Traveller's notes

---

Getting there:

Hurghada is 370km away from Cairo and the trip takes some five hours by car. Take the Cairo-Suez highway towards Ain Al-Sokhna, whence the road to Zaafarana and Ras Ghareb; keep driving alongside the coast.

Egypt Air operates two to three flights daily between Cairo and Hurghada. Round trip tickets start from LE594 and LE1,083 for Egyptians and foreigners, respectively. For details and reservations dial +202 682 3271, 290 4528 or 347 5193; Egypt Air Cairo, +202 575 0600.

Alternatively, the Super Jet, +202 266 0212, and East Delta, +202 576 2293, bus companies operate a daily service between Cairo and Hurghada.

Located some 25km north of Hurghada, El- Gouna is accessible via Hurghada Airport, or you can land in El-Gouna's own private airport. Operated by Orascom Aviation, direct flights depart from Cairo on Thursday at 6pm and from El-Gouna on Saturday at 7pm. Round trip tickets cost LE785 and LE1,200 for Egyptians/foreign residents and non- resident foreigners, respectively. Dial +202 305 2401 or +202 304 5331.

Buses to El-Gouna depart daily from Abdel- Moneim Riad Station, behind the Egyptian Museum, at 7.15am, 12pm, 1.45pm, 4.45pm, 9pm, 11.45pm, 12.45pm and 2am. Dial +202 574 1533.

Hotels contacts:

Sheraton Soma Bay. Tel: +2065 354 5915. Fax: +2065 354 5885. www.sheraton- somabay.com.

La Résidence des Cascades. Tel: +2065 354 2333. Fax: +2065 3542933. www.somabay.com/thalasso

Robinson Club Soma Bay. Tel: +2065 354 9854. E-mail: somabay@robinson.de

The Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh. Tel: +2065 344 0777. Fax: +2065 344 0788. www.oberoihotels.com

Le Meridien Makadi Bay. Tel: +2065 359 0590. Fax: +2065 359 0595. www.lemeridien- makadi.com

Iberotel Makadi Beach. Tel: +2065 359 0000. Fax: +2065 3590 020. www.iberotel- eg.com/makbeach

All hotels mentioned here organise trips to the ancient sites and Cairo. Car hire is widely available.

Useful websites: www.somabay.com , www.hurghada.com, www.elgouna.com