Tourist Attractions in Hurghada

OK, we booked through thomas cook, which apparently meant that our hotel was organised by hotels4u. On the second day, we were told to meet with our hotel rep. At first, he was very helpful, showing us on a map where things were, telling us not to pay more than 15LE for a taxi etc...
Turns out, though, that you can book excursions through hotels4u. Unfortunately, we had already booked two excursions with a tour provider down the road. Our Cairo trip cost us 45 euros, and our desert safari was 35. Theirs was £80 for Cairo and about £45 for the safari... he proceeded to tell us, solemnly that we would have to cancel. Apparently, the only legal way to go to Cairo is in convoy, and they would not look after us. Even worse, it would not be done legally, and we could end up being arrested, and he didn't want to have to deal with that. Oh no, NO tour operators were safe apart from hotels4u, and as we'd booked our hotel though them, we could ONLY do their excursions, or we weren't "covered". He offered to call the tour operator and demand our money back. We hesitated and told him that we would sort it out... he sternly told us that we MUST call him that day!
We ran to the internet, and I spoke to the receptionist... who told me that we were free to go with whichever tour operator we chose, and of course you get what you pay for, but that we would still be safe... and that our travel rep gets commission.
We found it appalling that he would lie to us to that degree, and scare us like that, just for his commission!! We never called him back, and our excursions turned out OK. You can see my complaints in the "things to do" tips, but we weren't arrested, and I'm sure that paying the extra to go with hotels4u wouldn't have been much better.
So, if your travel rep gives you this story, he's just trying to get his commission. If he won't go away, just say you'll call him, and don't. He never chased us up.

It usually goes something like this. You're walking along....
"My friend! Where are you from?"
"Uhh... England!"
"Oh, England ... lovely jubbly!!! (Endearing at first. By the end of the week you'll want to smack everyone who utters this) Welcome to Egypt! Is this your first time?"
This is probably where you should say no and leave. If they find out you're fresh blood, you're doomed. Before you know it, there'll have been some story about a new baby, or them needing you to translate something into English for them, or something. I somehow managed, on my first day, to end up in a shop having calomine lotion smeared all over my face. The guy was a bit creepy and kept suggesting my boyfriend popped over the road to the dive shop that we'd been heading for... luckily he wasn't going to leave me alone with the scary man! He eventually roughly wiped it off and put aloe gel on my face. This was supposedly because of the "red" on my face (it seems Egyptians don't encounter acne very often). He then showed me my reflection, as if he had performed some miracle- I looked the same, but shiny. We bought a snorkel and mask off him for 35LE, and left. He seemed very sulky about this! Another guy did a similar thing, only tried about 62 different perfumes on my arm and asked me which one I liked. I eventually bought the smallest bottle that I could - for my mum - to shut him up, but he continued to try getting me to buy things.
They usually give you tea, as well, and tell you that it's Egyptian hospitality. You'll probably learn after the first day, really, but if you don't want to buy things then just don't stop and give anyone the chance. Walk purposefully and say "la shukran" (no thank you), if you have to, pretend that you don't speak any language that they do or that you're in a hurry. Don't get me wrong, not all Egyptian shopkeepers are like this. All the dive shops that we went into were great - they didn't even pester you when you were in the shop or pressure you to buy anything. Some will give you tea and insist that you don't have to buy anything, so take them at their word and just don't hand over any cash. They're not that pushy in Hurghada, really, they'll just sulk a bit!

Do not buy silver jewelry in Hurghada in any tourist areas. A small pair of plain silver and turquoise earrings could cost you 600 L.E. That's over 100.00 USD!

Fun Alternatives: Instead, shop for silver in the souqs and markets away from the resort areas

Don’t get me wrong ! It is relaxing, it is fun and is certainly the nice way to spend an afternoon.
But if you expect to see genuin beduin life forget it! It is the reproduction of what it really is. Nice reproduction, though as still you can see some things that are probably done exactly the same way as in real beduin setellment.
They have done everything to attract tourist. At one point you will be even served with coke and bottled water probably bought in «local store». Than you will be offered to buy some original beduin art ( necklaces, ear rings...) most likely made in China...
However I put this experience in my things to do in Hurghada as I really mean what I have stated at the beginning of this tip.

Unique Suggestions: Please read my things to do tip with the same title before you decide.

Allways negotiate the price before you get on the Camel. Don't give more than 10LE (usualy 1-2 LE will be enough) . One guy had to pay 25 euros in order to get off it.

