypt, believe me, its safe, dont just stay at the hotel, u'll miss alot.
food is great there, specially traditional Egyptian stuff that u dont know of:), and also u can eat the same types of food in the west, in the hotel, there are many cousines, like italian, chinese, American, thai...everything.
about drinking, yes u can drink there, its fine in Sharm, but i dont know about the prices.
nightlife there is just beautiful, many things to do, and everybody is free there to stay anywhere and do whatever they like till the early hours.
i'm sure u'll have an unforgettable experience, specialy ur son.
try this www.intoegypt.com and choose the most appealing resort or hotel to u, cause i cant tell u as i dont know ur budget.
have a nice trip:)

Answer 4

In Egypt espically in summer you can stay up until 5'o clock in the morning. I went there 2 years ago in the summer and you can go shopping 1'o clock in the morning if you needed to without having the fear of being attacked like you would do being in a country like England. The price is not too expensive..enjoy your holiday!

Answer 5

ok, first Sharm is really nice.. ( if you stay in the complex ) .. got kids great.. they'll love it. Want to venture out out do some tourist stuff, you should be ok, ( keep your wits about ).. DONT venture of the track. Looking for decent nightlife... not egypt, full of great sceneria and culture though !

Answer 6

Honestly, you will live special moments ever when you go there, this country has a unique magic. You will feel a different flavor there. Go ahead there are a plenty of places to be visited.

And trust me; do not believe the media or any person who’s disappointing you.

You won’t regret it.

One thing you should consider when you arrive to Egypt: that your feet are standing on a 7000 years civilization!!!

its Gorgeous you have to go there :)

Answer 7

I think the beaches are great---from what I have heard. Costs, I do not know. If you are coming from the USA-you should find them cheaper than a vacation here at the beaches.

I am not a beach person-to me the ideal vacation is 3 weeks touring all the ancient ruins of Egypt.

Answer 8

Have you considered a cruise? If your goals are to get sun, eat a lot, and drink a lot, it'd be tough to beat cruise vacations. There are cruises in the Meditterranean that would be wonderful and give your son lots of snorkelling options.

Answer 9

u shud go. ur gonna love it. sharm is beautiful. u might also wanna check out luxur and Aswan. u cannot also go there without visiting the pyramids in giza, u will love it! i am egyptian myself and first time i saw the pyramids i was amazed, theyre just so great. there is also the egyptian museum in cairo. the food in egypt is great, im sure u will enjoy it.have loads of fun!!!!

Answer 10

my mother and father went egypt a couple of years ago, they went to see the pyramids n stuff, they had armed guards with them at all times, which was pretty scary for them.

once back at the hotel, they ventured out and had loads of hasstle (worse than turkey if uve ever been), they got told that if the people get too bad, just to say the word 'police' which they understand and they did back off then. but u do get told not to go out at night time, it doesnt need a great imagination to understand why.

so of what ive heard from other ppl and my parent, and what u like to do on holiday, this is not the place for u.

have a nice time where ever you end up.