Experience ‘an otherworldly atmosphere’ with luxury beaches, adventure and rich history on a bucket list trip to Egypt

AS a child I would pore over Ancient Egypt encyclopaedias, my imagination captured by the grandeur of their rituals and traditions.

Tales of powerful kings and queens, breathtaking temples, and well-preserved mummies made the mysterious land a definite addition to my travel bucket list.

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So when I heard easyJet had launched a direct flight from Glasgow to Hurghada, a vibrant beach city on Egypt’s Red Sea Coast, I literally jumped for joy and quickly booked.

Once a fishing village, the destination is now a thriving tourist hub connecting sun-seeking visitors to the country’s extraordinary landscape.

Whether you’re after an adventure into the ancient past or just want to kick back and relax by the pool, there is something for everyone here.

My hotel, the Rixos Premium Megawish Suites and Villas, is set on a kilometre-long stretch of soft, golden sand and offers panoramic views of the Red Sea.

Just a stone’s throw from the airport, this luxurious hotel features, you guessed it, only suites and villas. For those wanting to treat themselves, this is the crème de la crème.

Check-in was quick and easy, with attentive staff handing us karkade tea – a staple Egyptian blend of hibiscus flowers, water and sugar – upon arrival.

FLOATING BREAKFAST

My swim-up suite offered the perfect opportunity to enjoy a dip without leaving the comfort of my villa – and I even experienced ultra-luxury when a floating breakfast was delivered to my room one morning!

The resort, which is so large that guests need a map to navigate, boasts several swanky bars and a café depending on your mood.

My pals and I ate our way around the world with an international buffet breakfast before spending our evenings at one of the five a la carte restaurants.

A night cap at the Panorama Bar provided breathtaking views of the Red Sea illuminated by the moonlight. But bring a jumper, the desert climate means evenings can be chilly!

For more of a party scene, the Beach Bar boasts a large cocktail menu, thumping basslines and podium dancers.

If you want something that isn’t on the menu, helpful staff will happily make it for you. My friend, James, even taught one baffled waiter how to make a venom – a luminous green concoction from Glasgow comprising of vodka, orange juice, blue WKD and rum.

We were well looked after by Chef Tomasz at Brazilian eatery La Churrascaria where we sampled a range of mouth-watering beef cuts and succulent steaks carved at our table.

And boy did we need the energy for a 4:30am alarm ahead of our four-hour journey to Luxor – an essential trip on anyone’s Egyptian itinerary.

The world’s greatest open-air museum, as it is widely known, is home to the country’s most magnificent monuments.

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After a refuelling stop, and copious amounts of caffeine, it was time to delve into our first sight – Karnak Temple.

The sprawling complex of towering temples was explained to us in great detail by our Egyptologist guide Mohamed.

It was hard to know where to look as we weaved our way between richly-carved columns and impressive sphinxes which lined the paths.

Our minds were blown as we observed the vibrant colours of the hieroglyphs and tried to decipher the symbols.

But Luxor’s jewel in the crown is undoubtedly the Valley of the Kings, a royal burial ground for pharaohs such as Tutankhamun, Seti I, and Ramses II, which we accessed via a motorboat across the Nile.

The rugged limestone cliffs and desolate landscape create an otherworldly atmosphere in the valley, the perfect hiding place for the treasures that lie within.

Our guide was very patient as we plodded through the heat and down the steep staircases into the magnificent, elaborately decorated tombs.

Having heard more than enough about the life and times of men, we then ventured over to the Temple of Hatshepsut dedicated to the longest-ruling female pharaoh in Ancient Egypt.

The grand architectural masterpiece is accessed via a steep set of stairs with the promise of a rewarding view of Luxor at the top.

Another day, we escaped from the hustle and bustle of the tourist sites by sailing over the Red Sea’s turquoise waters towards Mahmya Island, or “protected haven” in Arabic.

If you didn’t know better, you would think you had washed up on a beach in the Maldives owing to its powder-white sand and thatched sunshades.

There we had the chance to swim, snorkel and kayak in the crystal clear water before enjoying a hearty buffet lunch and frozen pina colada to cool us off.

We were even lucky enough to see a pod of dolphins swimming along in the boat’s wake.

The adventure continued as we embarked on a dune buggy experience across Hurghada’s desert.

Following a safety briefing, my travel companions were decked out with scarves and goggles to protect us from the gritty sand.

Before long we found ourselves zipping along the dunes, valleys and canyons, with plenty of open plains to open the throttle Mad Max style. Just don’t wear white, as I did!

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After watching the sun set against the backdrop of rugged mountain peaks, we sampled Egyptian tea at an authentic Bedouin tent and got to know the culture of the desert.

A BBQ feast awaited us on our return to the buggy centre and we enjoyed a traditional Arabic evening with belly dancers and tanoura spinners.

We reluctantly got up on stage to bust a few moves of our own as many different cultures came together in a lively celebration of traditions.

This down-to-earth glimpse of daily Egyptian life continued on a trip into the city’s old town, El Dahar – a vibrant and bustling neighbourhood.

There we visited the El Mina Mosque and marvelled at the stunning domes and minarets before removing our shoes to enter, as required.

Inside we studied the roof and walls adorned with intricate details and felt a feeling of peace and serenity wash over us amid the silence, a stark contrast to the busy tourist resorts.

A trip to the city wouldn’t be complete without running the gauntlet of vendors at the local vegetable market.

Intrigued tourists could easily spend hours here, browsing the local produce and spices amid the clamour of locals bartering.

Expect flies, stray cats and dust – a far cry from The Barras market back home.

After a busy few days, there was no better way to relax than at the hotel’s beach cabanas, where butlers fulfil your every wish – from iced coffee to champagne.

With white sand beaches, crystal clear water and historical sites reminiscent of a film set, it’s no surprise sun-seekers are flocking to Hurghada in search of adventure – of all kinds.

Thanks easyJet for making it easy to tick off visiting ancient Egypt from my bucket list.

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