Sinai rises and tapers as the peninsula runs towards its southern apex, red rock meeting golden sand and deep blue water along two gulf coasts. Even the Gulf of Suez , as E.M. Forster noted, looks enticing from offshore - "an exquisite corridor of tinted mountains and radiant water" - though it's nowadays transformed after dark into a vision of Hades by the flaming plumes of oil rigs.

 

For most travellers, however, Suez is merely an interlude before the Gulf of Aqaba , whose amazing coral reefs and tropical fish attract visitors to Na'ama Bay and other resorts. Their beach scene is the best Egypt can offer and should aquatic pursuits pall - if such a thing is possible - there are opportunities for making trips into the wild interior by jeep or camel. Even from the beach, the view of the mountains of Sinai and Saudi Arabia is magnificent. All things considered, it's not surprising that some people choose to spend their entire holiday here.