You need a break, preferably away from home. You have a family and a budget. And you want to relax while the children have fun. So what can you do? Go to El-Gouna!
What started as a private holiday retreat for Samih Sawiris has become the most exclusive destination on the Egyptian Red Sea Riviera. Dubbed a ‘miniature Riviera,’ El Gouna is a town with its own airport, international school, hospital, radio station, downtown, marina and even permanent European residents.
Planned as a self-sustaining town, El Gouna has some stunning architecture. The American, Michael Graves, has produced some very bold and avant-garde designs. His earth-colored tubular shaped houses splashed with blue, green and orange are eyecatching. The vibrant colors interact with the daylight in a most fascinating way and long after the sun has disappeared behind the mountains, the magic spell of sunset remains over El Gouna.
An Italian architect, Alfredo Freda, is the mastermind behind the exquisite Abu Tig Marina which is situated on a twin lagoon filled with yachts and sailboats. The marina is a mixture of shapes, color and movement. The overall effect is one of taste and gracefulness: a great place to eat al fresco and to shop. El Gouna is definitely a great place for a family holiday. With the Egyptian pound weak, the country offers excellent value for the euro, the dollar and the Saudi riyal.
El Gouna is situated 22 kilometers from Hurghada on a scenic coastline, scattered with islands surrounded by turquoise lagoons. Tawila and Gobal Islands are uninhabited and offer breathtaking snorkeling.
Hotels range from guesthouses to five-star beachfront resort hotels. The Egyptian architect, Rami Al Dahan, designed Dawar El Omda, a four star boutique hotel. Built partially over water and partially over land, Dawar El Omda exudes a unique charm and warmth derived from its typical upper Egyptian architecture and interior design. (Dahan also designed the stunning restaurant in the newly opened Al Azhar Park in Cairo.)
All five star hotels have programs which keep adults, and children busy from morning to night. Parents can relax while children have fun. Even babies have their own pools. The best are at the Sheraton. The Sheraton Miramar offers three baby pools, ranging from a depth of 10cm to 50 cm. All are well protected from the wind.
Outside the hotel, children have a wide choice of activities. There is a popular go-cart center and Yalla Stables offers pony rides for children up to ten. There is also a carriage in which the whole family can go sightseeing and camel trips can be organized to a nearby oasis. Children can also visit an ecological farm where they can fish for red tilapia, gray mullet, grouper, bass and even sole. The fish can be cleaned and grilled right on the premises. Minu and Habiba, a pair of friendly ostriches, inhabit the farm along with beautiful, slender flamingos. A visit to the Aquarium should be a part of the holiday for a chance to see carnivorous piranhas, baby crocodiles, sea horses and many colorful reef fishes.
El Gouna is great for spectacular kite-surfing. Other water sports include wind-surfing, sailing, banana boats, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling.
It is a protected area which is quieter than Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh; therefore divers have better opportunities for seeing wild dolphins. Two five-star dive sites are close by: Abu Nahas, a famous ship graveyard has great coral life and more ships than any other area. The Shabaha site offers canyons full of table corals coming out of the reef wall and is ideal for night-dives.
The 18-hole USPGA championship golf course attracts players from all over the world. The course, rated by the German Golf Federation, offers men’s and women’s tees ranging from 43444 meters to 6269 meters with three different tees on every hole. And if you fancy a cruise, you can rent M/S Galatea, a 28 meter-long sailing boat with a motor, 8 cabins with bathrooms and a full staff. For more information visit www.neptunedreams.com.
And if you want to combine your vacation with some incognito plastic surgery, forget Beirut, and come to El Gouna hospital([email protected]).
How to Get There
By plane from Cairo to Hurghada. Most hotels in El Gouna pick up guests at the airport. Orascom Aviation flies directly to El Gouna from Cairo on Thursdays at 6. 30 PM and returns from El Gouna to Cairo on Saturday at 7.00 PM. For more information Tel (202 ) 305 7843/41/40 [email protected]
The drive from Cairo takes from five to six hours
Where to Stay
The four-star Dawar El Omda has a special offer, including breakfast and dinner for $55 per person in a double room. For more information : 20 65 545 600/2/3/4 and [email protected] and www.sultandawar-elgouna.com
Captain’s Inn is a lovely boutique guesthouse overlooking the beautiful Abu Tig Marina. Tel :(20 65 580 170/171 and [email protected]
If you favor a five-star hotel, try the Movenpick Resort Tel: (20 65) 544 501 and [email protected] and www.movenpick-elgouna.com or the Sheraton Miramar (20 65) 545 606 and [email protected]
Where to Eat
Kiki’s down town offers tasty Italian cuisine. Ask to be seated on the second floor overlooking the lagoon. La Scala in Abu Tig Marina, also offers Italian cuisine. For French food, head for Au Fil de l’Eau; a Belgian manages this new restaurant in Kafr El Gouna. The food is great but it is only open for dinner. There is a good steak house at the Captain’s Inn in the Marina and excellent cakes are served at the 7th Star Café, also in the Marina.
How to Get Around in El Gouna
Order a TOK TOK, an environmentally friendly cab that will pick you up from wherever you are and take you all around El Gouna. Use the Shuttle Bus or Shuttle Boat. A weekly ticket costs less than $2.
Where to Shop in Abu Tig
A visit to Marie-Rose Decorations in Abu Tig Marina is a must. Marie-Rose specializes in unique pieces mostly antiques. She is known for her Nubian furniture and her reasonable pricing.
. Malaika specializes in 100 percent Egyptian cotton renowned for its exquisite softness. Its luxury bed sheets and duvets are beautifully hand-embroidered. Patterns range from bamboo to white blossom and happy flowers for children.
. Safar Khan offers contemporary Egyptian artwork.
Excursions
Excursions can be organized to Luxor and Sharm El Sheikh. A ferry leaves from Hurghada to Sharm El Sheikh four times a week.
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