Dahab, which means gold in Arabic, was originally a Bedouin fishing village and is located on the southeast coast of the Sinai Peninsula, about 50 miles from Sharm el Sheikh.

Dahab Bay

Originally a fishing village Dahab is now a thriving resort with hotels, campsites, restaurants, cafes, bars and of course its wonderful beaches.

Dahab consists of two distinct parts. In the north is the old Bedouin Village of Assalah which caters mainly for backpackers, with cheap accommodation. In the south is Laguna (also known as Dahab City/Medina) where you will find the more upmarket hotels.
 

Things to Do

The main attractions of Dahab are its white sandy beaches where you can relax in the sun and take a dip in the wonderful, crystal clear waters of the Red Sea.
When you want a change from soaking up the sun you can take a dessert safari, enjoy a quad bike ride in the desert, go mountain climbing, horse riding and camel riding or you can enjoy when of the many tours that are on offer. These tours include visits to The Old Port of Dahab, Ein Khudra (a Bedouin oasis), Wadi Gnay (a Bedouin oasis), Mount Sinai and St Catherines, Jerusalem (Israel), Petra (Jordan) and many more. 
There are excellent diving sites in the Dahab area, including Sinai’s best site, Blue Hole. There are more than 50 dive centres located in the Dahab area. Dahab is also great for windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking and snorkelling.
To the south of Dahab are Qnai el-Rayan and Qnai el-Atschan which are wadis (dry valleys) where there is some great rock climbing on offer. 

Dining

As Dahab is surrounded by water, there is lots of fresh fish and seafood served in its many restaurants. The restaurants located further inland tend to much less expensive than those nearer the beach.

With lots of cheap holidays on offer, Dahab is an excellent choice for your holidays, especially as the weather here is pleasant all year round and it has an abundance of cheap accommodation.

Watch out for the last minute holidays deals as Dahab is the place to visit anytime of the year, even in the winter when there is very little rain.

Egypts first ever Salt Cave is due to open later this month in the Red Sea resort of Taba Heights.

The Salt Cave will be located in the uptown area of Taba Heights.

The cave will be made entirely of salt from the Dead Sea which has a high concentration of minerals and the Siwa Oasis which aids health and beauty. The air inside the cave will be benificial to health as it is charged with calcium, iron, magnesium, bromine, iodine, potassium and selium. The lighting in the cave will promote positive feelings, along with the colour therapy that will create calm and soften the mood. The floor of the cave will be covered in a thick layer of salt crystals while the ceiling will have salt stalactites, so creating a unique microclimate.

A 45 minute stay in the cave will have a beneficial influence on mood and wellbeing, and will also revitalise strength and good health. A session in the cave can also aid the treatment of nervous system disorders, digestive tract problems, heart disease, repiratory problems, dermatological diseases, metabolic problems and underproduction of hyperthyroidism.

Why not treat yourself to a visit to the new Salt Cave when on your next holidays to Taba Heights, you know you deserve it!

Sofitel Taba Heights

From its unique position in the mountain ranges of the Sinai Peninsula, Taba Heights overlooks four countries, Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. With 5kms of beautiful, natural beaches, some of the worlds best dive sites, first class hotels and an 18 hole championship golf course, Taba Heights won’t disappoint you.

For more information on Egypt and to view my latest articles please visit my Egypt Blog.

There are some great places to play golf whilst holidaying in Egypt. Because Egypt has very little rain and is warm all the year round it is possible to play at any time.

Alexandria Sporting Club – Alexandria

This is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Egypt, built in 1898.
Facilities include an 18 hole course, horseracing, tennis, squash, football, basketball, croquet, pro ship, swimming pools and restaurant.

Dreamland Golf & Tennis Resort (Championship Course) – Cairo

Facilities here include an 18 hole course, turf driving range with 6 target greens (lit at night), putting green, swimming pool, excercise facilities and a tennis academy with 6 clay courts, tennis pro, lessons, tournaments and pro shop.

Dreamland Golf & Tennis Resort (Pharaoh Course) – Cairo

Facilities here include a 9 hole course, turf driving range with 6 target greens (lit at night), putting green, swimming pool, excercise facilities and a tennis academy with 6 clay courts, tennis pro, lessons, tournaments and pro shop.

Gezira Sporting Club – Cairo

Built in 1882, this is the largest multi-sport facility in Egypt. This is a private club with an 18 hole course played on 9 fairways. Other facilities include a driving range and pro shop.

Katameya Heights Golf & Tennis Resort (Championship Course) – Cairo

Facilities here include an 18 hole course plus driving range with 5 target greens. Other facilities include a golf school, putting green and pro shop.

