EGYPT Sun, fun and exceptional watersports is the theme for Egypt’s Red Sea resorts. Leaving the history inland, they offer modern, well-planned resorts with a riviera feel. Um El Sid Set on a peninsula dividing Naama Bay from Old Sharm, Um El Sid sits on a clifftop plateau and combines lively modern attractions with a choice of stunning, sun-drenched beaches. Commanding breathtaking views over the glittering Red Sea, the shoreline here switches from terraced cliffs to swathes of golden, palm-lined sands, all descending gently into beautifully warm and translucent waters. The snorkelling is excellent here with a wealth of fantastic table coral beds, including the famous Temple Reef, all within easy reach and home to amazing marine life. Journey time from airport: 35 minutes approx Shark’s Bay This growing resort east of Naama Bay has loads to offer. Once a sleepy fishing village, it looks out over Tiran Island and is now an integral part of the Sharm coastal strip, with high-class hotels, fish restaurants and diving schools strung along its shores. The waters here are brilliant for snorkelling, too. By night, there’s plenty of entertainment, from belly-dancing and hotel folklore shows to beach bars where you can puff on fruit-scented shisha pipes whilst admiring the fabulous sunsets. And if you want to up the tempo, a 15-minute cab ride takes you into Naama Bay. Journey time from airport: 15 minutes approx Nabq Bay The quietest of the resort areas around Sharm El Sheikh, upand-coming Nabq Bay is ideal for more peaceful breaks.Offering unspoilt views over the Sinai mountains, including biblical Mount Sinai, it gazes out over Tiran Island, rising dramatically from the Red Sea. Along the shore, you’re greeted with lovely sandy and rocky beaches, many giving access to the dazzling waters and fabulous coral reefs. By night, most entertainments come courtesy of the hotels’ belly-dancing and Egyptian evenings. Journey time from airport: 30 minutes approx Naama Bay Lively Naama Bay is the epicentre of Sharm El Sheikh and offers everything sun and fun lovers could want. East of Old Sharm, it’s sandwiched between dusky mountains and wonderful sandy beaches lapped by warm, crystal-clear waters. There’s easy access to all the main dive sites, although for the best snorkelling, you’ll need to take boat trips or explore the waters surrounding the bay rather than the main beachfront. At sundown, Naama Bay moves up a gear, providing a feast of high-energy nightspots. Journey time from airport: 30 mins approx Avg daily max temperature (°C)