A family spent a full year traveling the world. Then they got to Cairo, Egypt and ended up abandoning their travel plans within two days.
The Welch family, who are known as Little Welch Travelers (@little.welch.trav) on TikTok, cautioned parents not to bring their kids to Cairo in a video with over 6 million views.
The family matriarch, Tatyana Welch, emphasized her point, saying, “Cairo completely shocked me. It was a destination I’d wanted to visit for years, and it honestly left me feeling so sad. If you’ve been and had an amazing experience, I’m truly happy for you, but I’m not going to sit here and lie about our outcome just to keep up appearances.”
The Welches didn’t disclose the reason why they left Cairo on TikTok, instead directing viewers to a blog they wrote about what happened.
The Welces spent thousands of dollars on a weeklong trip to Cairo. Days later, they fled to Italy. Tatyana said that it “wasn’t until the plane landed in Italy” that she finally felt the weight of the situation leave her. On their blog, she said they spent “thousands” rebooking hotels, changing flights, and canceling excursions.
The situation became hostile before they even left customs. She says her husband was questioned because the family had a drone with them. Egypt has very strict policies prohibiting the use of drones. For that reason, she claims he was held up for two hours, during which time officials kept his passport
On the way to the hotel, Tatyana said that their chauffeur attempted to strong-arm them into paying for an excursion. The driver pulled over the car without permission to ask them to use him as a guide on this excursion.
Their hotel, the Intercontinental Cairo Semiramis, also posed a new problem for them. Tatyana said their luggage was searched by dogs upon arrival, and they had to go through an “airport-like” security clearance before they were allowed to go to their room. Once they got there, they found it “reeked” of cigarette smoke.
For the next two days, the Welch family faced other similar situations: tight security, rude service, and the constant presence of scammers. The cumulative effect ruined the experience. Even at the Great Pyramids, the “screaming” of people trying to get money from tourists overshadowed the luster of one of the seven great wonders of the world.
Now Tatyana is determined to never return to Cairo.
The Welches did not respond to an email requesting comment.
Many people who commented on the Welches’ post agreed with Tatyana’s take. According to their accounts, many people find Cairo to be an unpleasant destination.
“Isn’t this common knowledge?” one asked.
Welch didn’t mention feeling unsafe in her article, but many viewers said this is why they won’t be traveling to Egypt again. “I didn’t feel safe going before kids, I definitely won’t be taking my kid,” one viewer said.
Another agreed, “I had the same experience in Marrakesh with my blond curly haired 2-year-old. I was genuinely scared and I’m very well travelled.”
Multiple commenters said they had enjoyed both solo and family trips to Egypt. They said that Welch’s video, which was framed as a recommendation that parents opt against family trips to the country, was somewhat misinformed.
“It was our best holiday to date with the kids; they keep asking to go back!!! We did Cairo, Hurghada and then Luxor. Best 11 days holiday,” wrote one.
A second person echoed this, writing, “Not me just traveled to Egypt with three kids where the oldest 2 (14 and 18) loved going out in Cairo by themselves and feeling safe. Cairo is such a splendid city! The heart of the motherland. I do not understand this.”
But several emphasized the importance of doing extensive research before traveling there and suggesting booking excursions with private tour guides.
As one person said, “Sorry you had a bad experience. Cairo is something else for sure! I advise anyone going to do their research and heavy prep—know what to expect and as others have said, private drivers, tour guides etc… You NEED those things to feel safe.”
@little.welch.trav I can’t believe it’s been a year since the WORST travel experience we’ve ever had with our kids. 😫😫 If you’re new here, last year our family spent a full year living out of suitcases and traveling the world. From New Zealand to Bali to Türkiye, our travels were seamless… UNTIL we got to Cairo. Let’s just say we spent thousands of dollars to cancel a week-long trip and fled the country in just two days. And it wasn’t until the plane landed in Italy did I FINALLY feel the weight of my anxiety leave my body. I will never forget our experience. If you want the full story, you can comment “Egypt” in the comments and I can send the blog post I made shortly after our trip to your DMs. My intention for this page has always been full transparency. I never want another parent to see us hitting these “bucket list” destinations and get the impression that every single one is amazing—because it’s not. Cairo completely shocked me. It was a destination I’d wanted to visit for years, and it honestly left me feeling so sad. If you’ve been and had an amazing experience, I’m truly happy for you, but I’m not going to sit here and lie about our outcome just to keep up appearances. #familytravels #travelwithkids #familyvacations #kidstravel ♬ original sound – Little Welch Travelers
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I found Egypt amazing. The hawkers get tiring but back off when you say NO. Egypt is dirty and Cairo is busy and noisy. Security is obvious and drones aren’t welcome here and many other places (do your homework when traveling). Judging by the hotel they chose, this ‘tourist’ family needs to stay in first world countries
Cairo is definitely an interesting place. Whenever I am stuck in bad traffic I always think “this is nothing compared to Cairo.” I fondly remember hanging with locals in the early AM at a street cafe which had tables literally in the street which you picked up and moved when traffic came by. Never felt unsafe and enjoyed hanging with the locals. Just watch out for salads and things washed in water – safer to stick to cooked items.