Sofitel Taba Heights, Egypt Red Sea - all inclusive value

Hotel is locally classified 5*. The tour operator feedback from clients grades it at 4*+ with very positive feedback.

NOTE: There is a new block of rooms being built near the driveway towards the entrance of the hotel. It is screened off to avoid being seen but can be seen to a lesser extent from certain parts of the hotel. It can not be seen when looking towards the pools, beach or sea. There has been little or no disturbance to guests.

Kid's Facilities

• Baboo Club (for children aged between 4-12 years) The Sofitel is proud to introduce their Baboo Club.In addition to children being able to use the facilities free of charge, parents can have the option of a fully organised and supervised children's programme which is payable for locally (approx.US$12 for a day or US$70 for a week - check locally for up-to-date prices). Includes a variety of activities such as: painting,drawing,colouring,cutting and scotching,puzzles,ping-pong,gym,contests,juggling,swimming,pool games,watching,cartoons,and more.

Please note: Rooms can accommodate a maximum of 2 adults plus 2 children (2 to 11 yrs) or 3 adults. Maximum of one extra bed per oom which will be a camper bed or z-bed.

OUR OPINION

An impressive beachfront hotel offering a colourful stay with high standard of comfort and service, and very positive feedback. Children and adults should feel at home,ensuring a relaxing holiday for everyone.

Drinks: A large bottle of still mineral water costs approximately £1.30. A bottle of local beer is approximately £2.70. Branded spirits are approximately £5 per shot.

All-inclusive option available: In addition to offering half board, this hotel offers you the option to upgrade to an all-inclusive basis at an additional cost. Here is what's included :

• All meals are served buffet-style in the main dining room.
• Early Breakfast - Continental Breakfast (Main restaurant) from 05.00 to 07.00
• Breakfast - Full buffet breakfast (Main restaurant) from 07.00 to 10.30
• Late Breakfast - Late Continental Breakfast (Le Sultana Fun Pub)10.30 to 12.00
• Lunch - Buffet lunch (Main restaurant)from 13.00 - 15.00
• Snacks and ice cream (Pool restaurant)from 12.00 - 17.00
• Dinner - Buffet dinner (Main restaurant) from 18.30 - 22.00
• Midnight snack (Le Sultana Fun Pub) from 23.30 to 00.30

Drinks served between 11.00 - 23.00 including local beer, local spirits, can juices, soft drinks and hot beverages including coffee & tea.

• Local wine including white, red and rose is only included during the lunch & dinner time in the all inclusive restaurant from 13.00 to 15.00 & 18.30 to 22.00

Please note: All drinks are served by the glass & must be collected individually from the designated bars.

Alcoholic drinks for people aged over 18 years only.

NOTE: Drinks are not included in New Year Gala dinner and must be paid for locally

All consumptions after 23.00 hours must be paid for.

Free Leisure activities which include Gym, tennis court (daytime), Jacuzzi, Sauna & Table tennis.

NOTE: All-inclusive finishes at midday on the day of your departure. Please ensure that you are aware of this if your return flight is later in the day or in the case of any delay.

Tipping Tipping is a way of life in Egypt. People in the service industry rely heavily on tips. Although bills are presented with a service charge or sales tax, this is actually a tax and is NOT a tip. 10% is customary and much appreciated.

• HINT: Take a handful of US$1 bills wherever you go - they are ideal for tipping

