Why The Red Sea Riviera Is The Perfect Winter Paradise

Why The Red Sea Riviera Is The Perfect Winter Paradise
By Darren Panto

If youre looking to beat the winter blues, you may be considering a holiday to somewhere warm. There are all the usual destinations: Australia, the tropics, the Mediterranean. But if youre looking for a holiday adventure somewhere youve never beena place with a rich, ancient history, a fascinating culture, luxurious hotels and foodlook no further than the Red Sea Riviera.

The Red Sea Riviera refers to a string of luxury towns along the northern coast of the Red Sea, in both Egypt and Israel. This area has worked hard in the past few decades to increase its appeal to touristsand now theres so much to do and see there, you wont want to come home. Following are just a few activities and features you can find during a Red Sea Riviera holiday.

Diving on coral reefs. There are beautiful coral reefs in the Red Sea that rival anything you can find in Australia. The Red Sea Riviera has always been a popular destination for serious divers. Now that the area is welcoming more tourists, there are many opportunities for even beginner divers to get in on the action, with diving schools, tours, snorkeling, and boating trips available at tourist resorts all along the Red Sea.

Beaches. No winter holiday is complete without a warm, sunny beach full of sparkling sand. Theres nothing like digging your toes into sun-warmed sand, feeling a cool sea breeze on your face, settling down with a good book and a drink beneath a palm tree and letting your worries float away. The Red Sea area boasts some of the worlds most beautiful beaches.

Water sports. If youre looking for adventure on the water, theres no better place to go than the Red Sea Riviera. Local tourist destinations offer parasailing, waterskiing, motorboat rides, sailing, windsurfing, and more. Whether youre experienced at water sports or just getting your feet wet, youre sure to have a wonderful time on the water.

Ancient ruins. This area is rich in ancient historyand you can see it all along the Red Sea. The most famous ruins of Egypt are only a days travel away from Soma Bay, well within reach of a Red Sea Riviera excursion. There are also Roman ruins and mines from the time of the Roman occupation of Egypt; ancient temples, monasteries, churches, and mosques; and ruined cities from the dawn of civilization. Each town along the Red Sea Riviera boasts a rich and varied pastand more fascinating destinations for history buffs than can be counted.

Hiking. The Red Sea Riviera is truly the place where sea and mountains meet. The area borders several noted national parks, including the Wadi el Gemal National Park near Marsa Alam; the Giftun Island National Park in Hurghada; the Ras Mohammad National Park at the Gulf of Aqaba; and more. Bird-watch for herons, ospreys, and exotic desert birds; experience hiking on Mt. Sinai and trekking through Bedouin land; walk along pristine and uninhabited coastline in a marine preserve; rappel down sheer red cliffs that soar up from the dunes. If youre looking for outdoor adventure, the Red Sea Riviera has something for everyone.

Desert safaris. Ever ridden a camel through the desert? Many resort towns along the Red Sea Riviera offer excursions through the stunning desert landscape. Theres nothing more beautiful than a vast desert sky full of stars. A desert safari is sure to be an experience youll never forget.

Fascinating culture. Bedouin culture places great emphasis on hospitalityyoull see when you get to the Red Sea Riviera, and discover how welcoming the people are. Its a relaxed, down-to-earth culture thats sure to have you forgetting your day-to-day worries in no time. The Bedouin culture also has a rich tradition of art, poetry and music thats sure to fascinate and inspire.

Unforgettable cuisine. Dont be afraid to try the local cuisine. Middle-eastern cooking is bold and flavorful. No visitor should miss the Iftar, the traditional meal that breaks a Muslim fastwith its rich and varied choice of traditional dishes, its a feast like no other. Vegetarians are well provided for in the Middle East, with lots of traditional vegetable dishes; however, vegetarians should be aware that chicken stock is often used in these recipes.

The Red Sea Riviera offers an astonishing variety of things to do, places to see, and new and exciting people to meet. With its ancient history, fascinating culture, stunning landscape, luxurious hotels and unforgettable cuisine, youre sure to want to come back next year. If youre looking for a holiday thats out of the ordinary, theres no better place to go.

Darren Panto works fro www.peltours.com Established in 1920 Peltours is the UKs longest established tour operator to Egypt. For more information on Egypt and a wide range of Red Sea holidays visit www.peltours.com/resorts

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