By:
Sharon Bentley
2016-06-23
Hurghada has transformed in recent years from a small Red Sea fishing village into a vibrant tourist hot-spot. Sandwiched between shimmering blue seas and empty desert, its smart hotels, fabulous restaurants and golden sands make Hurghada a perfect place for some serious sun drenched R&R.
If you love shops, you’ll be in your element. Souvenir shops line the beach and if you’re in the mood for some famous brand shopping – The Marina Boulevard is home to over 80 outlets. Alternatively, you can practise your bartering skills at the bazaar in El Dahar (Down Town) Hurghada.
Foodies are also well catered for. You can choose from some excellent local restaurants to world famous chains like the Hard Rock Cafe. There’s even a fish and chip shop!!!
Understandably, Hurghada stays revolve around the beach. Most of the hotels are moments from the golden sands and an abundance of water sports such as windsurfing, sailing and snorkelling are available.
The crystal-clear seas are home to a myriad of tropical fish and intricate coral. If you’re into diving, there are some fantastic, world class sites just waiting for you.
Hurghada really does have something for everyone!
Need some travel inspiration or looking for some handy travel tips? Our blog provides excellent insight into our travel destinations - from tour updates to country guides, packing lists to little known things to do, you'll find it all in our travel blog.
By:
Martin Hosie
2026-08-06
Planning a trip to Jordan? Learn from our mistakes with this essential travel guide. From navigating the vast ruins of Petra and booking the perfect Wadi Rum desert camp to floating in the Dead Sea, discover why an expertly guided adventure is the smartest way to explore.
By:
Martin Hosie
2026-08-03
Lebanon is ancient, resilient, and wildly beautiful. Discover the best things to visit in Lebanon with our honest, story-driven travel guide. From exploring Beirut’s vibrant streets and the sacred Qadisha Valley to marvelling at Baalbek's colossal Roman ruins, see why an Encounters Travel adventure will change everything you thought you knew.
By:
Martin Hosie
2026-07-29
Planning a trip to Lebanon? Discover the best things to do in Beirut with our honest travel guide. From marvelling at the Jeita Grotto and ancient Baalbek to wandering vibrant neighbourhoods like Gemmayze, find out why an Encounters Travel guided tour is the perfect way to explore.
By:
Martin Hosie
2026-07-27
Botswana’s luxury reputation can feel intimidating to the budget-conscious traveller, but the reality is beautifully different. Read our honest breakdown of the best places to visit in Botswana. From silent mokoro rides in the Okavango Delta to vast elephant herds in Chobe National Park, discover what genuinely lives up to the hype, and what to skip, on an Encounters Travel overland tour.
By:
Martin Hosie
2026-07-21
We booked a family overland trip half-expecting Namibia's Skeleton Coast to be all eerie silence and dramatic shipwrecks. What we actually found, from roaring lions padding along the coastline to cape fur seals barking in their thousands, completely changed how we think about safari travel. Here's the story of the most unexpectedly alive place we've ever visited.