Mia & Alix Take Egypt: A Trip to Remember

Alix and I travelled to Manchester the night before and stayed at the Clayton Hotel before our early flight. We met the TUI group at 6 a.m., checked in, and grabbed pancakes at Archie's before flying out at 9 a.m.

The 5-hour flight to Egypt was smooth with excellent service. On arrival at Hurghada Airport, we were through in just 30 minutes, even with the visa checks.

A coach took us to Jaz Aquamarine in under half an hour, where we were warmly welcomed with drinks and a smooth check-in. That evening, we met the rest of the group over cocktails at the lobby bar before dining at the hotel's Italian restaurant. I had seafood linguine and cheesecake, which were both delicious. Then it was off to bed, ready for day two!

We started the day with pancakes and fresh orange juice at the main restaurant before heading to a welcome meeting at the reception. A hotel tour of Jaz Aquamarine followed, perfect for families, couples, or friends, with multiple pools and a wide range of restaurants. Guests also have access to the Jaz Blue Marine next door, featuring a small waterpark, which is great for kids.

Rooms at both hotels are the same; ours had a lovely pool view, especially stunning at night when it was all lit up. Dinner was a buffet in the main restaurant, mixing Egyptian dishes and familiar favourites like pizza and pasta.

In our free time, Alix and I sunbathed, tried vanilla iced lattes at the lobby bar, and enjoyed waffles from the snack bar.

Later, we visited the TUI Blue Crystal Bay Resort, which was incredibly impressive. The staff welcomed us with drinks and cool cloths. We toured several room types, including a stunning and spacious penthouse with a private pool and jacuzzi.

Before dinner, we enjoyed cocktails at the traditional Alf Lela Egyptian café, then took a golf buggy to Dalila, a seafront restaurant with beautiful views and freshly baked bread at the entrance. Dinner was a set menu with a delicious mixed grill.

The night ended with Eid celebrations at the hotel, featuring impressive entertainment, including fire breathers.

On day three, we checked out of Jaz Aquamarine and transferred to Jaz Aquaviva. The hotel staff handled our luggage, making the process smooth. Check-in at Aquaviva was just as efficient, with friendly staff and quick service.

We toured the hotel, which offers something for everyone - an adult-only rooftop pool, central and quiet pools, an on-site waterpark, and family-friendly room layouts with interconnecting options. The rooms were modern and spacious, with sofa beds ideal for families.

Dining was a highlight. An impressive buffet offered the best all-inclusive food, plus seven à la carte restaurants serving Italian, Egyptian, Indian, and Asian cuisines.

Lunch was at the main restaurant, which offered various options and free time to explore. In the evening, we dined at Felfela, a beautifully themed Egyptian restaurant. The main, a mixed grill, was especially popular and delicious.

We started the day with breakfast at the main restaurant. There was a huge variety, from pastries and pancakes to full English options. The iced lattes were a standout!

Next, we transferred to TUI Magic Life Kalawy, my favourite hotel of the trip. The traditional-style rooms had a cosy, homely feel, and the grounds were full of vibrant flowers. With endless activities - horse riding, quad biking, water sports, yoga, tennis, archery, and more - you could never get bored here. Dinner in the main restaurant was delicious, with quick service and great food. Guests can also dine once a week in speciality restaurants like Italian or Asian.

Though family-friendly, the resort also caters well to adults and solo travellers. One great feature was the Magic Angel table signs, which helped solo guests connect at mealtimes.

We then visited TUI BLUE Makadi Gardens, an adults-only relaxing hotel. The modern rooms vary in view, and the peaceful pool area has plenty of sunbeds, including in-pool loungers and a nearby jacuzzi. Though part of a larger complex, this hotel is secure and self-contained. There are nine restaurants and a dine-around option. Thea's Coffee Shop was my favourite for amazing cakes and coffee. The hotel even honours loyal guests with name plaques on trees!

After our visit, we joined a sunset walk. It was challenging but worth it for the views. We then returned to Jaz Aquaviva for dinner and an energetic beach party. The entertainment team went above and beyond to make it a fun night for everyone.

Today was our last day. We headed out after breakfast to do a seascope submarine in Hurghada city. It was a great excursion and got you out of your hotel for the day. It took around an hour to get into the city. The submarine lasted around an hour; seeing the coral reefs and all the fish was nice, and a great photo opportunity.

After that, we headed to the local mosque. We had the opportunity to go inside, but some of us waited outside as it was nearly prayer time. It was great to have an insight into the local culture.

The main shopping street in Hurghada city is called Sheraton Road, lined with shops selling all sorts of fake designer goods, magnets, and anything you can think of! They had it.

They also have a shopping mall not too far away, which may be a better option if you want better shops for clothes, etc.

After spending some time in the city, we returned to the hotel to freshen up and prepare for our flight back to Manchester.

WHO WOULD THIS TYPE OF TRIP BE SUITED TO?

Everyone, there is something to do for families, couples, groups of friends, etc.

FAVOURITE HOTEL VISITED?

Mia and Alix: TUI MAGIC LIFE Kalawy.

There was so much going on in the hotel, as in Egypt, there is not much to do outside. It is mostly all hotel-based, so you need a hotel with a lot going on to keep you entertained.

But also, the food here was beautiful, not just the standard all-inclusive kind. The staff were lovely and could not do enough for you.

BEST EXPERIENCE FROM THE TRIP?

Mia: Quad biking and horse riding were my favourite parts of the trip, as I like to do these activities at home. I did not think we would get the opportunity to do this.

Alix: The best part was quad biking along the dunes. I have wanted to do this for a long time but have never had the opportunity.

Favourite Restaurant Visited:

Mia: My favourite restaurant was the Italian restaurant in Jaz Aquamarine. The pasta was beautiful, and you can never go wrong with Italian food.

Alix: Dalila restaurant in TUI blue Crystal

AIRLINE COMMENTS:

Mia: It is my first time flying with TUI, and it was great. The crew and the airport staff were so helpful; I could not fault them.

Alix: The Tui planes are very comfortable, but the flight is long so make sure you have films and series downloaded.

General Comments and Tips:

Mia: I recommend Egypt. It is a destination I thought I would not like, but there is so much more to it. So, if you are unsure about going, try it.

Alix: Take mosquito spray.