egypt’s Red Sea Riviera


Spectacular colours above and below the waterline


from Hurghada and close to the road to Luxor, Les Thermes Marins des Cascades is the Red Sea’s largest thalassotherapy spa and part of La Residence, which also has a championship golf course designed by Gary Player. The Kempinski, opened in 2010 and the group’s first hotel outside Europe, is among the hotels that offers guests use of the spa. Just off Soma is Ras Abu Soma, a dive site that has a reef teeming with incredible marine life. Sahl Hasheesh, next to Soma Bay, is another combination of privately- owned properties and hotels set in an attractive lush environment - its name means grass valley - in a sweeping 12 km (7.5 mile) bay. The town plans to expand even more, aiming to position itself as an alternative to second-home ownership to Spain’s Costa’s and golf is


also on the agenda. Hotels include the Oberoi, Dessole Pyramisa Beach Resort and Premier Le Reve, with the 294-room Marriott the latest addition. Makadi Bay, which neighbours Sahl Hasheesh, occupies a natural bay and its relaxed lifestyle and good choice of hotels offering all-inclusive packages have made it popular with families. One of the new properties is Sunwing Waterworld Makadi which resembles a theme park with its large slide, wave pool and other fun-filled water features. Southern Port Ghalib, close to Marsa Alam airport and easily accessible from Cairo, is a sympathetic development centred around a pristine stretch of reef-lined coast. An ideal choice for those looking for a quieter resort with luxurious facilities, hotels include


InterContinental The Palace Port Ghalib, set amongst lavish landscaping and water features. Historic Edfu, two and a half hours away, and Luxor, an easy three and a half hour journey from Port Ghalib, are popular for day trips. The opening of the airport in 2001 resulted in Marsa Alam, the most southerly Red Coast resort, becoming a hot new destination. Despite this Marsa Alam offers a tranquil atmosphere and unspoilt natural environment. A renowned dive site is Elphinstone reef, where there are regular sightings of dolphins and Wadi el Gimal National Park, one of the last places in Egypt to find wild gazelle.


North of Hurghada is El Gouna, Egypt’s fi rst purpose-built luxury resort town that’s been dubbed the ‘Venice of Egypt’


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