Sharm El Sheikh & Taba Heights

I experienced a multi centre stay in Egypt. Spending 3 nights at The Grand Rotana,1 night at The Hilton, Coral Bay and 3 nights at the Hyatt Regency, Taba Heights. I travelled along with 15 other Travel Agents, including a fellow Travel Counsellor. We flew out from Gatwick with Monarch Airways. I would recommend upgrading to premium class as the seat pitch was considerably more comfortable and was a great start to my holiday. As soon as I arrived, I experienced a totally different landscape. Lots of golden sands, camels and a fantastic sunset! Suprisingly I found Sharm El Sheikh to be quite a lively resort. As we walked down the main high street the atmosphere was 'buzzy' with lots of authentic shops selling local crafts and plenty of bars with fragrant smells drifting from the spice shops. My first full day in Egypt I took a snorkelling trip from Naama Bay, the water was crystal clear and very warm. The array of colourful fish were amazing. I would highly recommend this trip as a must do. We then travelled up the coast to Coral Bay by coach. The beach at the Hilton was located very close to the hotel, a real bonus as the views were amazing. We also took advantage of the many market stalls selling hand -made jewellery. On to Taba Heights, a smaller resort than Sharm with a manicured feel about it. As we arrived the sun was reflecting off the mountains and we headed for a golf lesson at the course which surrounds all the hotels. It was my first experience at golf and I enjoyed it. The manager was on hand to pass on his expert tips. Our hotel here was very spacious with a Mediterranean feel. The beach was just a few steps from our room, with level paths down to the very wide, flat golden sands - perfect! In the evening we caught the shuttle bus to the town, located on the mountainside. This also linked the watersports centre with all the costal hotels. The following day we had an early start, travelling to the local canyon for a quad bike ride. Another first for me, and after feeling a little apprehensive we set off. Once I had mastered the controls it was a fantastic, unique experience. I really enjoyed my visit to Egypt. It has transformed my knowledge and pre informed opinions of this amazing country. Whether to relax by one of the many beautiful beaches or experience the fascinating culture, I would have no hesitation in re visiting. The food was of a very high standard, and if you are looking for guaranteed winter sun, Egypt is the place!