Sharm el Sheikh - Opinions?
Discussion
Morning all,
The OH and I are considering a cheap all inclusive fortnight to Egypt around end of August - beginning of September. Having looked at teletext and a few other sites recently, the prices seem to be incredibly cheap, with the activities on offer looking very promising and hotel locations all looking well situated.
However, seeing as I've never been to Egypt, and also with the recent upheaval and on-going Libyan fighting, I'm curious as to whether it is this that is driving down prices for Egypt and whether it would be worthwhile going for a fortnight with that in mind.
There are a few places we have looked at but are definitely open to suggestions if anyone has any recommendations? Am looking to budget around £600pp for a week or two (not fussed about duration - just need a break!), which from looking at deals at the moment seems more than possible.
The OH and I are considering a cheap all inclusive fortnight to Egypt around end of August - beginning of September. Having looked at teletext and a few other sites recently, the prices seem to be incredibly cheap, with the activities on offer looking very promising and hotel locations all looking well situated.
However, seeing as I've never been to Egypt, and also with the recent upheaval and on-going Libyan fighting, I'm curious as to whether it is this that is driving down prices for Egypt and whether it would be worthwhile going for a fortnight with that in mind.
There are a few places we have looked at but are definitely open to suggestions if anyone has any recommendations? Am looking to budget around £600pp for a week or two (not fussed about duration - just need a break!), which from looking at deals at the moment seems more than possible.
sjg said:
It's a hole.
That said, there is nice diving/snorkelling (but you have a bus ride to the marina to a boat to get you there) and if you only want to sit in the sun by a pool in a fairly nice hotel then you'll be quite happy.
So it's a hole apart from the great diving/weather/hotels. That said, there is nice diving/snorkelling (but you have a bus ride to the marina to a boat to get you there) and if you only want to sit in the sun by a pool in a fairly nice hotel then you'll be quite happy.
Jackleman said:
It is a hole, also full of chavs!
The airport resembles the waiting room for the Jeremy Kyle show.
So is any European airport which do cheap flights from UK. Who cares? Too many snobs take this attitude and miss out on great opportunities (not that it bothers me).The airport resembles the waiting room for the Jeremy Kyle show.
Great diving, hotels, weather. I'm sure most normal people can put up with a few British loudmouths in tracksuits in an airport departure lounge for a couple of hours for the sake of a great 2 week holiday. If you can't, more fool you.
I mean the town itself is a hole - pushy shopkeepers/stallholders, poor restaurants, full of western fast food outlets and tacky nightclubs. The nicer hotels are a fair way away from the town, don't judge on star ratings like you would elsewhere, most seem to have a couple more stars than they should.
There is very little in the way of public beach so if that's important to you book a hotel with it's own. Prices are low because people are staying away but there's been no trouble in Sharm or similar areas, plus (since the terrorist attacks several years back) Sharm has a massive separation barrier which the airport, resorts and hotels sit inside.
It's not just the loudmouth Brits (who have flocked there since the cheap European places got expensive since the Euro) but the Russians too. As long as you don't mind sharing space around the pool with them.
Personally, I've only ever been there to dive and it didn't have world-class reefs I'd have no reason to visit. I tend to do liveaboards these days and just the rest day in a hotel at the end is enough for me. Dahab up the coast is a much nicer bet for a relaxed holiday, quiet, good beaches with diving straight off the shore, far more laid back in town.
There is very little in the way of public beach so if that's important to you book a hotel with it's own. Prices are low because people are staying away but there's been no trouble in Sharm or similar areas, plus (since the terrorist attacks several years back) Sharm has a massive separation barrier which the airport, resorts and hotels sit inside.
It's not just the loudmouth Brits (who have flocked there since the cheap European places got expensive since the Euro) but the Russians too. As long as you don't mind sharing space around the pool with them.
Personally, I've only ever been there to dive and it didn't have world-class reefs I'd have no reason to visit. I tend to do liveaboards these days and just the rest day in a hotel at the end is enough for me. Dahab up the coast is a much nicer bet for a relaxed holiday, quiet, good beaches with diving straight off the shore, far more laid back in town.
