Love golf? Love the Red Sea
Basking in year round sunshine and very little humidity, Egypt is a haven for golfers of all levels and offers 14 fully fledged golf courses.
If teeing off for a game of 18 holes isn’t your thing, Egypt also offers plenty of opportunities to escape the greens.
Taba Heights and El Gouna, two resort towns on the Red Sea coast, are the ideal destinations to get the best of both worlds.
Taba Heights for the golfers
Taba Heights is home to an 18-hole championship golf course designed by John Sanford, a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects.
Located on the east coast of the Sinai Peninsula, the course offers impressive views across the Red Sea to Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel.
The gentle sloped fairways offer five sets of tees on each hole and an impressive 7,100 yards between the 1st and 18th hole.
The course provides an exciting game with various rolling elevations, ranging from four to 70 metres above sea level, three challenging lakes and several sand bunkers and native desert areas.
Taba Heights for everyone
Taba Heights is beautifully positioned to take advantage of the nearby sites. It is the gateway to the Middle East so guests can take day trips to Israel and Jordan. They can also soak up the history and culture of Alexandria, Luxor and St Catherine’s.
Taba Heights allows access to the world’s best dive sites and is home to Waterworld, a five-star water sports and diving centre. Guests can also get adventurous by going on a Canyon Safari – an exhilarating quad bike adventure in the desert.
If relaxation is more your thing, head to the hotel spas or the 5km long beach to laze in the year-round sunshine.
Tee Time in Taba Heights – 5-star golf holiday from £659
Spend seven nights in the luxurious 5-star Hyatt Regency Taba Heights on a half board basis while enjoying the resort’s championship golf course. Price includes four rounds of 18 holes, unlimited practice, use of golf cart, accommodation, return flights from London Gatwick (Manchester available at a supplement), transfers, taxes and surcharges.
The Hyatt Regency also offers a free upgrade to seaview room, 15% discount on all beverages and 25% discount on massage treatments and products.
For more information visit: longwoodholidays.co.uk
For more information on Taba Heights, visit: tabaheights.com
El Gouna for the golfers
El Gouna, a premier resort town on the Red Sea coast, also houses an 18-hole championship course, designed by Gene Bates and Fred Couples.
The course offers something for every level of golfer and has three different men’s and ladies’ tees, as well as carefully placed bunkers, lagoons, and desert rough.
A second 18-hole championship golf course is also due to open in the resort in December 2011, which will be part of the new development, Ancient Sands.
El Gouna for everyone
El Gouna is a diving paradise and offers access to some of the world’s best dive sites. The fully fledged self contained town also boasts perfect conditions for kitesurfing and wakeboarding.
El Gouna is spread across unspoilt islands and lagoons, which allows for exciting boat trips in and around the resort. It also boasts ten kilometres of sandy beaches so sun worshippers have their pick of bathing locations.
If guests want to indulge in some respite, they can enjoy treatments in El Gouna’s heavenly Angsana Spa. They can also head to the Downtown area of the resort and embark on a shopping expedition.
El Gouna – 5-star holiday from £533
Spend seven nights at the 5-star Mövenpick Resort & Spa in El Gouna on a bed and breakfast basis from just £533 per person. Price includes accommodation and return flights from London Gatwick. Prices based on departures on 30 April 2010.
For more information visit: thomascookstyle.com
Golf can be booked separately by visiting: elgouna.com