Katameya Heights Golf & Tennis Resort – Cairo

Facilities here include a 9 hole course plus driving range with 5 target greens. Other facilities include a golf school, putting green and pro shop.

Mena House Oberoi Golf Course – Cairo

Mena House is the only hotel in Cairo which has its own golf course. The 18 hole couse overlooks the pyramids and is played on 9 fairways with 2 tees.
Other facilities here include a putting green, meeting centre, restaurant, swimming pool, fitness centre and horseback riding.

Royal Valley Golf Club – Cairo

This is an 18 hole course with driving range, pro shop, restaurant and bar.

Mirage City Golf Course – New Cairo

This is a private 18 hole course and is home to the Mirage City Golf Academy. Here you will also find a driving range, restaurants, function rooms, board room, bar, library and billiards.

Jolie Ville Golf & Resort (Championship Course) – Sharm el Sheikh

Here you will find an 18 hole couse, driving range (lit at night), putting green, golf school, function rooms, conference centre, excercise facilities, health spa, sauna, billiards, table tennis, swimming pool, snorkelling, scuba diving, sailing, restaurants, disco, bars, satellite tv, play area and aqua park.

Jolie Ville Golf & Resort (Par 3 Course) – Sharm el Sheikh

Here you will find a 9 hole couse, driving range (lit at night), putting green, golf school, function rooms, conference centre, excercise facilities, health spa, sauna, billiards, table tennis, swimming pool, snorkelling, scuba diving, sailing, restaurants, disco, bars, satellite tv, play area and aqua park.

Taba Heights Golf Resort – Taba

Built in 2006, this 18 hole course also has a driving range, putting green, restaurant and bar.

The Cascades at Soma Bay Golf & Country Club (Championship Course) – Soma Bay

Built in 1999 this is an 18 hole desert course, complete with a golf school, driving range, putting green and pro shop.

The Cascades at Soma Bay Golf & Country Club (Par 3 Challenge Course) – Soma Bay

Built in 1999 this is a 9 hole desert course, complete with a golf school, driving range, putting green and pro shop.

Madinat Makadi Golf Course (Championship Course) – Red Sea

Recently built in 2008, this 18 hole course has driving ranges (80 stations), putting green, golf school and pro shop.

Madinat Makadi Golf Course (Short Course) – Red Sea

Recently built in 2008, this 9 hole course has driving ranges (80 stations), putting green, golf school and pro shop.

El Gouna Golf Club – El Gouna

Built in 1999, this 18 hole course also has a golf school, driving range, pro shop, excercise facilities, health spa, sauna, massage facilities, restaurant and bar.

The Links at Stella di Mare – Ain Soukhna

Built in 2006, this 18 hole course has a meeting centre, spa and pro shop.

There are thousands of cheap holidays to Egypt available throughout the internet, why not book one and try your hand with a relaxing round of golf!

If you are looking for a golfing holiday in Egypt or maybe just want a taste of golf in this fascinating country, try one of the many package holidays on offer that include a ‘golf taster’.

For more information on Egypt and to view my latest articles please visit my Egypt Blog.

Bordered by the Red Sea, on the east coast of Egypt, Hurghada is the perfect destination for family holidays.

The resort has everything, including glorious golden sands and crystal clear waters, a wide range of watersports, first class diving facilities, restaurants, bars, markets, bazaars, waterparks and plenty more for all the family.

I have just come across this interesting and informative destination guide to Hurghada which will give you an insight into this perfect holiday destination.

Hurghada is situated close to the Equator which means that the temperature is constantly hovering around the thirty degree mark, just perfect for lazing on the beach and topping up your tan.

Trevor Butler set up his first ‘travel’ related business in 2004 and has written many other destination articles with tips and information. I have found these articles both interesting and helpful, hope you do too.

This review has been supplied by our reader Carole Weekes

“We are always on the lookout for bargain holidays so when this one came up we couldn’t resist as we have stayed here previously. As in our previous visit the hotel, room, food, staff and entertainments team were faultless. This time we spent a couple of days diving which was ‘out of this world’ and went on a glass bottom boat. As the hotel is really near the beach we spent quite a lot of time just relaxing. This is the best hotel we have stayed in when holidaying in Egypt and will be returning again. Remember there are plenty of places to visit and taxi fares are cheap.”

IBEROTEL PALACE OVERVIEW

Sharm El Sheikh is renowned for its all-singing, all-dancing hotels. However, because the Iberotel Palace is smaller and cosier both in looks and atmosphere, it is at the more intimate end of the Sharm spectrum.
With one end of the main terrace opening to the sandy beach, the Iberotel has two split-level lagoon pools ringed by bougainvillea-draped terraces, sunloungers and parasols.

