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.

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.

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.

In western Egypt you will find majestic desert landscapes complete with green oases and warm-water springs. This vast region stretches from the Nile to the Libyan border.

Bedouins

You can explore the historic sites here on foot, by car or on camel-back, the main caravan routes are the best to take. Whichever form of transport you chose, you should never miss an opportunity to watch a sunrise or sunset or to camp out overnight.

FAYOUM

The city of Fayoum is located southwest of Cairo and occupies part of the ancient site of Crocodilopolis. It is not a true oasis as it depends on Nile water instead of underground springs or wells. Fayoum is noted for its moderate climate, abundant water wheels, wonderful scenery, bird watching opportunities and lush agricultural land, on which fruit, cotton,tomatoes

Fayoum

and medicinal plants are grown. The souk here sells gold, copperware and spices and holds a special pottery market once a week. Fayoum is steeped in Pharaonic, Graeco-Roman, Coptic and Islamic history.

BAHARIYA

This is the smallest oasis, made up of sand, volcanic black rock and warm springs, complete with orange trees. Guavas, mangos, dates and olives are also grown here.

SIWA

Siwa is the most northerly oasis, here you will find the ancient village of Shali, the famous Cleopatra Bath and the temple where Alexander the Great consulted the oracle of Ammon in order to seek confirmation of his divine status as the son of Zeus.

Farafra

FARAFRA
The villages here have quaint narrow streets and are surrounded by palm groves and magnificent gardens.

DAKHLA

This is Egypts largest western oasis, stretching for over 44 miles. Here you will find the medieval village of El Qasr.

KHARGA

The Kharga oasis has narrow interlocking streets, period houses and a bustling souk. Situated nearby is the neocropolis of Al-Bagawat which contains 200 tombs dating from the 2nd century AD. This oasis is also home to the Graeco-Roman villages of Douch and Ain Umm Dbadib, the latter being famous for its trapezoidal towers.

These desert places are home to the nomadic Bedouin people and should not be missed on your Egyptian holidays.

Cheap package holidays to Egypt are always available throughout the internet.

Cairo is the capital of Egypt, located on both banks of the River Nile near the head of the river’s delta in northern Egypt.

Most visitors to Cairo make a bee-line for the pyramids which are located in Giza, 11 miles from the city centre. However, Cairo is much more than just the pyramids.
There is much more to see in Cairo, like the narrow streets of Old Cairo, the Coptic quarter and Islamic Cairo, which are like museums of historical buildings, with mosques, the city gates and the citadel.

Khan al-Khalili

At the Khan al-Khalili, the city’s main market, you can watch the locals going about their daily lives.
To the north of Cairo is Bulaq, a district of medieval back streets along the Nile.
To the south is Garden City, a tree-lined former British enclave of the wartime years.
The Nile island of Gezira, famed for its opera house and art museums, and for a fashionable area of bars and restaurants known as Zamalek, is also worth a visit.

CLIMATE
Cairo is hot and dry all through the year. Between November and April (winter), is one of the nicest times to visit as the weather is mild. From May to October (summer) the weather is noticeably warmer.
Each year in March and April there are gusty periods when the hot ‘khamsin’ wind blows across from the western desert and can at times fill the air with sand and dust.

PLACES TO VISIT

Tutankhamun

Egyptian Museum of Antiquities
This museum has more than 120,000 artefacts spanning Egyptian history from the earliest dynasties to the Roman era and has the largest collection of its kind in the world. The top attractions are the Tutankhamun Galleries, which display the gold and gem-inlaid funeral mask and 1,700 other treasures found in the tomb of the Boy King, and the Royal Mummy Room, which contains the corpses of 11 of Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs including Seti I and his son Ramses II. Room 27 displays intricate models of ancient life on the Nile during the Middle Kingdom, while the Old Kingdom Rooms contain beautiful statues and death masks from Giza and Saqqara.

Pyramids of Giza

Pyramids of Giza

One of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the pyramids of Giza are Egypt’s top tourist attraction.
The Great Pyramid of Cheops is the oldest on the site, and the largest in Egypt. It stands 447.5ft high and is made from an estimated 2.5 million limestone blocks. It was built to house the sarcophagus (coffin) of King Cheops, although it is not known whether he was ever actually buried here. Nearby are three smaller pyramids built for the king’s queens, and beyond are the two other large pyramids, those of Chephren and Mycerinus. Chephren was the son of Cheops and it is believed that he had the idea of building the Sphinx, to stand guard by his own tomb and that of his father. Some archaeologists say that this is not the case, and the Sphinx may even be around 2,600 years older than the pyramids themselves. Surrounding the pyramids are lots of smaller tombs.
Whilst visiting the pyramids it is a good idea to also visit the Solar Boat Museum. This museum is home to a very well preserved wooden boat found near the Great Pyramid.

