What makes Egypt perfect for family holidays?
Finding a holiday destination suitable for the whole family can be something of a challenge - especially if you're keen to be adventurous with your choice. Egypt offers a great mix of culture, history, sports and sunshine, making it ideal for families.
To make the most of a family holiday in Egypt, it's advisable to book a twin-centre break, which will see you visit some of the country's fascinating monuments before relaxing on a beach by the Red Sea. Here are just a few of the reasons why Egypt will keep you and the children entertained.
Ancient wonders
The Pyramids are undoubtedly the most famous of Egypt's ancient monuments, but they are far from being the sole attractions. The giant Karnak Temple in Luxor and the impressive Abu Simbel near Aswan are equally awe-inspiring and well worth including on your itinerary. Luxor is also where you'll find the Valley of the Kings - home to many of the Pharaohs' tombs, including the final resting place of Tutankhamen.
The kids will feel like real adventurers as they explore the subterranean chambers in the desert and will be captivated by the colourful hieroglyphs that adorn the walls of the tombs.
If you can tear yourself away from the relics of ancient Egypt for a day, it is well worth visiting St Simeon's Monastery, an abandoned complex located in the desert near Aswan. It dates from the 6th century and is one of the largest Coptic monasteries in the world, although it was abandoned approximately 100 years after its construction due to a water shortage. The best way to get here (and the most fun) is to travel by camel across the rolling sands until you see the buildings come into sight.
Beautiful beaches
Egypt is well known for its Red Sea coast, home to stunning beaches and thriving coral reefs. After touring some of the country's ancient monuments, you and the children can all enjoy a few days of rest and relaxation on the beach at one of Safaga's resorts. Interestingly, the sands here are black, while you can expect the sea temperature to be 20 degrees C or higher, depending on the time of year you visit.
While spending your days lounging in the sun with a good book while the kids splash in the pool might seem like the best option, it would be a shame to miss out on some of Safaga's water sports.
Exciting activities
Safaga is the place to go if you want the beach part of your break to be a little more active. This is particularly good if you've got older kids who need a little more than a swimming pool or a bucket and spade to be entertained.
The islands just offshore are ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving, with beautiful corals and all manner of marine animals living just beneath the surface. If you do decide to take the plunge and learn to dive as a family, you can look forward to taking excursions to dive sites such as Panorama Reef, where you could be lucky enough to spot manta rays, barracudas or white-tip reef sharks.
Kite and windsurfing are also incredibly popular pastimes, with good wind conditions experienced all year round. The gulf surrounding Safaga does not have any reef in it, which makes it a safe location in which to master the sports.
