Guide to El Gouna

"Set between the desert and the deep blue sea, this up-and-coming resort is purpose built and is all about winding-down and taking life at an easy pace."

A startlingly red desert forms the backdrop to El Gouna. The shimmering blue of the Red Sea is its foreground. And the resort itself is built on a series of islets and sand spits, linked by lagoons and set around a surprisingly lush golf course. It may not have history but it's not short on charm, with cobbled streets and stone bridges settling nicely into mature landscaping. There's a tangible emphasis on quality too, from the well-spaced hotels to the 'downtown' shops and gin palace yachts in the marina. And beaches have been carefully prepared for undisturbed worship of the sun god Ra. For those leisure-seekers who plan to do nothing more strenuous than turn to tan the other side – this is a great choice. Everything you need is within the village area or within the hotel itself. And, as even the laziest among us like to get active sometimes, El Gouna also boasts a good variety of sports and recreation. Horse-riding, camel riding and a go-cart track join more usual facilities like snorkelling, windsurfing and tennis. Some hotels have pampering health clubs, and many offer a dine-around option within the resort. It's a gorgeous get-away after Nile-side sightseeing … or just a spoil-yourself interlude for couples or families.

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