EGYPT Is it safe?

Way too early to say. The president was overthrown less than three weeks ago, we have no idea what the situation will be like in October.

I agree with the previous response.
For the moment the most dangerous area is north sinai province (terrorist attacked policemen, army cadres, coptic christian and some civilian, the army responded killing dozens of militants) but this province is not a tourist area.
Also Cairo and Alexandria had seen violent clashes and killings (mostly islamist militants).
Rest of egypt had seen protests some clashes but no injuries.
There are three votings scheduled for the next months (constitution, parliament and president). Expected to be held in a very divisive political climate, so nothing reassuring for a better climate in the foreseen future.
Currently the tourists are not within the target groups of the violence in egypt (islamists, political active people, coptic christian, policemen and armymen all had been targeted), but this can change in the future.
(Anyway I will back in egypt in december but mostly to visit friends)
So if you go there you have to take good care of yourself and be ready to compromise some sightseeing in your travelling agenda.
Notice that most western countries issued warnings against travelling in egypt so if something happens you are expected to be treated as a nuissance from the respected embassies (of UK, USA, Belgium etc...).
Anas

AS the FCO have advised against all but essential travel and have done for 3 weeks, there are VERY few tourists about, from what I can understand (other countries have done similar to the FCO).

Good summary from Anas. I would add to my above comment that if you have not yet booked tickets, I wouldn't yet.

..... twelve days into Ramadan now which seems to calmed the demonstrations / protests a bit. After Eid al Fitr see if things are ratcheted up by the Islamists/ Morsi supporters, or political oppression by the Army, if violence disrupts the proposed elections, best to find somewhere else to go. Tourism is an asset to the economy, it could become a target, a very soft target.

Have a plan B....

I'm going in December....Yikes !

This is all really good info thank you for your advise. I have already purchased my tickets..... I bought them long before this was a problem.

...... just keep an eye on developments and decide up to the eve of departure.

There are five influences at play at the moment in Egypt.

Gen Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and the Army, he has the biggest guns, the prisons, foreign money and support.

Mahmoud Badr the leader of the street movement, he helped bring down Mubarak and Mosi, his supporters are students and young workers with a secular view.

Mohammed Morsi and the Islamic brotherhood with an Islamic view, very committed, very angry having power snatched away them.

Adly Mansou the interim President, from a body of judges mostly appointed by Mubarak, allied with the Army for now.

Mohamed El Baradei, the oldest leader, enjoys a good international reputation, well respected within Egypt, conservative and secular, but in an atmosphere where everyone is shouting at each other unlikely to get meaningful power, assuming the promised elections are free and fair.

In the face of the above, how hangs you holiday decision....... just keep an eye on developments, I can recommend Morocco as an alternative, maybe Egypt when settles down latter.

Hi there,
though I understand the value of a "plan B" I think Morocco on the other side of north africa is not such an alternative.
A good and easy plan b canditate should be Jordan, though not for a whole month.
Jordan is connected by boat to egypt. Also airtickets are quite reasonable (around 200 with air arabia from alexandria, around 250 euros from cairo to amman). One can also travel to dubai with an airticket of 200 euros return from egypt but not to casablanca with less than 300 euros.
If I am allowed to give such advice I would tell you to cut the 30 days visit to egypt to no more than 3 weeks and spend the remaining 10 days elsewhere, preferably in Jordan.
But all depends to your travel style, you have to judge yourself which travel plan you make at the end.
We will appreciate if you give us some info AFTER your travels,
Anas