Even as rates and temperatures soar, you can still book your summer vacation at affordable prices. Rehab Saad guides you through the best deals in town It's almost July, and this means that thousands of holidaymakers are heading towards the beaches of the Mediterranean and the Red Sea to enjoy a holiday's three S's: sea, sand and sun. Some flock to the Mediterranean North Coast, known as the Sahel, with its deluxe villas and picturesque artificial lakes. Others prefer Alexandria with its lovely beaches and golden sand, and Marsa Matrouh, to the west of Alexandria, with its turquoise crystal calm bays. Another group targets the Red Sea cities of Hurghada, Safaga, El-Gouna, Makadi Bay, Qusseir and Marsa Alam or south Sinai's Sharm El-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, and Taba. Fewer holidaymakers select the Mediterranean city of Port Said or Arish in north Sinai. Others prefer nearby destinations for a weekend vacation such as the Canal cities of Fayed and Ismailia, or the Gulf of Suez cities of Ain Sukhna and Ras Sudr. Whatever the destination, rates, of course, vary. The highest rates this summer are recorded in Sharm El-Sheikh and Alexandria. Room rates in some hotels and resorts in these two spots are over LE1,000 per night. The cheapest rates are in Arish in north Sinai, Fayed and Ismailia on the Suez Canal and Luxor and Aswan in Upper Egypt -- if you can stand the heat. Although they also overlook the Mediterranean, Marsa Matrouh and Port Said sell rooms with lower rates than Alexandria. Hurghada's rates are also higher than Safaga's and lower than Marsa Alam's. Nuweiba, Taba and Dahab are less expensive than Sharm El-Sheikh. Rates in July are almost like those of June in most destinations. However, in August all rates increase because, according to hoteliers, it is the peak of the summer season. In September, travellers will be able to get better rates because prices will go down, but that won't last for long before the start of the winter season in October which will witness another boom in prices. You still have a chance this summer to find a suitable destination for you and your family to spend your holiday. All you need to do is pack your bag and choose from the following deals what suits your taste and, just as important, your budget. If you decide on spending your summer holiday in the Sinai Peninsula, you've got yourself a long list of options. At the eastern part of the peninsula extends the stretch of Taba, Nuweiba and Dahab. These three cities on the Gulf of Aqaba, despite their relative remoteness from Cairo, are sought out in holidays by Egyptians and foreigners as well. Nuweiba, 87km northeast of Dahab, is known for its camping. Hotels, whether four- or one-star, are scattered in the city. The four-star Hilton Nuweiba Coral Resort (+02 069 352 0320) offers deluxe double room, garden view, for LE350 on half board basis, LE410 full board and LE480 ($158 for foreigners) on an all- inclusive basis. Standard rooms are offered for LE280, LE340 and LE410 ($137) respectively. The three-star Bawaki Beach Hotel (+2 069 350 0470) for this summer will offer double rooms for LE160 for Egyptians and $45 for foreigners on bed and breakfast basis. Dahab, Sinai's treasure box of serenity and magnificent weather, is a two-mile stretch of bazaars, cafes, hotels and camps on the beach. The five-star Hilton Dahab Resort, (+2 069 364 0310), offers standard double rooms with a lagoon view for LE450 for Egyptians and $85 for foreigners, deluxe rooms with a sea view for LE500 and $110 respectively, while suites cost LE580 and $130 respectively. Prices on offer are on half board basis for Egyptians and on bed and breakfast basis for foreigners. The resort also offers day use rooms taking up to four persons for LE200 for Egyptians and $50 for foreigners. Do not count out the idea of spending some of your wild summer days in one of Dahab's camps, and they are many. Prices of camps are the same for foreigners and Egyptians. For example, the Green Valley Camp offers bungalows for LE40. The Dolphin Camp offers its rooms for a range of LE20-70. However, if you want to combine the luxury of hotel accommodation along with camping, Ali Baba Camp offers rooms for LE100-150. If you want to dive, your stay in Crazy Camel Camp, affiliated to the Desert Diver and Poseidon diving centres, will be free. To the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula lies the outstanding city of Sharm El-Sheikh. Known for its magnificent diving and snorkelling sites on the Red Sea, like Ras Mohamed and Tiran Island, Sharm El-Sheikh provides an unforgettable break. The Ritz Carlton Hotel (+2 069 366 1919), five stars, on Um Al-Sid Hill, offers double rooms for LE795 for Egyptians and $180 for foreigners, on bed and breakfast basis. This, while suites (bedroom, living and dining areas) are offered for LE1,050 and $375 respectively, also on bed and breakfast basis. For a cheaper option, the Helnan Marina Sharm Hotel, (+2 069 360 0170), four stars, offers double rooms for LE340 for Egyptians on bed and breakfast basis, and $120 for foreigners on half board. The hotel which lies on the ever-charming Neama Bay offers day use rooms for LE250 and $45 respectively. As for the three-star Cataract Layalina Resort (+2 069 360 1820), also on Neama Bay, double rooms are offered for LE400, bed and breakfast, for both Egyptians and foreigners. Thomas Cook travel agency offers a lucrative package in Neama Bay Resort as you can get three nights/four days for LE450 per person in a double room on bed and breakfast basis. Offer is valid until 14 July and is restricted to Egyptians and foreign residents. Through