Coptic Museum

Coptic Museum
This museum is located in a beautiful garden within the former Roman fortress of Babylon-in-Egypt and features Coptic art from the Christian era. Among the highlights are the wonderful Coptic textiles, carved ivories, papyri (ancient paper) with text from the Gnostic gospels of Nag Hammadi, and Nubian paintings from the flooded villages of Lake Nassar. The ornate rooms of the museum are decorated with beautiful mashrabiyya (carved wood) screens, fountains and painted ceilings.

El-Muallaqa Church

El-Muallaqa Church (the ‘Hanging Church’)
El-Muallaqa is the oldest Christian place of worship in Cairo. It is called the ‘Hanging Church’ because it is built on top of a Roman gate and reached by a stairway that leads to the courtyard. The church has a fascinating interior, featuring three barrel-vaulted aisles, altar screens of inlaid ivory and bone and an exquisite, carved marble pulpit supported by 13 pillars representing Christ and his disciples.

Bab Zuwayla
The southern gate of Bab Zuwayla is all that remains of the Fatimid city of el-Qahira. Executions took place here in Mamluk times but in the 19th century it became a happier place when Mitwalli (a local saint) performed miracles near the gate. Even today, people seeking healing nail a lock of hair or piece of clothing to the gate in the hope of receiving divine aid. Rising above the gate are the minarets of the Mosque of el-Muayyad, offering fantastic views over Cairo. The mosque contains the mausoleum of the Sultan el-Muayyad and his son, who began building the mosque in 1415.

Bayn al-Qasryn

Bayn al-Qasryn
In medieval times, Bayn al-Qasryn was the leading public square in Cairo. Today, it is lined with three Mamluk palace complexes. The finest of these is the Madrassa (theological school) and Mausoleum of Qalaun which has an elaborate stucco arch bearing stars and floral motifs, ornate coffered ceilings and stained glass. The Mausoleum of an-Nasir Mohammed and the Madrassa and Khanqah (monastery) of Sultan Barquq also have fine architecture and decoration.

Bayt el-Suhaymi
Dating from the Ottoman era, Bayt el-Suhaymi offers an insight into how the well-to-do merchants of the 16th and 17th centuries lived. The maze of rooms on different levels feature an ornate first-floor harem with mashrabiyya screens overlooking the garden and an impressive ground-floor reception room where men were entertained with music and dancers.

Mohammed Ali Mosque

Citadel (el-Qal’a)
Nothing remains of Salah ad-Din’s original 12th-century palace but the mosques and palaces built here reflect 700 years of Cairo history. The fortifications were first built to repel the Crusaders and became the royal residence for sultans well into the 19th century. The Mohammed Ali Mosque, which has a huge central dome and four semi-domes, towers over the city. The enclosure also contains the Mosque of al-Nasir, Yusuf’s Well and several small museums. The views over Cairo from the Citadel are probably the best to be had.

Gayer-Anderson House (Bayt el-Kritliya)
The Gayer-Anderson House was the home of an English doctor to the royal family, who lived here from 1935-42. He restored two 16th-century houses, joined them together and filled them with exquisite furniture and oriental objects. The mashrabiyya-screened women’s gallery overlooks the magnificent reception room with its central fountain, said to be the finest in Cairo.

Ibn Tulun Mosque

Ibn Tulun Mosque
The Ibn Tulun Mosque is the oldest intact mosque in the city. Built of mud-brick and wood, this mosque covers 6 acres but is very simple in decor. This mosque is a unique example in Cairo of classical Islamic architecture inspired by Iraqi models, having been built by Ibn Tulin, who was sent to rule Cairo by the caliph of Baghdad.

Islamic Art Museum
The Islamic Art Museum is home to one of the world’s largest and finest collections of Islamic art, dating from the seventh to the 19th centuries. In the museums many rooms you will find carved woodwork and columns, mosaic fountains, metalwork and other architectural exhibits salvaged from crumbling mosques and mausoleums throughout Egypt.

Madrassa of Sultan Hassan

Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan
This is one of the largest mosques in the world, covering 85,000 sq ft. It was built between 1356 and 1363 and includes a stunning courtyard, four madrassas (theology schools) and a mausoleum flanked by huge doors. The best time to visit this mosque is in the morning when the sun lights up the dark mausoleum.

You will always find last minute holidays to Egypt, leaving in the next few weeks, on the internet.

