THE Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheikh has been thrown into the spotlight this year as the demise of the pound against the euro has meant that holiday destinations outside of the Eurozone have come into favour and are suddenly top of the to-do list for British holiday makers looking for value for money and sun.

With year-round guaranteed sunshine and a huge array of five star resorts gracing the pages of the holiday brochures, Sharm seems like an obvious holiday choice. But for those looking for a little more than sunshine, a comfy sun lounger and an all inclusive wristband, can Sharm cut it against the cultural destinations of the Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa?

Rather than commit to a two week break, I opted for a long-weekend taster of Sharm and my voyage into the unknown started on a chilly October morning in Birmingham. Five hours later the blistering heat of Egypt hit me as I descended the steps of the aircraft in Sharm el Sheikh, and only 60 minutes later I was entering the stunning Hyatt Regency hotel in Naama Bay, my home for the weekend.

Over the past few years, the cranes have arrived in Sharm and where previously the majority of hotels were all ‘first line’ and directly on the beach, many that are now being built are third or even fourth line, so not ideal if you’re looking for a sea view. The Hyatt Regency however is first line and boasts a stunning beachside position in the centre of Sharm el Sheikh.

On my first morning I was greeted at 7am by clear blue skies and 25 degree heat – so far, so good, the brochures are accurate. To see as much of Sharm as I could in the weekend, I’d opted to spend one day on land with the second day at sea, and to avoid the mid-day heat as best I could, I set off early on my Egyptian land adventure.

Only 15 minutes from Naama Bay, I was heading into the desert on a jeep safari and soon had my first sight of a Bedouin settlement, a stark contrast to the luxury of the resorts in Sharm el Sheikh. My over-zealous jeep driver ensured that I was well shaken during the five hour safari which took me into the barren, arid Egyptian desert that makes up almost 80 per cent of the country. Surprisingly, the desert tour took us back to the coast and to the Egyptian mangroves. These mangroves are home to the clear waters of the Red Sea and the wreck of the Maria Schroeder, a German ship which ran aground on coral in 1956 laden with jeeps and tanks, a number of which are still clearly visible.

If I wasn’t shaken to the max during the jeep safari, the day culminated with a sunset camel ride, which again took me into the heart of the Egyptian desert. The camels, many of which I’m sure we’d seen during the day on our safari, were all well versed in transporting tourists across the desert, but be sure to hold tight whilst dismounting – my camel wasn’t renamed buckaroo for nothing.

A typical Bedouin dinner followed, with the women of the group being required to kneed and bake Egyptian flat bread. According to Bedouin tradition, a woman’s ability to bake bread is a clear indication as to her prowess as a wife, so it was all eyes on the ladies once the bread making commenced. Needless to say, I don’t think I acquired a new husband through my bread making skills.

The sheer expanse, silence and darkness of the desert by night takes a while to get used to, but the stars and planets that are visible from here, albeit it by telescope, are unmissable and the sight of the moon, complete with its lunar landscape, is something that will stay with me forever.

In complete contrast to my day in the desert, day two of my trip focused solely on the water and it was another early start to kit myself out with snorkelling equipment before joining my boat, and a day spent in Ras Mohammed, Egypt’s first marine national park. With three snorkelling stops during the day, the clear waters of the Red Sea didn’t disappoint and the thrill of seeing Angel fish up close and personal was enough to excite even the most hardened of tourists. Dolphins are also commonly seen during the trip although they unfortunately failed to materialise during our day at sea. Much is written about diving in the Red Sea and it’s claimed that some of the best dive sites in the world can be found here. It’s all true and the breathtaking underwater world that surrounds Sharm is a must see.

Even if diving isn’t your thing, don’t miss out on viewing the marine life from the water’s surface. The sea off the coast of Sharm is crystal clear and a huge variety of fish and coral can easily be seen, even in shallow waters.

After an action-packed 48 hours, my final day was spent enjoying the five star luxury of the hotel. With four pools, including a lazy river which surrounds the 86 acre resort and endless pristine beaches, there was no possibility of feeling crowded, even though the hotel was fully booked. Be aware though that most beaches are privately owned, so you won’t be able to use them unless you’re staying in one of the beach hotels. There’s only one small stretch of public beach in Sharm, which makes for a pretty crowded affair if you’re looking for a relaxing day on the beach and you’re not staying in a beach hotel.

So, after a whirlwind trip to Sharm el Sheikh, is there enough to do to justify a longer stay and to keep the activity-hungry occupied outside of the hotel resorts? The answer is yes. The trips and tours that I enjoyed barely touched the sides and if you can drag yourself away from your hotel, there’s plenty to do in and around Sharm. Day trips to Cairo and Luxor are also on offer if you’re looking for a complete contrast to the local activities and want to experience some of Egypt’s most famous sights.

Sharm el Sheikh certainly ticks the boxes as an alternative holiday option to the better known Mediterranean destinations. It’s as safe as any of the Med resorts, offers year-round sunshine and a wealth of activities to ensure even the most active visitor stays occupied. Equally, if remaining static on your sun lounger with a good book appeals, Sharm certainly won’t disappoint.

Monarch operates year round flights to Sharm el Sheikh from London Gatwick and Manchester airports and summer only flights from Birmingham with fares, including taxes, starting from just £145 per person.

In addition to flights, Monarch also now offers a huge range of great value holidays, accommodation options, car hire and travel insurance with a week’s stay at the 5 diamond rated Hyatt Regency Sharm el Sheikh Resort starting from just £620 per person, based on two sharing on a bed and breakfast basis and including return flights with Monarch to Sharm el Sheikh.

All tours, including the jeep safari, the Bedouin dinner with stargazing and the cruise with snorkeling are all available to book through Monarch Holidays (approx £40 each).

For further information or to book Monarch flights, Monarch Holidays or Monarch Hotels, please visit www.monarch.co.uk.

* Getting There

Monarch operates year round flights to Sharm el Sheikh from London Gatwick and Manchester airports and summer only flights from Birmingham with fares, including taxes, starting from just £145 per person.

In addition to flights, Monarch also now offers a huge range of great value holidays, accommodation options, car hire and travel insurance with a week’s stay at the 5 diamond rated Hyatt Regency Sharm el Sheikh Resort starting from just £620 per person, based on two sharing on a bed and breakfast basis and including return flights with Monarch to Sharm el Sheikh.

All tours, including the jeep safari, the Bedouin dinner with stargazing and the cruise with snorkeling are all available to book through Monarch Holidays (approx £40 each).

For further information or to book Monarch flights, Monarch Holidays or Monarch Hotels, please visit www.monarch.co.uk.

Source: Birmingham Mail (http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/latest-features/2009/12/16/travel-escaping-the-winter-in-red-sea-hot-spot-of-sharm-el-sheikh-97319-25404779/)