Haven't booked your Christmas vacation yet? There's still time. Rehab Saad suggests the hottest holiday getaways in town One of the many advantages of vacationing in Egypt is that it is a land providing travellers with much diversity. If you are a history lover and have special interest in monuments, ancient relics and old civilisations, then Egypt is the place with its mixture of Pharaonic, Coptic, Graeco-Roman and Islamic sites in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. If you are searching for some fun in the sun in addition to diving and snorkelling excursions, then the Red Sea cities of Hurghada, Safaga, Marsa Alam, El-Gouna and South Sinai's Sharm El-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba are the destination. Need some adventure to add more spice to your life? Then it's the Egyptian desert or the Western Desert with their special environment, unique flora and fauna and distinctive sand formations. And if you want a relaxing holiday where you can enjoy pure nature mixed with history, then the Nile cruise experience must be on top of your agenda. One of the biggest advantages of holidaying in Egypt is being able to mix all these together. You can easily create an itinerary that combines all your favourites. You can travel to Luxor to satisfy your history interests, then take a car and head directly to Hurghada on the Red Sea and enjoy sun, sand and sea. After you finish your diving safaris in Hurghada and want to enjoy more sea expeditions in addition to desert excursions and a bit of history and culture, you can take a boat from Hurghada to Sharm El-Sheikh in South Sinai where the nature of the Gulf of Aqaba provides you with a purely different experience from Hurghada. You can have your safari to the Coloured Canyon on the back of a camel or by motorbike. You can also spend the night climbing Mount Sinai where Moses is believed to have received the Ten Commandments. A visit to the Greek Orthodox Monastery of Saint Catherine would be the climax of your trip. Room rates for foreign travellers in Christmas and New Year's in Egypt this year is reasonable. For example, a room in a deluxe resort on the Red Sea would cost from $80 to $132 in Christmas and New Year's eve on a half-board basis including all taxes. For Egyptians, in the same resort, rates would be LE400 per person, a little higher compared to previous years. However, these rates are individual. If you want better rates, go to a travel agency. Rates in Taba, Dahab and Nuweiba are much lower than those of Sharm El-Sheikh. Also, rates of deluxe hotels in the Egyptian oases of Kharga and Dakhla are more reasonable than hotels in Luxor and Aswan. And if the weather is good, Alexandria could be a cheaper option. Christmas and New Year gala dinners in all hotels and resorts outside Cairo are obligatory. Rates range from LE300 per person to LE1,000. However, it is optional in Cairo hotels. If you are interested in a special vacation in Egypt, all you do is choose from the following deals: FUN IN THE SUN: A special New Year's holiday in Alexandria can provide unforgettable moments of romance. Picture yourself with your loved one walking along the Corniche of the Mediterranean Sea. An umbrella perhaps for some expected rain? Amidst its magical mixture of heritage, culture and entertainment, Alexandria with its wide range of chain hotels, offers its vacationers a luxurious stay with yet reasonable and affordable prices. The five-star Sheraton Montazah Hotel (+2 03 548 0550) overlooking the Corniche and the illuminated Montazah Palace in sight offers double rooms for LE550 per night, bed and breakfast, for Egyptians, and $180 for foreigners without meals. Helnan Palestine Hotel, five stars, (+2 03 547 4033) offers, on bed and breakfast basis for both Egyptians and foreigners, double rooms for LE888 and $180 respectively. The four- star Mercure Alexandria Romance Hotel (+2 03 584 0912) for LE280 and $90 for the New Year holiday offers its double rooms, bed and breakfast. If you opt for the Sinai Peninsula on the Red Sea, then you have the stretch of Sharm El-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba to choose from. Starting off with Sharm El-Sheikh, situated at the tip of the peninsula, there is a variety of five- to one-star hotels. Whether embarking on diving trips to Ras Mohamed, Ras Tiran or the site of the Thistlegorm or freeing the adventurous side of yourself in quadrunning and desert safaris, Sharm El-Sheikh should definitely be on top of your list this New Year's vacation. So far, people who are in love with luxury have made the Four Seasons Resort unavailable for more bookings. However, there are several options left. The five-star Hyatt Regency Sharm El-Sheikh Hotel (+2 069 360 1234) for the end of December has double rooms for LE975 for Egyptians and $400 for foreigners on half board basis. The four-star Helnan Marina Sharm Hotel (+ 2 069 360 0170) offers double rooms for LE850 for Egyptians on half