Location

The hotel is set on its own exclusive beach, a two-minute walk (100m) from Old Sharm and a short bus or taxi ride from Naama Bay (8kms). The hotel runs free boats to and from an offshore coral reef for a spot of snorkelling.

Accommodation

The guest rooms are comfortable and are finished in soft creams with pale-wood furnishings and marble floors. All of the rooms have a balcony or terrace which are furnished with wicker patio sets.
All 254 rooms have Double bed/twin beds, air conditioning, hairdryer, satellite TV, telephone, internet access, minibar (filled on request), iron and board (on request), safety deposit box.

Food and Drink

2 restaurants including the main La Coupole restaurant, a la carte Italian restaurant, beach bar (serving food), swim-up pool bar.

Sport, Leisure and Activities

2 swimming pools, large sun terraces with sunbeds, indoor pool, scuba diving, daily activities programme, tennis, aqua aerobics, table tennis, billiards, sauna, massage.

Entertainment

Fun Pub opens daily 20:00-01:00, daily live music, occasional folklore or international show.

For Families

Hotel-run kid’s club, playroom, shallow end of main pool.

Other Facilities

24-hour reception, money exchange, 24-hour room service, shops, laundry service.

The following review has been supplied to us by our reader David Rolfe

“We were very lucky that the ash saga didn’t affect our outward or inward bound journey earlier this year. We have always spent our summer holidays in Sharm but decided we needed a change and an earlier holiday this year. We read lots of good reviews on the Makadi Palace so decided to give it a go.
As we drove through the gates to the hotel we realised that this hotel was going to be special, and it was.
The hotel and staff had a really warm feel and the hotel itself was spotless.
Swimming pools were great (free pool towels) – we used these more than the beach as my wife didn’t like the sea very much because of the coral (wimp)!
Plenty of good food at meal times and the restaurants were clean and airy.
The majority of holiday makers here were German, don’t know why, but this wasn’t a problem and we made some good friends who we will be keeping in touch with.
Excellent holiday and hotel which we would recommend and will be returning to.”

MAKADI PALACE

With beautiful Moorish decor and palatial ambience, the Makadi Palace offers an impeccable service with views across the Red Sea.

Location

Next to sister hotel Grand Makadi at Makadi Bay, the hotel faces the striking Red Sea and secluded unspoilt beach (beach shoes are recommended due to the Coral).

Accommodation

All rooms have a bathroom and wc, hairdryer, air conditioning, satellite tv, telephone, minibar, safety deposit box and a balcony or terrace.

Dining and Bars

6 restaurants, snack bar, lobby bar, nightclub and piano bar.

Facilities, Sport and Activities

4 outdoor swimming pools, children’s section of the pool, sun loungers, parasols, Private beach, 6 tennis courts with clubhouse, football court, table tennis, beach volleyball, aerobics, aqua aerobics, water polo, playground, Arabic language course, massage, 24 hour reception with money exchange, children’s menu.

Entertainment

Daily entertainment program including sporting activities, games and competitions and evening entertainment program with live music and shows, Hotel run kid’s club at Grand Makadi, StarKids movies, mini disco.

Esna is located on the west bank of the Nile, around 485 miles south of Cairo. Originally the ancient city of Senat, it was known as ‘The City of the Fish’ and was where the Nile Perch was worshipped.

Esna Lock

Today Esna is a popular stop over for many Nile cruise boat holidays.

The Temple of Esna

The Temple is located just a short walk from the Nile, in the centre of the town. Dedicated to the God of creation Khnum and other dieties, including

Esna column

Neith, Heka, Satet and Menheyet, the remains of the Temple consist of a hall of columns with 24 pillars decorated with lotus and palm capitals. The walls are covered with relief’s depicting Ptolemaic and Roman Emperors dressed in Pharaoh costumes making sacrifices to the Khnum.

On either side of the entrance to the Temple there are chambers which the priests and keepers of the Temple used as storerooms. At the entrances to these rooms there is the Emperor Trajan being carried by six priests.

Temple

The roof of the Temple is decorated with astronmical figures and Roman signs of the zodiac, including the sky Goddess Nut, the Dog Star, Orion’s Belt and the Dragon Star.

On the western wall of the Temple you can see the God of Victory Horus and the God Khnum pulling a net of fish from the Nile, along with relief’s of birds. At the foot of the western wall you will find the last known hieroglyphics ever recorded, completed in 250AD by the Roman Emperor Dios.

