Holiday to Egypt?

Question

I am quite interested in going to Egypt with my boyfriend for a holiday in october. What are the best resorts and what will the prices be like if i book last minute.

Is it best to go half board or all inclusive?

Answer 1

The Nile cruise is very good i ve done this 3 times now I have been all inclusive for this and all your site seeing trips are included there extra trips available that the holiday company offer.
If its the sea sharm is very good

Answer 2

Egypt was one of the best holidays i ever went on. I went 5 years ago and booked last min for 1 week all inclusive Nile cruise and 1 week half board in Hurghada red Sea Resort. We hated the red sea resort as it was only half built and really for diving enthusiasts so we booked a 3 day trip to Cairo where the sphinx and pyramids are. Also we stayed over night in the Sahara Desert. I could go on all day about all the different and various things we experienced but i love history especially ancient history i don't mind getting dirty and dusty and I'm a people person and treated the Egyptians with respect. I learnt so much. My favourite places where: The Sahara desert, the valley of the kings, the Giza pyramids and the Cairo museum. Absolutely fantastic just move around and don't stay in 1 place too long. Hope you enjoy it, I paid under £1500 for everything incl food and drink, flights trips accommodation and presents.

Answer 3

depends on what you want really, culture or seaside. How about trying a fortnight's 2-centre holiday, starting off in Luxor where the tombs are. The tombs are far more interesting than the pyramids, which are mostly in Cairo and, once you have seen one, they're a bit all the same. The Valley of the Kings, however, in Luxor is quite amazing and really worth a visit. There you can take a one-day cruise down the Nile, or go for a few days and get your fix of culture. Then head off down to the Red Sea - Sharm El Sheikh is the most popular although some of the hotels and the beaches are very crowded and a bit tatty - further up the coast, north of Sharm, are some very exclusive hotels like the Hyatt Regency which sounds posh but has some very good prices and excellent pools, and has a diving and snorkelling reef right on its beach. If clear water and snorkelling/scuba are your thing then that's a great place to stay. Perhaps on the return you could fly back to Cairo and stay over one night, just to see the Pyramids if you really want, although the rest of Cairo is rather dusty and smelly and the Egyptian Museum - whilst holding some fabulous treasures - is rather dusty and disorganised and badly lit.
I wouldn't go all inclusive, since this normally means breakfast, morning cake, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner plus most soft drinks. Realistically you can go half board and do as I did, stuff yourself at breakfast and sneak a few rolls off the buffet, and that will tide you over until the evening meal. Drink only bottled water, and know that if you buy it from the hotel then it will be expensive but there are often supermarkets, within walking distance of the hotels, that sell bottled water for a fraction of the hotel's price. Fruit should be washed in bottled water before eating, or buy fruit that you have to peel like oranges and bananas. Never eat watermelon unless it's from the hotel, as vendors often inject river water into the watermelon to bump up its weight for sale. If you're buying from a street vendor then oranges and bananas only.
Oh, and you will get hassled for small change - it's the way of life in Egypt, 'baksheesh' they call it. Everyone who opens a door or hands you a sheet of loo paper will hold out their hand for a coin and children will run after you in the street - that's the Egyptian way. Take out a handful of those cheap plastic Lottery or betting shop or Argos biros in your luggage and hand them out to the kids, or buy a bag of boiled wrapped sweets and give those out. For the adults, just carry lots of vlery small change and insist the hotel or bureau de change gives you very small change when you change up your money.
Anyway, hope I haven't put you off. Egypt is a fascinating country but if you're away from the hotel then carry some loo paper or loo wipes and remember about the food hygiene if you're not in a hotel. But most of all, enjoy it, you're bound to make some lovely memories for the future!

Answer 4

Egypt fantastic. October time is OK, as it only rains about twice a year. I went last September, did a week on Nile cruise, terrific but exhausting, always take a bottle of water with you when you go anywhere. The second week was all inclusive at the Hilton at Hargada, sounds posh but it worked out cheaper than the cruise as it was full board. You will need to take an extra £30-£50 per week for tips, as this is part of their income and is expected. We got this holiday for two booking 8 weeks prior for £959, but do remember to get your injections from your doctors before you leave

Answer 5

this is an answer from some one who travelled all over egypt.

every city in egypt has its own manner and a way of living and all are different in history and ppl living now and their culture.
you can make a trip for 15 days or more and to visit as much places as you can.

that you cant be in egypt without being in the bussiest city in Africa and the middle east" Cairo" and see how that city never sleeps, "Alexandria" the mermaid of the mideterainean and the city built by Alexander the great and the how the new city is with its fantastic climate, also upper Egypt "luxur" the city that contains one third of the world monuments that every where there are monuments even in streets, "the red sea" where you will sea things never seen before enjoy corals and dolphines swimming beside you and many more cities you can be in if you have time

but remember: that Egypt is one of the very attractive destinations in the world, i would say that you may think that you dont want get back to your country, enjoy your time here and dont forget your own camera

yours,Mahmoud
if you need any help here in egypt you can call me
(002)0120830688 i offer you and your boy friend a free help for anything here in my country

Answer 6

Having always dreamed of travelling to Egypt I finally got my wish last August. We left it to the last minute and got a bargain for a 4 star hotel - flights are always pricey though.

