| Hurghada |
 The
sprawling town of Hurghada is about 5 hours journey from cairo, 3 hours
from Luxor, 5 hours by ferry from Sharm El Shiekh, and one hour flight
from Cairo.
Hurghada offers a unique combination
for holiday makers, between relaxing on the beautiful private beaches from
a wide selection of resorts, treasures of the underwater life for scuba
divers and snorklers, the endless sports activities, and last but not least
the night life that does not stop until sunrise. |
| Al-Quseir |
Al-Quseir, known in Ptolemaic
times
as the White Harbor, has a long history as one of the major ports of the
Red Sea. From here, Queen Hatchepsut launched her expedition to the Land
of Punt, as depicted in the reliefs in Deir El-Bahari temple at Luxor.
Legend has it that the expedition returned with two live
panthers and 21 incense trees.
The 16th century fortress of Sultan Selim, still standing in the center
of town, shows Al-Quseir's former strategic importance.
Today, it is a quiet resort with
sandy beaches, clear waters and coral reefs. The town's narrow streets
are lined with colorful bazaars which have a decidedly Bedouin accent.
An ancient caravan trail, to Qift in the Nile Valley, leads from Al-Quseir
through the mountains, passing several Pharaonic and Roman sites. A new
road, directly to Luxor, opens soon. |
|
| Saphaga |
Saphaga, or Port Saphaga (Bur Saphaga)
is a working port located 37 miles from Saphaga with several tourist villages
specializing in diving holidays, a handful of hotels and some excellent
fish restaurants. Its unspoiled beaches and stiff breezes made it the ideal
venue for the 1993 World Windsurfing Championships. Day trips to Tobia
Island or Mons Claudianus in the Red Sea Mountains can be arranged with
local guides. |
| Marsa
Alam |
Mersa Alam is a village with a small
harbor and stone quay. It is the ideal base for a fishing holiday. The
Dokki Shooting Club has a rest house here and can arrange deep sea fishing
trips. Sharks, lobsters, turtles and muraena are among the catches. There
are some fine offshore coral reefs and diving facilities are being developed.
A nature reserve stretches from here to Gebel Elba in the south. |
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