Would you go to Egypt?

[adeline723]

I saw a special on TV on Egypt...and started talking about going next summer.

That said...we started debating. With everything going on, we're torn on the risk associated with it. Wanted to see what others thought-would you go?

[Tozzie]

Originally Posted by adeline723

I saw a special on TV on Egypt...and started talking about going next summer.

That said...we started debating. With everything going on, we're torn on the risk associated with it. Wanted to see what others thought-would you go?

Not anytime soon, it will be a long time before there is any stability in that country. Here is a link to an article about things that are going on now and it isn't good.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/13/wo...t/13egypt.html

[sanville]

ive been to egypt 2 summers ago it all depends on the area you visit, we being british went to the holiday resort of sharm el shiek and it was lovely no crime like the link above and the area was lovely nice clear beaches, great shopping and culture and excurtions to the pryamids / jordan i reccomment this area 100 %

[Uncleromulus]

Not even if they paid me---

[XGrumpy1]

I don't want to go anywhere I need an armed guard going with me.

[Gigi22]

No way. The current government is not stable--Western tourists offer a high profile target.

[WeLoveABD]

My DW and I went to Eygpt 19 yrs ago--part of a cruise stop with all day visit to Cairo (bus trip from port had armed guards following); never felt in real danger while on the sites...but, I wouldn't go with kids yet as it will no doubt also be a trip with armed guards and the kids might freak a little but the parents probably would have a harder time relaxing. In balance with this is that most of the people of Eygpt need and want tourists, and the government has a strong interest in protecting tourists....and Disney has an absolute interest in keeping its adventurers out of harms way. So all of that said--depends on your tolerance. I'd have a frank discussion with my kids (10 and 17), but I'd probably would vote to go if we had the time and money. (The world is never stable--always crazies out there--so at the end of the day, I try to avoid the obvious risks and accept the other risks as a part of travel--otherwise I'd never leave my neighborhood).

[carpenta]

Originally Posted by XGrumpy1

I don't want to go anywhere I need an armed guard going with me.

I have to agree 100%. We were in Tunisia a couple of years ago with DCL and have no interest in returning to that area even to see the historic aspect of the pyramids etc. Nat. Geo. channel is as close as I wish to get.

[Icemann]

Originally Posted by carpenta

I have to agree 100%. We were in Tunisia a couple of years ago with DCL and have no interest in returning to that area even to see the historic aspect of the pyramids etc. Nat. Geo. channel is as close as I wish to get.

I have to agree looking over my shoulder all the time kinda takes the fun out of it

[Pakey]

We were there for Thanksgiving 2010. I would go again in a heartbeat.

[kristilew]

I was at a political function this week and had the opportunity to spend time with several Egyptian activists who were involved in the events in January. They insisted that right now is a great time to be a tourist in Egypt.

One told me of his friends who came last week and had the pyramids pretty much to themselves - he said there were about 40 people there. The guides are, as he put it, "eager" to do business and bending over backwards to be accomodating. He swears that it is safe.

Of course, I'm not booking a trip yet, but I thought this was an interesting perspective. If one were feeling brave, it could be a wonderful opportunity.

[Tinkerbellie16]

yes. I went to Egypt years ago and there was a tour bus bombing right before we went. There will always be an element of additional 'risk' in going to any middle eastern country. But it was very nice there and you really do have to go with a tour group (especially since we were two young women traveling alone). The people were very nice and they knew that their livelihoods were dependent on tourism. If you wait until the 'perfect' time - it will never come.

[lizabu]

I'm going to Cairo next month as an independant traveller. I'm really looking forward to this trip. I've done a ton of research and I read the news about what's going on there every day. There are still demonstrations going on on Fridays in Tahrir square so I know to avoid that area when they are going on. I think I'm lucky in some ways because usually its so crowded. Right now all the tourist sites are almost completely deserted which will be amazing for picture taking and I won't have to fight to get tickets to enter the pyramids etc. At the same time it's so sad for the Egyptian people who make their living serving tourists.

[vakamalua]

We had a trip to Egypt planned for November and recently cancelled it. What will happen after the proposed elections in September is anybody's guess. One of the main issues with unrest--the economy--is not getting any better.

The pyramids have been there for thousands of years; we'll wait a few to see if the area settles down.

[walkdmc]

Probably not. Who knows what it's going to be like in a year? Then, you have to worry about getting your money back and scrambling to find another vacation spot. There are too many uncertainties, IMO.

BTW, it's a real shame, too. My DH has traveled the world and he claims the museum in Cairo is the best he's ever visited. I was looking forward to taking our kids one day, to see the museum and the pyramids but who knows when things will settle down?