The sights of Egypt are truly marvellous, from Cairo's pyramids down through the desert, along the Nile, via Luxor and on to Abu Simbel. The history of the place is amazing, the sky is almost always blue, the scuba and snorkelling in the Red Sea are world-class, and it's not expensive. Within a 5-hour flight of the UK are some of the world's most beautiful coral reefs, and desert scenes straight out of Lawrence of Arabia. For divers and snorkellers there are coral-covered shipwrecks, dolphins, and offshore reefs where sharks appear from the depths. For sun-lovers, there is year-round sunshine. It's somewhere luxury holidays can be had at mid-market prices, and property will always be in demand - especially in locations like the busy and expanding resort of Hurghada.

Once a modest fishing port between the eastern Sahara desert and the Red Sea mountains, Hurghada is now Egypt's second biggest tourist area (the biggest being Sharm-el-Sheik). Consisting of a strip of resorts running 20 miles along the coastline, Hurghada is the ideal base for diving the famous shipwrecks of Sha'ab Abu Nuhas and the crystal-clear waters around the islands of Giftun and Abu Ramada. Hurghada is centrally located between Luxor, famous for its temples, and Cairo, famous for the Pyramids and Sphinx.


Investment opportunity in Egypt

The Egyptian tourism industry is one of the most important sectors in the economy in terms of high employment and incoming foreign currency, and therefore figures prominently among the priorities of the Egyptian government. There were 3.1 million visitors in 1995, 6.4 million in 2003, and 8.5 million in 2005, so Egypt is definitely now the number one tourist destination in the Middle East and the East Mediterranean as far as the number of arrivals and tourist nights are concerned. Hurghada's neighbour, Sharm El Sheikh, is the world's 4th most popular tourist destination (after Cape Town, the Maldives and Dubai).

Since 2003, 31 tourist projects (particularly in South Sinai, Red Sea and Ein El Sokna) have been started at a cost of £1.7 billion. These projects also embrace infrastructure improvements in various sectors such as airports electricity, water and roads.New legislation has reduced income taxes by more than half; companies face a standard tax of 20%, and individuals are subject to a sliding scale from 10% on income of £Eg5-20,000 up to a maximum of 20% on income over £Eg40,000. Inheritance tax has been abolished.

Potential rental income for a 2/3-bedroom villa is €800-€1400 per week.


Climate of Egypt

Egypt and the Red Sea resorts enjoy year-round sunshine. Temperatures in December/January average 25°C, and in July/August can reach 37°C.


Getting there

The Red Sea resorts have been opened up by direct charter flights, so there's no longer any need to change planes in Cairo before heading to the coast. Charter flights to Sharm el Sheikh leave from Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle and Gatwick, while Hurghada is served from Manchester and Gatwick. There is a 1.5 hr transfer service between the two.


Local cuisine

Hurghada has a number of restaurants serving up homemade, fresh dishes where you would be hard-pressed to spend more than 20£E each. Apparently, the place to get proper fuul (slow-cooked broad beans) in Hurghada is Kammuna on Sherry Street! You can also get pitta bread sandwiches with fillings like fuul, falafel (called tameya in local dialect), white cheese with cucumbers and tomatoes and spices, mashed potatoes, pickled aubergines, baba ganoog (pureed smoked eggplant and spices, heavy on garlic), deep-fried breaded cauliflower or omelettes.

To start, try lentil soup (shorbet aads) or spiced yogurt salad. Main dishes might include grilled chicken panée, a meat and onion tagin (slow cooked in a clay pot), stuffed pigeon, juicy kofta (ground beef kebabs), or stuffed vegetables (mahshi).


Things to see and do in Egypt

Of course, if you are going to the Red Sea, scuba and snorkelling will be first on your list. Hurghada has excellent coral right near the shore, with some superb dives a little further out.

Further afield, the Sphinx and Pyramids at Cairo are sensational sights and shouldn't be hurried. Take a couple of days if possible, climb inside a pyramid, and have a camel ride, horse ride, or walk into the desert on the far side of the pyramids. There are no cafŽ facilities nearby so bring plenty of water. There are more smaller, earlier pyramids a little south of Cairo at Saquara, including the famous Step Pyramid.

The excellent Egyptian Museum is worthwhile even for those who don't usually venture inside a place like that, to see the incredible pharaonic treasures, such as King Tut's gold chair or ceremonial hat, well-preserved statues and much more.

Khan-el-Khalili is a labyrinthine market with a stupendous selection of excellent souvenirs that you will need to haggle over.

Luxor has a variety of magnificent temples and tombs, including the Valley of the Kings, Colossi of Memnon, Hatsepshut and Luxor Temples.

Taking a sailing boat [felucca] onto the Nile [with Egyptian skipper] is a pleasant way to escape the crowds, especially for sunset.

Ride camels and horses, especially near the Giza pyramids or around Sinai Red Sea resorts.


Useful facts

Local Currency
The Egyptian pound (£Eg), divided into 100 piastres. Banking hours: 8am-2pm Monday to Thursday.

The importation and exportation of local currency is limited to 100 Egyptian pounds for non-residents. The importation of foreign currency is not limited and the exportation of foreign currency is permitted up to the amount imported and declared on arrival.

Language
Arabic is the local language; English is widely spoken and understood.

Egyptian Embassy in the UK
26 South St,
London W1Y 6DD
Tel: 020 7499 3304
www.egypt.embassyhomepage.com

Visa requirements
Visa required but can be purchased at airport on arrival.

Time difference
GMT +2 (GMT +3 from May to September).

Electricity
Most areas 220 volts AC, 50Hz.