Marsa Alam is Egypt’s southernmost Red Sea resort, 790kms south of Cairo, 250kms from Luxor and about 200kms from the ancient city of Aswan in the south.

Marsa Alam

Previously a small fishing village Marsa Alam is one of the fastest growing holiday resorts in Egypt. With lots of tourism projects in the pipeline, Marsa Alam is set to rival the popularity of the already established Egyptian resorts such as Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada.

Marsa Alam has a small harbour and stone quay, with many restaurants, bars and shops along it’s palm-fringed seafront. With almost 100 kms of stunning coastal reefs Marsa Alam is particulary popular with divers. The spectacular Elphinstone Reef is legendary in southern Egypt. This reef has underwater walls that plunge over 70 metres and are covered in fascinating white, red, pink and brown sponges, corals and fans. Sha’ab Samadai

Elphinstone Reef

(Dolphin House) is another popular divind site here. Marsa Alam offers excellent deep sea fishing, with reef sharks, snappers, lobsters and tuna.
A marine nature reserve stretches from Marsa Alam to Gebel Elba in the south.

WEATHER

During July Marsa Alam enjoys temperatures of 34C, with 11 hours of sunshine every day. Late summer and autumn sees slightly stronger wind speeds.
During the winter the temperature is much milder but still usually around 20C, with about 6 hours of sunshine every day. Marsa Alam sees some winter rainfall which can occasionally be heavy and thundery but only lasts for a brief spell.

WHAT TO DO AND SEE

Diving and Snorkelling – Elphinstone Reef harbours sharks and exotic species of fish and is best for the more experienced diver. The shallower sandier Marsa Abu Dabab is better for the novice diver offering close-up encounters with dolphins and the dugong (sea cow). There is also the Samadai Reef where a group of spinner dolphins have made their home.

Deep Sea Fishing – You can take lessons on board a luxury yacht, fishing for lobster, tuna, barracuda and reef sharks.

Wadi Lahami

Kite Surfing – Available at the legendary shallow lagoon at Wadi Lahami, 140kms south of Marsa Alam. The strong thermal winds here provide ideal conditions for kite surfing. Because the lagoon here has a maximum depth of 70cms, it is possible to wade out a considerable distance.  There is an outer coral reef where the lagoon meets the sea, hence beginners should stick to the lagoon, while experts can enjoy the open seas beyond the reef.

Quad Bike Safari – Race across the desert on a quad bike.

Jeep Safari – This is the best way to explore the mountain valleys. visit a bedouin village or travel to Wadi Hammamat to view the ancient rock inscriptions and mines that run along the dry river valley that once formed part of a trading route which connected Luxor via the Silk Route to Asia.

Horse or Camel Safari – For a more relaxed desert safari where you can experience the dramatic desert sun sets.

Gebel Elba National Park

Visit the Gebel Elba National Park – The Gebel Elba National Park is located 250kms south of Marsa Alam between the small  town of Berenice and Egypt’s border with Sudan. This mountainous area is home to some amazing wildlife, including the Sooty Falcon, the Crowned Sandgrouse and the Pharaoh Eagle Owl.  The area is also the homeland of the Bashari pastoral nomads who live in semi-circular wooden structures, covered with hides and cloth. These nomads are renowned for their skill as desert trackers and camel breeders.

Visit Wadi el Gimal (Valley of the Camels ) National Park – The park covers over 6000 square kms with the main entrance situated close to the Shams Alam resort about 30 minutes south from Marsa Alam. With mangrove and thorny acacia trees, this is one of the last places in Egypt where you can still find wild gazelle. Situated within the park are the ancient emerald mining

Mons Smaragdus

villages of Mons Smaragdus (Cleopatra’s Mines). These ancient emerald mines date from the time of the Pharaohs, where gold and emeralds have been mined here for centuries. A tour of the remaining structures gives an insight into this complex and sophisticated ancient civilisation.

Visit Port Ghalib marina – One of the biggest marina developments on the Red Sea, with bars and restaurants where you can try some authentic Egyptian food while looking out over the sea.

Visit Luxor - Luxor is just a few hours drive from Marsa Alam and worthy of a visit. With it’s many temples and histiric monuments, it is like a huge open-air museum.

Shopping - The historic city of El Quseir is a short drive from Marsa Alam. It has a 16th century Ottoman fort which was occupied  by the French in 1799, under Napoleon, who fortified it with the cannons. The small port here is

El Quseir

where Queen Hatshepsut launched her campaign against the legendary “Land of Punt”. Centuries later, after the Arab conquest, it remained the largest port on the Red Sea and until the 1840′s it was the port of choice for pilgrims travelling from North Africa to Mecca. When you have finished sight seeing, head for El Quseir’s main attraction, shopping in the souk. Here you will find papyrus, alabaster, perfumes, shishas, silver and many other goods and souvenirs.

