Egypt January 2, 2024 trip report

[quest]

You’re welcome! I’m gonna say blow of Sharm and take up on your own or switch gears on Valley of the Kings day in Luxor

we are debating ABD Egypt, can you tell me what "Sharm" is that several people are mentioning

 

[Raya]

we are debating ABD Egypt, can you tell me what "Sharm" is that several people are mentioning

It's the final part of the trip, labeled "Snorkel in the Red Sea" which takes place in Sharm El Sheikh.

 

[calypso726]

we are debating ABD Egypt, can you tell me what "Sharm" is that several people are mentioning

Sharm El Sheikh which is at the end of the tour. I’m not a snorkeler so it was not worth it to me. Had I planned it out better I would have gone to visit Valley of the Queens. It was still an amazing trip!

 

[rstamm]

What was the food like?
If you were a picky eater and didn’t like spices were there choices like Pizza, cheeseburgers very plain food?

 

[calypso726]

What was the food like?
If you were a picky eater and didn’t like spices were there choices like Pizza, cheeseburgers very plain food?

We loved the food. We also enjoy experiencing different types of cuisine. I honestly didn’t notice if there were other options as I’d always choose the local cuisine over anything else. That’s said, I would imagine there are other options for those who desire such. ABD is pretty “user friendly”

 

[sayhello]

We loved the food. We also enjoy experiencing different types of cuisine. I honestly didn’t notice if there were other options as I’d always choose the local cuisine over anything else. That’s said, I would imagine there are other options for those who desire such. ABD is pretty “user friendly”

Honestly, that's frequently the case, but not always. On our China ABD, there were lots of options of local Chinese cuisine, but not any other options. We had 2 kids around 8 or 9 who just didn't like the Chinese food, and they ended up eating a LOT of rice. Really the only meal with "western" type food was the dinner we had at Club 33 [ETA - and the lunch after the Great Wall]. I think @rstamm should really check with ABD if they don't think they'll like Egyptian cuisine, and see what's available. While the Adventure Guides really go the extra mile to accommodate food issues, there's only so much they can do.

Sayhello

 

[abdgeek]

What was the food like?
If you were a picky eater and didn’t like spices were there choices like Pizza, cheeseburgers very plain food?

I did the Egypt ABD trip in December 2023. I don’t do spicy food and have some dietary restrictions and didn’t have an issue with the food. I even did a food tour on my own before the tour started and really enjoyed it. Below is what I remember:

• Breakfast at the hotel is a buffet. There is usually western, Asian, and Egyptian food available. You pick what you want.
• Lunch at most places was either a choice of one of three options or a buffet. You normally had a choice of chicken, beef, or something else and sometimes you pre-ordered before the meal.
• Dinner was mainly a plated meal or a buffet. Again, you’re told what your options are. I wouldn’t expect to have an option of burgers or pizza unless you’re doing room service. You can normally find that option there.

One of the big things I like about ABD is that you get to eat food that is specific to that country. I’ve never gone hungry. As OP suggested, definitely speak with ABD about any concerns you have. If you’re OYO, you can eat what you want. However, if you’re eating with the group at an ABD provided meal, there will be limitations on what the menu choices will be.

 

[rstamm]

I think I’d have a problem with the food selection.
I need plain American food no spices.
I couldn’t eat in Jamaica even when they said it wasn’t jerk it was way too hot for me.
I would definitely talk to them first before I booked the trip.

 

[aggiedog]

Something else to consider is that "pizza" and "hamburger" is not the same in other countries. My DH learned that the hard way in China. Even if you find someplace offering American-style food, it is possibly still being made by people who have never seen or had it the way you're used to. Not so much in big hotels with lots of international travelers, but off the beaten path even a bit. If someone has very narrow definitions of what they can/want to eat, some international travel may be difficult or at least disappointing.