Tag Archives: Travel

Egypt : 7 Activities I Did in El Gouna

1. Diving in The Red Sea

Like all scuba diving lovers, I could not ignore a dive in the Red Sea!

During my short stay in El Gouna, I had a nice dive with the Colona Diving Club. I did not dive deep, within 20 meters, but with a good visibility. Perfect as a refresher, after more than a year without diving! The whole team is very professional.

Leaving early in the morning by boat, we returned in the middle of the afternoon. After my first (and unfortunately unique) dive, I had a seasickness because there were a lot of big waves. But the landscape and the color of the water were stunning.

2. Discovering By Bike El Gouna

What is better than a bike ride?

Created 25 years ago north of Hurgada, this small seaside town, facing the Red Sea, is covered with countless lagoons. We ride a bicycle in a gradient of blue and turquoise. Pure happiness for the eyes!

There is a lot of wind and small bridges. We often ride on wooden bridges, while discovering points of view that are difficult to access otherwise. It’s a real pleasure! To experience early in the morning or at the end of the day, to avoid a strong sun.

3. Riding A Quad In The Desert

El Gouna is at the gateway to the desert

So we tested two types of activity to visit “the desert”: the jeep safari and the quad with Alex Safari. Both have strengths. But, I preferred the quad, because the tour is more active and spectacular.

It feels like entering the decor where the dust is master. We drove fast enough, with a first stop in the camp of a Bedouin family.

All along the trail, there are some small stops to “explore” geological curiosities, such as caves (photos above). The highlight of the excursion: the sunset facing the Dry Canyon, a landscape from a western!

5. Relaxing In A Beach Club

Yes, Lazing In The Sun!

We did not look far. Ideally located opposite our hotel, the Three Corners Ocean View, we had lunch and spent the afternoon at the Moods Restaurant & Beach Club.

The view is lovely and the atmosphere young and cool. I felt asleep while scanning the horizon and the sea, listenning some lounge music! Like everywhere in El Gouna, there is a lot of wind (which can be cold).

6. Jeep Safari In The Desert

Back To The Desert!

This time in a jeep! Nice tour (with a stop in the same camp of a Bedouin family) as when we were on quad. Same view for the sunset on the Dry Canyon.

Only the rhythm changes (longer stops along the trail). So I might recommend the jeep if you don’t like the quad, or go with your parents (and they don’t like or drive a quad, lol!). 

7. Dining In The Marina

El Gouna By Night

The two hotels where we stayed are very comfortable. So we had most of our dinners there. That’s why I would not be able to do a review of the restaurants in the marina of El Gouna.

We only dined in a restaurant in the marina : a delicious and delightful experience. And as we strolled along the pontoons cluttered of yachts, I saw several restaurants with beautiful terraces. The atmosphere is very nice and laid back.

I also spotted some shops, like Malaika which offers linens (with Egyptian cotton? Photos below).

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

Sunweb.com, diving : www.colona.com, quad & jeep safari :  wwwalexsafarielgouna.com, Moods Restaurant & Beach Club

Related articles : Destinations & Hotel Review

Many Thanks to Sunweb for this beautiful invitation. And many thanks to Colona, Alex Safari and Moods. As always these are my opinions.

El Gouna: Where To Sleep

Three Corners Ocean View

The Charming Hotel

The hotel in El Gouna I recommend you to stay is the Three Corners Ocean View, ideally located in the marina with an amazing 180 degree view of the Red Sea and turquoise lagoons! A discreet gem of friendliness with a great team. It feels really good and you can totally destress. The marina’s restaurants and shops are a short walking distance, or you can take tuk tuks.

I really liked this small hotel, even if the interior design doesn’t match my tastes. Here, I soon forgot this “detail” to fully appreciate the exceptional location, cleanliness, kindness of the effecient staff, as well as the discretion of the other customers. In short, the unique atmosphere of this hotel reserved for adults

Our large room was comfortable with a big balcony and a lovely view of the yachts. The basic bathroom with shower was convenient. And the icing on the cake: the outdoor terraces with flower gardens (and the Red Sea in the background) and the quality of the restaurant, both at breakfast and for dinners.

Steigenberger Golf & Resort El Gouna

Beautiful Gardens

The first highlights of the Steigenberger Golf Resort El Gouna is its beautiful gardens! A pleasure for the eyes! Our spacious room had a shaded terrace with a magnificent view of a lagoon and the 18-hole golf course. The dream setting to have breakfast! So much nicer than at the main restaurant, but the choice is also more limited.

The facilities are clean and comfortable and the space is not lacking, but the interior design does not match my taste here too. The hotel is large (268 rooms) and a bit far to the marina: to move to the outside restaurants or other activities, you have to book a transport, tuk tuk or taxi. The first night we stayed at the hotel, while the second night we had dinner at a marina restaurant. 

As we are very active (Louxor day tour, bicycle, quad and jeep, diving and beach club), we spent less time in the hotel. But at the hottest hours of day, we were in the nice pool, or in the shade to enjoy the gardens (which I’m a big fan!).    

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

Sunweb, Three Corners Ocean View, Steigenberger Golf & Resort 

Autres articles : Hotel Reviews & Destinations

Many thanks to Sunweb, Three Corners Ocean View and Steigenberger Golf & Resort, for this beautiful invitation. As always, these are my opinions.

Riu Palace Boavista in Cabo Verde

The Suite

Yes, Cabo Verde baby!

Winter lasts: what better than a break in the sun? Let’s go to Cape Verde, in my wishlist for a long time. After a TUI flight Brussels-Boa Vista, via Sal (the main island), we stay in the brand new Riu Palace Boavista, opened last December on the small island of Boa Vista.

The elegant architecture of the resort cuts harmoniously out in the arid landscape, whipped by strong winds (below last photo of the article). Our suite with a small pool (of the size of a large Jacuzzi) is facing the long main pool and the ocean. First impressions, a sense of space and calm. Few decorative elements in the room, which adds to the zen side.

The beds are very comfortable. Nice volumes in the bathroom, very pleasant to use, especially the spacious shower, with a seating area. I also enjoy the fact that we can both put our products on the broad edges of the washbasins, each with a dedicated space. During this short stay, we will be much outside and therefore less in our suite. 

    

In Beautiful Setting

Spaces To Relax

Honestly, the activities like shows and games do not interest me (now you know, I’m pretty boring, LOL!). In an all inclusive hotel, I am looking for comfort and tranquility. And I managed to find some privacy (like a cocoon) at Riu Palace Boavista.

The secret is to schedule activities that are out of step with the majority of other clients. To get up earlier to swim in one of the large empty pools, facing the beautiful beach. To dinner late, when the most of us are waiting for the show. To sit in front of the ocean at the end of the day, while the bar is closing. Or to spend your days visiting different parts of the island (we are hyper active).

Especially since the main restaurant (the best one) is large enough to have a table a little apart from the other holidaymakers. I really liked the breakfasts and some of the meals at the buffet. And throughout the hotel, the staff is very kind. 

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

Riu Palace Hotel, Tui Fly

Related articles : Hotel Review Destinations

Many thanks to all the team of the Riu Palace Boavista and TUI Fly, for this beautiful invitation. As always, these are my opinions.