Other Useful Information

• Local currency: is Egyptian pounds. there are approximately 10 Egyptian pounds to 1 UK pound. there is a bank at the hotel so it is better to change up small amounts at a time while you are there. Major credit cards are accepted but debit cards may not be.
• Language: Arabic, although English is widely spoken, if not perfectly
• Time difference: GMT + 2 (most of the year)
• Electricity:Electric current is 220 volts AC. an adaptor is necessary (usually 2 pronged)
• Attire: Egypt enjoys long hot summers and mild winters. In summer, cool cottons are best and formal wear, including tie and jacket, is not necessary, particularly in Red Sea resorts. In evenings, the temperature can drop in the winter and a warm jacket or alike is recommended. Due to the coral being so nearby, some of the beaches can be shingly near to the sea so take some flip-flops or alike if you want to snorkel from the hotel beach. Shorts and bare shoulders are not appreciated when visiting any holy sites, eg. in Cairo
• Please do not: sunbathe topless (for women) as this is not appreciated
• Duty Free: facilities are cheap but very limited at Taba International Airport. If you do want to be sure of something, ensure you buy it on the aeroplane or at your UK departure airport
• Festivals & Respect: During festivals, for example Ramadan (approx.5.10.05 and 24.09.06) shops are open shorter hours between sunrise and sunset. Alcohol will still be available in the hotels but facilities may be slightly limited during a few hours of the day. This should not affect your holiday in any way, but please respect the egyptian's customs and way of life
• Hotels & Service: Hotels in the red sea areas do not generally have tea or coffee facilities in the rooms. Take a travel kettle with you if this is important to you. The way of life in Egypt is much slower than in the UK and you should not expect the service to be the same as at home. You should expect to wait a while for anything that you have ordered - the way of life is slow and different to what you may be used to. If you want the bill, allow plenty of time for it to be brought to you
• Water: We recommend that you do not drink the tap water, but DO drink a minimum of 3 litres of bottled water per day in order to avoid dehydration and sunstroke. you should exercise common sense and use plenty of sun creams for protection from the sunshine. Cold beer and hot sunshine are not a good combination
• Swimming: pools are not attended by lifeguards. Swimming is at your own risk
• Coral: You should exercise caution not to touch any of the coral when swimming, snorkelling or diving in the sea. Coral is alive and will die when touched by humans. It is also very fragile and sharp, and can cut skin easily.
• VISA INFORMATION

Eastern European (even if in EU), South African and Far Eastern passport holders require a full Egyptian visa prior to travel

Excursions

Excursions available at the hotel include are given below. Note that some excursions may be subject to availability and minimum numbers.

• Day trip to Cairo
• 2 Days trip to Cairo with overnight in Cairo
• 3 Days trip to Cairo with 2 overnights in Cairo
• Day trip to the ancient 6th century St.Catherine's Monastery - the supposed site of the 'Burning Bush'
• Day trip to the rose Red City of Petra
• Day trip to Jerusalem
• Jeep Safari into the desert

Please note

Make your holiday extra special by booking the following before you go.

Cairo Excursion - 2 day trip

You can now book your Cairo excursion from Taba Heights, before you go. Transfers are by road and are 5 hours each direction but this is a unique opportunity to see one of Ancient Wonders of the World as well as some incredible sites.

Here’s what’s included

2 day trip

• One night at 5* hotel in Cairo
• Return coach journey Taba-Cairo-Taba
• fully qualified English-speaking guide
• The Pyramids of Giza
• The Sphinx
• The world famous Egyptian Museum housing the treasures of Tutankhamun
• Tour of Old Cairo
• Souvenir shopping time

Please note

• If you intend leave the Taba region to visit areas outside of the Sinai, eg.Cairo, Luxor, Alexandria, you will require a full Egyptian visa. For UK passport holders, this can be purchased on arrival at Taba Airport. It can not be paid for in Egyptian pounds and should be paid for in US dollars, costing approximately US$25 - $30 per person. A full Egyptian visa is required prior to travel to Egypt for holders Eastern European, Southern African and Far Eastern passport holders. Other passport holders should contact the Egyptian Embassy prior to booking their holiday.
• Cost per adult sharing for Cairo trip from January 5 to October 10 on a 2 day trip costs £165.
• Single Supplement for Cairo on a 2 day trip is £39
• Cost per child who is over 6 years of age from January 5 to October 23 for 2 days is £65

Scuba diving divepack for beginners - 5 Days PADI Open Water Course

Here is a great way to gain your PADI diving qualification by taking the PADI 5 Days Open Water Course in the sensational setting of Taba Heights, in the crystal clear waters of the Red Sea.

Day 1: The course commences with with the instructor completing formalities and participants completing a medical questionnaire. Video and presentation on theory. Students are issued with personal equipment with an explanation. Afternoon session is the shallow water first dive involving a few simple skills and a swim around to experience breathing underwater. Day concludes with video and theory.