Emeco Travel you can get three nights/four days for LE2,000 per double room on bed and breakfast basis including flights. You can also get three nights/four days in Movenpick Golf Resort for LE1,100 per person in a double room on bed and breakfast basis including flights. Offer is valid until mid-July. Only for Egyptians and foreign residents. If you are a fan of Hurghada, the most famous tourist city on the Red Sea with its exclusive beaches and exotic marine life, then you can select from one of these attractive deals: InterContinental Hurghada (+2 065 346 5100) offers a lucrative deal valid until mid-July. A single room is for LE600, a double for LE650 and a triple for LE725 per night on a bed and breakfast basis including service charge and taxes. You can spend three nights in Sofitel through Thomas Cook for LE840 per person in a double room or for LE705 per person in triple on bed and breakfast basis. Offer is valid until 16 July for Egyptians and foreign residents. Also the company offers three nights in Sheraton Soma Bay Resort for LE786 per person in a double standard room and LE699 per person in triple on bed and breakfast basis. Offer is valid until the end of July. For a luxury accommodation, you can book a double room in the exclusive Le Meridien Makadi Bay (+2065) 359 0590) for LE500 per night on half board basis. Offer is valid until the end of July for Egyptians and foreign residents. If you are more into less crowded areas, head to Qusseir where you can have three nights, through Emeco Travel, in Acacia Resort for LE1,200 per person in a double room on half board basis including flight tickets. If you want to spend your holiday in a resort that is more like a community with all up-to-date services and facilities, unmatched beaches and a large variety of entertainment and dining options, then El-Gouna, north to Hurghada, is the place. If you book a room in Movenpick Resort (+2 065 544501) in July and September, you can get a double for LE199 per person on bed and breakfast basis. For half board deal you have to pay a supplement of LE150 per person per night. In August, rates will increase so you will get the same double room for LE275 per person on bed and breakfast basis. In Sheraton Miramar (+2 065 545 608), a double room in July will cost you LE190 per person on bed and breakfast basis and LE280 on half board basis. In August, a double room will cost LE425 per person on bed and breakfast basis and LE515 on half board. If you are looking for lower rates, consider the deal offered by Sultan Bey (+2065 580 077), whereby a double room costs LE170 per person on half board basis. The offer is valid until the end of October. If you book three nights in Rihana Resort (+2 065 580 025) in July, you will have the opportunity to get the fourth free. One night will cost you LE135 per person in a double room on bed and breakfast basis and LE185 on half board basis. The free night package is valid until the end of July. Same free night package is offered by Ocean View Hotel with exactly the same rates. However, in August the rate will increase to LE183 per person in double on bed and breakfast basis and LE233 on half board. If you book through Thomas Cook, you can get three nights in Steigenberger Golf Resort for LE870 per person on bed and breakfast basis. The offer is valid until the end of July. However, if you opt for a Mediterranean vacation, Alexandria with its magical mixture of heritage, culture and entertainment will offer you memorable days. The five-star Sheraton Montazah Hotel (+2 03 548 0550) offers double rooms for LE800 for Egyptians on bed and breakfast and $33 for foreigners excluding meals. Day use rates are LE450 and $169 respectively with no meals. The four-star Plaza Hotel (+2 03 583 8714) offers double rooms for LE450 and $120 for Egyptians and foreigners respectively on bed and breakfast basis. Mercure Romance Hotel (+2 03 584 0912), offers double rooms for LE342 on bed and breakfast basis, whereas the Delta Hotel (+2 03 486 5542), three stars, offers double rooms for LE268 for Egyptians, excluding meals, and $123 for foreigners with breakfast. If you want to escape the bustle of the city for the North Coast, you can have a three-day package in Hilton Borg El-Arab Resort, through the travel portal Intoegypt, for LE500 per person in a double room during weekdays on bed and breakfast basis. The offer is valid until mid-September. You can also head westwards to Marsa Matrouh with its picturesque beaches and serene turquoise sea. From July to end of September, you can have a double room for LE497 on half board basis in Beausite Hotel (+2 046 493 4011). You can get a better deal in Negresco Hotel (+2 046 493 4492), overlooking Lido Beach, since you can get a double room for LE400 on half board basis. The two-star Reem Hotel (+2 046 493 3605) offers double sea view rooms for LE230 and back view rooms for LE190 on half board basis. Almost all hotels in Marsa Matrouh have the same children's policy. Children under six are free of charge, whereas those between six and 12 will get 50 per cent discount on accommodation and meals. The Mediterranean city of Arish in north Sinai is also a place for good bargains. You can get a double room in the deluxe Coral Beach Resort (+2 068 333 1000) for LE350 on bed and breakfast basis, and you can get a double room in Egoth Al-Arish (+2 06 335 1321) for LE210 on bed and breakfast basis. If you book five nights in Egoth Hotel you will get the sixth free on bed basis only. For more information, contact Thomas Cook (+202) 696 5000), Emeco Travel (+202) 574 9360) and Intoegypt, www.intoegypt.com. Additional reporting by Rasha Sadek
