We set off with some trepidation, given the hostilities in the Middle East. But the Foreign Office advice was that Egypt was safe — and still is.
So, we (my wife, Montserrat, and our younger daughter, Sofia, 15) decided to keep calm and carry on with our trip to Soma Bay, near Hurghada on the Red Sea Riviera.
Our Wizz Air flight from Luton was nearly full, so it was reassuring that many British travellers felt the same.
Security at Soma Bay is a top priority.
It’s a gated, guarded resort on a privately-owned peninsula 40 mins from Hurghada airport, accessible only by road, for which a pass is needed to enter.
Richard Eden travels to Egypt’s Soma Bay, near Hurghada (above), on the Red Sea Riviera with his wife and their daughter
Richard said that security at Soma Bay ‘is a top priority’
‘The greatest activity was free,’ writes Richard, ‘a 1,500ft wooden jetty [above] with an “end-of-the-pier show”.’ Namely – stunning coral reefs teeming with life
The Red Sea coral reefs are considered one of the seven wonders of the underwater world, with hundreds of colourful sea creatures, writes Richard. Pictured: A nearby snorkeling site
The family stayed in a newly-built, two-bedroom, serviced Stayr apartment, above, with sea views and a big swimming pool shared with other residents (file image)
Soma Bay has five hotels, but we stayed in a newly-built, two-bedroom, serviced Stayr apartment with sea views and a big swimming pool shared with other residents.
The company has one-bedroom apartments from as little as £94 per night.
There is golf, go-karting, paintballing, kite-surfing and a water park on offer, but the greatest activity was free — a 1,500ft wooden jetty with an ‘end-of-the-pier show’.
Pictured: The El Mina Masjid mosque by the harbour in Hurghada
Although they had self-catering facilities, the family ate most meals at the restaurants near the marina, pictured
Red Sea fans: Richard pictured with his wife Montserrat and their younger daughter, Sofia
You don’t need a ticket to enter, just a swimming costume, snorkel and mask.
The Red Sea coral reefs are considered one of the seven wonders of the underwater world, with hundreds of colourful sea creatures, from clownfish to shoals of sergeant major damselfish.
While Montserrat and I snorkelled, Sofia enrolled in a three-hour diving class that saw her plunge to 22ft. ‘Amazing,’ she said.
Although our apartment had self-catering facilities, we ate most meals at the restaurants near the marina.
In Hurghada, a meal for a family of four cost about £30.
While some have cancelled after the Gaza conflict almost 300 miles away, numbers have been boosted by the recent devaluation of the Egyptian pound.
So go ahead with your holiday. You’re in for a bargain.
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