CypherP said:
However, seeing as I've never been to Egypt, and also with the recent upheaval and on-going Libyan fighting, I'm curious as to whether it is this that is driving down prices for Egypt and whether it would be worthwhile going for a fortnight with that in mind.
.
This and the fact that Sharm has a resident man-eating shark that keeps eating all the tourists..
The war/shark combo has an irritating habit of driving toursists away from a place.
How cheap though?
blindswelledrat said:
This and the fact that Sharm has a resident man-eating shark that keeps eating all the tourists.
The war/shark combo has an irritating habit of driving toursists away from a place.
How cheap though?
I'd forgotten about that point actually! Thanks for reminding me! Could have something to do with it, and also some of the comments made about it being very western and the town not being very pleasant are really helpful.The war/shark combo has an irritating habit of driving toursists away from a place.
How cheap though?
Best I've found is £369.13 for 2 week all inclusive 4 star, including all taxes and transfers. I originally thought it would be excluding taxes, but a quick call confirmed it wasn't. Nearly bought there and then because of the price!
pugwash4x4 said:
Things about Sharm
I basically need some time away from here, just enjoy some sun, do a bit of diving or enjoy the sea/pool and relax. I know that it could be comparable to the likes of Ayia Napa etc, but the town itself probably wouldn't bother me too much. Neither the OH or I have been on a holiday for the past 2 years due to work/finances etc, so I'd quite like it to be somewhere nice.Having said this, I've been reading a few posts about Kefalonia recently which has caught my attention, and from what has been said initially, I'm thinking that a Greek island may be a better choice!
Apart from diving, which isnt exactly mind blowingly good, there is very little else to go for.
Most food in the shops is past it's use by date, and I stayed in a typical 3 star place but got the worst food poisioning Ive ever had, a few people were ill after visiting a fish restaurant too, they dont take pride in cleanliness or the food.
A lot of the time you almost feel like you're inconveniencing the locals involved in tourism there, personally I wouldnt go back, not even for the diving, there's far better diving around but would involve going further afield.
As a non diving tourist spot? not a chance.
Most food in the shops is past it's use by date, and I stayed in a typical 3 star place but got the worst food poisioning Ive ever had, a few people were ill after visiting a fish restaurant too, they dont take pride in cleanliness or the food.
A lot of the time you almost feel like you're inconveniencing the locals involved in tourism there, personally I wouldnt go back, not even for the diving, there's far better diving around but would involve going further afield.
As a non diving tourist spot? not a chance.
CypherP said:
Best I've found is £369.13 for 2 week all inclusive 4 star, including all taxes and transfers. I originally thought it would be excluding taxes, but a quick call confirmed it wasn't. Nearly bought there and then because of the price!
And that's in school holidays?THats a fantastic deal (unsuprisingly). Id be tempted anyway. If its a nice hotel and has a pool you are guaranteed great weather. Chances are the unrest will be over by then and the odds of not being eaten by a shark are stacked in your favour.
Sharm itself is brash but not particularly unpleasant.It's clean,modern and fairly hectic with loads of restaurants.There is an old town as well if you
feel like a wander about.The airport is no worse than any other during the holiday season.Most people that I know go to dive which once you get out
of town and a little along the coast (say..Ras Mohammed national park)is stunning.There are dive operators based at every hotel and learning is easy.
The beaches are ok,but not exactly stunning,the water is warm at that time of year and you will be able to snorkle off the beach and see fish,turtles etc..
feel like a wander about.The airport is no worse than any other during the holiday season.Most people that I know go to dive which once you get out
of town and a little along the coast (say..Ras Mohammed national park)is stunning.There are dive operators based at every hotel and learning is easy.
The beaches are ok,but not exactly stunning,the water is warm at that time of year and you will be able to snorkle off the beach and see fish,turtles etc..
