CAIRO: Egyptian holidaymakers who head to the Red Sea resort towns of Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh often overlook Taba. Though the border town has always lured its share of tourists with its quiet beaches, clear waters, and desert trails, it's only recently that hotel chains have begun to lay down their foundations in the surrounding area, which is growing in popularity as a holiday destination. The Taba Heights resort is one such venue, which boasts five hotels, each offering its own unique style of hospitality. If the architecture gives you a sense of déjà vu it's because it has an uncanny resemblance to El-Gouna (both of which are designed and managed by Orascom Hotels and Development so it shouldn't come as too much of a surprise). And the similarities don't end there. Taba Heights is an all-inclusive resort town - that is, the leisure and recreation facilities cater to all your needs in terms of fun, sun, sea, sand and good food. What makes Taba unique, though, is location, location, location. The shades of coral stand against the dark turquoise sea, framed by the rugged Sinai Mountains: a spectacular scene for the ideal vacation escape. The sandy beach and the golf course both beckoned, it was going to be a tough choice. With a long weekend at the Taba Heights resort ahead of me, there was no rush to make a decision. Though it was tempting to find the nearest lounge chair and camp out on the beach with a tall, cool drink - taking the occasional dip into the sea or pool - for my entire stay, I wanted to take advantage of Taba s offerings. Swimming with the fishes Having never found the time to take a diving course, I didn't want to miss out on the Red Sea's natural main attraction: the marine life. Snorkeling is ideal for those with no experience; mastering the gear takes about 10 minutes. Waterworld provides snorkeling trips to nearby coral reefs, which are spectacular. Simply floating in the water, I was drawn into this surreal underwater world, interrupted only by the occasional need for air (definitely an incentive to sign up for that diving course I've always been meaning to take). Desert warrior Explore the surrounding desert on quad bikes. It's exhilarating and fun. Canyon Motor Safaris offer desert trails of varying difficulty to suit all levels of experience, from the one-hour canyon trip for beginners to the more challenging four-hour grand safari. Flights of fancy Each spring tens of thousands of birds migrate past Taba Heights, according to bird watching enthusiast Richard Hoath. "Perhaps the most spectacular of fish-eating birds is the brown booby. This seabird is deep chocolate brown above and white below. Boobies take their name, not from the scantily clad, tanned female tourists familiar to visitors at Taba Heights, Hoath points out, "but rather from early seafaring days when sailors would kill the birds for food. As a bonus, this activity requires very little effort, it simply entails gazing out at the sea from your lounge chair every once in a while. Thai me up Book a session of Thai massage for some hands-on relaxation. This massage technique manipulates the body using passive stretching and gentle pressure along your energy lines. End result, you ll feel relaxed as well as energized. It s been said that one session is like doing yoga, but without actually having to break into a sweat. Hole in one Golfers can be the first to enjoy a round at the 18-hole course, designed by renowned American architect John Sanford, this winter. Just don't get distracted by the dramatic setting and the combined vistas of four different countries: Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. How many golf courses in the world can boast that kind of vantage point? A feast fit for a king Spend a day at Qasr Zaman (only 40 km down the coastal road) and feast on slow-roasted platters of meat, poultry and seafood cooked using ancient Egyptian recipes. While the meal is being prepared, take a dip in the infinity pool, or make a discovery in the treasure room. So much to do, Taba Heights was far from the sleepy resort town I had assumed it to be. Though the nightlife is on the quiet side, there s a choice of good restaurants to dine at. But instead of lamenting the lack of a boisterous bar to head to for the rest of the night, I was quite content to tuck myself in for the night. After all, there was so much to do the next day.
