A new ‘hotspot’ has been introduced by Thomson and First Choice with the introduction of direct Thomson Airways flights to Marsa Matruh on Egypt’s Mediterranean Coast.
The weekly Boeing 738 service from Gatwick and Manchester begins on March 30, bringing this exciting area to within four hours’ flying time from the UK.
Marsa Matruh, second only to Alexandria in terms of importance and size in the north of Egypt, is located at the western end of the 310-mile White Coast, thus named for its marble-white sands.
Formerly a key trading post, the city is nowadays a thriving community criss-crossed by a maze of streets filled with the sights and sounds of traditional market stalls.
Its seafront promenade has a few hotels, which are modern compared with the summer palace built here for Ramses II more than 3,000 years ago, and luxurious compared with the cave used as Rommel’s headquarters during the Second World War – both now tourist attractions.
Both Thomson Holidays and First Choice will be focusing on the area known as Almaza Bay, 30 minutes to the east of the city, where Jaz Resorts has established three new hotels offering a wide variety of facilities and bordering an idyllic stretch of beach.
Situated 250 miles north-west of Cairo, temperatures average around 22C from April to October, peaking at 34C in July and August with cooling sea breezes.
Unlike resorts on the Red Sea, this is not a year-round sunshine destination and many hotels close over winter. But neither is it anywhere near as developed, and it is hard to imagine it ever will be. Almaza Bay has a stand-alone development of only three hotels, adding to the air of tranquillity.
In addition, sights not easily accessible from the Red Sea resorts can be easily reached from Marsa Matruh. Alexandria, about three hours away by car, is an exciting city with a European flavour.
A stroll along the corniche will lead to Fort Qaitbey, built where the great Pharos lighthouse once stood. More recent events can be better understood at the museum commemorating the famous World War II battle of El Alamein.
Excursions of a longer duration are available both to Cairo and the Siwa Oasis, while divers will be impressed with the exciting wrecks lying off the shore.
Sample product
As part of its Platinum range, Thomson has seven nights’ all-inclusive at the five-star Jaz Oriental Hotel starting at £535 per person, based on two adults sharing. thomson.co.uk, 0844 871 0877
The five-star Jaz Crystal Resort, featured in the First Choice Premier Families Range, features a good number of interconnecting rooms, kids’ club facilities, large swimming pool and a beachside location. Prices, based on two adults sharing on an all-inclusive basis, start from £575 for seven nights, with child prices starting at £415 when sharing. firstchoice.co.uk, 0844 871 0877
Both examples are based on March 30 departures from Gatwick.