Progressive said:
So is any European airport which do cheap flights from UK. Who cares? Too many snobs take this attitude and miss out on great opportunities (not that it bothers me).
Great diving, hotels, weather. I'm sure most normal people can put up with a few British loudmouths in tracksuits in an airport departure lounge for a couple of hours for the sake of a great 2 week holiday. If you can't, more fool you.
I wasn't saying "don't go" just making him aware that the airport is a bit of a nightmare! And Sharm is bit of a dump.Great diving, hotels, weather. I'm sure most normal people can put up with a few British loudmouths in tracksuits in an airport departure lounge for a couple of hours for the sake of a great 2 week holiday. If you can't, more fool you.
I have to go through it to get to Dahab up the coast which is a whole different world.
Greek islands are a nice idea- kefalonia has some lovely parts
Majorca is truly stunning in places- with lots of hidden away beaches.
There's a place in tuykey i stayed in years ago witha massive lagoon behind a long beach, which you can only get to by boat, but for the life of me i can't remember what it's called- i'ts near Feiyhe/OulDeniz (been mention on PH before). Kalkan in turkey is nice too!
Majorca is truly stunning in places- with lots of hidden away beaches.
There's a place in tuykey i stayed in years ago witha massive lagoon behind a long beach, which you can only get to by boat, but for the life of me i can't remember what it's called- i'ts near Feiyhe/OulDeniz (been mention on PH before). Kalkan in turkey is nice too!
Hello mate.
Im just about to book for sharm to go within the next 2 weeks. There are no warnings from he F&C office at the minute. Of course travel agents will try and sell it but ive been on trip adviser this morning and the vast majority of reviews are great. Ive been 3 times before at this time of year and have always had a great holiday.
What do you want from your holiday? Do your homework and choose hotels wisely, some do not live up to their 4 or 5 star rating. And i think our Russian comrades are unable to enter the country at the moment, which is good as they are a pain in the arse.
Ignore the nay-sayers who do nothing but moan about various things, im sure some people will moan where ever they go and have nothing better to do!
Have a good read on trip adviser and make your own mind up, you'll have a great time.
I know i will.
Muffster.
Im just about to book for sharm to go within the next 2 weeks. There are no warnings from he F&C office at the minute. Of course travel agents will try and sell it but ive been on trip adviser this morning and the vast majority of reviews are great. Ive been 3 times before at this time of year and have always had a great holiday.
What do you want from your holiday? Do your homework and choose hotels wisely, some do not live up to their 4 or 5 star rating. And i think our Russian comrades are unable to enter the country at the moment, which is good as they are a pain in the arse.
Ignore the nay-sayers who do nothing but moan about various things, im sure some people will moan where ever they go and have nothing better to do!
Have a good read on trip adviser and make your own mind up, you'll have a great time.
I know i will.
Muffster.
It's not just about moaning, I genuinley found that outside of diving, the town was dire and the people involved in tourism there were uninterested money grabbers.
I can only relay my experiences, everyone has different opinions of what a good holiday is so hopefully the OP will consider all opinions and not just the (overwhelming) negative ones.
If it's a holiday for diving and lying by the pool, then it's a good price and you shouldn't be too dissapointed, outside of those two activities I found it to be pretty dissapointing.
I can only relay my experiences, everyone has different opinions of what a good holiday is so hopefully the OP will consider all opinions and not just the (overwhelming) negative ones.
If it's a holiday for diving and lying by the pool, then it's a good price and you shouldn't be too dissapointed, outside of those two activities I found it to be pretty dissapointing.
Just booked a week in Hurghada for 6 weeks from now.
But then I'm in it for the diving.
Anyway, booked a 5 star place with flights and transfers etc based on b&b with a sea view etc for 775 for 2. The thing that really swung it was that there's a dive centre at tje back of the hotel. That and the massive lazy river.
But then I'm in it for the diving.
Anyway, booked a 5 star place with flights and transfers etc based on b&b with a sea view etc for 775 for 2. The thing that really swung it was that there's a dive centre at tje back of the hotel. That and the massive lazy river.
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