A mystical land bustling with life, sound and visual beauty, Egypt is not just the place for visiting pyramids, monuments and temples, but also a country that offers the perfect climate with brilliant sunshine all year round. The ancient Egyptians established a magnificent and enduring civilization whose achievements have captured the imagination of the world ever since. Egypt cannot forget its glorious past, which contrasts perfectly with all that modern Egypt has to offer - scuba diving in the Red Sea, fine sandy beaches, exclusive nightspots, romantic Nile cruises, 5-star accommodation and a varied and exotic cuisine - making this country a truly unique and fascinating place to visit.

Unlike other countries that are currently being offered as good for property investment such as Cape Verde and Montenegro, Egypt is easy and affordable to reach from all over Europe, with many scheduled and charter flights flying direct to Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh International Airports from most major European cities. Flight times from most of Europe are around five hours or less.

Egypt's economy is now growing at a fast pace as it learns lessons from other countries like UAE, with its Dubai emirate as to the advantages of promoting itself heavily as a key tourist destination, with the number of visitors to the country growing at a very fast pace.

Despite this, Egypt is still a very affordable country to visit, with prices for drink, food and general shopping significantly below European prices.

The Red Sea offers a seascape which is unquestionably one of the most beautiful in the world and renowned for its rich sea life. Turtles and manta rays are just two of the 2,000 species to roam this natural wonder.

Its magical attraction is hidden just below the surface, where excellent clarity and mild water temperatures make diving possible all year round.

Providing an entranceway to the Red Sea 's best diving sites, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh and Marsa Alam are unique in offering access to explore the magnificent uninhabited coral reefs and islands as well as the opportunity to swim, snorkel, scuba and free dive.

Besides numerous diving centres and schools in the area, the activities don't stop there – there are many other excellent aquatic sport facilities to enjoy such as:

• Sailing
• Swimming with dolphins
• Windsurfing
• Deep sea fishing
• Boat trips on the Red Sea at dusk
• Kite surfing

The Red Sea Riviera has two seasons: a hot summer, which runs from May to October, followed by a mild winter for the remaining months. The dry climate makes the area a highly desirable location at any time of the year. Daytime temperatures very rarely fall below 20C and it very rarely rains – offering 365 days of sunshine per year, meaning that it's possible to relax on the warm golden sands of the Red Sea Riviera every day

Situated at the lower end of the Gulf of Suez, to the North of Soma Bay, lies the beautiful town of Hurghada , right at the heart of the Red Sea Riviera. With a seashore stretching 40 km, Hurghada is the centre of aquatic sports and the ultimate Arabian escape.

Founded in the 20th century as a fishing village, the warm waters here are ideal for many varieties of rare fish and coral reefs, which may also be observed through glass bottom boats. It also boasts unique underwater gardens offshore which are some of the finest in the world, favoured by tourists and experienced divers alike.

As well as offering some of the best beaches and water sports in the world, Hurghada is famous for its vibrant cosmopolitan atmosphere, with an abundance of exclusive boutiques and fashionable shopping outlets, relaxed outdoor cafes, trendy chill-out bars and international restaurants. At night, Hurghada offers top entertainment, with leading European clubs and bars establishing venues in the area.

This gateway between Africa and Asia is also a region full of contrasts. In Hurghada one can savour the flavours and vibrant colours of the East or shop for top western brands. El Dahar, the oldest part of Hurghada, is home to the town's largest bazaar where one can find the finest products Egypt has to offer: gold, jewellery, spices, brass, copperware, papyrus, perfumes, leather products, folkloric costumes, carpets, music and the famous Egyptian cotton.

Just to the south of Hurghada, and only 20km from the international airport, in one of the most beautiful bays of the Red Sea, the Premium Resort Sahl Hasheesh ( Green Valley ) is currently being created.

In the 12 km long bay with its wonderful sandy beaches, Sahl Hasheesh occupies an area of 32 million square metres and promises to become one of the world's leading holiday destinations.
 
The infrastructure in the resort has already been entirely completed, the opening of the first few hotels and luxury apartments took place in the first half of 2007.
 
Fairy-tale hotels, luxurious villas and apartments, a new "Old Town" with the flair of 1001 nights, unforgettable diving areas, golf courts, a cinema complex, lush tropical gardens featuring over 100,000 fully grown palm trees as well as a worldwide unique marina are just some of the facilities that this brand new resort has to offer in a gated resort that offers exclusivity and security. Yet all of the advantages of Hurghada with its affordable shopping, vibrant nightlife and huge choice of bars and restaurants are still just a 15 minute taxi ride away, offering the best of both worlds

Directly bordering the south of Sahl Hasheesh lies the new super-luxury resort of Serrenia, which is destined to become one of the most exclusive developments in the world, where Arab princes, celebrities, oligarchs and multi-millionaires are buying apartments, villas and palaces with prices of up to $25 million. Once this resort is fully opened in 2010, Sahl Hasheesh's location will be enhanced still further.

Marsa Alam is one of the fastest growing holiday resorts in Egypt, popular with kitesurfers, divers and sun worshippers fortunate enough to have discovered the rgiont's remote tranquillity.

Although previously a small fishing village, the construction of an international airport in 2001 has established Marsa Alam as an upcoming and exclusive holiday destination. With a host of hotel and apartment projects planned for the near future, Marsa Alam is set to rival the popularity of established Egyptian resorts such as Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh.

The appeal of Marsa Alam lies in its tropical appearance, boasting rich blue sea coasts fringed with coral reef barriers plus miles and miles empty, golden beaches. Marsa Alam has as a result become a favourite of divers eager to explore the regions numerous unspoilt diving sites where dolphins, sea cows and sea turtles swim freely, making Marsa Alam arguably the best diving destination in the whole Red Sea area.

Other holidaymakers are attracted to the area’s undisturbed tranquillity. Marsa Alam’s relatively remote location, approximately three hours away from Hurghada, makes it the ideal destination for a peaceful, relaxing vacation.