I travelled with my family to Luxor and did all the usual sights - just ignore anything you read about terroism and tourist attacks - as the majority of Egypt's economy is Tourism - every monument we visited had it's own secutiry and you feel totally safe.

The only downside was being hassled as soon as you step out of your hotel by vendors - our guide told us how to say 'No thank you' in Egyptian and that totally throws them - works perfect.

The beach resorts like Sharm el Sheikh are good for relaxing and diving - but if you get bored easily - that would not be for you.

With regards to Half Board against all inclusive - I think Half Board is better as the hotel's food can get a bit boring - we found Macdonalds and Pizza Hut in Luxor for a very cheap lunch - loads cheaper than here! All inclusive is good for the free drinks - especially bottled water if you go when it's very hot.

I'm going to do Cairo next - nothing in Luxor has deterred me from travelling again.

Answer 7

Sharm El Sheikh is great if you want a cheap All Inclusive Holiday with guaranteed sunshine. I went with my wife in June last year for £1100 for two weeks and didn't see a cloud. If you're a sun lover then this is great. The trips are relatively expensive if you wanna go to see the pyramids or the nile but if you just want to sun bathe and relax then this is ideal. It also saves you money coz you don't need to pay for a visa to go outside of Sharm. The sea is crystal clear and you can go on cheap boat trips and more often than not you'll have dolphins swimming around the boat. I would definately recommend All Inclusive coz you don't need to worry about carrying cash and the vast majority of AI hotels in Egypt do not accept Cash, you have to charge everything to your room. If you do wanna go out Naama Bay is close with loadsa shops but you'll get hassled by locals trying to get you into their shops and restaurants but then it's the same everywhere. Taxi's are cheap but some are death traps so be careful to get a decent cab and agree the price before you get in and make sure he knows where he's going.

Answer 8

The best resorts is Sham El sheik on the red sea go fully inclusive , the exchange rate at the moment for Egyptian Pounds is 11 Egyptian pounds to 1 pound sterling , prices vary but in October the prices are better they will have excursions to Cairo , Luxor and probably a cruise down the Nile it is an experience you will never forget definitely go to Cairo its like no other city. I have been there three times. have fun enjoy

Answer 9

I would highly recommend the Taba region. You will have the opportunity to go on side trips to Jordan and Israel. There is a huge selection of hotels. My holiday was booked at the last minute and was very cheap (and I stayed in a 5 star hotel).

I've been to over 70 countries and have learned to shop around when I travel. Regarding people who say the locals pester you, what do you expect? It is part of being a tourist in many countries. They are usually friendly with it. Take them some gifts. People who complain are often the ones who want things to be exactly the same as when they are at home.

If you're planning on doing alot of sightseeing, then the half board option is better.

Answer 10

I went to Sharm el Sheik in November. It was the most relaxing holiday I've ever had. The old town is the quiet area, old shops with one larger modern shopping mall. Beautiful gifts and I have never met such friendly people. Yes they do come up to you and ask you into have a look at their shops, but that is their culture and if you say a polite no then then accept that.
If you do go into a shop, they are the most helpful and kind people. If you are offered a "karkaday" tea from them, accept it. it is made from the hibiscus plant and can be drunk hot or cold...its lovely. the goods are cheap and gift shops wel stocked.
we went all inclusive for £532 for two weeks, and going back to the same hotel this year as they were so friendly. I went on a day trip on the "Almira" boat. we went snorkeling and had as much to drink as we wanted then a two course buffet. we dived twice and you wouldnt believe the fish out there....its like swimming with Nemo. we played ball on a sand bank that was six feet by 40 feet. like a wee desert island minus the tree.
If you are into upperclass hotels then book at Namma Bay which is just a ten minute taxi ride from sharm . they have a huge shopping centre and most of the bars and clubs.
we chose Sharm as it is quiet but just a hop away from the night life.
there are trips to Bedoin camps. they let you on a camel and feed you in their tent....this is a bus tour.......you stay there till dark and then star gaze....its amazing....the tour doesnt start till 3pm
there are also submarines, hot air balloons and scuba diving.....im trying it this year.
i also have never had my room cleaned as well as i did by the ~Egyptian man who did ours......we even came home one day and found a towel folded into the shape of a swan and petals on the bed.
and of course the weather is hot...and thats in november. i dont think i could go in the summer as it would be too hot.
dont buy your holiday out of a brochure...go to the travel agent and ask them to find a holiday for your specifications. its cheaper that way

have a great time where ever you go

Answer 11

I went to Sharm el Sheik last year with my husband and daughters - both divers and worried i'd be bored as i hate the water. We stayed at the Concorde el Salam and it was fab, there was loads to do, even an ice rink!! Ignore the people who said it's not safe, since the bombings the security over there is untrue and we never once felt unsafe, The Egyptians love the English and are so polite and can't do enough for you. And we had my 16 year old daughter with us who like most teenagers, likes wearing short skirts on occasion and never did we feel she was going to be taken off somewhere. Yes, if you go somewhere like Naama Bay, you will get people outside their restaurants trying to get you to go in but that's just a different culture and it's all very friendly, and yes sometimes they will jokingly offer you money for your wife but trust me, my husband said yes to a man who offered 100 donkeys for me and they laughed their heads off. The weather is fab and it's very reasonable, we went all inclusive and the beer wasn't very strong but so what, it's all paid for so just drink more if that's what you want from a holiday.