About Egypt

Egypt is a mystical land bustling with life, sound and visual beauty, Egypt is not just the place for visiting pyramids, monuments and temples, but also a country that offers the perfect climate with brilliant sunshine all year round.

The ancient Egyptians established a magnificent and enduring civilization whose achievements have captured the imagination of the world ever since. Egypt cannot forget its glorious past, which contrasts perfectly with all that modern Egypt has to offer - scuba diving in the Red Sea, fine sandy beaches, exclusive nightspots, romantic Nile cruises, 5-star accommodation and a varied and exotic cuisine - making this country a truly unique and fascinating place to visit.


Hurghada

Where the desert meets the sea lays the capital of the Red Sea Governorate, Hurghada, and a bustling town, known as Al-Ghardaka in Arabic. Founded in the early 20th century as a fishing village, with over 40km of coastal resorts and spectacular beaches, the Red Sea Riviera has fast become a community of mixed nationalities and cultures. The permanent summer weather and leisure activities, including desert safaris, diving and golf, make this the most popular resort in Egypt.

Nearby, on this impressive strip of the Red Sea coast, lie the stunning resorts of Sahl Hasheesh and El Gouna, both exclusive destinations offering residents and tourists fantastic views of the desert and mountains. At the heart of the El Gouna Resort with its natural lagoons is the Abu Tig Marina, the most luxurious harbour on the Red Sea designed around the spectacular El Gouna Golf Club, an 18 hole, PGA professional golf course. The Red Sea Riviera has two seasons: a hot summer, which runs from May to October, followed by a mild winter for the remaining months. The dry climate makes the area a highly desirable location at any time of the year.

Diving and watersports in the Red Sea

Known as one of the most beautiful places on earth, the Red Sea is a truly exotic and fascinating natural seascape environment. Its crystal blue surface and oasis of living creatures, reefs and coral formations, make it one of the world's most highly sought after diving locations.

Hurghada provides a gateway to the Red Sea's prime diving sites and is unique in offering access to many uninhabited offshore reefs and islands, allowing a myriad of opportunities for swimming, snorkelling, scuba and free diving. The warm waters are ideal for many varieties of rare fish and coral reefs, which can also be observed through glass bottom boats or submarines.

There are also many other excellent aquatic sports facilities enjoyed by visitors such as:

• Kite surfing
• Windsurfing
• Sailing
• Swimming with dolphins
• Jeep adventures
• Deep sea fishing
• Boat trips on the Red Sea at dusk

Land activities in Egypt

The Red Sea Riviera offers something for everyone with an extensive range of land and leisure activities, including:

• Horse riding
• Camel riding
• Go-karting
• Sail-karting
• Quad biking
• Desert safaris

In addition, excursions to the Red Sea Mountains, the Eastern Desert and Bedouin camps can be arranged and visited by jeep, horses or camels.

Entertainment

The Red Sea Riviera is famous for its vibrant cosmopolitan atmosphere, with an abundance of exclusive boutiques and fashionable shopping outlets, relaxed outdoor cafes, trendy chill-out bars and international restaurants. Be sure to try out the delicious pitta bread and the fresh fish, chicken and lamb (no pork) kebabed, grilled or cooked in a tajine. Alcohol is served in western hotel bars, the mint tea always makes a healthy alternative.

At night Hurghada offers top entertainment, with leading European clubs and bars establishing venues in the area. This gateway between Africa and Asia is also a region full of contrasts. In Hurghada one can savour the flavours and vibrant colours of the East or shop for top western brands. El Dahar, the oldest part of Hurghada, is home to the town's largest bazaar where one can find the finest products Egypt has to offer: gold, jewellery, spices, brass, copperware, papyrus, perfumes, leather products, folkloric costumes, carpets, music and the famous Egyptian cotton.