board basis, while a supplement of LE500 on the New Year's eve will grant you access to the big gala dinner. Foreigners, for $190, are reserved a double room at the hotel plus the gala. The Helnan is located at Neama Bay, the heart of Sharm El-Sheikh. The Kanabesh Village, four stars (+2 069 360 0184), and a few metres away from the Helnan, offers double rooms for LE480 on half board basis in addition to LE500 for the gala dinner for Egyptians and 80 euros plus a 70 euro supplement for the New Year's eve party for foreigners. Why not spend your holiday in Dahab ? This city, lying on the Gulf of Aqaba, is a treasure chest of serenity and magnificent weather. A two-mile stretch of bazaars, cafés, hotels and camps on the beach, Dahab can provide the perfect holiday break. It is best known for budget travelling with a wide range of camps directly on the gulf. However, there are some five- and four-star hotels in the other parts of the city. Don't consider the Helnan now though as it's closed for renovation. Coralia Club Dahab Hotel, (+20 069 364 0301), four stars, offers double rooms for LE390 for Egyptians and 120 euros for foreigners on half board basis. Yet, for the true spirit of Dahab -- and to avoid putting your hands too deep in your pocket -- consider camps. You have Al-Salam Camp for LE50 for Egyptians and LE70 for foreigners and Green Valley Camp for LE40 for both Egyptians and foreigners. Nuweiba, only 87km northeast of Dahab, is also known for its camping sites but there are also hotels. The three-star Bawaki Beach Hotel (+2 069 350 0470) offers double rooms for LE160 for Egyptians and $35 for foreigners, bed and breakfast. The Al-Waha Village, two stars, (+2 069 350 0420), for LE150 and $45 for Egyptians and foreigners respectively, offers its double rooms for the New Year holiday on half board basis. If you want to enjoy the serenity and peacefulness of nature and the unique marine life of the Gulf of Aqaba, Taba would be a good option. Orascom's Taba Heights stretch of resorts on Aqaba is one of the best options you can get in this area with reasonable rates. The five-star Hyatt Regency Hotel (+2 069 358 0234) offers double rooms for LE300 per night on half board basis. If you want a sea view room you have to add from LE50 to LE100 per room per night. If you have more money to spend, you can consider the luxurious Taba Heights Marriott (+2 069 358 0100) which offers double Garden rooms for LE450 per night on half board basis. For sea view rooms you must add LE50 per room per night while beach view rooms are offered for a LE100 supplement per room per night. To attend the New Year's gala dinner, a supplement of LE500 per person is added. For cheaper option consider Taba Heights Sofitel (+2 069 358 0800) where you can have a double room for LE260 per night on half board basis. Taba rates are restricted to Egyptians and foreign rates. El-Gouna, lying to the north of Hurghada on the Red Sea, is another good option but with higher rates. Built on archipelagos, El-Gouna covers 11 kilometres of pristine beaches. It has secluded beaches and exclusive hotels for those seeking a holiday getaway, desert safaris and a great night life. The distinctive five-star Mövenpick Resort (+2 065 354 4501) offers double rooms for LE460 per person per night on half board basis. For a sea view room add LE100 per room. Children up to 12 years old will have free accommodation, maximum of one child. For a cheaper option head for Steigenberger Golf Resort, five stars, (+2 065 358 0140) where you get a double room for LE415 per person per night on half board basis. You pay a supplement of LE100 if you choose a superior room and LE200 for a family room. For even lesser rates you can choose Sultan Bey, four stars, (+2 065 358 0077), as a double room is offered for LE285 per person per night on half board basis. The three-star Kafr El-Gouna (+2 065 358 0064) offers double rooms for LE240 per person per night on half board basis while Rihana Inn Resort (+2 065 358 0025/9) offers double rooms for LE230 per person per night on half board basis. All rates in El-Gouna are restricted to Egyptians and foreign residents. If you are a fan of Hurghada with its various tourist potential, the five-star Golden Five Resort (+2 02 346 8423) offers Egyptians and foreign residents double rooms for LE300 per person in a double room on half board basis. Rate for non- resident foreigners is $70 per person on bed and breakfast basis. All travellers, Egyptians and foreigners, during that period should pay $85 for an obligatory gala dinner on Christmas or New Year's eve. For a more relaxing vacation, you can head to resorts south of Hurghada like Makadi Bay and Soma Bay. The exclusive five-star Le Meridien Makadi Bay (+2 065 359 0590) on Makadi Bay offers double rooms for LE300 per person on half board basis in dune rooms. A lucrative deal is offered in the just opened five-star InterContinental Abu Soma Resort (+2 02 644 4632) in Soma Bay where a double