Egypt is a wonderful destination for families whether you’re looking
for an educational trip full of history or a relaxing trip full of tomfoolery.
Or indeed a cheeky combo of the two. Red Sea resorts like Sharm el Sheikh at
the tip of the Sinai Peninsula have long been family holiday favourites, especially
in the winter, for their beautiful beaches, reasonable flight times and affordable
luxury accommodation. Plus no jet lag.
If you do travel in the summer months think very carefully about taking young
children, who will find the heat even more difficult to bear.
Above left: Ancient painting
Above right: Pyramid and Sphinx
When
The best time to travel to Egypt is between October and May. Outside of these months the beaches get very hot and the weather can be a little too warm for some of the activities the adventure trips offer.
How
take the plane
British Airways and Egypt Air operate
direct, non-stop flights. Get there in around five hours and note that Cairo
time is two hours ahead of London. There are plenty of other options too, including
direct charters to a number of destinations in Egypt, as well as numerous indirect
and possibly less expensive options. Search for flight deals with Expedia
Flights.
take a felucca
Once in Egypt you'll either transfer to your resort or continue your adventure
by train, felucca (boat), horse-drawn carraige, bus or a domestic flight.
Stay
Egypt's resorts offer four and five star luxury at prices you'd otherwise pay
for three star acommodation. Most of the major chains are represented and a
stay at the Four
Seasons or Ritz Carlton
is an affordable option (compared to what you'd pay to stay at one of their
luxury properties elsewhere). More four and five star family options include,
5 star complex moments from coral reef the Renaissance
Golden View Beach Resort, hotel village with private sands the Crowne
Plaza Sharm el Sheikh, all suite luxury The
Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh, secluded lagoon and watersports Dhab
Beach Resort and 5 star watersports specialist Abu
Soma Beach Resort.
Egypt is steeped in seven millennia of history. The Pyramids,
the Sphinx, The Temple At Karnak, The Valleys
of the Kings and Queens – the list is as endless and mystical
as the Nile. Plus it’s a sure fire winner if you want to get the kids
out of school. What head teacher can stop the educational national curriculum
trip of a lifetime (with a few days well earned R&R at the Red Sea afterwards!)
The Sands of Fun
Ah, Sharm el Sheikh – it hasn’t really rained
there for years and can be unbearably boiling if you’ve got young kids.
But in the cooler months it’s basically a great spot for a beach holiday.
Guaranteed sun in a four to five hour flight. Plus some truly luxurious hotels
and resorts at the very top of the range and some world class diving
at the bottom of the sea.
Whether you want to hit the beach, cruise down the
Nile, see Tutankhamun’s buried treasure in Cairo,
(following its return from The O2 Center in Greenwich), ride a camel
round the Pyramids or go on one of our thrilling Adventure
holidays and take a trip on a felluca,
Egypt offers it all.
Eat
In resorts like Sharm el Sheikh you'll be able to offer the family almost any
kind of cuisine. Shish kebab, greens and tomato salad make a regular appearance
on menus, as do locally caught fish at resorts. Generally, eating out is inexpensive,
if you eat like an Egyptian, but if you want imported brands of goods like cereals,
coffee, or anything else imported, you should expect it to be a bit pricey.
On an escorted family adventure holiday meals are taken in a mix of places, from inside your hotels, to local restaurants to eating a meal in a traditional Nubian home with a local family.
Cost
Winter deals to Egypt will cost anywhere from £300 to over a grand per adult, depending on when you go and where you stay. A ten day adventure holiday, including flights will cost from £779 per adult.
Egypt's currency is guineehs, (commonly referred to as the Egyptian Pound or
LE, and currently equivalent to $1US). Dollars are the most commonly acceptable
alternative currency, and with our favourable exchange rate your dollars will
go a whole lot further. Egypt survives on baksheesh, (a tip or bribe), to bolster
low earnings. It is expected that you will tip anytime someone performs a service,
no matter how small, (0.5-1.0 LE is a reasonable amount.)
Luxurious 5* Hotel complex, moments from the Red Sea’s coral reefs.
* Prices per person based on 2 adults sharing a king or twin room on a B&B basis. Supplements pppn: Sea view £7, Family Room £10, Junior Suite £22, Suite £34, Half board £15, Reductions Child 20%, 3rd adult per night £2.
Luxurious 4* hotel village, with private sands and great facilities.
* Prices based on 2 adults sharing a king or twin room on a B&B basis. Supplements pppn: Sea view £12, Family Suite with extra bath, shower and WC £12, Superior Club room with access to VIP lounge £16, Reductions: Child 40%; 3rd adult per night £6.
