Holidays to North Africa and Middle East

The warm desert climate of North Africa has attracted sunseekers for years, especially during the European winter. Morocco and Tunisia are known for their wonderful beach resorts, bustling Arab souks (markets) and nomadic Bedouins, who live in the desert and herd camels and goats.

Egypt is a treasure trove of historic sights, with a culture dating back to the time of the pharaohs. From the pyramids at Giza and the Temple of Karnak near Luxor, to the Abu Simbel archaeological complex and the magnificent Egyptian Museum, this is a cultural experience like no other. A river cruise down the River Nile is a wonderful way of combining many of these sights in relative comfort. Egypt also boasts many excellent Red Sea beach resorts in Sharm El-Sheikh and the Gulf of Aqaba, with some of the best snorkelling & diving in the world.

In West Africa, The Gambia is the former British colony that offers delightful winter breaks not too far from home, with unspoiled beaches, wonderful wildlife and a flamboyant culture. The 10 islands of the Cape Verde archipelago offer year-round sunshine, pristine beaches and many adventure activities, with Portuguese influences and the opportunity to enjoy island-hopping.

In the Middle East, Jordan stretches along the east bank of this famous river. It is best known for its famous archaeological site at Petra, the ancient Nabataean capital dating to around 300 BC. Set in a narrow valley that runs from the Dead Sea (the lowest point on earth) to the Gulf of Aqaba, this ‘Rose City’ contains tombs, temples and monuments carved into the surrounding pink sandstone cliffs. You can see ancient Greco-Roman ruins in Amman and Jerash, six crusader castles and Bedouin heritage at Wadi Rum (‘Valley of the Moon’).

You should also try delicious Middle Eastern food, which includes hummus (mashed chick peas), fattoush (bread salad), baba ganoush (mashed eggplant), tabbouleh (parsley & herb salad), shawarma (thinly sliced meat, roasted vertically) and falafel (deep-fried patty). All our holidays to Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt can be tailor-made to your exact requirements, so if you have any special requirements, or need wheelchair accessible accommodation due to limited mobility, just let us know.