I dont like repiting the tips but I have to put this one on every of my Egypt pages

This tour was a one day trip(16hrs) from Hurghada to Luxor advertised to including Karnak, Nile trip, Collisi Memnon, Valley of Queens all for the reasonable price of €55pp(extra €10 for Valley of Kings instead of Queens). Should have known by the price!
Adhmed working in the main office in Hurgada(Opposite McDonalds)is polite and happy to take your money. However, once your money has been taken the following did happen to us: 1. Pick up was at meant to be at 04:45 but no sign till 05:25(40mins late). Drove around Hurgada locating other tourist hotels, driver seemed to have no idea where he was going. After driving round for >1hr in Hurghada we ended up where we started.
2. Met up with convoy in Safaga (60kms) towards Luxor from Hurgada for police escort. Driver did not have documents for our transport but the usual arabic chit chat and a few name taken all seemed okay. An experience- All traffic stopped for the some 40+ tourist buses all the way to Luxor
3. Arrived Karnak temple first (On bus 3 languages spoken as first language) met by guides??? Only 2 so one doubled up and repeated. Our guide was very interested in us as needed money from us. Once he got the money pushed tour through as quickly as possible. Give very little insight into anything and show no interest in anthing at all. Said what each part was and nothing more. His attitude stunk. Took him a total of 15mins to do his part then he was off to cafe to have a drink.
4. Then we were hurtled off to Papyrus shop or a Perfume shop. Guide really trying get his cut on anything that we purchased. No poblem spending time here. Surprise Surprise. Also recieved lesson on how papyrus is made. Pritty good. Mad for sales

Unique Suggestions: ctd from above as not enough room
5. Then off to Karnak Hotel 3* for lunch. Don't do it. Food seemed like been left over from a buffet 3 weeks ago and still going cold. Had to pass on food. Charged for drinks. During lunch they were mad yet again to yet again try to SELL us a trip to banana island or a trip on Nile by motor boat. More commission.
6. Motor boat across Nile to other side where met bus for pick up.
7. Off to Colossi Memnon. No guide intro just here they were.
8. On to alabaster factory shop. Lesson on how made by staff. Very informative and interesting. Again guides are on comission for any sales that are made here.
9. Next to Valley of Kings(Or Queens) where no information from Guide given at all, apart from what is written on the outside of each tomb "Tomb of Ramses VII" etc .
10. We were informed end of tour but one good surpise they did show us Temple of Hatshepsut. Think this was more down to the fact that nobody would go to the banana island or motor boat on Nile.
11. Tour over and still had 1hr to show us something so took us back to that LOVELY (NOT)3* Hotel to spend money and ensure they keep the hotel sweet. When we arrived there we opted to go somewhere else to drink.
At end of tour with guide he searched our thoughts on the tour asking did we enjoy, was really looking for money. Sorry not here by the way neither did anyone else.
My biggest disappointment about this whole tour was that the guide was money searching all day everywhere and they showed no interest in the main attractions the sights! They were also unfriendly.
I do have to say on the positive side we did stick to a schedule and we did get to see all the sights itemised. However, I hope this article clarifies how GEM tour operates and that if you do book with them you get no surprises.
By the way they were one of the cheaper tour operators. Maybe I am bit cynical and they make thier money from the commission?? I'll leave it up to you to decide.

Fun Alternatives: Will only do it once be prepared and do your own homework on each site

I decided to have a walk across evening Hurghada. As I already wrote the city extends along the sea coast on some tens kilometers. I would like to pass some of them on foot. I was going to reach an old part of the city before sunset. But it happened it was not possible. Numerous shops and sellers became the reason of my failure. Sellers did not give pass by their shops. They threw on each passing by tourist, offering the goods and made it persuasively enough.

I had to enter conversations with sellers many times. They were not limited by my firm "NOT". As soon as they understood that I was Russian, their persistence was doubled. They spoke in love and friendship to Russian, that firstly was pleasant. But when it repeated tens times, I was tired and decided to stop such tiresome walk!

My agency offered us 'facultative trips' as every does, I believe. The hometown one in Bosnia I mean. We went to some with them. Later on we realized that in hotel (local Egyptian agencies) and agencies you can see along the streets of Hurghada sell exactly the same stuff for 50% less price!!!!!

Unique Suggestions: Check local before you trust your own!