Ethos83

I'm meeting up with a Dubai buddy over the Eid al Adha break for a trip somewhere. Ideally someplace convenient to both Dubai and the UK and Egypt came up as a strong contender. We'd spend a few days in Cairo, then head down to Luxor for a few more days, and finally to Sharm for snorkeling/diving and St. Catherine's Monastary and Mount Sinai.

I generally have two concerns: will the Mubarak trial/elections have any impact on travelers, especially in Cairo?

Second, will the eid holidays impact Egypt noticeably? Closing hours, transportation services? I was in Istanbul during the eid a few years back and the only noticeable change was the closure of the Grand Bazaar for a few days. But that's Istanbul which is pretty non-religious by the standards of the Muslim world.

Millhouse

I've been back several times since the revolution - last trip was last week. Cairo is fine and feels safe to me (especially during Ramadan). You won't die.

Tourism has plummeted though (hotels 20% occupied vs. 90% a year ago) so expect some attention.

Bars were open but empty - food was pretty freely available in the mall I went in.


EDIT to add: Mubarak's trial has been delayed until after Eid which was met with great support. I don't think this will cause you any problems.

Ethos83

Good. Glad to hear.

Do you like Cairo? Is it worth three days or so? We'd be viewing the Egyptian museum, the pyramids in Giza and old Coptic Cairo and old Islamic Cairo.

Are the touts as bad as people claim? The ones in Turkey were pretty bad.

Ethos83

How's the food, by the way?

Millhouse

I, like most people, have a love-hate relationship with Cairo. Been there 20+ times and it is truly a dump. Being totally ignorant on these matters I have never been to any of the tourist destinations in Cairo. Cairo however, and the people, can be fun.

That is a small lie...I went to the pyramids for the first time ever last week. Get there early (7-8am) if you want to go in. They shut at 4pm, and reopen at 9/10pm for a light show. I went there at 6pm and found a tout who put me on a horse and we went around them. Unless you can ride a horse I would not recommend this - it was very dangerous, no equipment and we were chased by dogs which made the horses run.

And no. I can't ride a horse. I was shitting myself.

Traffic is awful - and the touts are a million times worse than those in Istanbul.

mentalist

You may be trying to squeeze too much into too short a period of time. Travelling to Luxor and then Sharma won't be quick. Personally I would either fly to Cairo or fly directly to Luxor and stay in either place for the duration. Flights with Air Arabia are dirt cheap I believe.

Millhouse

OK, I've never been ill there... I generally eat in decent hotels though. Local meats are great.

Bahtatboy

3 days in Cairo certainly isn't enough to see everything, but it’s a start. I lived there for a couple of years, and went frequently before that. As Millhouse says, most people have a love-hate relationship with the place, and its not unusual for those emotions to swap several times each day.

One of my best experiences was seeing the pyramids just after dawn on horseback. I don't ride, but didn't suffer the dogs which Millhouse did so it was a bit more relaxing. Was bloody sore the next day, but it was worth it. Going down into the pyramids is interesting, but not if you're claustrophobic.

Plenty of other sights and places of interest—the museum is a must.

Some of the hotels are worth visiting in their own right. I love the Marriott with its Eugenie Room and the casino; the Oberoi out by the pyramids is good—if its Indian restaurant is still open that it’s a must (if you like curry). There is some great food in Cairo, of all varieties.

Yeah, touts are a problem, you just need to be robust.

The natives are generally very friendly, and the only times I ever felt in danger there were on the roads—it may have improved since I was there, but the condition of many of the vehicles was actually worse than the standard of driving, which is on a par with that in Saudi. When you jump in a taxi and the driver's response to your request is "Insh'Allah", that's just about right—I remember one where the driver had to pump the brakes in anticipation of needing to use them.

I used to suffer from the trots on virtually every visit, but gradually built up some resistance, I suppose. There was a time when the incidence of stomach upsets on the Nile cruises was 100%, but I've heard its improved. But if you go, take some medicine just in case.

Cairo's a truly fascinating and vibrant city—everyone should go at least once

Ethos83

We have about ten days total. We'd fly, not take cruises, and the flights to Luxor is only a hour and from Luxor direct to Sharm is another hour, and Sharm to Cairo is also only a hour. So it's doable.

It's the food that worries me the most.

Ethos83

That's a bit worrisome. I'm not fascinating nor vibrant. I hated Hanoi and Jakarta and even Istanbul wasn't pleasant. But the allure of the history and ruins is too strong.

Millhouse

You will also hate Cairo... most people do - don't let that put you off.

kittycat1

I had 3 days in Cairo and crammed in loads,

The Cairo museum- 5 hours- get a guide out the front, had a wander round, got lost, tried to find the museum of moderm egyptian art- stayed lost. Met some random locals who were very hospitable. Went to the pyramids- 2 hour camel ride didn't go in though, i was amazed at how filthy it is but still impressive, went to The Citadel- well worth going to its stunning inside, there is also the war museum there which is worth a nosey and a police museum. Also did a nile Felluca boat ride- very sweet chap who I ended up giving a huge tip as i felt sorry for him as he hasnt had much work-however I wouldn't bother doing that again as you just do a couple of circles and dont really see anything- it was relaxing though. I did the Khalili market - I got lost and a nice chap found me and ended up giving me a tour of the old souk area which is the local area rather than the tourist area- ended up down some back alleys and was shown the workshops where they make allsorts, also the old spice market, all quite an experience. I then went into the new market and was taken to a couple of mosques and then to a belly dance costume factory where i was shown lots of pretty sparkly bits. All in 3 days plus a few drinks in the evening. I really enjoyed it there - stayed at the Kempinski which had a good rate at the time- its 5 mins from the Cairo museum and is a nice hotel.

I didn't get hassled much- made some new friends though. and my stomach was fine all trip.

You'll have a fab time! They drive like lunatics though so be prepared for whacky races- makes Dubai driving look positively sane!

UKCityGent

Dont worry about the food - if you have lived in the ME then you have built up a good immunity. Also stick to the 5 star hotels and usual precautions (no salads or icecubes etc) and you will be fine. Saying that the best food i had was in the local restruants - and you have to try alexandria liver mmmmmmm

You should try Alexandria (which is about 3 hour car drive from Cairo) - great seaside resort and the libraby is fantastic, and the palace as well as the citiadel. I cant stand Sharm (probably as i cannot swim and hate any place that i cant light up a fag underwater !!)