Sinai Peninsular

With world-class scuba diving, desert hills above, reliable sunshine and almost no rain – Sharm el-Sheik has become one of the world’s top beach destinations. It’s a package holiday nightmare, but you can escape to smaller towns nearby.

World-class diving, from shark reefs to wrecks, and some of the world’s best snorkelling at this national park on the Sinai peninsular. Visibility is excellent – regularly 30m.

A remarkable 6th-century UNESCO-listed monastery, set at the base of Mount Sinai. It’s home to one of the world’s great collections of religious icons, and the biblical ‘Burning Bush’.

A 3-mile trail, high on religious significance, leading up to the rocky summit where Moses is believed to have received the Ten Commandments.

Multi-activity desert adventure tours bundle up a selection of bucket list desert experiences, ending with a Bedouin feast and live entertainment.

Culture and adventure combine – superb walking and hiking in the Sinai desert, while spending time with local Bedouin. 2.5 hours’ drive from Sharm el-Sheik.

Experience a hammam, or Turkish Baths – an authentic and traditional Middle Eastern cleansing, known for relaxation and rejuvenation.

A striking 40m-deep canyon of undulating layers of ochre, gold, crimson, and mauve – great for a half day of hiking. Two hours’ drive from Sharm el-Sheik.

This traditional souq is the best shopping in Sharm, with a jumble of textile, food and craft stalls, plus cafes selling decent local Egyptian food. Come after sunset to avoid the heat, sip Arabic coffee and perhaps smoke a shisha pipe. It’s a surprisingly authentic experience given its location in Sharm.

This striking sandbank island, which emerges only during low tides, shimmers like a white mirage surrounded by turquoise water. As well as its natural beauty, it’s renowned for snorkelling and diving, with vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life below the surface. The full-day trips will include a snorkel stop at Ras Mohammed, which is close by.