room is offered for LE275 per person per night on bed and breakfast basis. If you want a half board accommodation, you pay LE100 per night. Package includes a welcome drink upon arrival, complimentary in-room tea and coffee-making facilities, complimentary gym, steam, sauna and Jacuzzi, complimentary in-room fruit basket and mineral water upon arrival. There is an obligatory New Year's eve gala dinner for $180 per person (LE1,008). Package is designed only for Egyptians and foreign residents. HISTORICAL BREAKS: For LE500 per night, Egyptians and foreign residents can book a double room in Jolie Ville Mövenpick Luxor (+2 095 237 4855) in Luxor on bed and breakfast basis and for $155 per night for foreigners whereas Luxor Sheraton Hotel & Resort (+2 095 237 4975) offers double garden rooms for LE440 per night for Egyptians and foreign residents on bed and breakfast basis. Children under 12 will have free accommodation. An obligatory Christmas eve gala dinner is offered for $130 per person. Sonesta St George Hotel (+2 095 238 2575), on the other hand, offers Egyptians and foreign residents double rooms for LE250 per night on bed and breakfast basis and triple rooms for LE320. An obligatory gala dinner is offered for $110. If you are interested in combining history with beautiful nature and enjoying scenic views of the river Nile, then Aswan in Upper Egypt, south Luxor would be the best choice. If you have money to spare, head immediately to the historic Sofitel Old Cataract Hotel (+2 097 231 6000) where double room rates for Egyptians and foreigners vary from LE460 (garden view) per night to LE850 (Nile view) on bed and breakfast basis. Rates for non-resident foreigners vary from 199 euros to 374 euros. You can pay much less if you book a room in the New Cataract Hotel, next to the Old Cataract and less fancier. You pay only LE220 per night for a double city view room and LE280 for a Nile view room. Non-resident foreigners' rate for a double room is 126 euros for a city view and 177 for a Nile view. An obligatory Christmas and New Year's eve gala dinner supplement is paid. Egyptian Old Cataract residents pay LE900 per person for the dinner; residents of New Cataract pay LE450. Foreign travellers in Old Cataract pay 90 euros whereas those residing in New Cataract pay 60 euros. Pyramisa Isis Island (+2 336 0791) on Isis Island has a cheaper option, providing double rooms for only LE390 on bed and breakfast basis. A New Year's eve gala dinner, not compulsory, is for LE350 per person. OASES SPLENDOURS: If you like to mix history, nature and adventure for relatively low prices, the Egyptian oases are the place, especially Dakhla and Kharga. Solymar Inn Mut 3 Hotel (+2 092 792 7982) in Dakhla and Solymar Resort Paradise (+2 092 792 7982) in Kharga offer double rooms for Egyptian and foreign residents for LE300 per night on half board basis and non-resident foreigners for 90 euros. CITY BREAKS: Since the Middle Ages, Cairo has been the destination of choice, with its hustle and bustle, lively atmosphere, vibrant spirit and rich history. A prime option would be JW Marriott (+2 02 411 5588) offering double rooms for $105 per night for foreigners and $90 for Egyptians in addition to 25 per cent taxes on a bed basis only. On Christmas eve, enjoy a dinner buffet or choose from an elaborated set menu tailored to your needs in JW's Steakhouse or Ahlien restaurants. On New Year's eve dance the night away in Tutankhamen ballroom to the tunes of the Masters Band, a variety of pop singers and folklore dancer Kelly in addition to the selected four-course gourmet menu. In Semiramis InterContinental (+2 02 795 7171) you get a double room for $150 per night on bed basis only including service charge and taxes. A rich programme is offered for Christmas and New Year's. On Christmas eve you can select from the contemporary Pane Vino restaurant, exquisite Lebanese at Sabaya or tasteful Thai in the Bird Cage. Night and Day also offers a festive buffet where turkey, veal leg and other specialties are offered. On New Year's eve, you can choose from Haroun Al-Rashid's gala dinner featuring belly dancer Dina, or the Ambassador's Club where you can spend a memorable evening with the hotel's most exclusive vintages. Or Rithmo where you will enjoy the DJ's latest Latino, European and Arabic music. In Ramses Hilton Hotel (+2 02 577 7444) a double room is offered for LE750 per night for Egyptians and $125 for foreigners in addition to 24 per cent taxes on bed basis only. On New Year's eve you enjoy a sumptuous dinner with an unforgettable authentic house band followed by a belly dancer show at Window's on the World rooftop restaurant. For a quieter celebration you can head to the Mediterranean Citadel Grill Restaurant for an elegant candlelit dinner and music by a guitarist and flutist. All prices are correct at the time of printing. The newspaper is not responsible for any change in prices by hotels and resorts. Additional reporting Rasha Sadek
