I am thinking of adding a few beach/relaxation days onto a trip that I'm planning to Egypt in February of 2008. At this point, I am planning 2 days in Cairo, 2 days in Aswan (one to Abu Simbel), and 3 days in Luxor. Is it worth the effort traveling to Hurghada or Sharm el Sheik for a 3-day beach trip at the end? Are the beaches gorgeous/beautiful/picturesque or are they just okay? I have traveled pretty extensively throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, and Latin America, as well as one awesome trip to Moorea, Tahiti, so that's my frame of reference as far as beaches is concerned.

Or would I find it just as nice/relaxing to stay in any one of the three cities mentioned above for some R&R (thinking of somewhere more upscale like the Four Seasons in Cairo)?

Or, would a 3-day cruise be a better use of my time (would probably choose the Sonesta Star Goddess)?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

I would avoid Hurghada like the plague. Only place I visited in my three weeks in Egypt that I really disliked (fortunately we were only there overnight). No culture. Purely a tourist town. Ugly. Lots of Russian tourists. Sharm El Sheik is nice but if I was going back to a beach in Egypt, I would go to Dahab. Good snorkeling, diving, pretty beaches, more relaxed and less expensive than Sharm. Sharm is more expensive, more upscale. I hear the beaches are nice there too.

Hurghada, never again! Sharm is okay although I would not like to stay in Naama Bay. I prefer the Ras Umm Cid area. Mainly because my husband is a scuba diver and the snorkeling/diving are excellent there.
I agree with the previous poster about Dahab. It's still fairly unspoilt and the snorkeling/diving is excellent with the coral being mostly intact.
The beaches at the Red Sea can in no way be compared to the ones in the Caribbean. If you're looking for that kind of beaches you're in the wrong country.
Why don't you just add a few extra days in Luxor? The temps will be better there, too, 'cause in February it can still be coldish at the Red Sea.

Not a fan or Sharm or Hurghada because they are so touristy and we're not big divers/snorklers. I always preferred El Gouna (about 10 minutes north of Hurghada) - but it's off the beaten track for most tourists.

As Myriam said - the Red Sea beaches are NOT your classic white sand beaches. So, if that's what you're looking for, I'd skip the Red Sea and do a cruise. They are so relaxing!

I liked El Gouna too. It's more upscale but there's really nothing to do there for snorkelers/divers. That's why we changed to the far south end of Sharm El Sheikh which, unfortunately, has become almost as touristy as Naama Bay.
Therefore I would like to give Marsa Alam or El Quseir a try. Have you been there Grcxx3?

OOPS - that's what I get for posting without proofreading.......El Gouna is about 30 minutes (NOT 10) from Hurghada.

Myriam - we never made it to those locals. Always wanted to go to El Quseir, but I wanted to do it without kids and that just never happened!!!

There's an article on Marsa Alam in the NYTimes.com travel section this week. Here's the address:
http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/04/08...l/08explo.html

You have to register to get articles, but it's free.

Thank you so much, Sunshine!

As I can read from the article, we shall have to hurry if we want to still experience the real Marsa Alam. We'll give it a try, hopefully at the end of this year.

I lived in Hurghada for three years and I can only tell you that it is probably the worst place on earth (and I have been all over the world). You are the primary target for the slimey beach boys, bartenders and all the local folk that come from the hinterlands i.e. Ghenna to Hurghada because they can swindle you out of the last dollar. I owned a business and know first hand how it is done. It was almost impossible for me to prevent stealing, scams, etc. by my employees (18) even though they were paid with far larger wages than anyone else. The nature of the people is to take what they can get without any scruples or conscience. The beaches are dirty because Egyptians throw everything either out of windows, cars or out of their pockets and the plastic bags just fly through the air. If you stay in an upscale resort, (sans Russians), you will be spared, otherwise don't go there at all. In the three years that I was there, I only met 2 Americans who had backpacked there by mistake via Israel. The majority of tourist now is from the Eastern blocks and they are flown in by the plane load for $250, 14 days all inclusive and you can imagine what that brings to the town. The rest of Egypt is truly amazing albeit dirty in every way, including the polluted Nile, the people in general are not honest and will show you the smiley face and hospitality you think is sincere. Enjoy the spectacular history and historical sites, but always be alert. Remember, everything you purchase has a kickback to the person who brought you to the store or site. Therefore, all prioces are wicket inflated especially if you are "American". P.S. bring lots of toilet paper

How far is it from Safaga to Hurgahada? We are thinking of traveling between our ship and Hurghada to the airport to fly to Cairo. Does this seem possible to do and return in one day? Woud the trip back from the airport to the port at night be safe? We would have a prearragned driver. Thanks for your help. Jeanne

Thanks, everyone. It sounds as if we are better off spending a little more time in each city rather than adding a beach ending elsewhere, or taking a short cruise. I just wanted to know if either beach area was a not-to-be-missed spot, and it doesn't sound like it.