A mere 5 hours flying time from the UK and you touch down in Sharm el Sheikh. Blessed with year-round sunshine and luxury 5 star hotels it is an ideal short haul destination for a bit of winter sun.

Located on the Sinai peninsula and part of Egypt do not be fooled into thinking you are in Africa. The seasoned traveller will tell you that you are actually in Asia.

Sharm el Sheikh has grown incredibly over the last ten years. Luxury hotels abound the shores of The Red Sea. The Ritz Carlton has a home here, as do The Hyatt and other acclaimed resorts. We stayed at The Ritz Carlton - a stunning property about 20 minutes drive from the airport.

The approach to any of these hotels can be daunting due to very visible security on all the entrances. However, once you are inside the staff seem to make it their mission to take care of your every need.

The Red Sea is one of the major attractions of Sharm. The crystal clear water and stunning coral reefs are what brings divers and snorkelers from the four corners of the globe. A myriad of fish swarm around you as you snorkel and it is breathtaking.

There are also many other things to take up your time apart from lazing in the sunshine and enjoying the sea. A quad bike trip into the desert is well worth a visit as is the trip to St. Catherine’s Monastery. Said to be the site of The Burning Bush where God spoke to Moses. The monastery is wonderful, nestled in a valley surrounded by the mountains. You feel as though you have stepped back many centuries in time and you can almost smell the history.

You can also travel further afield if you wish. Cairo and The Pyramids are an overnight stay, however.

We were treated to some very well cooked meals whilst at The Ritz. All the restaurants had different cuisines and all performed admirably. Lisa Scott Lee (Steps) sat next to me in the Asian restaurant and asked to have her photo taken with me. How could I refuse?

After dinner it seemed rude not to adjourn to the Shisha bar and indulge in Apple molasses and strong black Egyptian coffee brewed by a Berber.  The hotel rooms are of a decent size and stocked with all the usual amenities.

We enjoyed our time in Egypt. Friendly people, good food and lazy sunny days. What more could you ask for? My only word of warning, don’t touch the local wine ‘Obelisk’ - white red or rosé. They all taste the same – terrible! That said the beer isn’t too bad but you do pay a premium on imports. It is a wonderful place and if you can’t afford Dubai try Sharm el Sheik. At least it’s finished and you’re not sunbathing on a building site.

 

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