Marsa Alam, an oasis of peace between desert and sea

Livingston flight from Malpensa on time, take-off around 6.00 in the morning (check-in at the airport in the middle of the night) and landing after about 4 hours, at Marsa Alam (literally the "port of the flag") late in the morning. Tour operator: Pianeta Terra.

In this period of the year the climate is windy, the temperature during the day is around 26 degrees, while in the evening it's cool. The ideal is to wear a wetsuit for snorkelling because, after a while in the water, you inevitably start to feel cold.

As a first tip, if I really have to be honest, I'd tell you not to go to this Resort, as it doesn't offer services adequate to the price for various reasons: the beach (very small), the rooms (a bit run-down, especially in some wings of the resort, the best are those with a sea view), poor-quality food, extra charges for everything.... on the positive side, decent cleanliness, the local excursion guides and all the Egyptian staff always very kind and smiling with the guests. The entertainment isn't intrusive and on the whole almost non-existent...

Among the best Italian tour operators present in this area, certainly SETTEMARI (Blue Lagoon and Dream Lagoon) and VERATOUR (Elphistone).

Unfortunately I realised, from the growing number of buildings under construction and the high number of Italian and Russian tourists even in low season, that Marsa Alam risks soon becoming a second Sharm El Sheikh, so hurry up and visit it as soon as possible.

I tried to discover the local culture by choosing some of the excursions that, in my view, are the most worthwhile and evocative.

Absolutely not to be missed is the visit to EL SHALATEN (the black land), about 300 kilometres from Marsa Alam, on the border with Sudan. An excursion suited to those who love the strong flavours of Africa and to anyone who wants to discover the genuine folklore of a real camel market; here you can witness the trade in dromedaries with negotiations that have stayed unchanged for centuries. If you want to bring pens and sweets you'll make a few children happy as they come up to you trying to sell you little necklaces and other local craft objects. On the way back, a stop with a swim in the mangrove bay.

Equally worthy of interest is the excursion to the beautiful SHARM EL LULI beach, a charming marine park with rich, colourful seabeds, gleaming white beaches and turquoise waters in Caribbean style, like the Bay of Turtles.

Happy travels to everyone and... don't forget fins, mask and snorkel, because this coral reef deserves it!