Its the time of the year in our household where we need something in the calendar to look forward to, making the January blues bearable!
We have considered a few destinations, a week at Easter and a week in October. For apparent value and climate - Egypt, on paper, cant be faulted.
But with concerns already in the back of my mind before the recent terrible acts in Egypt, I just cant risk taking my family. I realise that attacks are still rare, but it is the completely random nature that scares me - I suspect the terrorists aim is to make you feel scared, anywhere and at any time.
So we are left with Greece, Majorca or the Canaries.
It is a very good question. Having only ever been there once in my life it isn't a place I'd book normally anyway. And there are more than 4 countries on Earth one could visit, most of which I've never been to. I'm unsure I'd let a few incidents worry me that much, it didn't when mainland Britain was being bombed. It'd depend on the price I guess. But again I don't have a family in tow.
Suggest you read my on going OP on News section. My son,partner and Grand children arrived at the incident resort yesterday at 1600hrs. A resounding NO to going to any M.E. country at the moment. If warmth is wanted go to Madeira or the Canaries. Somewhere civilised.
I would imagine any one now getting to Egypt for a holiday would be firmly advised to stay within a, I hope, heavily guarded resort complex and not leave it to go sight seeing. Sound advice. Some holiday.????
It's a tough call JD, when decent hotels in Luxor are offering B&B at £8 a night per room - this figure is from a hotel I've used in the past, which was probably twice that amount.
I think the answer lies in who you think would be in anguish IF anything went wrong. So if I had no close relatives who would be terrified, I'd probably go. But I have, so I wouldn't, as I know what I'd go through if they chose Egypt just now.
This obviously isn't a statement based on any fact - But I would assume (statistically) you are more likely to be killed on a UK road on the way to the airport, than in an Egyptian hotel. Yet many of us wouldn't take great comfort in that. It seems to be a gamble and many will question "Is it worth going to Egypt?"
The same mismatch of perception versus statistical fact occurs every time a passenger jet is downed. Air travel is still very safe - but people get spooked by events.
I suppose, if one had to choice between being killed on a UK road and being blown out of the sky at 30,000 feet, or machine gunned on the beach, then i would choice the UK's demise.
It's all a matter of perception I suppose.
I've never fancied it anyway but no I wouldn't dream of booking Egypt - nor Tunisia and Morocco. I'm a worrier and I wouldn't want to go anywhere that increases the normal everyday risks.
Human nature is a strange thing though. We mustn't give in to terrorists.....until it's family.
Perfectly understandable but it's there, hanging in the air anyway.
To answer the question though, and to paraphrase Ed Miliband, hell no!
I wouldn't think twice about going back to the States despite the horrific gun crimes that are a daily thing - its a matter of opinion and perspective I suppose.
I've been to Egypt a couple of times, many years ago and to see the great historical sites of Cairo and Luxor. I know from experience that most Egyptians are kind and welcoming people, but .... when it comes to travel and security there is no organisation. Added to is being so accessible from the middle east and North Africa, the country is vulnerable and the chances of an incident much higher than elsewhere.
No I wouldn't book it. If you want sun go to a relaxing place away from the area even if you have to pay a bit more for your holiday.