While Egypt has been in the headlines for a number of reasons in recent months - often putting travelers off the destination - the truth is that it continues to be a very safe and wonderfully luxurious part of the world, full of surprises that people often overlook. The traditional tourist bases of Cairo and Alexandria are ultimately large cities that offer the classic sights of the Pyramids and tombs, yet the outer-lying regions of this historic nation are those that may interest you the most. Here, we look at three of them, and the excellent standard of holiday each one offers.
Soma Bay
This destination sits on a peninsula about half-way down the Egyptian east coast and overlooks the Red Sea. Just 45km south of Hurghada International Airport and only 240km to Luxor, it's a great location to escape from life's daily grind.
Soma Bay is a self-contained community just 5km long and 2km wide, accessed by a 7km private road; its controlled gated system means sellers and touts are kept at bay, unlike other popular places such as the Pyramids. It is boosted by luxury hotel development, providing countless bars, clubs and restaurants.
There are 5 luxury resorts in total, including the Kempinski Soma Bay. These share the country's most prestigious golf course - an 18 hole, par 72 championship offering with an accompanying golf academy created by nine-time major winner Gary Player. However, Soma Bay's biggest draw is its diving opportunities, notably its own house reef. It also hosts one of the largest spas and thalassotherapy facilities in Egypt.
Sharm el-Sheikh
The city of Sharm el-Sheikh is often overlooked simply because of its location. Sitting on the southernmost tip of the Sinai Peninsula - the area that sits in Asia to effectively make Egypt a transcontinental nation - has undergone a remarkable transformation since being restored to the country by Israel in 1982.
Hundreds of foreign investors have helped restore the area with a wide selection of building projects, which have been purposely restricted in height to avoid the possibility of obscuring the natural beauty of surroundings such as the Red Sea and rolling hills further inland.
The most major contributor to Sharm el-Sheikh's finances is, of course, tourism - it's easy to see why, too. Alongside its stunning landscape and year-round dry, temperate climate, tourists enjoy its enviable waterside location - traveling further out from its long natural beaches, people find plenty of opportunity to take part in countless water sports. Snorkeling and scuba diving are its particular strengths - you can see dozens of coral reefs and over 1,000 types of fish.
Luxor
Famous for its inimitable sightseeing opportunities, Luxor is placed next to the famous West Bank Necropolis - home to dozens of burial sites in the renowned Valleys of the Kings and Queens. For this reason, Luxor has been referred to in modern media as the world's greatest open air museum.
Sitting pretty on the River Nile, Luxor is not only noted for its stunning sculptures and temples; its culture to cultivate food has led to it being a foodie's dream. Among the locally-produced delights for tourists are fresh vegetables, goat's cheese, diverse breads and a remarkable variety of meats.
Of course, its outdoor sites still win the hearts and minds of visitors. Alongside the Luxor Temple, Karnak Temple Complex and Medinet Habu - the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III - is the Mummification Museum, which will give you an eye-opening insight into the ways Ancient Egyptians honored and preserved their dead.
(Photo via www.travelfox.com, edited)
This destination sits on a peninsula about half-way down the Egyptian east coast and overlooks the Red Sea. Just 45km south of Hurghada International Airport and only 240km to Luxor, it's a great location to escape from life's daily grind.
Soma Bay is a self-contained community just 5km long and 2km wide, accessed by a 7km private road; its controlled gated system means sellers and touts are kept at bay, unlike other popular places such as the Pyramids. It is boosted by luxury hotel development, providing countless bars, clubs and restaurants.
There are 5 luxury resorts in total, including the Kempinski Soma Bay. These share the country's most prestigious golf course - an 18 hole, par 72 championship offering with an accompanying golf academy created by nine-time major winner Gary Player. However, Soma Bay's biggest draw is its diving opportunities, notably its own house reef. It also hosts one of the largest spas and thalassotherapy facilities in Egypt.
Sharm el-Sheikh
The city of Sharm el-Sheikh is often overlooked simply because of its location. Sitting on the southernmost tip of the Sinai Peninsula - the area that sits in Asia to effectively make Egypt a transcontinental nation - has undergone a remarkable transformation since being restored to the country by Israel in 1982.
Hundreds of foreign investors have helped restore the area with a wide selection of building projects, which have been purposely restricted in height to avoid the possibility of obscuring the natural beauty of surroundings such as the Red Sea and rolling hills further inland.
The most major contributor to Sharm el-Sheikh's finances is, of course, tourism - it's easy to see why, too. Alongside its stunning landscape and year-round dry, temperate climate, tourists enjoy its enviable waterside location - traveling further out from its long natural beaches, people find plenty of opportunity to take part in countless water sports. Snorkeling and scuba diving are its particular strengths - you can see dozens of coral reefs and over 1,000 types of fish.
Luxor
Famous for its inimitable sightseeing opportunities, Luxor is placed next to the famous West Bank Necropolis - home to dozens of burial sites in the renowned Valleys of the Kings and Queens. For this reason, Luxor has been referred to in modern media as the world's greatest open air museum.
Sitting pretty on the River Nile, Luxor is not only noted for its stunning sculptures and temples; its culture to cultivate food has led to it being a foodie's dream. Among the locally-produced delights for tourists are fresh vegetables, goat's cheese, diverse breads and a remarkable variety of meats.
Of course, its outdoor sites still win the hearts and minds of visitors. Alongside the Luxor Temple, Karnak Temple Complex and Medinet Habu - the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III - is the Mummification Museum, which will give you an eye-opening insight into the ways Ancient Egyptians honored and preserved their dead.
(Photo via www.travelfox.com, edited)
(This post was written by Gary Greenhall)
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