Egypt nowadays

I think you misinterpreted part of what you read.

The basic rule is: stay away from protests. Do not go and take pictures on Tahrir square or in any other location where there are crowds protesting. Some thugs are targeting journalists and women, most probably to try and put pressure on the leaders of the protests. Journalists are usually well informed and prepared in terms of equipment and local fixers, and able to deal with the situation. Tourists are not. Protests may look picturesque, but do not approach them.

As long as you follow this rule, you should be ok. Be aware that there is now petty criminality in some cities (eg handbag snatching) so take care of your belongings.

Regarding Sinai, there are no "terrorists groups" targeting tourists! There are definitely militant groups who operate against Israeli interests along the border, but they are in North Sinai, which has been out of bound for tourists for more than a decade. The issue with Sinai is that some tourists were taken and kept by local Bedouin tribes using them as a bargain chip to obtain something from the central government (eg release of relatives, building of infrastructure...). All tourists reported being treated well and were released shortly after having been taken.

As a general rule, the road between Cairo and Sharm is ok, and so is the road between Sharm and Taba. In theory tourists can no longer take the road between Cairo and Taba. For Sainte Catherine, check what's the status.

If you're worried, skip Cairo and Sinai and spend your time in the Nile Valley (Luxor - Assouan - Abu Simbel), there's plenty to do and see.

I suggest the OP just keep an eye on the news. A coup just occurred in Egypt and no one can say what will happen next.

Tks for All the replies. Actually i dont think that i misinterpreted the news..although at this moment the embassy in Portugal says the same that molsons posted. Travel to Egypt is not recomended at this time.

At this moment i still have the motivation to go...since i already pay for the flight. Although i will consider if the news get worst.

My mom and I travelled to Egypt this past May 11-18. We did not go on an organized tour, instead we booked day trips through local guides and did some stuff on our own. We didn't travel to Sinai, we spent 3 days in Cairo then flew to Aswan, spent a couple days there, then got on a river cruise for 3 days to Luxor. At that time everything was great and safe, we had an amazing trip. In my opinion the areas of Aswan and Luxor are far removed from what's currently happening in other parts of the country. There were hardly any tourists due to the previous revolution and it was the start of the off season (it was very hot at 43 degrees). I highly recommend going to Aswan and Luxor and taking the Nile cruise between the two cities, it stops along the way to see various sites, the top decks have pools, and the views are breathtaking, it was a highlight of our trip.

I hope this helps. Good luck to you and your girlfriend!

Unfortunately it seems that fórum moderators eliminate the posta from another member..that posts had information
as other ones...

I agree with you dear friend, it is very unfortunate that the moderators under pressure from catw deleted molsons respond.
Molsons is fanatical against travelling in egypt but catw was more unfair denying even confirmed facts such as the gang rape of a 22 years old duch girl in central cairo.
It is really very unfair that the moderators did such interventions.
As for the other two posts one from a moldovan fellow thats says wach and do and the other suggesting a nile cruise are well balanced and fair.
I also agree with your conclusion that this is not the best time to travel in egypt.
Political uncertainty is doubled by some chaotic and violent demonstrations, but also you will be in the hottest month of the year dealing also with some special situation of the ramadan month of fasting.
So take care and if you can change your destination without a heavy panalty do it.
Otherwise be caucious and enjoy your travels moderately!!
Anastas

This is a travel forum, not a hate-mongering platform. Posts inciting to racial or religious hatred are unacceptable and will be removed.

I confirm that you misinterpreted what you read online. There are no "terrorist groups" operating against tourists in Sinai, and no "Dutch journalist" was "gang raped" on Tahrir square. Beware of fake rumors propagated on websites which are not reliable news websites.

There are loads of expatriates who come and post here, they are the ones who can provide the most reliable information because they're on the ground and they get security updates from their embassies, to which tourists do not have access.

Catw thanks for your help. But i didnt misinterpreted anything...i just listened to the portugueses consulate that are in Cairo avoiding people about Egypt, telling to aviões the countru at this moment and teling what i said about Sinai....so he is not a repatriate or something..he is in the country.

Im going to egypt in tão weeks and then i will post here some information.

All the best

About the Dutch woman:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4993986/woman-gang-raped-by-five-men-in-egypts-protests.html
http://www.volkskrant.nl/vk/nl/11504/Onrust-in-de-Arabische-wereld/article/detail/3468975/2013/07/02/Verkrachtingen-Tahrir-Ze-werd-in-de-kluwen-van-mannen-teruggetrokken.dhtml
http://nos.nl/video/524199-22jarige-nederlandse-vrouw-aangevallen-op-tahrirplein.html
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/dutch_female_reporter_raped_in_violent_1i3XjASFKD5HjybnAJ2b2L
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/03/opinion/burleigh-rapes-tahrir-square/

In other words, I reported Catw for continuing spreading misinformation about the incident.

Edited by: Mutawakkil

Edited by: Mutawakkil