Egypt - a year-round delight.

One destination many of us want to experience and I certainly have since writing my TutanKahmun school project! As a dedicated scuba diver I had also previously visited Sharm El Sheikh on the Red Sea so I have been keen to revisit and discover more of the culture and history of Egypt.

 

I was an invited guest of Longwood holidays and our group had a full week to see the sights, attractions and hotels of El Gouna, Luxor and Hurghada.

 

Leaving Gatwick on a miserable day, we landed just over four hours later in sunshine with temperatures in the 70’s (22c); and this is how it stayed all week.  The resort of El Gouna is a short drive from Hurghada, just long enough for Nicky our tour guide to give us details of what to expect and, most importantly how to haggle!  

 

El Gouna, a purpose built resort is ideal for couples and families with a choice of hotels from 3* to 5*, a golf course and a well respected PADI dive centre.  To travel around the resort you can purchase a weekly bus pass but we used the local “tuk tuk” motor carts for a set rate of 50p each and they carry three adults at a squeeze or, like us you can have great fun “tuk tuk” racing, encouraging your driver to go faster and overtake!

 

There were many excursions offered from the resort; Cairo or Luxor by air for the day, underwater glass submarines to view the sea life and coral without getting your hair wet, dune buggy riding, a jeep safari and camel riding, the list was endless. 

 

The El Gouna offers a Dine-around option where you chose to eat in any of the resort and hotel restaurants.  The choice of food is varied and suits fish and meat eaters but also vegetarians like me which was very welcome.  The local wine however is a little more hit-and-miss, but the beer comes highly recommended…

 

El Gouna doesn’t have a night life, however in the warmer summer evenings the marina comes alive and at weekends the street entertainment and open air fruit stalls are open fairly late, until around 11pm.

 

We tried the Luxor excursion by coach which was an eight hour trip but well worth doing for anyone interested in history and wanting to see the real Egypt. Yes, it is an early start, as the excursion coaches all leave prompt at 7am in convoy (ouch!), but we did use this time to relax and sleep as the desert scenery can be somewhat repetitive.  Once at Luxor we visited the Karnak temple and also the West Bank where many of the oldest tombs are located. It’s a deeply historical and moving place and I still treasure the moment.

 

Luxor on the other hand is a busy bustling City with fantastic shopping, bargains, sights sounds and colours to be had at the many Souks and markets. It all felt very safe, but still an adventure nevertheless.

 

Egypt is a great destination, and contrary to any previous expectations security was never an issue. The Egyptian people are a lovely warm and embracing nation who love to share and will use any excuse possible just to speak English. The tea is pretty awful but the people are a delight, and we always felt totally comfortable and loved the whole experience.

 

I am already starting to plan my next visit - and if you want- I can help you plan yours too!

 

Fiona travelled with Longwood holidays – with 4* and 5* hotels starting from only £325 half board per week.