Sunshine in Sharm el-Sheikh

The summer just doesn’t feel right without trips to the beach, endless barbeques and noticeable tan lines, but once again the British climate has failed to provide the appropriate conditions. Many will write off the year as a waste, but others will be looking for holidays abroad to take in some much-needed autumn sun.

Whilst many nearby European countries will suffer the same fate – or at least have the courtesy to wait until after the summer to have their cold spells – nations on the northern edge of Africa, which are still reachable with a flight of only a few hours, enjoy sunshine all year long. Booking an autumn break to one of these countries is often beneficial for Britons who might fail to cope with a genuine July sun – Egypt, for example, sees average temperatures of around 32o C during the summer months which drops off to a cooler, but still balmy, average of 24o C in September and October. This is mainly thanks to the number of hours of sunshine in the country – even the cooler months (such as November and February, both of which see 8 hours each day) are better off than the UK’s summer.

Tourists are also catching on to the fact that Egypt has more to offer than the iconic monuments that are known the world over – the Pyramids and the Sphinx – but also provide the perfect place to go and relax. Whilst barbeques don’t fit in with the local cuisine, there are plenty of beaches and the opportunity to get a holiday tan is always available.

One place that is becoming increasingly popular is Sharm el-Sheikh, which is found on the coastal strip between the Red Sea and Mount Sinai. Previously used primarily as a port, environmental restrictions have had a huge effect on commercial shipping and tourism has taken over as lead industry. As a result, Sharm el-Sheikh is now a beach resort and is home to a large number of hotels, restaurants bars and shopping opportunities, which range from malls to local souks. What’s more, with rain rarely clouding the sky, the bounty of beaches are used all year round and the waters have been discovered by enthusiastic scuba divers and snorkelers to be among the finest in the world.

Another popular Egyptian destination is its capital and largest city, Cairo. Being diverse as it is, Cairo offers a great deal for tourists. Landmarks such as the Cairo Tower — a free-standing concrete tower that stands at 187 metres — and the Hanging Church — which dates back to around 3AD — offer great sights for tourists to visit. Africa’s major river, the Nile, flows through Cairo and is something that should be seen – at least in part – by anyone visiting the country. Of course, the Great Pyramid of Giza is around 9 miles away and no trip to Egypt is complete without seeing the traditional monuments.

Egypt is replete with locations of historic significance, and the cities of Luxor and Aswan form part of many Nile river cruise holidays. Aswan is famous for its stone quarries, which provided the building materials for many of Egypt’s landmarks, including the Pyramids, and the city nowadays is the major travel hub of the south of Egypt.

Luxor, on the other hand, is situated atop the site of the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes and has frequently been referred to as the ‘world’s greatest open air museum’; the ruins of the temple complexes of Luxor and Karnak stand within the modern city surroundings. Nearby, across the Nile and forming part of the West Bank (also referred to as Theban) Necropolis lies the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens, as well as numerous temples and monuments, which draw thousands of visitors each year.

So, while it may seem as if the British skies are trying to thwart your attempts to bronze yourself, booking Egypt holidays for you and your loved ones could help you forget about the dismal weather back home and leave you with memories of an incredible culture that will last a lifetime.

Paul McIndoe writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.