Egypt has a mystical and timeless appeal that has been attracting travellers from far and wide for many centuries. From the fascinating sights of the Pharoahs, on the banks of the Nile at Luxor to the glorious beaches of the Red Sea at Sharm El Sheikh, this is a land of great contrast, where ancient and modern life exist side by side.

Until 1967, Sharm el Sheikh was merely a tiny outpost where customs men could keep an eye open for smugglers. Then its charms and tourist potential were recognized, and today it has an airport, fully developed hotel infrastructure, and well-organized sports facilities.

The old town of Sharm el Sheikh itself (known as downtown Sharm) is set on the NW side of the almost completely enclosed Sharm el Maya Bay, which is flanked by low flat-topped cliffs. Naama Bay, 5 mls NE, lies all round the edge of the semicircular bay of the same name, again with flat cliffs on both edges. Both are backed by inhospitable arid desert with rugged saw-toothed mountains in the distance.

Visitors can take full advantage of the hot, sunny weather, glorious beaches and underwater paradise without roughing it - and without the crowds.

The main attraction is scuba diving in the area's unusually warm waters, full of many unique forms of marine life and spectacular coral reefs. Increasingly becoming known as a normal winter-sun beach holiday destination, thanks to its virtually guaranteed sun and dry atmosphere.

Naama Bay Beach is 1 ml of rather coarse mid-brown desert sand. Virtually every inch is "private" and controlled by the hotels situated just across the pedestrian beach path. Some non-beachfront hotels have their own sections, while others have sharing agreements with their more fortunate competitors. The beach is covered with sunbeds, parasols, bars, restaurants, water-sports centres and even crazy golf.

The possibility of terrorist attacks on tourists in Egypt remains, Foreign Office advisory notices offer the latest official advice and should be consulted before booking.

Locality:

Sharm El Sheikh is located on the E side of the southernmost tip of the Sinai Peninsula, on the Gulf of Aqaba coast (315 mls SE of Cairo, Hurghada is a 20-min flight SW across the Gulf of Suez). Downtown Sharm is 12½ mls SW of airport; Naama Bay is 8 mls SW of airport.