And as the government considers preventing parents from signing their children off school out of term time – a practice that has become relatively widespread in recent year as families attempt to bypass huge summer holiday and half-term prices – planning a break this year might take a bit more sharpness than before.

If you’re looking for ideas, there are some options which can combine a bit of exoticism with something a little closer to home than, say, the US and Caribbean, and that’s the Middle East. Egypt Holidays have become something of a new rising star in UK tourism, with travel companies such as On The Beach offering some fabulous deals.  With beaches, diving and great weather it’s no wonder it has attracted plenty of European holidaymakers in recent decades.

We’ve found some excellent ideas for Egypt holidays that combine the best of the horrible histories side – pharaohs, pyramids and the desert – with a bit of beach and fun for the family.

The Independent Travel section featured an Easter-holiday tour to Egypt in January, and whilst the option of 10-day travel for £1,000 per adult is more than most of us are looking for, it’s certainly a good indication of how popular the region now is with enterprising traveling families.

For those who are excited by water sports and marine life, we suggest checking out the beach resorts and snorkeling/diving schools of Sharm El Sheikh. Egypt, which straddles Africa geographically and the Arab world culturally, is located just on the edge of the Red Sea.

Holiday providers across the globe are clamouring for a stake in the country’s Red Sea diving facilities. With corals of every colour and a notoriously gentle and calm current – unlike Atlantic or Pacific islands, for instance, Egypt’s coast is very protected from large winds – we would suggest trying Marsa Alam or Sharm. You can introduce the kids of water sports and have a relaxing day by the pool for yourself.

Where in Egypt have you been that you highly recommend? Is it a place you’d like to visit? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!

Please note that this article was provided by a third party, however I agreed to publish it because I have indeed visited Egypt and agree with what it says. [Photo credit @ Flickr wilhelmja]

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In my mind, Oman succeeds in striking a subtle balance between tradition and modernity. Unlike its more prominent neighbours Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Oman stays clear of the glitz and glam of multi-billion dollar projects and rather aims to tweak its existing assets to show them in a different, more authentic light. If you feel like hitting ski slopes in the desert or swanky shopping malls, Dubai is the place to be, however, if you’re longing for Arabic hospitality, traditional charm and tranquillity far away from surreal superlatives and pretension then Oman is the perfect getaway.

You should know that Oman is no backpacker-friendly place. Hostels or other types of budget accommodation are few and far between and I don’t recall coming across rooms that wouldn’t set you back at least €40 to €45. For the most part, Oman is focusing on well-off visitors, so if you don’t have enough cash in your bank account don’t even bother planning your trip…

Oman has a lot to offer: stunning deserts, massive canyons, traditional markets, impressive forts, great surfing spots and above all a unique blend of East and West. Muscat, the capital city, certainly is a good starting point for any Omani adventure. Muscat’s buzzing souk, a traditional market in the old town, is definitely worth a visit and conjures up memories of bygone times. Shrill yelling, lively haggling, scurrying animals, oriental flavours and herbs and the ever-present smell of incense create a very special and exotic ambiance. One thing that particularly struck me was that the vendors were far less pushy than in many other Arabic countries – they seemed much more laid back and not that keen on haggling you down at the first opportunity. Once you’re in Muscat you should also swing by the famous Al Bustan Palace, one of the most luxurious hotels in the world. Just like me, you probably won’t be able to splash out hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a night at this swanky place. But don’t despair, the hotel offers guided tours at affordable prices; it’s well worth the money if you feel like sneaking a peek at sultan-style digs.

So far Oman has been largely spared from mass tourism and public transport is at best rudimentary in most areas. The best way to explore the country is by car. If you want to experience Oman in its entirety from North to South, you should envisage a stay of at least three weeks, ideally between October and March to avoid the sizzling temperatures of the summer. Despite the overall absence of hordes of tourists there are still some hidden gems waiting to be discovered. One such insiders’ tip is the rugged and sparsely populated peninsula of Musandam which has seen many rulers come and go: the Portuguese, the Brits and pirates.  Musandam is the perfect getaway for anyone longing for peace, solitude and pristine surroundings. Also, I was told there must be some pretty skilled ‘dolphin whisperers’ living in the local fjords that manage to attract shoals of playful dolphins – but that’s something for my next trip…

For more information visit my destination Oman.

Author Bio: Rob Melau

Rob Melau, decided to study tourism management to combine his professional career with his passion for travel. He lived in England and France for a while and is already on the lookout for the next adventure somewhere in Asia or South America. Enjoys writing, sports and any type of outdoor activity.

Some of these links might be making us some money, however we wouldn’t include them if we didn’t they can benefit the traveler

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This small shop in Tunis’ bazaar is one of many where you can find gold, silver and leather arab decorations. Bargaining is a must, yet you can find great deals to take bake home with you. How good are you at bargaining? Where have you tested your bargaining skills most?

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Having never been to the Persian Gulf I didn’t know what to expect. On the plane I looked out the window onto the desert, nothing for miles but a small silver light in the distance. As we neared the recently renovated Dubai International Airport I saw that small light turn into a massive emerald city with the enormous Burj Khalifa building marking the skyline. I caught myself with a jaw fully opened at the beauty that was Dubai.

Knowing that Dubai had a reputation for being quite pricy as soon as I landed I went online to MyDubaiInfo.com to gauge where I could possibly stay in this new city. To my surprise it was possible to find budget lodging with the Qamardeen Hotel costing $85 to $290 a night. With a little more searching and perhaps an earlier booking I could imagine it being much more affordable.

Finding things to do isn’t very hard when you’re located in one of the busiest cities in the world. Only a short bus from the city center the Shallow Water Dolphin Experience was something that I’d recommend to anyone interested in sea life. With a variety of activities, you can, like me, even get to feed one of the dolphins! (Even though I was fairly certain that this activity was reserved for children)

Feeling hungry, dining in Dubai leaves an individual with many choices and prices. I wanted to see a different angle of the city and still have the comfort of a good meal. The boat-restaurant Bateaux Dubai was recommended to me by one of the tourist centres and I immediately found my way to the docks. The cruise may leave your wallet a bit empty but you can’t put a price on but seeing the city in the gentle reflection of the water. The variety of dishes, from Canadian Salmon to Australian Beef, will leave you with a great deal of choice as you’re gently gliding through the city.

Leaving the best for last, the Burj Khalifa experience is perhaps one of the most surreal adventures I’ve ever been on. Tickets to enjoy the tallest building in the world are around $65 for an adult but with pre-purchased tickets it could cost you a fraction less. Going up one of the quickest lifts in the world, it felt more like a theme park ride than just a mode of transportation. Finally seeing all of Dubai from the very top made me realize why I agreed to go on the trip. Gazing upon the tilt in the globe in the Arabian dawn, the experiences in Dubai will last me a lifetime. An adventure in the desert, Dubai is one of the most magical places in the world.

Michal Kniec, after completing a History degree in Canada, decided that a little change of scenery would do him some good and moved across the world to Manchester. Now studying law, he loves to write, cook, and travel as much as possible on this pale blue dot.

What would you expect to find in Dubai? Have you been there? What tips would you give to the budget traveler? Comment below and share this post if you liked it!

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