Anyone ever been to Egypt?

[GhostRider]

Evenin'

I'm fond of the idea of going on a wee 7 day holiday to egypt with my lovely lady to check out some pyramids an shit, prob not for a couple of months but still I like to do my homework and figure out where exactly is best to go and what the surrounding area is like and such.

To that end I'm wondering if any BCF'ers have ventured to this part of the globe, and if so whereabouts did you stay?

I've had a very brief look around and it seems for the most part a lot of the resorts are either catered to familys with small children or old ass people. I kind of like a middle ground where we can take it easy if we want but there is a nightlife/clubbing atmosphere in the vicinity should we so desire.

So yeah, if anyones been there I'll appreciate your perspectives and opinions.

Cheers,

GhostRider
____________________
I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

[Tonka]

I did the Cairo and Nile trip to Luxor followed by beach at Hurghada over two weeks one Christmas - New Year. It was ok then as not too hot for sightseeing, but in the summer months it gets very busy and you need to get out super early.

My recommendation would be Cairo Pyramids and Sphinx - busy, a bit touristy but an absolute must. The Museum in Cairo is amazing too, but very big and a bit samey in places, but again too good to miss. Luxor is incredible with Temple at Karnak another not to be missed spot. I did the balloon ride across the Nile up to (not over) the Valley of the Kings and that's expensive but pretty awesome. Valley of the Kings with the various temples and Artisan villages are very interesting too. Fabulous trip and one to keep going back to as so much to see. I'd have loved to go to Abu Simbal but it was too much money and time on top of everything else, so next time!

I went with Kuoni and their web site might give you an idea of what to see and where in 7 days even if you go with someone else. However, we were subjected to an awful lot of security and were pretty much chaperoned on the roads from Cairo to Luxor in an armoured convoy of loads of vehicles - about 6 years ago.

If you're after the beach it's best at Sharm apparently but I've not done that bit as dived out of Hurghada which was ok but not a brilliant time of year for beach stuff when I went as not hot enough for me!
____________________
'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
Suzuki SV650S (Clean); Yamaha XT250 Serow (Dirty)

[cheesyleps]

Been alongside in Port Said and transited Suez so have no idea about holidaying there.

Fuckloads of tanks and bridging equipment on the banks of the canal though just incase they decide to go after Israel again.

Wouldn't mind going there for a holiday though. How did you find it? Aside from the whole pyramid / valley of the kings thing is it worth spending more than a week?
____________________
"Son, some day you will make a girl very happy, for a short period of time. Then she'll leave you and be with new men who are ten times better than you could ever hope to be. These men are called Sailors."

[Tonka]

If you're after a relaxing holiday in the sun it's pretty damn hot in our summer months and not really safe to sit out now we know about the dangers of sun-skin damage imo. However, if you fancy a sunny break once Europe is getting a little cooler it's ideal, as not too far to travel (4/5 hours flying). The diving is fantastic, so if you're into scuba or a happy snorkeler you'd love it. It's not a bad place to go to learn as there are PADI Centres everywhere, but I was home trained and biased as a result, so I think British training is the best from a safety point of view, but nowhere near as comfortable - sun and warm air beats the UK! There are all sorts of watersports and dune buggying etc. if you're into sportier holidays.

When I went in December the sights were busy but doable, I've been led to believe that it can be unbearable when it's peak season. Bear in mind many of the temples are quite compact and with hoards of people trying to get round and tour guides all yelling in various tongues it can be chaotic. Most folk go round the temples really early to try and miss the heat, but we were able to get round most of the day, albeit the beach wasn't warm enough for me to sit out and thicker mm wet suits for diving. It's a compromise.

The historical side of Egypt is just wonderful and if you have a good guide to explain it all, it's quite magical. Like most places, it can become a little samey after a while - I've a short attention span, so it's little an often for me It's not somewhere to go just once and see it all, so do a few bits well and hope you get the chance to go back, but that's how I like to travel. I think if you spread yourself too thin, you can't really appreciate it to the same level. You can comfortably spend 2 weeks there if you have the time as the main sights and the Red Sea are a distance away from each other so you'd need to fly between or take a coach trip. One week would be fine for the beach or the sights, but imo a little rushed to try and do both. However, like I said it's all down to what you want to do, how you relax and whether you'll ever get the chance to go back.
____________________
'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
Suzuki SV650S (Clean); Yamaha XT250 Serow (Dirty)

[GhostRider]

Yeah after reading your first reply I did a little more looking around before bed, it seems that you're torn between checking out pyramids and the sphinxes and mueseums and stuff (which I'm very keen on doing) or residing on the Red Sea side of things, which is more holiday-like and the Scuba is meant to be outstanding (I've dived in Dominican Republic and Thailand so have good things to compare to!).

I saw some reviews mentioning day trips to Cairo to check out the pyramids etc, but for one they were really expensive and two was the point you made that I wouldn't want to be rushed round everything.

In addition I'm told that in sharm el sheikh you pretty much have your resort and then are surrounded by desert and I'm not keen on being stuck in one location for too long without the option to go exploring.

Hmmm maybe egypt isn't such a great idea after all.....

GhostRider
____________________
I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

[Adam.I]

I went to Egypt last year for two weeks. Dragged out a bit towards the end, but over all, I loved it. There is a plethora of history there regarding pharaoh, Moses, pyramids etc etc.

For the first week I was on a cruise along the Nile, going from Luxor and going as far down as Aswan. You'll stop of at various places and they'll pick out only the best parts of that place and tell you this history and significance. All that was part of the package with Thompson's. Got an absolute bargain, just kept asking her to lower the price and she did.

That second week was to explore to the city myself. Did various things like camel riding, hot air balloon, shopping, seeing how Egyptians go about their life. Loads of things to do. Also flew up to Cairo and then went to see the pyramids and museum. Flights were expensive, but it was more than worth it. Nothing will prepare you for the first time you see them, they're stunning.

I wouldn't say you are rushed around at any point as there is more than enough time to take photos and have a wander around.

I would well recommend you go, there is so many things to do and people are quite nice. Just make sure you haggle for EVERYTHING if you go! For everything, it cost over £2,000, but that was for food, hotel, cruise, excursions, flights, souvenirs etc etc.
____________________
Veni Vidi Vici

[Tonka]

[Suitor_Stu]

[Tonka]