Day 2: Water session, dive, skills and swim.

Day 3: As with day 2. Days 1-3 are as above with 5 thery / video sessions and 5 water sessions to complete. After each session, there is a quiz to ensure understanding of the knowledge development. At the end of the 5th session, there is the final exam. All of these are multiple-choice questions.

Days 4 & 5: Days 4 & 5 are spent doing 2 dives per day either by boat or by shore at various dive sites. This then completes the 4 dives needed for qualification as an Open Water Diver.

Please note

• You must suffer from no asthma, lung, heart, ear, nose, eye, throat, breathing, claustrophobia problems.
• You cannot dive within 18 hours of your return/onward flight.
• Minimum age for diving is 10 years.
• You can not dive while under the influence of alcohol.
• You may be required to purchase local insurance.
• Certification fee (PIC) approximately US$30 to be paid locally.
• PADI Manuals may also be purchased locally.
• Always ensure you have taken out travel insurance that covers you for scuba diving before travelling rom the UK.
• The dive centre reserve the right to refuse you to dive should they believe they have reason.
• If you are doing a 5 Days PADI Open Water Course, you will need to be staying for longer duration than 7 nights to take the Cairo excursion as well as there will not be sufficient time to do both.
• Cost per person over 10 years - £199

GOLF IN TABA HEIGHTS
We are delighted to bring you a selection of golf packages to enjoy this fabulous new golf course, meeting all PGA standards. The course is set by the majestic mountains and the crystal clear blue waters of the Red Sea. The course has a full driving practice and driving range facility, and offers breathtaking views. The par is 72 for the 18 holes and is 6450 metres from the championship tees.

Golf options available, pre-bookable, include:

• 5 days Silver Explorers golf package: £168
• 3 days golf coaching package: £299
• 1 round of golf: £40

A few facts about the course:

• Designed by John Sanford
• Stunning views across the waters to Jordan and Saudi Arabia
• English Golf Professional
• Soft spikes / trainers must be worn
• Handicap certificates only required if you wish to enter competitions or start before 10am
• Electric golf cart included in price
• Golf club hire available, payable locally
• Environmentally friendly: this amazing golf course has been designed in a sustainable manner with environmentally friendly grass, requiring less water, reduced fertilisation and pesticide applications
• Jeans and swimwear are not accepable on the course

Single supplement per night

• Oct.28 - Dec.14, 2008 - £15
• Dec.15 - Jan.04, 2008 - £19
• Jan 5 - Mar.21, 2008 - £15
• Mar.22 - Apr.20, 2008 - £19
• Apr.21 - Oct.27, 2008 - £15

Child prices are only applicable when sharing with 2 full fare paying adults.

Infants: £65

Ticketing information: You will be contacted the tour operator, Peltours, after making your booking. You must have travel insurance when travelling abroad. The tour operator may decline your booking if you do not have, nor intend to have, travel insurance. The name of your insurance company will be required. *This applies between the working hours of 09.00 - 17.30 Monday - Friday - if your booking is received outside these hours you will be notified as soon as possible.

Please note

• Once you have purchased a holiday, any amendments or cancellations can only be processed through the tour operator, Peltours, directly. There may be a charge to effect these amendments.

  Please note

  • The following extra charges will apply when booked by credit card: Visa/MasterCard - 2%, Amex - 3%. There is no charge for debit card payments. Visa Electron and Solo cards are NOT accepted.
  • For any bookings made within 14 days of departure, there will be an additional charge of £15 per person levied by the tour operator, Peltours, which will be added on after you have booked by the tour operator and may not show on your confirmation. This will include a ticket on departure if required.

  Child price applies only when sharing room with 2 adults

  Important Diving holiday information: We act as a disclosed agent for third party suppliers of products and/or services. What this means is that the contract for the fulfilment of the diving package is between you and the operator and additional terms and conditions may apply. Please make sure that you have read these terms and conditions before completing your transaction with us. We shall have no contractual liability to you in respect of a diving experience fulfilled by the operator, unless we have been negligent. Further details can be found in section 2 of the General Section of our Terms & Conditions.