Situated on the eastern coast of Egypt, just four and a half hours from the UK. Easily accessible by air, El Gouna lies 22kms north of Hurghada International Airport. 
 

El Gouna

El Gouna is a self-contained town on the Red Sea coast. Built on 10 kms of beach, the town spreads across islands and lagoons. The sandy beaches and the ideal temperatures makes El Gouna the ideal destination for holidays all year round.

A typical summers day throughout May and June will feature pleasing sunny weather, with average temperatures of 29ºC, with the sun shining down for an average ten hours per day. From the months of July through until September, hot and very dry weather takes place, resulting in 40ºC or even higher average temperatures. The sun shines down on the region for an average of thirteen hours per day during these months.
In mid winter average temperatures will be at least 20ºC, however will typically rise to 24ºC or 25ºC, still giving an average of seven hours of hot sunshine per day. Rainfall is still very rare throughout winter with most of the rain falling from December to February. April and November are the best months to visit the region as visitors can still enjoy nine hours of sunshine per day along with very pleasing temperatures.

The resort’s award-winning architecture brings together a blend of traditional and modern elements and is the work of an impressive list of prestigious architects including Italian Alfredo Freda and American Michael Graves.

El Gouna kite surfing

El Gouna has a wide variety of activities on offer, including diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, kite surfing (El Gouna has the first professional centre in Egypt), waterskiing, parasailing and many other water sport activities. There is also an 18-hole USPGA Golf Course, go-kart circuit and of course El Gouna’s beautiful beaches.

Kafr El Gouna (downtown El Gouna)
Kafr El Gouna is the heart of El Gouna, with lots going on both day & night. The kafr is built in a traditional Egyptian style with inner courtyards, winding alleys & rolling domes, all surrounded by turquoise lagoons. Here you will find shopping arcades, bazaars, an art village, cafes, discos, restaurants and bars.

Zeytuna Beach

BEACHES

Zeytuna Beach
Zeytuna Beach is located on its own island surrounded by the sea and lagoons. A 400m jetty extends into the sea, providing access to deeper water and the coral reef plateau. Access is by shuttle boat from Downtown and Sultan Bey, or walking via bridges from the Sheraton and Hill.

Mangroovy Beach
Located just north of the Abu Tig Marina, Mangroovy Beach has become internationally known as the Red Sea’s best spot for kite-surfing. Here you can relax under thatched roofs or take part in one of the sporting options on offer, including kite surfing, windsurfing, snorkeling, beach volleyball and soccer. Access is by a shuttle bus which departs from downtown every half hour.

Red Sea dolphins

ISLANDS
 
Tawila Island
Here on Tawila Island, about an hour from El Gouna, there is a beautiful secluded sandy beach. The boat ride to the island is an ideal opportunity for some dolphin spotting.

Gobal Island
This island, with uninhabited sandy beaches, is around two hours from El Gouna. Global Island offers breathtaking snorkeling and is one of the most beautiful islands ever.
 
Mahmeya Island
Located about an hour from El Gouna, this is the only island with a beach restaurant. The beautiful beach here has been maintained true to its natural environment.

El Gouna diving

EL GOUNA DIVING
El Gouna is a real diver’s destination as its heated pools and calm local reefs provide an excellent start to your diving experience and the range of walls, reefs and wrecks are the finest in the Red Sea. As a protected area, dive sites offer frequent interaction with marine life, in particular, wild dolphins.
There are eight professional diving centers here, all offering state-of-the art equipment and assistance.
Diving here can include all family members with the dive centres offering tailored diving programmes and courses for kids, specifically, the PADI Bubble Maker, Discover Scuba Diving, Junior Scuba Diving, Junior Open Water Course and Snorkeling.

GOLF
El Gouna Golf & Fitness Centre boasts an USPGA 18-hole Golf course for both amateur and professional golfers.

There is also a newly built 18-hole mini golf course in the marina for all the family to enjoy.

El Gouna Museum

EL GOUNA MUSEUM
This museum focuses on ancient Egyptian history and art, with over 90 exhibits including statue replicas (made by the Egyptian Cultural Investment Company), stones and musical instruments. The museum was opened in 1996 and is designed to give tourists an insight into the Ancient Egyptian culture. Facilities include 3 interactive computer displays giving descriptions of each exhibit and an exhibition hall of 52 contemporary Egyptian paintings by Hussein Bikar.