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Thomson Destinations
Sharm El Sheikh
Location 500km south east of Cairo Transfer time About 20 minutes Sun, sea and fun by the bucket-load. Thats pretty much Sharm El Sheikh in a nutshell. Perched on the southernmost tip of Egypts Sinai Peninsula, its drenched in hot, hot sunshine. No wonder its become the place to holiday in recent years. Everything that Sharm - as everyone calls it - has to offer comes down to its location. Once a sleepy fishing village, this resort now spreads between Nabq Bay in the north, down through the tourist heart of Naama Bay, to Maya Bay in the south. Wherever you are, look one way and youll see the rocky landscapes of the Sinai Desert. Look the other, and youll clock what most people come here for - the Red Sea. With incredible coral reefs, shipwrecks and marine life all basking in its warm waters, this is one of the worlds blockbuster scuba spots. Add the endless beaches that line it into the mix and theres only one possible conclusion. Whichever way you look at it, Sharm has drawn itself one of the best location straws in the world. And thats not all. Theres still its luxury hotels, fabulous shopping malls and endless supply of restaurants to think about. Not to mention the camel treks and thrilling desert excursions. All topped with a large helping of electrifying nightlife. Looking for sun, sea and fun? Take it away Sharm El Sheikh.
Red Sea Riviera
Hurghada/Makadi Bay
Location About 250km northeast Luxor Transfer time 10 to 45 minutes from Hurghada Airport Backed by desert sands, the sunkissed shores and clear waters of Hurghada are a favourite with sunseekers and divers alike - ideal if youre looking to intersperse days lounging on the beach with snorkelling and scuba diving. If you want to pick up some souvenirs, Hurghada offers the entire spectrum of shopping emporia, from modern malls to backstreet bazaars. And when it comes to cuisine, Hurghada reflects Egypts crossroads culture. Nestled between desert dunes and turquoise seas, Makadi Bay is one of the most attractive destinations on the Red Sea Riviera, renowned for its high quality hotels, sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and fascinating underwater reefs. Set south of Hurghada, this relatively new beachside resort has been thoughtfully set out like a self-contained village. Makadi Bay is Egypt at an easy pace, where relaxation and recreation are seamlessly intermingled.
Marsa Alam
Location 130km south of El Quesir Transfer time Approximately 30 minutes from Marsa Alam airport Sugary white sands pierced with straw sunshades. Sapphire seas with spectacular coral reefs. An ambience as unhurried as the soft pulse of the waves on the beach. Marsa Alam does everything right - a quintessential Red Sea holiday. Growing fast as a major resort, Marsa Alam is a long section of virtually unspoilt coast that stretches from the town of El Quseir in the north to the small fishing village of Marsa Alam in the south, with the new airport about halfway in between. Up and down the coastline, with its mangroves and bountiful reefs, luxury hotels shimmer like jewels, many of them clustered around stunning swathes of beach. No trip here would be complete without donning a snorkel or wetsuit. Coral reefs bask in the shallows, welcoming snorkellers with a visual feast of fish and marine life. And if youre into scuba, then join a boat trip or plunge off a long jetty and youll be greeted by some of the most spectacular underwater sights the Red Sea has to offer. When dry land beckons, take a trip to El Quseir, with its small harbour, medieval fort and a history stretching back at least to Roman times. Or join a jeep safari into the rugged wilderness to experience the emptiness of a vast desertscape.
Taba/Taba Heights
Location 165 to 200km north of Sharm El Sheikh Transfer time 30 to 50 minutes from Taba Airport The coast that stretches around south of the town of Taba is one of the most picturesque parts of the Red Sea Riviera. The dramatic mountains of the Sinai peninsula run down to quiet, unspoilt beaches with views across the Gulf of Aqaba to Jordan: youll find it an idyllic place to soak up the Egyptian sunshine. The resort itself is fairly small, but the top class hotels strung along the coast have plenty of facilities to keep you occupied and entertained. Taba Heights is a complex of 5 luxurious hotels based around one of the Red Sea Rivieras finest stretches of coast. Days can be spent indulging in the wonderful facilities on offer, soaking up the therapeutic African sunshine or snorkelling over colourful coral reefs alive with shimmering fish. In the evening, the hotels within the complex offer a large casino and a selection of restaurants and bars.
Call 0871 231 4952
Charges apply, see page 323
Sky digital 637 " Visit your travel agent
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