Egypt. It usually brings to mind pyramids, the Sphinx and some dusty camels, but if you'd rather soak up the sun than the past, one of Sharm el Sheikh's many resorts is perfect. An all'inclusive package at the luxurious Royal Savoy & Villas, part of the Savoy Hotel, for example, includes free drinks and food at almost every bar and restaurants in the adjacent Soho Square. It's a great way to enjoy Egypt's beaches and weather. Watch your meal being cooked in front of you t the Oriental Zen restaurant, try an apple-flavoured hookah at the Electric Bar, then dance all night at Pangaea nightclub.
Pack:
- your trainers: if you get bored with lounging by the pool, there are plenty of brilliant excursions to keep you occupied, including a camel ride and quad biking through the desert.
- your high heels: Soho Square is exactly one square mile so everything that you could possibly need (bars, food, clubs) lies within easy tottering distance.
- books: the beaches at Sharm are absolutely stunning, your holiday snaps will look like you plucked them from a brochure. Make sure you take plenty to read for some hardcore relaxation.
Facebrag about the luxury. Guests can sit on their own private beach under a gazebo, complete with a telephone that dials direct to the bar, or call for service by the pool.
Don't leave without going underwater. Just a few meters from the beach you can see a rainbow of gorgeous fish weaving through the coral.
If you have run out of holiday reading, the Virgin Megastore in the Mercato Mall in Hadaba should be able to provide a few options.
To the north of the airport is Nasq, the New Sharm where many of the developments are being financed by foreign buyers. The community hub is La Strada mall.
The Filopater Gallery sells a wide range of Egyptian and Bedouin gifts. Items include hand-painted maps of Sinai, glass-bead jewellery, ceramic camels and hand-woven ornaments (Tiran Centre, Old Sharm)
Soho Square is the latest entertainment complex to open in Sharm. It boasts restaurants, bars and shops and includes a six-lane ten pin bowling alley and, believe it or not, an ice-skating rink!
February is the most likely time of the year to see snow in the higher mountains of central Sinai. Head to St Catherine's Monastery or Mount Sinai to enjoy this rare sight.
Sharm el Sheikh International airport was originally an Israeli Air Force base.
The Filopater Gallery sells a wide range of Egyptian and Bedouin gifts. Items include hand-painted maps of Sinai, glass-bead jewellery, ceramic camels and hand-woven ornaments (Tiran Centre, Old Sharm)
Soho Square is the latest entertainment complex to open in Sharm. It boasts restaurants, bars and shops and includes a six-lane ten pin bowling alley and, believe it or not, an ice-skating rink!
February is the most likely time of the year to see snow in the higher mountains of central Sinai. Head to St Catherine's Monastery or Mount Sinai to enjoy this rare sight.
Sharm el Sheikh International airport was originally an Israeli Air Force base.
Day trip
Cleopark. August temperatures in Sharm can hit reach 50C. Cleopark is a water wonderland with a variety of fast ans slow rides and the Cleopatra Bath. Open from 10am to sunset.
Coloured Canyon. Head deep into the sandstone and granite mouuntains and discover the natural beauty of the Coloured Canyon. This crescent-shaped rift, formed by an earthquake, consists of layers of unusual coloured rock. Afterwards, head to Dahab for lunch.
Coloured Canyon. Head deep into the sandstone and granite mouuntains and discover the natural beauty of the Coloured Canyon. This crescent-shaped rift, formed by an earthquake, consists of layers of unusual coloured rock. Afterwards, head to Dahab for lunch.
Flight time: 5 hours
Best time to go: September, hot and sunny, but not stifling
