Sharm El Sheikh

Sharm El Shiekh sits on the southern most tip of the Sinai Peninsula. For many years Sharm, due to its strategic position, overlooking the Straits of Tiran, was used as a naval base and port. After the hand-over from Israeli control in 1982 the Egyptian government saw the potential in Sharm El Sheikh and started to invest heavily in developing its tourist potential.

Today Sharm El Sheikh is testament to the Egyptian government's foresight as it one of the most popular tourist destinations for Europeans. Proof of this popularity can be seen in the large number of international hotel chains which have a presence in this resort. Overall, the standard of accommodation in Sharm is very high which combined with the weak Egyptian pound and the strong Euro makes Sharm El Sheikh good value for money for us Brits. Not only does it attract the bargain hunters but also VIP's, if Sharm El Sheikh is good enough for Tony Blair and family it's good enough for us!

Many of the hotels either sit on beaches or have access to a beach. However, some beaches are not really suitable for very young children due to either a deep drop-off or the beach being covered in pieces of sharp coral. It's best if you do your own research to find out the beaches which are most suitable for your children. Some people prefer to relax around the hotel pool rather than go to the beach which is a shame as the waters just off virtually all the beaches are teaming with marine life which your children will love. A good tip is to buy a snorkel and mask, rather than hire, works out cheaper and more hygienic - it's common practice to spit in the mask to stop it from steaming up - enough said!

The temperature in the summer can be extremely high and may be too oppressive for younger children. If you are worried about the temperatures then try going later on in the season when the high temperatures start to decline eg late autumn/winter or early spring and its cheaper!

Shopping in Egypt and in particular Sharm El Sheikh is always an experience, sometimes enjoyable, sometimes stressful, but always memorable. If you don't fancy doing the old haggling with cash then you should go to the new shopping malls where fixed prices and credit cards are acceptable ways of making a purchase. Alternatively, if you like a bargain, go to the souks and markets of the old town where all the goods and souvenirs are priced to take account of haggling. So if you don't want to get ripped off, leave your British reserve in the hotel room and get down and dirty and drive home the bargain of a lifetime! A top tip is not to flash your money about not only are you asking for it to be stolen but it destroys your credibility about being unable to afford the item.

Popular items to buy are oils, perfumes, belly dancing outfits, sunglasses and leathers. Try not to be blinkered by the cheap prices of some of the goods as there are quite a lot of counterfeit items being sold in some shops and markets, so be careful.

Sharm El Sheikh surprisingly, for a Muslim country, has numerous casinos and bars, which is why it gets the nickname of the Vegas of the Middle East. This does not mean that Sharm is up and coming Ibiza, no, it's a well balanced resort which prides itself on meeting the needs of all types tourists, especially families. We have read many reviews of this area and have not found noise from any night clubs to be an issue.

Many of the hotels are All-Inclusive and provide their own entertainment, which is great for young families. Opinion is always divided on how good these "en-suite entertainers" are, but one thing is for sure your kids will love them. Bare in mind though when you are about to criticise them, if they had any talent do you think they would be in a holiday resort acting the clown?

Sharm El Sheikh is not just a beach resort; it is one of the world's top dive destinations. The crystal clear seas, spectacular drop-offs and amazing coral reefs are the magnet for this area. There are many dive centres which do an assortment of trips to suit any standard of diving from novices to experienced divers and even snorkelling. These trips can be arranged via your tour operator or locally, which tends to be much cheaper. Do your own research though before deciding who to go with and make sure you and they are fully insured! We have had feed back to say that some of the beach snorkelling is just as good as the organised trips and a lot cheaper - nice credit crunch tip!

Other trips which should be high on your to-do list are, visiting St Catherine's monastery where Moses saw the burning bush or climbing up Mount Sinai where Moses received the Ten Commandments.