When most people think of Egypt, they think ‘pyramids’.  A tour of Giza is a must when visiting Egypt. The Valley of Giza is located just outside of Cairo on the west bank of the Nile.

Giza Pyramids

In the Valley of Giza the three largest pyramids are The Great Pyramid of Khufu, The Pyramid of Khafre and The Pyramid of Menkaura, all dedicated to a different king of Egypt.

THE GREAT PYRAMID OF KHUFU

This is the most famous pyramid in Egypt. Built for the pharaoh Khufu, the base of this pyramid covers an area of about nine acres and stands 449ft high (originally 479ft).
This pyramid was built with 2.3 million stone blocks made entirely from limestone, each weighing between 2 and 15 tons.

The Great Pyramid of Khufu

Until the 19th century, this was the tallest structure in the world and is the only one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Ancient World’ still standing.

THE PYRAMID OF KHAFRE

Built for Khufu’s son Khafre, this pyramid measures 707ft on each side and was originally 471ft high.
The limestone and granite blocks used to build this pyramid each weighed about 2.5 tons.
This pyramid was built on higher ground than The Great Pyramid, giving the

Sphinx

 illusion that this pyramid is taller!

It is believed that The Great Sphinx, near to Khafre’s pyramid, is a royal portrait of Khafre. The Sphinx was built from soft sandstone and has only survived because it has been buried in the sand many times during its lifetime. The body of the Sphinx is 200ft long and 65ft tall. Part of  sacred cobra on its head and its nose have been destroyed but all in all the Sphinx is still well intact.

THE PYRAMID OF MENKAURE

This is the smallest of the three pyramids and was built for Khafre’s son Menkaure. Each side of this pyramid measures 356ft and was originally 218ft high.

 
There are also three small pyramids in the valley which were built for three of Khufu’s wives and several flat topped pyramids which were built for his favourite children.

If you are looking for bargain holidays to Egypt, there are always great offers throughout the internet, you won’t be disappointed.

There are many holiday websites offering direct holidays to Egypt, an opportunity not to be missed!

Marsa Matruh is a beachside town, located on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast and is fast becoming a very popular destination for summer holidays. The town is situated 149 miles from Alexandria and about 30 minutes from Marsa Matruh airport.
Hotels and restaurants are springing up all over the town, but Marsa Matruh still manages to retain it’s old charm and way of life, with it’s carpet shops, markets and mosques.

Almaza Beach

BEACHES

One of the most popular beaches here is Cleopatras Beach on the outskirts of the town but this beach is not that good for swimming, it is best for sun bathing as it is very rocky. This beach gets very busy during the summer season, for a quieter, more secluded spot there is Almaza Bay, just half an hour by car from Marsa Matruh.
Almaza Beach has only a few hotels and therefore a much quieter, relaxing option.
Agiba Beach is no more than 40 metres long but it has clean sands and is situated in a nice position between the cliffs, making it a good escape from

Agiba Beach

 the heat.
Gharam Beach is the largest of Marsa Matruh’s beaches and is situated about 10 miles out of town.

CLIMATE

Marsa Matruh has a typically dry Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and cool winters.

Review supplied by our reader Mark Parker

“Having read some bad reviews about this hotel we weren’t expecting too much but as the holiday was really cheap we decided to give it a go! So glad we did.
My wife and i had a fantastic week here. The hotel was clean, room was large and clean, food good and service and help really good.
As we like to relax on our holidays we spent a lot of time by the pools, especially the Roman Pool as it had plenty of shade.
We had a great week and will definitely go again.”

Sharm Plaza, Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt

Sharm Plaza

Location
The hotel is located 6 kms from Naama Bay on its own private beach with the Far-Garden coral reef directly in front of the shore. There is a free shuttle service which goes to Naama Bay. 

Key Facts
399 rooms
2 floors

Sharm Plaza

Accommodation
The twin rooms have a bath and shower, WC, hairdryer, cable tv, telephone, air conditioning, minibar, safety deposit box and a small balcony or french windows.
The deluxe rooms have a garden or pool view and the junior suites have a sea view.

Facilities
Five outdoor swimming pools, private beach, sun terrace with sun loungers, towels and parasols, two buffet restaurants, five a la carte restaurants (including tapas, seafood, BBQ, Italian and Lebanese), small shopping arcade, Arab style cafe, two tennis courts (floodlit), squash, sauna, jacuzzi, steam room and gym, spa, table tennis, billiards, animation programme, aqua centre with diving and watersports, internet cafe, evening

Sharm Plaza

entertainment.

For the family
Children’s swimming pool, kids club for 4-12 year olds, baby facilities, mini disco.