My son and I will be leaving for Egypt May 1. We are taking an Insight tour. I just talked to someone who just got back from Egypt and their review was a little discouraging. They said everyone on their tour got sick from the food and that all the food makes you sick. They also said that Egyptians hate Americans and if it weren't for the money that we spend there they would run us out of the country. They said that soldiers with machine guns had to guard the tourist hotels and if Americans travel some place on their own their cab or car would be stormed and they would be robbed. And as a woman traveling without her husband I would be seriously harrassed.

It's kind of made me nervous about going. Is it really as bad as they said?

They really gave a scarey

Hi ruecatt,

quote:

They said everyone on their tour got sick from the food and that all the food makes you sick.

Nobody on our Insight Egypt tour became sick. We took Immodium with us but never needed to use it. Here is a fact sheet on Eating & Drinking Safely. If you follow these principles carefully, you will avoid any sickness problems. You certainly do need to be careful, like using bottled water to clean your teeth and rinsing the brush with bottled water.

Incidentally, you need to check with your doctor concerning immunisations. Prior to visiting Egypt, my wife and I had Hep A and typhoid shots and a tetanus booster but individual needs vary depending on your health and immunisation history and you should NOT rely on anything you read on this bulletin board about this topic.

quote:

They also said that Egyptians hate Americans and if it weren't for the money that we spend there they would run us out of the country.

My wife and I had no concerns (other than the insane traffic) when we walked around Cairo (for example, from our hotel to the Egyptian Museum). Indeed, in Luxor, my wife and a 60+ year old lady hired a horse and cart and driver for an afternoon and got to see how people really lived there. At no time did they have any concerns about their safety.

quote:

They said that soldiers with machine guns had to guard the tourist hotels

There have been some terrorism problems over the years in Egypt, particularly in the Red Sea resort area and in the area well to the north of Luxor. The likelihood of problems in the areas where you will travel with Insight is very low and the maintenance of a high level of security around hotels and at the archaeological sites should be reassuring rather than worrying.

quote:

It's kind of made me nervous about going. Is it really as bad as they said?

No!!!

If you go to the BB topic: Where are all the tales?, (which sits permanently at the top of the Tour Tales forum) you will find about 25 tour journals posted by people who have visited Egypt on various tours with Insight. Some of these people had food problems but I believe almost everyone enjoyed their tours.

phil

ruecatt, why don't you read some of the tours reports that some of Insights previous travellers to Egypt have posted.
You will find them in the Tour Tales Forum, under the Topic "where are all the tales".

That way you will have more than just one persons view of Egypt and what it is like there.

Ruecatt, I can't commend highly enough the care that was provided by Insight during our 2007 tour of Egypt. This included particular care (including special diet) for the few who did become sick. There were several Americans in our tour group, all of them single females, and none of them seemed concerned about harassment. Everyone, whether they are American, Irish, male or female, has to deal with the enthusiastic sellers in the markets. Follow the advice of your tour guide, and you'll enjoy the experience.

Nelligan

I won't repeat all that has been written above but you are welcome to read my tour tale Jewels of the Nile April 2008. We NEVER felt worried about security at any time in fact we spent 2 days wandering around places like Coptic Cairo and Gold Island and no-one in our group had any tummy trouble at all. Egypt is an amazingly friendly place and you'll probably be a lot safer than in some neighbourhoods in your big cities.

I agree 100% with what Phil has written.

We had several days on our own in Cairo, never felt threatened or in any form of danger.

We certainly were not sick and I don't know of any in our group who were.

Thank you all for your input. I feel much better now. We will be careful about what we eat and prepared in the event we do get sick. I really don't mind the soldiers, I think I will feel safer with them around. My son has dreamt of going to Egypt since he was 4, when he announced when he grows up he is going mummy hunting in Egypt. He is now 12 and is so excited about this trip. Thanks again for your encouraging words.

Hi ruecatt, Like everyone has said you will be in good hands with Insight. We were two ladies on our own in Cairo and never had a problem, only crossing the road! As a precaution against drinking the water in hotels in Egypt we put a face cloth over the tap to remind us not to drink the tap water.

ruecatt,

As a single female on the "Splendors of Egypt" tour, I had no difficulties. My fellow travelers "kept an eye" out for me. I read up on customs and practices and never traveled alone. Everywhere I traveled in Egypt, I never felt threatened. The people, especially the children, are quite friendly.

Do go to your Health Dept. and find out what immunizations your son and you might need. They also give lots of good information, pamphlets to read, and will answer your questions. Your Tour Director will be able to help you, if either of you get ill.

Also, someone had a great idea to practice brushing your teeth and cleaning your toothbrush with bottled water about a month before you leave. Pack enough of those little "Dixie" cups for the two of you to use.

There are books at the major chain book stores, many at bargain prices, on Egypt. Pick up a tourist guide that will help answer your questions. And as you can see, you have many fellow travelers that can answer questions, too.

Your son will have a fantastic time. Sounds like he already knows a lot about Egypt.
Just make sure he is aware of the cultural and religious differences. And if he has any questions, there is always someone here to answer.

ruecatt,

Which tour are you going on?