I was lucky enough to visit Egypt as part of a Travel Counsellors and Peltours educational. A group of us flew with Astreus. The service was lovely and friendly and the airline comfortable if slightly cramped, food was ok but there was no in flight entertainment.
Taba airport was an experience - it seemed there was one member of staff to check in who then did immigration for the arrivals, quite chaotic really. As we were also travelling to Cairo we had to purchase a visa on arrival for $20 guests staying just in Taba and the Sinai peninsular were exempt.
The journey to the resort was interesting, the scenery was amazing, very barren but incredibly beautiful, sandstone mountains in layers of orange and yellow and desert stretching to the horizon.

We were greeted at the Sofitel with a well needed drink whilst we were checked in. We were shown to our Plaza rooms with an extra large balcony complete with sun loungers.. bliss! After quickly unpacking we just had to test out the pool area. Plenty of sun loungers and nice fluffy beach towels. There are three pools saltwater, fresh and heated and amongst these are two whirlpool baths.

The next day we toured the Sofitel and also visited the neighbouring Hyatt Regency hotel which was very impressive. After our hotel tour we were treated to a fantastic hosted lunch of a meze style Egyptian meal which lasted three hours. The food was fantastic! We had starters of baba ganoush, (an aubergine dip), hummus, fattoush and a salad of whole tomatoes, cucumbers lettuce and peppers. The tradition says that if you do not share the salad then you are refusing the hospitality. Naturally we all tucked in and enjoyed the flatbread served with the dips, the shock came when we realised this was only the starter!

We were then served a selection of chicken and lamb kebabs served over glowing charcoal embers which was delicious accompanied by cinnamon rice. Most of us struggled to try a small taste of the very sweet cake and pastry desserts that were brought out though they too were delicious.

On Wednesday we had a very early start (5am) for the overnight trip to Cairo. We had a 5 hour journey ahead and slept for most of it! The journey through Cairo to Giza was fascinating, seeing fields in the centre of the City, catching our first sight of the infamous River Nile and then the pyramids at Giza. Wow! It was staggering seeing the height of the pyramids towering over the City.

Our guide was wonderful... explaining all about the traditions and history surrounding this amazing wonder. Nothing can prepare you for seeing the pyramids up close; it was truly an awesome moment.
After visiting the pyramids we went to see the Valley Temple and the Sphinx, it was an amazing sight - the Sphinx in front of the Great Pyramid. Very humbling.

We had lunch at the Mena House Oberoi hotel and had the great fortune to be seated with the most spectacular view of the Pyramids.

The hotel was full of old world style and elegance, beautifully decorated. It was originally a Palace built in 1869 and has retained its original charm.

We then set off into Cairo for a tour of the Egyptian Museum, we had time only for a taster of the fascinating exhibits and the treasures of Tut Ankh Amon truly spectacular, the Mummy’s were a bit spooky though!

In the evening we enjoyed a dinner cruise on the Nile. After the cruise we headed back to the Conrad Hotel for drinks in Le Bar; a lovely cocktail bar!! A wonderful end to a perfect if exhausting day.

Back in Taba heights we visited The Marriot, The Radisson and the Hilton Coral Beach. Loved all the hotels we saw, something for everyone!

We also got to spend a very relaxing day onboard the Henry De Montfreid sailing boat and spent the time sunbathing and snorkelling in the glorious Red Sea. Taba is far less commercialised than Sharm and therefore the sea is much clearer for fish and coral spotting! There was a wonderful choice of watersports available in the area.

I had a fabulous time in Taba and would love to return with a bit more time to experience some of the many excursions available.. the trip to Jordan in particular. A fascinating part of Egypt!