North Africa & Middle East

Egypt

A rich history, a scorching climate, and 2,450 km of coastline make Egypt as highly desirable holiday destination. Sun, sea, sand and culture - whether you will be paddling in the Red Sea at Sharm el Sheikh or sunbathing next to the Mediterranean in Marsa Alam or marvelling at the Sphinx, the Nile, ancient Luxor or the pyramids - Egypt offers all this and more.

From the lush farmland along the banks of the Nile River to the hostile desert inhabited only by a few nomads; from the traditional way of life of the fellahin to the chaos of modern Cairo. This is a country of many contrasts. It's not just the Pharaonic monuments that have drawn travellers to this country since before the birth of Christ - it's the legacy of the Greeks, Romans and early Christians, and the profusion of art and architecture accumulated from centuries of successive Islamic dynasties. The country’s landscape varies throughout, from the dry Sahara in the west, the beaches of the north and east, all the way down to the agricultural banks of the River Nile.  

Best time to visit

Best months to visit are between February - April, and September – November when the temperatures are comfortable and warm. May – September the temperatures can reach 50°C.

Jordan

Home to breathtaking desert-scapes, colourful coral reefs that are unequalled anywhere else in the world, and sweeping vistas towards the Promised Land, Jordan is full of charismatic beauty, both in scenery and in the genuine Arabic welcome afforded to strangers.

Here you will find cultural, historical tourism, eco-tourism, religious tourism, desert tourism (majestic mountains of Wadi Rum) and swimming and diving in Aqaba's virginal waters. As part of the Great Rift Valley, the Jordan Valley incorporates the Dead Sea, the lowest point on the earth's surface and most famous for its heavy salt and mineral concentrations, while the main towns are strung out along the length of the highland plateau, including the friendly capital, Amman.

The Kingdom of Jordan is unexpectedly peaceful amid the turmoil of its neighbouring countries and is a wonderful place to visit, made more so by its hospitable people whose immediate reaction to travellers is 'welcome to Jordan'.

Best time to visit

Best months are March – May and September – November. Temperatures are high 20oC and the nights cooler. Summer months are v. Hot up to 40oC.

Morocco

High rugged mountains that are snow-capped in winter, the arid Sahara and green, cultivated Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts make Morocco a land of contrasts.

History comes alive as you explore the souks in the narrow alleys of Marrakech and bargain over leather goods, traditional arts and crafts, fine woven rugs and a vast array of every kind of bargain under the sun! And talking of sun - some of the best beaches to be found are on the west coast resort of Agadir, where there is a wealth of fun and exciting daytime activities such as jet skiing, wind surfing and snorkelling. The nightlife in Morocco is very lively, particularly in the larger towns where you'll find clubs and bars oozing with charm and atmosphere.

The vast expanse of the Western Sahara desert landscape complete with its gigantic sand dunes and the intriguing medieval city of Fez will add an adventurous twist to your holiday if you choose to go by horseback, in a 4 X 4 vehicle or even by camel!

Best time to visit

Year round destination although December/January best avoided. Best months are March – May and September – October. Coastal area you can visit year round as their winter’s are generally mild.

Oman

Oman is an amazing place for exploration and discovery. The country is the best kept tourism secret of the Gulf region, if not the entire Middle East. Oman, on the Arabian peninsular, is where desert and mountain meet the sea, with a landscape of breathtaking mountains, boundless desert, vast sand dunes, and empty beaches lining a coastline of 1700km. Oman offers some of the cleanest, most stunning beaches a visitor could hope to see. Scuba diving in Oman is an absolute pleasure - with its warm tropical seas which are nutrient rich; creating rich feeding grounds. Here it is possible to sight basking sharks, turtles, reef coral species unique to Oman. Divers may sight Basking Sharks, Turtles, Reef Coral species unique to Oman and a host of fish.

The desert oases, ancient forts, and hill villages bear witness to a 5000 year-old culture, which has only recently began to engage with the modern world. When Sultan Qaboos assumed the throne in 1970 it was the beginning of the widely celebrated 'Renaissance' in which the country has been returned to an age of prosperity and progression. Unused to tourism, the Omanis are a very friendly people who go out of their way to make visitors feel welcome. Perhaps you simply need a relaxing break close to attractive sandy beaches in Muscat or elsewhere in Oman. Muscat has a great deal of charm and character, offering a combination of the relaxed atmosphere of an Indian Ocean town set amongst the well ordered life of a modern oil state.

Salalah in the south of Oman is very different. Take a single day excursion or an overnight visit into the Rub Al Khali, the largest sand desert in the world. Here you can enjoy silence and the majestic canopy of stars overhead. Together with soft white sandy beaches are also mountains which during the summer months receive the mists of the Monsoon creating the lush green of a well-watered country while nearby regions sizzle in the heat.

There are many activities on offer in Oman from dolphin watching, a traditional dhow cruise, to camel safari camping with true Bedouins. Take a culture tour to Nizwa or to the top of Jebel Akhdar. And for the more adventurous, try abseiling, climbing, caving, kayaking or Via Ferrata.

Best time to visit

October to April are the best months. Summer months the temperatures can rise to 40oC and the humidity is high. In the mountains it is cooler and during the months of June to September a fog surrounds the mountains.

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is a union of seven sovereign sheikhdoms formed when the British withdrew from the Gulf in 1971, and today it is a modern, trend-setting conglomeration of high-rise cities with state-of-the-art tourist infrastructure, magnificent beaches and a paradise of duty free shopping. The UAE has all the right ingredients for an unforgettable holiday, sun, sand, sea, sports, unbeatable shopping, top-class hotels and restaurants, an intriguing traditional culture, and a safe and welcoming environment.

Dubai has led the way with its huge investment in the most opulent hotels and is now firmly established as one of the world's top short break and holiday destinations. But Abu Dhabi, the capital, located on an island connected to the mainland by two bridges, is increasingly developing visitor attractions, so whether you are planning a weekend city break to Dubai or a trip to Abu Dhabi, the superb duty free shopping opportunities will delight every visitor.

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE and one of the most modern cities in the world. Visitors revel in large gardens and parks, green boulevards, sophisticated high-rise buildings, modern communication services and transport, international luxury hotels, rich shopping malls and cultural centres. And just in case you forget that you are actually in Arabia, the UAE also offers a host of experiences and attractions that utilise its historic Bedouin heritage, including camel treks, henna tattoos, desert stargazing, 4x4 trips through sand dunes and cruises aboard a dhow.

From the timeless tranquility of the desert to the lively bustle of the souk, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) offers a kaleidoscope of attractions for visitors. From dining in the desert, sandboarding down dunes, moonlit cruises by Dhow and much more, this is a destination to suit every traveler.

Best time to visit

October – April are the best months. Temperatures rise considerably from May – September reaching 40oC + and with high humidity.

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